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Family drama: ‘Novel’ has Jayaram and debutant Sada in the lead roles.

Defiantly, the wife, Sugatha, remarks; “So, it is all with your knowledge… Your wife has arrived.” Sethunath fumbles for words. Shocked, Priya attempts to make a dash for the door with Sethunath calling after her. The director calls “Cut.”

“What you just saw is a birthday party. Sethunath has some problems with his sister and his brother-in-law Chandradas,” says East Coast Vijayan, director and scriptwriter of his first film ‘Novel.’

“I had always wanted to make a movie. In fact, some years ago, Mammotty had suggested so after watching my video albums. But at that time I was busy with my cassettes and music albums.

“I discussed the story with so many others, including Jayaram. He read the script and decided to join this venture. I wanted a new face as the heroine. It was Jayaram who suggested Sada’s name. She is intelligent. She quickly learns whatever that is given to her,” says East Coast Vijayan.

He goes on to add that the film is a musical love story. It has six songs, five sung by K.J. Yesudas. The other singers are Sujatha and Swetha. Music has been composed by M. Jayachandran and Umbai.

Says Jayaram: “Sethu is just another married man. One day a young girl comes to sing in his studio. And their friendship begins to grow. This causes some embarrassment and problems for Sethu and his family.”

Relying to a question about him being typecast and the recurring failure of his films, the affable actor says: “These are bound to happen. But that should not put you off. There are flops in every field of life. We should move forward.”

Sada is all excited about her role in the film. “Priya is a playful character. What is interesting about the character is her transition from a young girl to a mature woman. Moreover, the director is passionate about the film. It is quite an unusual love story.”

Sada, who hails from Maharashtra, had a bit of a language barrier in the beginning. “Now I can make out whatever that is being said in Malayalam,” says the actor.

Veteran actor Nedumudi Venu plays Kunjammavan. “Kunjammavan provides Sethu with guidance,” he says.

Jagathy Sreekumar who dons the role of the Swami says: “I play an ordinary character who tries to identify with the protagonist and give him support when most needed. I also see to it that the viewer who has paid for the ticket to see the movie does not return in low spirits. I have tried to help the director with my suggestions.”

Devan, now a regular face in Malayalam cinema, feels comfortable about the negative role he is playing in this film. “Chandradas, a businessman, is married to Sethunath’s sister. And Sethunath is married to Chandradas’ sister. Chandradas always creates problems for Sethunath,” says Devan.

An interesting feature about this film is the camaraderie on the sets. Every one feels involved in the work, right from the light boy to the cameraman. The man behind the camera is Alagappan while still photography is by Suresh Kaniapuram. The art director is Prashant Madhav.

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