All set for the game
SREEDHAR PILLAI
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Kamal has been leading from the front with films starring newcomers. ‘Goal,’ releasing today, is yet another bid to woo the young audience in Kerala.
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The film is an entertainer with never a dull moment. The two-hour film moves fast like a football match.
Trendsetter: Kamal’s ‘Goal’ is the cynosure of all eyes. The film has Rejith Menon, Aksha and Mukta George in the lead roles.
Winds of change are sweeping cinema in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Audiences are lapping up new themes and young heroes. All of a sudden, new actors, technicians and producers are making a splash in all languages. But in Kerala, our audiences seem unwilling to accept any other hero other than the two big M’s – Mammootty and Mohanlal.
Says veteran director I.V. Sasi: “They are two of the finest actors in Indian cinema, and our audiences grew up on them and trust them. For Malayalis worldwide, cinema means the big two. Stories, characters and situations are written keeping their image in mind. And newcomers are immediately compared to the masters.”
In the last 10 years Malayalam cinema is the only industry in the world that has not been able to come up with commercially viable young stars; youngsters who command an opening at the box office.
One of the very few directors in Malayalam cinema who has been successful with newcomers and young stars is Kamal. In the last six years he has made movies with superstars and also with raw newcomers and young stars. He has been a trendsetter of sorts with films like ‘Niram,’ ‘Nammal,’ ‘Manjupole Oru Penkutty,’ and ‘Swapnakoodu.’
Now the entire Malayalam film industry is looking forward to Kamal’s latest film, ‘Goal,’ that is releasing today. Kamal is one director who understands the pulse of the young audience in Kerala who are weaned on a steady diet of Hollywood, Bollywood and Kollywood movies.
The director pays a lot of attention to presentation and feel of the film. His characters wear designer clothes, speak in Manglish and sing songs in exotic locations. There is an audience for his kind of films, which are told with a lot of humour, colour and sentiments.
Says Kamal, “I have made films with Mammootty and Mohanlal, which are easy to market. Such films ensure a good opening as our viewers are addicted to the super stars. But the tough job is to make movies with newcomers or up-and-coming stars. The same audience will start comparing the young guys with the veterans.
“Malayalis are a cynical lot and instead of encouraging new talent we always try to pull them down. So the odds are heavily stacked against newcomers. Yet, I enjoy working with newcomers.”
Feel-good film
‘Goal’ is a feel-good romantic movie set against the backdrop of an upmarket boarding school in Ootty with football acting as a catalyst that takes the story forward.
Kamal is introducing a teenager Rejith Menon, a student of engineering from Chennai as the hero, Sam. Aksha, a 16-year-old Mumbai model, who appears in the Cadbury ad plays Nitu, one of the heroines. The other heroine is Maria, played by Mukta George who debuted brilliantly in Lal Jose’s ‘Achan Urangatha Veedu.’
The film revolves around the trio, while two other youngsters play negative roles. Rahman is Vijay, a football coach, while Jennie, Meera Jasmine’s sister, acts as Vijay’s wife, a teacher in the same school.
Down memory lane
Says Rahman, “For me, the shoot of Kamal’s ‘Goal’ was a walk down memory lane, as I studied in Good Shepherd School where the shoot took place. Moreover, I had made my debut in the Padmarajan classic ‘Koodevide,’ which was also shot there.”
Mukesh plays the hero’s father, Issac, a former footballer, who wants his son to fulfil his dream. Salim Kumar provides comic relief as a non-teaching staff member in the school.
Like in all Kamal films, music plays an important role. Two songs each have been written by Girish Puthencherry and Vayalar Sarathchandra Varma and set to music by Vidyasagar.
Says Kamal, “Music is an important ingredient in all my films and I also lavish care on the picturisation. Remember our viewers are watching MTV, Channel V, Sun Music and a lot of other music channels.
“I have shot one of the songs in Phuket Island, near Bangkok, where ‘Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai’ and the latest James Bond ‘Casino Royale’ were shot.”
Cameraman P. Sukumaran has used a four-camera set up for the climax football match scene. Adds Kamal, “The film is an entertainer with never a dull moment. The two-hour film moves fast like a football match."
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