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The metamorphosis

Photo: K.K. Najeeb

Learning experience: Mammootty and Sasikumar in ‘Loudspeaker.’

Pavithran’s metamorphosis into Anand Menon had to wait for nearly 30 years. Sasi Kumar, veteran mediaperson, filmmaker and chairman of the Media Development Foundation, who breathed life into the complex role of Pavithran in ‘Iniyum Maric hittillatha Nammal’ (1980) faces the camera again as Anand Menon in Jairaj’s ‘Loudspeaker.’

“Although I was a little reluctant, I was persuaded to say ‘yes’ by Mammootty. I have always admired Mammootty as an actor. ‘Azhakiya Ravanan,’ for instance, is a film of his that I enjoyed watching. I also know him personally as our sons study together…. After I agreed to consider the role, Jairaj came to Chennai and I read the script and heard the story. Call it ‘poetic vendetta,’ if you want. I had dropped my ‘Menon’ in college as I am against caste names. But now my character is called Anand Menon,” laughs Sasi Kumar.

“It is a well defined role and it has been an interesting experience, so far, to be in the orbit of a commercial film and share screen space with an actor like Mammootty,” adds Sasi Kumar.

A compliment Mammotty returns in full measure. When Jairaj wanted an actor to play Anand Menon, many names were suggested. But Mammootty, who plays the lead in the film along with Sasi Kumar, did not think any of them could do justice to the role of a sophisticated Valluvanadan Menon who comes back to his roots. In his mind, the only person who could enact the character to perfection was Sasi Kumar.

“When you see the film, you will agree I was right. His character is a wonderful contrast to the uncouth ‘Mike’ Peelipose that I essay. Sasi is a natural actor,” avers Mammootty.

Echoing his sentiments is R. Ravindran who directed Sasi Kumar’s debut film ‘Iniyum Marichittillatha Nammal.’ “Sasi has always been passionate about films and theatre. He was associated with theatre groups in Chennai and that was how he came be Pavithran in my film. Pavithran is a journalist in a ‘little magazine’ who is tormented intellectually and psychologically by the radical changes around him. In those days, Sasi’s Malayalam was not very good but he did very well in his role,” remembers Ravindran.

Jairaj points that it is his ease before the camera that helps Sasi Kumar slip into the role of Anand Menon. “He has a subtle touch that brings out the nuances of his character. Compelling circumstances force the sophisticated and urbane Anand to share his apartment with the rustic and crude Peelipose. In fact, Peelipose is based on a real life character called ‘Mike Gopalan’ who used to live in Thankamoni in Idukki. The story is about how a deep bond develops between the two men despite their initial difficulties,” says Jairaj.

The star-studded cast includes Gracey Singh (‘Lagaan’), Jagathy Sreekumar, KPAC Lalitha, Cochin Haneefa, Salim Kumar, Kalpana and Suraj Venjarmoodu among others.

Calling his work in a commercial mainstream film a “different” and “great learning experience,” Sasi Kumar says it is the “emotional progression at the centre of the film” that is the highlight of ‘Loudspeaker.’

“Jairaj has the ability to make films, ‘Deshadanam’ for instance, tug at your heartstrings,” adds Sasi Kumar.

Yet another highlight would be the songs of the film. While one is sung by Mammootty, Sasi Kumar, a good singer, sings the opening lines of the evergreen ‘Aliyambal kadavu…’

In the meantime, Sasi Kumar, a winner of the Aravdindam Puraskaram for his feature film ‘Kaya Taran’ (2004) is working on the script and story of his second feature film.

“It is likely to be in Malayalam,” he says. Another milestone for the multifaceted Sasi Kumar who also has many firsts to his credit, including setting up Asianet, the first regional language channel in India.

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