If anyone were to describe an ordinary man as resembling, say Salman Khan or SRK, chances are the bloke in question would be considered a super handsome dude. Bollywood's stardust only settles on those with flawless complexion, chiselled features and dimensions worthy of the modelling ramp. Even celebrated actors like Om Puri and Anupam Kher are known to have struggled because they didn't have the conventional handsome looks required to be a Hindi film hero. To an extent, such constraints govern commercial cinema of all languages, but Malayalam films have always been a bit different. The comparison comes to mind as the industry storms its way into public consciousness for garnering some of the most coveted National Awards for 2011 announced recently, including Best Actor for Salim Kumar for his role in the Malayalam film “Adaminte Makan Abu ” — which has also been named Best Feature Film.
It's not just that he lacks the chocolate boy looks. His down-to-earth attitude too comes as a pleasant surprise in a field famed for aloofness, hard-to-contact secretaries and bouncers in the entourage. He answers his own mobile phone and chuckles good-humouredly at the language problem: a journalist from Delhi unable to speak Malayalam, against his own lack of fluency in English. We settle for an email exchange.
The alumnus of Government Boys High School, North Paravoor, and graduate from Maharaja's College, Ernakulam, is essentially a self-taught actor and mimic, but exemplifies the adage that talent makes its own way to the limelight.
The supremely popular comedian is known for his sometimes slapstick, sometimes parodied characters in over a hundred films. Like many in the industry, he has been a regular performer in theatre and mimicry. In taking up the role of a devout elderly man with a burning desire to go to Makkah for Haj, he not only broke away from a comic image that has insisted on sticking to him despite earlier successes in serious roles, but also put his weight behind debutant director Salim Ahmed. He did not even reportedly take a remuneration. How did the veteran feel working under the young director?
“I saw in Salim Ahmed a well experienced matured film director. He had no inhibition of a debutant director,” says the actor. “He was already a part of stage as a mimicry artist. When he opened his mind about his venture, I was sure about his skill of a director.” As to whether he helped the director in any other way, he clarifies, “Besides acting in his film I had no other role.”
As for preparing for the role of the old man, the 43-year-old says, “I did not take any preparation for the role. I had the feeling that I was not acting throughout the film. I am proud to say I was living in that role.”
However, what he did deem a risk was whether the audience would accept him in a serious role. He says the only reason he has not performed too many serious characters is that not many were offered him. “Typecasting is still a problem in Malayalam cinema,” he admits. So, in comparison with comedy roles, he says, “serious roles were quite challenging for me because I was doubtful about how people will respond to my serious roles.”
If Kerala audiences have been able to recognise themselves among the major and minor characters in Malayalam popular films, it is as much due to the folks next-door looks of the stars as to the characteristic situations they depict, with which ordinary folks can identify. Serious social issues like unemployment among urban youth, problems of farmers and the fishermen's community, etc., have all been dealt with, even if in a light-hearted manner. However, the contagious influence of Bollywood is also increasingly visible whether in the flighty song and dance sequences or in the extravagant fight scenes. Salim points out, “It is interesting to note that nowadays many Malayalam films have [been] remade into Hindi. So Bollywood is influenced by Malayalam film.” He adds somewhat enigmatically, “Decades ago Malayalam films discussed serious social problems in an entertaining manner.”
He has been less enigmatic in taking a swipe at Malayali filmmakers, saying he got the National Award because there were no Malayalis on the jury. Interestingly, the announcement was quickly followed by the declaration of Kerala's State Film Awards, in which too he got the Best Actor Award.
With a National Award under his belt, is there a chance we will see him in Hindi films in the near future? “Giving me chance in Hindi film should be determined by the Hindi film industry. I will not miss a chance of that sort,” he replies sportingly.
