Southern States
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Kerala
In the thick of action
By Anand Haridas
KOCHI, DEC. 5. The film industry is a field of uncertainties. Fortunes will change in a matter of days, or even hours. Any one who doubts its fickleness could talk to Mr. Vinayan, who is at present riding the crest on unprecedented success in Malayalam film industry.
He is one director who does not have to bother about finding a producer for his next project. That too when many accomplished directors are puzzled about what has happened to the industry.
Mr. Vinayan started off as a theatre person with Leftist political leanings. He was then working as an overseer with the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). "I then started my association with theatre companies."
It was also during that period, he developed a passion for films. "Almost a mad obsession and I approached many leading directors like Bharathan and Padmarajan to work as assistant director. They all had their team and no need to say, I never got a chance." That was in a way a blessing in disguise. As Mr. Vinayan was to realise years later.
It was then, he was forced to launch a theatre company of his own. That was in 1986-87. "I was working with Udayakala, a theatre company run by the party. All in the company, except myself, were dependent on it for living. And there had been more than 100 bookings at the party level even before the premier of our latest play. At that moment the party disbanded the play and the troupe, because one of the lead characters had some resemblance to a top leader." So as to save others from the plight of being jobless for an entire season, Mr. Vinayan took over the company and renamed it as `Swadesabhimani'.
In between, he had also produced a film, titled `Alilakuruvikal'. That film sank without a trace, taking with it Rs. 8 lakhs. "That was a sort of capitation fee that I paid for entering the field. And I entered without having any teachers or patrons."
It was with this same theatre company that Mr. Vinayan started his career as director. "One of my actors was a look alike of a leading actor in films. That was the starting point. I made a film with that as a thread. About a barber cashing in on his looks to become a superstar." And this film, titled `Superstar', backfired in many ways.
His next project, `Kanyakumariyil Oru Kavitha' was stopped half-way through. And he had to wait for quite sometime before dame luck smiled on him again.
Before that, he returned to the office, to face the scorn and ridicule of his colleagues. "Then I made `Sipayi Lahala'." Though it had no connection with his situation at the office, the film was the first stone in his road to success. He made a couple of average films before hitting the mark. Or, as they say at the box office, getting his break.
That was with `Akasaganga'. Then hits followed. Including the big grosser `Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanaum'. As for now, Mr. Vinayan is literally stepping from one film to another. Enjoying his newfound fortunes to the full.
Does he have any penchant for setting trends? "Not really. But I do insist on not getting branded. That is why I always opt for variety in selecting topics for my films."
As soon as the work on his ongoing project ends, he will move on to the next one. Right now, he has as many as three projects on hand. "I will work until I run short of ideas. Then probably I will restrict myself to one film a year." Till then, he will be rushing from one set to another.
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