Interview with Madhupal

I got a chance to contact Shri Madhupal recently. He allowed an interview for me. His debut directorial venture, Thalappavu starring Prithviraj, Lal & Atul Kulkarni is in the post production stage.

Q: Sir, You have worked as writer, assistant director, actor and now as director. Can you explain this transition briefly?

A: I had a taste for writing in my school days itself. But in film field, initially I got the helping hands of Jude Attipetti and worked as an assistant director with him. After that I got the chance to work with Bharath Gopi. As an assistant director, I did maximum films with Rajiv Anchal. I grew with the help of many people, moving from one person to another and learning from them. No one grows of his own. My part in Kashmeeram was that of an assistant director but circumstances made me to act in a few scenes in that film. It was quite natural for any assistant director to do a small role in a film. After Kashmeeram, I got many chances in films and majority of them were negative roles. Acting was never in my dreams. When I thought of making a film, Varghese’s story came into my mind since I admire him a lot. Babu Janardhanan has written an excellent script for the film and i think the film has shaped up well.

Q: How much relevant is Thalappavu in current context, when Nepal voted naxals to power and several states in India are struggling with naxal violence?

A: Now a days, how many people will react when they see some bad guys teasing a girl by the road side? When a man reacts to such a situation, we think that he will be from some political party or he has some strong backing. Can we call such a reaction from a common man as naxalism? If so I would like to call Jesus Christ also a naxal. In 70’s, the youth had their own politics. The members of political parties had the privilege to question even the leaders. But today, the youth is getting away from good politics, as they lose the interest. The leaders decide everything based on money and other factors.

The lead character of Thalappavu Joseph is also such a man who reacts against the evil in the society. He does his goodness for the whole society, not for an individual. That may be viewed as a sin in some others’ perspective. In such a perspective Jesus Christ must also be a naxal who reacted against the evils, hit a bad guy with whip, took awareness classes and united people in the society.

Q: Do you think the story of Varghese will make an impact on today’s youth who go behind Star Singers and big budget Hindi and Tamil films?

A: It is said that a story which a writer writes is getting written for a single reader who is somewhere in the society. But cinema is a product for the mass. I know that there are many people in the mass who have some elements of Varghese inside them and can relate themselves to him. We cannot say that a film can satisfy all the people in the society. It will get its viewers.

Q: What compromises you made in fictionalizing the story of Varghese and Ramachandran Pillai to make it appealing to the modern audience? Is it due to legal troubles, the original names were not used?

A: Of course there are changes in the respective characters. But their basic nature is kept intact. As I said earlier, the viewers will be able to identify their nature in the characters. There is nothing related to the legal issues regarding the names. Thalappavu’s lead characters are just inspired from Varghese and Ramachandran Pillai.

Q: A few fresh faces are there in the supporting cast of Thalappavu. How hard was it as a first time director to get the best out of these new actors?

A: I was very comfortable to work with the new comers. As a director I was able to handle them with ease. That may not be the case with senior actors. It was comparatively easy to mould the new comers into characters since they don’t have any established images.

Q: Some previous Prithviraj films like Vargam, Vasthavam were really good but those films didnt get enough pre-release publicity. Do you have some plans to market Thalappavu more aggressively?

A: As a director, I am ready to go for any extent to market this film. I made this movie for others to watch.

Q: How did Prithviraj perform in Thalappavu as compared to his previous ventures like Vargam and Vasthavam?

A: He is the most brilliant actor of new generation. He is so enthusiastic to observe people and to adapt any feature of them for his characters. When we thought of making Thalappavu, he was the unanimous choice. Writer Babu Janardhanan had drawn a sketch of Joseph during the scripting. It had a big resemblance with Prithviraj. He did full justice to “Joseph”.

Q: Having donned the director’s role, what part of the task do you think was most challenging - visualizing the scenes, training the actors, discussing and debating the screenplay with the scriptwriter or is it something else?

A: For a director all these tasks are challenging. I cannot say that one is more challenging and other is not. Cinema is a team effort. The entire crew have their respective roles in it.

Q: Which all directors have inspired your style of direction? Who is your favorite director?

A: Actually there are many brilliant directors who inspired me. I cannot say only some names specifically. I cannot say that my directorial style will be 100% pure. My shot selection and style will have shades of good works which I had seen in the past.

Q: If I say malayalees won’t accept new actors easily, what will be your opinion? Is it the reason our established directors like Priyadarshan, Fazil, Laljose, Siddique are planning their films in Tamil?

A: In Tamil there are around 25 established actors. Even our Prithviraj and Narain got enough market there. If Shivaji and Pokkiri are hits there, the same audience is ready to accept films like Paruthiveeran, Mozhi etc also.

Malayalee audience are still worshiping the big stars. I know many people who say Mohanlal and Mammootty films are guaranteed but newcomers/youngsters films are risky (in terms of quality). Malayalees need everything free without paying its cost. Kerala is one of the places in the world where there is maximum number of libraries. The reason is that Malayalees are reluctant to buy books, they need it for rent. Kerala is the only place where we can watch drama for free. In UK, if we need to watch a drama, we have to book the tickets at least before three months.

Q: What are your future projects/plans?

A: I cannot predict what can happen in next moment. Some times I may stand up from this chair with my right leg or my left leg. But it cannot be predicted now.

Q: About your family.

A: Wife and two daughters. Wife is working in Mathsya Fed.

Q: Do you have any message for the readers?

A: Be honest while approaching a movie. Say only genuine opinion about any film you watch.

Nik: Thanks you sir, All the best for Thalappavu and your future projects.