Back with a bang
SARASWATHY NAGARAJAN
|
Jayaram explains why he has become choosy about his roles.
|
BREAKING FREE: Jayaram is aiming for roles that tap his potential as an actor.
The 100th day celebration of Rajasenan's `Madhuchandralekha' must have come as a much-needed shot in the arm for the hero of the film, Jayaram. The actor had been missing from the Malayalam big screen for some time and a few of his movies had hit the dust at the box office.
However, things seem to be looking up for Jayaram. His `Moonaamthaoraal' with Jyotirmayi is all set to be released and he is looking forward to the release of `Aanachandam.'
This Padmarajan discovery who made a sensational debut in `Moonaampakkam' became one of the leading stars of Malayalam with a wide range of films. However, somewhere along the way, Jayaram, the actor, got submerged in the stereotyped role of the loud, chauvinistic hero who got his laughs through slapstick and forced humour.
Rare glimpses
One got rare glimpses of the actor in `Sesham' and `Theerthadanam' but those roles were few and far in between.
"I spent nearly a year doing those films and the returns, in terms of commercial success or critical acclaim, was not very encouraging," says Jayaram.
One wondered where was the Jayaram who gave us rocking comedies like `Meleparambil Aaanveedu,' `Georgekutty c/o Georgekutty,' and offbeat films like `Aparan,' and family dramas like `Veendumchila Veetukariyangal' and `Manasaniakkare.'
"That Jayaram was always there. It is just that I got stuck in a mould. And now I am going back to those family-oriented roles. In fact, for six months I did not do any films as I wanted a break from the roles I had been doing for some time."
The actor feels that paucity of subjects and stories force actors to compromise on their choice of films. "Every one wants their movies to be a hit. So, when onefilm is a success, there is an attempt to duplicate that. So when some one comes up with a different story or theme, not all producers would like to take the risk," Jayaram explains.
Slapstick
Has the flood of comedies that rely on double entendres and crude slapstick made viewers weary of such films. Replying in the negative, Jayaram says that he has always made it a point to avoid those kind of dialogues and films. He points out that many of his hits were all with proven directors like Sathyan Anthikad, Kamal, Rajasenan and so on.
"Unfortunately, family oriented films with generous doses of subtle humour seem to be a thing of the past. We need films with strong storylines. For instance, `Moonanpakam' was based on a paper cutting. Padmarajan saw a small news item about a medical student who drowned. That touched him and that was how the film was made. We need writers who can handle themes like that, directors to take up such films and producers who have the courage to finance such films."
Agreeing that youngsters in the cities in Kerala were more into Hindi and Tamil films, Jayaram feels that new areas will have to be explored to bring them to the theatres to watch Malayalam films.
But he is hopeful that films like `Anachadam,' directed by Jayaraj will click at the box office. "I do the role of a man, Anapremi Krishnaprasad, who is besotted by elephants. He knows the history of each elephant and elephants dominate his conversation... " says Jayaram whose affinity to elephants is akin to his character in the film. He has also signed a film to be directed by Johny Antony. Looks like happy days are here again for the star.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
