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`A director has to motivate actors'
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He is an actor's director
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Shyamaprasad and Geetu Mohandas focus on films
Vivacious and articulate Geetu took the lead to dwell on her experiences during the shooting of `Akale,' which was directed by Shyamprasad. Geetu quizzed the director about the intricacies of translating a literary work into a film. Shyamaprasad then talked about his new project and his approach towards his work and the craft of filmmaking. Geethu made her debut as a child artiste in the Malayalam film `Onnu Muthal Poojyam Vare.' After a successful career as a child artiste she took a break and returned to the world of cinema in Fazil's `Life is Beautiful.' Shayamaprasad made his name as a young director with Doordarsan. His debut feature film `Agnisakshi' won the National Award for the best regional film in 1998.
Geetu waited with baited breath to find out what made the director choose her to do the role of Rose in `Akale,' which had won her a lot of acclaim. Saraswathy Nagarajan records.
Shyamaprasad: I thought she was a very talented actor. She deserved a work that explored her capacity as an actress and not only as a glamorous person.
Geetu: Well, it was a phone call. I was shooting for `Nammal Thammil' with Prithviraj and he told me that you had called him for a movie based on Tennessee Williams' `Glass Menagerie.' I had read the play and seen it on stage in Canada. Two or three months later, I got a call from you. I was really excited and as they say the rest is on the screen. I had certain preconceived ideas about Rose. So everything was in my head. When I came to the sets on the first day, it was really confusing for me.
Shyamaprasad: We had the rehearsals.
Geetu: Yes, there was this workshop. I wondered what I was doing here. Why should I do this? I had so many problems. It was an issue with me. On the first day of shooting, it was confusing. I wanted to know exactly what was expected of me. How did the character walk, talk and behave? I wanted your vision. I could capture all that only after a few days. Then I noticed that you were letting me be on my own trip. So I became more confident and comfortable.
Shyamaprasad: But what about the role? It is very anti-Geetu. As an actor, how did you connect to it?
Geetu: Yes, that was the biggest horror for me. If the character was given to me when I was a beginner, I would have been really ignorant of editing and so on and I would have just done it. Now, I was worried that I could overdo the role of this affected girl. It was easy to overplay - the way I walked, talked and behaved. Later, it became easy for me as you had a perfect vision of what you wanted from each character. And you did not let me use glycerine. We had a fight. And finally I did cry in that scene without glycerine.
Understanding a character
Shyamaprasad: It is all about a performer internalising that character. That is what we try to achieve through the rehearsals. You understand the character in its totality. Not shot by shot. The problem with film shooting and acting it that it is so fragmented. Most of the time artistes do not know what is the exact nature of the role, its growth, the scenes. It helps if you have a pucca script. There should be a total involvement with the characters. It brings out the best in an actor. That is what is lacking in our industry. We have very good actors but their performances are clichéd. We know how they will laugh, talk, romance. But Geetu, you were recreating a new self. That kind of totality was great in your performance. I enjoyed it.
Geetu: This is the first time I have done something like that. Taken a character internally. Switching off after `cut' and then being Geetu and going back to Rose. I think I carried the role with me for a few days after the shooting was over. I hear that you are planning to adapt `Khazakkinte Ithihasam.'
Shyamaprasad: Yes, that is true. It is one of the greatest literary works in Malayalam. That is an adaptation that I have been working on for the last few years and probably by next year-end, I should able to do it. It is as very challenging project.
Geetu: When you read a play and you want to redo that, how do you do it? Do you thing you can justify it vis a vis the book.
Shyamaprasad: I never tried to be loyal to the writer at that point.
Geethu: Really?
Shyamaprasad: Yes, I try to be loyal to the film that is going to take place at that point of time. I am more committed to the viewer than to the writer and his readers. I am not illustrating a play or a novel. I am recreating it. I make it my own statement. So the impression that is carried over as a reader is recreated in another medium. You cannot make a film on a play. The medium is different. I can only recreate. `Glass Menagerie' was with me for the last 22 years, right since my Drama School days. It kind of grew on me.
Geetu: I do not know whether `Akale' will ever come to me. I was lucky and people liked Rose. I am basking in it. I will soon start working in a movie directed by T.K. Rajeevkumar. It is on a story written by Karunanidhi.
Shyamaprasad: It sounds very interesting.
Geetu: You are an actor's director. You knew my limitations.
Shyamaprasad: A director's job is to motivate the actors to bring out the character in them - step by step, dialogue by dialogue. My work was to bring out the Rose in you.
Shyamaprasad: How was it like working with a producer who was also an actor?
Geetu: Tom (Tom George, who donned the role of Fred in `Akale,' was also its producer) and I became good friends. The fact that he was the producer did not come into the picture. He was a part of the movie. The whole film hinges on his character. His performance was important for the development of my character. How was it like for you? Directing us?
Shyamaprasad: Sheela chechi is so experienced. I wanted her to unlearn so many things. It was a different approach for each person. I wanted Prithvi to break out of his mould of a hero. I wanted him to be fresh.
Geetu: I had met you a long time back at my uncle's house in Poojapura. I was told that you were an intelligent director. Much later, when I heard that you were doing `Glass Menagerie,' I was tempted to call you and request (in a high falsetto voice): `please take me.' But then I decided to leave it to destiny.
Shyamaprasad: By the way this uncle is music composer M. Jayachandran.
Geetu: And he did the music for `Akale.'
Shyamaprasad: I found you suitable for the role of Rose. You are unusual... An unusual kind of beauty.
Geetu: (protesting loudly): No... You said unusual and then you realized that I was sitting across ...
Gutsy performance
Shyamaprasad: (laughs) She is a rare beauty. She is not the typical heroine. I had seen some clippings of her film with Kala Bhavan Mani. I thought it was very good. So much energy. A gutsy performance.
Geetu: `Vaalkanadi.' Or... or that is the only film of mine you remember.
Shyamaprasad: I had seen you right from `Onnu Mudhal Poojyamvare.'
Geetu: You haven't seen `Sesham.'
Shyamaprasad: No, I saw it later when I was working with you. I saw your Tamil movie with Madhavan. `Nala Damayanthi?' That was very good too.
Geetu: Why did you choose literary works for your films?
Shyamaprasad: Because I am not a writer myself and I wanted my films to have a story of substance. Most of the stories are concocted for films and so they appear artificial.
Geetu: Who are your favourite writers?
Shyamaprasad: Many. In Malayalam it would be O.V. Vijayan, Madhavikutty, Zacharia...
Geetu: Favourite directors?
Shyamaprasad: My taste in films is very eclectic. I like Woody Allen, Ford Coppola... there are many. I think Sreenivasan is very talented. There is a girl called Geetu... Who are your favourites?
Geetu: Urvashi. In Malaysia, my father used to get a lot of her movies and I grew up watching her. She has a flair for comedy. I also enjoy watching Thilakan uncle and KPAC Lalitha.
Shyamaprasad: I thought your style was more oriented towards Shobana.
Geetu: She is such a graceful actress. I think I am clumsy. I have acted as her daughter in `Rarirum.' But I do not try to mimic anyone, When I hear the word `action,' all I worry about is my performance.
Shyamaprasad: Ask her how she and Prithvi were squabbling with each other?
Geetu: We behave like siblings. Our arguments could be about anything. He is fat or I am fat, my hairstyle, food, clothes. He may see me on TV. He calls me and tells me, `check this out. Your hair is looking weird.' I do the same.
Shyamaprasad: I enjoyed the off-screen tamasha. Let me ask you something. Is acting a job or what does it mean for you?
Geetu: I am passionate about whatever I do. I try my best and I should be able to make some meaningful contribution.
Shyamaprasad: Do you get enough opportunities?
Geetu: No, I don't. There is no dearth of talent or talented directors but there is a shortage of good scripts. There is a herd mentality. If one horror movie clicks, then there is a whole bunch of horror movies and if there is comedy, then it all comedy... Now, when I did `Nala Damayanthi,' I play a Sri Lankan. It was a different experience. I don't speak Tamil. It was a challenge and that was exciting. I know that all movies that I am going to do will not be exciting. But I thrive on acting.
Photo: S. Mahinsha
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