Let any party win, say Mammootty and Suresh Gopi

Malayalam film stars Suresh Gopi and Mammootty are reluctant to air their views about the elections to choose a new assembly in Kerala, saying their opinions could spark political reactions.

Both the actors indicated it would matter little to them who won the polls, but Gopi was more forthright.

"Sorry, friend, a reaction from me would certainly spark reactions from many other places. Let anyone win," Gopi told IANS over telephone from a film shoot at Kothamangalam near Kochi.

"It is not going to change my fortunes because I have to eke out a living by donning the grease paint," Gopi said, adding he would be unable to vote because he would be shooting during the balloting.

"I have to shoot the climax of 'Pathaka' on April 22 at Kochi and I have to be at the Mookambika temple the next day. I just won't be able to cast my vote in the capital city," he said.

Mammootty too will not be able to vote in the Kerala elections as his permanent residence is in Chennai. He said he expected to be in Chennai to cast his vote for the May 8 Tamil Nadu elections.

Asked about his political opinions, Mammootty gave a taciturn reply: "I have my own opinion and preferences on who should win but I am sorry I cannot open my mind to you."

Speaking on telephone from a location in Tamil Nadu where he is shooting for his latest film "Prajapathi", Mammootty was diplomatic. "Don't think I am playing it safe by not revealing my mind. It is because an actor cannot reveal (his mind) as this is a very political matter. In simple terms I will say let anyone win."

Probed further on whether he would like Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to be given another term or he would prefer Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) veteran V.S. Achuthanandan to become chief minister, the versatile star broke into laughter.

"Chandy has proved his mettle, while Achuthanandan is yet to get a chance," he quipped.

Mammootty, whose latest release "Thurupugulan" is doing very well, has been chairman of the CPI-M-backed Kairali TV channel since its inception in the late 1990s.

Mohanlal, another Malayalam superstar, could not be reached because he was busy shooting for his latest film in Jammu and Kashmir. According to reports, Mohanlal too will be unable to vote in the Kerala poll

Rathri Mazha

Director:Lenin Rajendran
Producer:Green Cinema House
Cast: Vineeth, Meera Jasmine, Manoj K. Jayan,Biju Menon, Lalu Alex, Cochin Haneefa, Dinesh Panicker, Sudheer, Rajendran, Bhanupriya, Kulappulli Leela
Lyrics: Kaithapram - Ramesh Narayanan
Cinematography: Madhu Neelakandan

• Synopsis

For about two years now, noted film maker Lenin Rajendran has been working quietly, putting together his new offering Nilavu. Continuing the trend set in his earlier films such as Meenamasathile Sooryan, Chillu, Puraavritham, Swathi Thirunaal, and Mazha, Nilavu too is a film that will have a female artist in the dominant role. The story is set against the backdrop of the School of Dance. The film lays considerable importance on music and dance.

The kernel of the story is culled from C.S. Chandramathy's Website. Two young people, Harikrishnan and Meera, come to know each other through a matrimonial advertisement on a web site. Through intermittent chat sessions they get drawn to each other. Though they have not met, love blossoms. But what they love is what each imagines the other person to be. Theirs live in a dream world. When they eventually meet however, the dreams are shattered. But their minds have been so bonded together, they decide to marry and make the best of it. It is now society that looks askance at the relationship.

Meera Jasmine plays the lead role of Meera, with Vineeth acting as Harikrishna. Nilavu is a love story that moves from the virtual world of make-believe to the harsh realities every-day life. Coming from Lenin Rajendran it promises to be a wholesome family entertainer. Watch out for it.

An interview with jairam

In this interview, managed after a long wait at his residence in Chennai, Jayaram speaks about Madhuchandralekha, his love for chenda and his son Kalidas, a National Award-winner.

Is Madhuchandralekha like the earlier entertainers you acted in, along with Urvashi?

I always did family entertainers depicting the middle class, whether they were made by Satyan Anthikad, Rajasenan or anybody else. In the last two years, I tried doing films that were different, but they weren't successful.

When I go to a public function, people ask me why i'm not doing light, family comedies. They like me acting in such films, which is why I decided to stick to what I am strong in. The result is Madhuchandralekha with Rajasenan. Our combination had yielded many huge hits in the past, so I believe this will also work.

Is Urvashi portraying a humorous character in the film?

She is a woman full of life and humour. I feel there is no other actress who could do justice to Chandramathi. Only she can give life to such a character. I have done several family dramas involving a husband, wife and another woman, but this one's different. I feel that is the strength of the film.

There are very few actresses who can do humour effectively, and Urvashi is one such rare artist. You have done many films together. How was it doing humorous scenes with her after a long gap?

I think Urvashi has done more movies with me than with any other actor. I don't see any other actress of today who can come anywhere near her, when it comes to humour. Not many actresses can do humour because they are more worried about looking good. On the other hand, an actress like Urvashi will do anything with her face for humour. She is not worried about glamour or looks. She was like that even when she was very young.

Have you acted with any other actress who could do comedy as effortlessly?

Shobhana used to do humour very well, as did Manju Warrier. I have done so many comedies with them. It was fun because such artistes have wonderful timing. I must say that Urvashi was the best as far as comedies go though. Many actors say they fight or dance very well, nut not all can do humour and make people laugh. That is the toughest act. If the humour misses the target, people may boo.

Do you think the kind of comedies being made in Malayalam today are very crass?

I feel that those who are making films should take an initiative to make good, classy movies. That is why none of those crass comedies are working at the box office. On the other hand, a classy comedy like Manassinakkare by Satyan Anthikad worked magic at the box office. That is why I say the audience in Kerala is very aware. If you give them good films, they accept them.

This trend of churning out crass comedies has been started by a group of people in Malayalam. I do not want to name them. But there is a group of writers for them, and what they do is watch English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu DVDs, then pick up scenes from all of them. People belonging to a region have their own culture, and they like only what they are used to. The dances you see in Telugu or the bullock cart from Kannada won't work in Kerala.

Did anyone come to you with such offers?

Many did, but I preferred sitting at home to acting in such films.

Were you worried in the last six months, or were you relaxing?

I enjoyed being with my children. And I enjoyed learning an art form. I was not at all worried. After all, I had been working continuously for the last 19 years!

What made you learn the chenda?

Mattannoor Sankara Marar is the greatest player. Similarly, none can match Thirumana Kuttan Kutty in panchari melam. He has been drumming at Thrissur Pooram for the last 40 years. It had been my dream to perform with them somewhere. It is not easy to go along with them; your hands have to be really fast. With that dream in mind, I practised along with a student of Mattannoor Sankara Kutty. I used to get up at 4.30 am daily and practice. I know my neighbours must have felt terrible. Luckily, nobody complained.

Was it because you are a popular actor that they agreed to perform with you?

I don't think so. When I invited them, they agreed and said that it was, after all, their job. We performed together at a temple recently, and I am happy to say I could play with them properly.

You have yet to win a National Award, but your son Kalidas won it for Best Child Artiste in his second film. Were you filled with pride, or did you feel as if your son had beat you in your own field?

Will any father feel that way? I am very, very proud of my son's achievement. I can't express my happiness. The kind of happiness his award gave me would not be compensated by anything, not even five National Awards for me. I am sure every parent will feel that way.

Why has he not been acting since?

He is 12, and this is the age to study. Education is very important, let him concentrate on that now. Every field is very competitive today.

Mammootty vs Mammootty released

Mammootty, playing an angry, bad-mouthing Inspector Balram in I V Sasi's Aavanazhi in the 80s was such a huge hit that Sasi made another film on the same character -- Inspector Balram.

Even today, though decades have passed, people of Kerala remember Mammootty's Inspector Balram. That could be why Sasi, a super hit filmmaker of yesteryears, has decided to make a third film on the character.

Another memorable character played by Mammootty in that era was that of an underworld don Tharadas, in Athirathram.

So ingenious is I V Sasi that he has decided to make a film with Mammootty enacting both these unforgettable characters -- Inspector Balram and Tharadas -- in a new film. It is possibly the first time a filmmaker has clubbed together two characters from two different films.

Balram vs Tharadas tells the story of a clash between an upright police officer (Yes, Inspector Balram has now become Dy. S.P.) and a criminal with international connections. So, the story of Tharadas, the don, was shot in Dubai, London, etc.

There is no story if the underworld don has no film connection. So, Tharadas is linked with a beautiful actress, and her name is Supriya, played by Katrina Kaif -- her first appearance in a Malayalam film.

The film is said to be one of the costliest made in Malayalam, and is eagerly awaited. After all, it is a double treat for Mammootty fans.

Mohanlal to fight in Kashmir

Mohanlal will be in Kashmir by the end of this month for 20 days to shoot a film titled Keerthi Chakra, a Malayalam and Tamil bilingual.

In the film, the superstar plays the role of Major Javed Hussein, who fights terrorism in Kashmir. The film is directed by a former army officer, Major Ravi, who won the President's Gallantry Award in 1991 and 1992 for his contribution in fighting terrorism in Punjab and Kashmir.

Major Ravi was also a part of the group of officers who worked to capture Sivarasan, the prime suspect in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. Major Ravi was the first officer to burst into the house where Sivarasan was hiding. Major Ravi had earlier directed a film titled Punarjani with Mohanlal's son Pranav as the protagonist. Pranav bagged Kerala State Award's Best Child Artist prize for the film.