Saiju Kurup on Upacharapoorvam Gunda Jayan: I hope Gunda Jayan can be a job mannequin

An actor who has risen by way of the ranks in Malayalam cinema, Saiju Kurup will but once more play the lead function in a film after 17 years. In this interview with indianexpress.com, Saiju talks about his new movie, his profession progress and extra.

How does it really feel to play the titular function for the primary time in your profession? Does it add extra strain on you as an actor? Also, how did you grow to be part of this film?

Yes, I’ve a bit extra nervousness. It’s a type of nervousness related to each film we’re a part of – the nervousness to know whether or not individuals will settle for it or not. Of course, I’m a bit extra tensed as a result of I play the titular function within the film. But, I’m making an attempt to loosen up myself, and I’m making an attempt to learn scripts in these final two days to distract myself from the strain.

Director Arun Vaiga had three choices in thoughts to play the lead function. After the opposite two did not work out due to date points, he approached me and briefed me about Upacharapoorvam Gunda Jayan. There have been many supporting characters within the film, so initially I believed I’d be doing a type of roles. I used to be not ready for a lead function. I advised Arun to forged another person within the lead function and I’d do one of many supporting characters. The motive why I mentioned that’s as a result of I wish to be in a secure zone now. I get to play significant supporting roles, and I simply wished to stay to that. So to play the lead function is at all times an additional accountability, and I favor peace of thoughts (laughs). But Arun insisted that I take heed to the entire script and provides it a second thought. So screenwriter Rajesh Varma gave a narration and I felt plenty of confidence upon listening to the script. It is perhaps my private notion, however I actually felt the script was sensible and I resolve to do the lead function of Gunda Jayan. I’m enjoying the function of an uncle within the film and I’ve three sisters. The elder sister’s husband died lengthy again and Jayan takes the accountability to handle the wedding of his niece. I believed Gunda Jayan can be a job mannequin amongst uncles as a result of we often hear individuals saying these uncles are actually irritating. If anybody of these uncles can change their angle in the direction of their niece or nephew by watching Gunda Jayan, I can be completely happy. In my private life, I attempt to be a great uncle to my sister’s son, however in some households, the uncles can be a villain. Gunda Jayan could be a function mannequin for all these uncles.

Can you inform extra about Upacharapoorvam Gunda Jayan?

The film relies in a rural village in Kerala and the story occurs in a under center class household. As the identify suggests, Gunda Jayan is an outdated goon who used to have interaction in fights and all, however now he has grow to be matured and a great individual at coronary heart. He has a household of his personal. He is proven doing all the things potential to make his niece’s wedding ceremony occur. The film focuses on some points that occur within the wedding ceremony home. There’s comedy, tragedy, emotional observe, household moments, suspense, good songs and good visuals. We have shot this whole film in Vayalar in Cherthala.

As an actor, how do you preserve visibility within the business?

I do not do something particularly to extend or preserve my visibility in social circles. I have never created a Facebook web page. I nonetheless have my private profile. Many pals inform me to place photos with completely different appearances on Instagram. I do not do all that. I simply use social media to publish the posters, songs and trailers of the flicks I’m a part of. See to be on this area, I feel the most effective we are able to do is ask for good tasks and characters. For the subsequent 7-8 months, I’m totally engaged. The second I’ve a niche, I’ll ask for an opportunity with none disgrace. I do not attempt to preserve relations within the business simply to get an opportunity. I name the director of a film and ask him immediately if they will accommodate me for a job. And clearly, I’ve few pals within the business and I keep up a correspondence with them.

How do you keep away from getting typecast?

Actually, I’m fortunate that I have never gotten typecast. Maybe it is due to my bodily look that I get several types of roles. Usually if somebody clicks in a comedy function, they’re given solely such roles for a very long time however fortuitously I get several types of characters. I do not plan to do completely different characters. It is simply that I’m supplied completely different characters.

And typically you possibly can’t decide to sure tasks and it largely occurs due to date points. And in some circumstances, I will not have the boldness to do sure characters. For instance, I learn the script of Android Kunjappan Ver 5.25 and I mentioned to the director that I will not be snug doing Payyanoor slang. But later each of us forgot about this slang situation and I used to be forged within the film. So issues like this occur typically. When I am unable to pull off the character’s manner of speaking, slang and so forth., I really feel it should have an effect on my character and the film. I then suppose it’s higher to depart such characters. Also, I attempt to keep away from characters which can be repetitive in nature. I inform the administrators beforehand that I’ve finished comparable type of characters and it’s higher to forged another person.

Your efficiency in Mayookham was not very nicely obtained. How did you handle to recover from it and strengthen your foothold within the business?

(Laughs) Actually, my efficiency in Mayookham was much better than another roles I did throughout my early days within the business. I did not attempt to do something particularly to shine my appearing expertise. I feel, over time, by doing minor roles I turned higher as an actor until I obtained my breakthrough function in Trivandrum Lodge.

As a self-made actor who has risen by way of the ranks within the business, do you suppose star children have an unfair benefit?

Whoever you might be, you want expertise to outlive on this business. Maybe star children get a simple entry however they will maintain within the business solely by doing good characters and high quality films. Only then they’ll get a break within the business. Also, whether or not you’re a star child or a standard individual, you possibly can grow to be profitable provided that you possibly can join with the viewers. For some, it’d occur of their first film itself. For others, it takes many films to get that connection. In my case, I feel I’m luckier than the star children as a result of though I used to be a standard man, I obtained to do the lead function in my first film. I feel star children have extra strain than actors like me who come from regular backgrounds as a result of they’ve to take care of the identify and fame of their fathers and can be always in contrast with their fathers.

Your first film was Mayookham directed by Hariharan. How did you get your entry into cinema?

I used to be a gross sales supervisor in Trivandrum. I went to satisfy MG Sreekumar for an official function and it was he who directed me to Hariharan. Hariharan sir was looking out for a newcomer who’s 6-feet-tall and has huge eyes. Sreekumar Sir thought my look matched Hariharan’s necessities and fortunately I obtained the function.

Do you’ve got any course of earlier than doing a personality?

I haven’t got something particular to play a personality. I’m a director’s actor. I take advantage of the knowledge given by the director to know the type of character I’m enjoying. In Gunda Jayan, the director advised me the character was as soon as a goon and he has a little bit little bit of OCD. He by no means appears to be like at others’ eyes whereas speaking, not as a result of he’s a liar or afraid of one thing, however that is the best way he’s. Also, individuals are bit scared of Gunda Jayan however his household is aware of nicely that Jayan will defend them at all times. This is the transient I obtained about Gunda Jayan. So this can be at all times behind our thoughts whereas we carry out as that character.

Are you pleased with the trajectory of your profession?

I completely happy the place I’m now. I simply need do films with out break and I’m very a lot content material with the best way my profession has formed up.