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Dual Role
In an
exclusive interview, veteran Malayalam filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan
talks to INDIA TODAY Principal Correspondent M.G. Radhakrishnan on his
new film and his plans for IFFK 2002.
When
Adoor Gopalakrishnan took over as chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Akademi
a month ago, the general feeling was that it would spell the end of his
creativity. But the 60-year-old veteran Malayalam filmmaker has allayed
such fears. Even as he has started hectic preparations for the International
Film Festival of Kerala 2002 (IFFK 2002), he is all set to shoot his ninth
feature film. INDIA TODAY Principal Correspondent M.G. Radhakrishnan caught
up with him despite his hectic schedule at his home Darsanam, a showpiece
of Kerala architecture in Thiruvananthapuram. Excerpts from an exclusive
interview:
Q. It
has been six years since your last film Kathapurushan was released. The
average interval between your films has been around five. How come?
A.
That is my style. I need some time to get on to an idea and more time
to make it to a script. After I finish one film, it takes time to get
out of its hold.
Q. Tell
us about your new film.
A. It is my own story and I completed the full script three years
ago. I had been exploring sources for funds. Now a French filmmaker has
agreed to co-produce it. But it is not a big budget production because
I have an international collaborator. It will be made on my usual budget.
The post-production will be done in Paris.
Q. What is the story about ?
A. I won't reveal too much. But the story takes us back to 50 years
earlier and is set in the southernmost tip of Kerala, most of which became
part of Tamil Nadu after state re-organisation. Shooting begins in December
in Kanyakumari. Noted Malayalam character-actor Oduvil Unnikrishnan will
do the main role.
Q. How
do you propose to balance your shooting with the Chalachitra Akademi assignment?
A. I tried my best not to give in to pressue from the government but
it was of no avail. Minister G. Karthikeyan came at
to oblige finally. Many of my friends couldn't believe that I took it
up. International Film Critics' Association President Klaus Eder wrote
to me saying, "I can't believe this horror story! " I have taken
an assurance from the minister that I will not be called even on the cellphone
once I start shooting which will be over by a month.
Q. But you seem to be working overtime now at the Akademi.
A. Yes. It is to keep myself away for a month later. Now I am
using all my contacts in the international cinema to get some good films
and directors for the IFFK 2002. The response has been tremendous. The
London Film Festival has instituted a new award in Satyajit Ray's name
for the best debutante director. Satyajit Ray Foundation chairperson Pamela
Cullen has promised to send the award-winning film and director to our
festival. I propose to make it an annual feature of IFFK. We have finalised
retrospectives of Ken Douglas and Kohey Oguri.
Q. What
are the changes you have brought for IFFK.
A. The festival's advantage is that it has the recognition of the
International Film Festivals Association. But barring this, the festival
is up against many odds. Most directors aren't keen to send their films
to a festival being conducted in a small state of a Third World country.
Also the prize, prospects of international recognition and the the market
aren't attractive. So what we have done first is to institute cash prizes
which are now the best among Asian festivals. The best film gets a cash
prize of Rs 10 lakh and there are other prizes too.
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