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Resemblance to VS unintentional: Thilakan

— Photo: S. Mahinsha

A point there: Actor Thilakan addressing a meet-the-press programme at the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club on Sunday. Film director Nishad is with him.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Actor Thilakan has described the resemblance his character bears to Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan in the movie Ayudham as unintentional.

He was speaking at a meet-the-press programme organised by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club on Sunday.

The veteran actor who plays an octogenarian Chief Minister (Madhavan) is strikingly similar to Mr. Achuthanandan in style and flavour. However, the actor denied criticisms that he had mimicked the Communist leader.

“Mimicry is an insult. I am an actor. I have only played the role of the Chief Minister in the movie,” he said. “Since I have not been a Chief Minister myself, I learned by observing the style and mannerisms of V.S. on television, so it is possible that some of his characteristic style has influenced my character in the movie,” said Mr. Thilakan who along with Nishad, the director of the movie, responded to queries from the news men.

Mr. Nishad, known for his offbeat flicks such as Pakal and Nagaram, attempts a commercial crossover with Ayudham. It is a thriller that veers around the investigation into a bomb blast and a communal riot.

“As a filmmaker I prefer to be versatile instead of being branded as an off-beat director. The public should ultimately enjoy my films,” he said. “Moreover the theme of Ayudham is of contemporary relevance,” he added. Mr. Nishad said Malayalam movies are under immense pressure from other South Indian big-budget films.

“Most films from other States have a song or a situation shot abroad. This has forced Malayalam filmmakers also to toe the line despite financial constraints,” he said.

This view was backed by Mr. Thilalkan also.

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