Being Sreenivasan
VIJAY GEORGE
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Versatility is Sreenivasan's hallmark. The actor, director and scenarist will soon be a producer as well.
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Writing a script is the toughest part.
Photo: S. Mahinsha
NEW ROLE: Sreenivasan's film will be directed by Mohan.
After tasting success as an actor, scenarist and director, Sreenivasan is gearing up to turn a producer with Mukesh for a film to be directed by debutante Mohan.
"It's too early to talk about the story. It is about a barber in a village who gets into a situation that alters his life for ever." It is another feather in the cap for the multifaceted Sreenivasan. After making his entry into films as an actor with P.A. Backer's `Sanghaganam,' Sreenivasan, who is against categorising cinema, went on to act in different genres of films - offbeat, commercial and comedy.
Deft storyteller
He also started writing scripts for films for directors like Priyadarshan, Sathyan Anthikkad and Kamal. His scripts celebrated the ordinariness of life. His heroes stumbled and fell and suffered setbacks. Moreover, they spoke a colloquial Malayalam that viewers identified with. His scripts had an underlying thread of humour that appealed to viewers.
"I have never done it deliberately. I lived with friends who loved humour. We used to poke fun at each other while we were all in the process of learning films and it must have left an indelible impression in our minds," he says.
Sreenivasan feels that it is the subject that prompts one to start a film.
"Once we zero in on a theme, we explore its prospects for being turned into a film. This includes the search for variety in the narration of the story. Though the audience can relate to certain themes like poverty or unemployment, years later the mindsets can change.
"We had some successful films like `Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam,' `Varavelpu,' `Vellanakalude Naadu,' `Gandhinagar Second Street' and `T.P. Balagopalan M.A' among others, which focussed on the financial crunch faced by the hero and the subsequent problems. Such themes were dealt with before our time too. But our films were accepted as we narrated the stories from a different perspective and with a dose of black humour."
Sreenivasan avers that a scenarist should have a mind that can imbibe changing times and perceptions "like a blotting paper."
Among his films, he says he found `Udayananu Tharam' the toughest to write. The film that took the least time to write was `Thalayanamanthram.'
Director too
Although he has scripted more than 40 films, Sreenivasan has directed only two films - 'Vadakkunokkiyenthram' (1989) and `Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala (1998).' Both were box office hits that won critical acclaim and many awards too.
"Writing a script is the toughest part. To put on the mantle of the director too will require more energy," he says by way of explanation for not directing more films.
Does he reserve a role for himself in all his scripts?
"Not really. It is a coincidence. I have no image problems, which makes it easier for me to fit into any role."
On the acting front, his versatility is his trump card. The range of characters he has played span all the shades of black and white. From bumbling comics and Machiavellian villains to naive idealists and simpletons... he has played them all.
Now, he is all set to play the new role of a producer in real life.
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