`Audience is my strength'
K. PRADEEP
|
Thirty-five-film-old Balachandra Menon, who has been honoured with the Padma Shri, plans to make a political satire this year.
|
ONE-MAN ARMY: Balachandra Menon is perhaps the only actor to have won a Bharat award for a film that has been produced and directed by him.
Balachandra Menon never gives up easily. Written off many times, he has always bounced back with renewed vigour, with something new. For nearly three years, after he made `Krishna Gopalakrishna,' Menon was in a state of hibernation. That did not mean Menon remained quiet. He appeared in a couple of significant character roles, did a music album and penned a book. And with the Padma Shri coming his way, the arc lights are on Menon again.
Besieged with calls
"When the news of the Padma Shri filtered in, I was besieged with calls from different parts of the globe. There is nothing better than being recognised, being honoured when one is alive, when one still has the urge to create something new. Frankly, for me, all these awards and honours pale into nothing before the affection and regard of my faithful audience," says Menon.
This year, Menon has two important projects coming up - a 25-minute documentary on Indian roads and a feature film.
"The documentary is ready. Titled `Road is our Right,' it is my reaction to our callousness as road users. Like any film I make, the documentary is based on my personal experiences.
"Travel long distance by road and it is usual to see women drying clothes on the sides of the highways, copra being dried, children frolicking at a roadside water tap, fights, small-time entrepreneurs making a living, and lovers walking with no care in the world. Driving through all this can be exasperating and even dangerous. The documentary is aimed at making one think about road safety but with a smile on your face."
Menon, however, did not want to reveal much about his forthcoming production. "It will be a political satire. I don't want to say anything more as we are just finalising the cast."
Three decades and 35 films made on ideals that were dear to him, Menon has always stuck to attempting only what he is capable of doing. Perhaps he is the only actor to have won the Bharat award for a film (`Samantarangal') directed and produced by the actor himself.
"My films, many of them, may have got a lukewarm response. But I'm sure I have not disappointed my producers. I still have a very good relationship with all those who have worked with me. I believe my audience has not deserted me. They are my strength."
A charge against Menon is his insistence on playing the lead roles in his films. Is acting top priority?
"Never. Acting was an accident. But I enjoy acting." There is a feeling among some filmmakers, at least, that casting Menon can be dicey as he may interfere in the job of the director.
"I don't think this is true. First of all, I agree to do a film only after the producer and the director meet me personally and brief me about the film. Then, once I'm at the location as an actor, I switch off my energy as a creative filmmaker. I do not interfere except for some suggestions regarding my character in the film."
Menon, a one-man army, has carved a place for himself in the industry with his ability to write, produce, direct and act. But he is not quite pleased at the kind of films churned out these days.
No surprises
"In the last 10-15 years there have been hardly any surprises in Malayalam cinema. This includes my films too. Of late, I have seen only repetition of themes and even scenes. There are so many scenes from my films alone that have been cleverly reproduced in some of the recent Malayalam releases."
However, Menon has great hope in the young group of actors, filmmakers and technicians.
"They are so well-equipped. I find them so much better than most of us were at that age. I only hope that they make meaningful movies rather than wallow in trash. And it is high time our `stars' become part of the film culture. They can play a big part in improving our films."
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
