Two years after he won an award for his role in ‘Thirakkatha’, Anoop Menon is hoping to make an impact with his film ‘Cocktail,' which reaches cinemas today. Anoop and Jayasurya play the lead male characters in the film.
“I have high hopes about ‘Cocktail, directed by debutant Arun Kumar, who has already proved himself as an editor in Bollywood,” says Anoop. Anoop will also be seen in Rajesh Pillai's movie ‘Traffic’ and ‘London Dreams’, which has M. Padmakumar and Deepan teaming up for the film.
When strangers meet
Anoop says ‘Cocktail,' whose screenplay is also by him, has shaped up rather well. “There is one thing about the film that I can vouch for: the audience will never feel bored. The film is about what happens when three strangers meet in a city. I play a corporate honcho Ravi Abraham and Samvratha Sunil plays Ravi's wife. Innocent, Fahad Fazil and Mamukoya are also in the cast,” says Anoop.
‘Cocktail' is Anoop's third screenplay; his earlier screenplays were for ‘Anubhav' (Hindi) and ‘Pakal Nakshathrangal,' both directed by Rajeev Nath. “I don't consider myself as a writer at all; it was only because Rajeev Nath compelled me that I became a scriptwriter. Acting remains my priority,” he asserts.
He is, however, writing the scripts for two Malayalam films – ‘Lavender' and ‘Kingfisher.' And, as in his other screenplays, he is playing important characters in both the films.
‘“Lavender,' directed by debutant Altaz Ali, is about a girl who loves two men at the same time; Nishan is the other man. We have not finalised the heroine yet. The main attraction of the film could be a song composed by A.R. Rahman,” feels Anoop.
He is also enthused about ‘Traffic' as he believes that the film has the potential to be a trendsetter in Malayalam. “It's a thriller with an interesting plot. I play a police commissioner in it. Sreenivasan and Kunchacko Boban are my co-stars,” he elaborates.
Another of Anoop's film on the anvil is ‘Female Unnikrishnan’, directed by K.B. Madhu. “It is a pure fun film with Suraj Venjaramoodu in the title role. I am doing this film because I wanted to act in a comedy,” he says. In the midst of this wide variety of films in his kitty, how does he look back at ‘Thirakkatha’ now?
“It was a great learning experience for me as an actor. Winning the State award for the second best actor was of course a high point. I am glad that I was part of a good film, which actually became a turning point in director Ranjith's career,” says Anoop.
He recalls that Ranjith's decision to cast him in the role had come as a pleasant surprise.
Is he a bit disappointed that his career did not take off in a big way after ‘Thirakkatha’?
“Not really; I didn't want to do too many films after the positive reviews I got for ‘Thirakkatha’, just for the sake of doing films. Besides, I never wanted to be the busiest actor in the world. I am a person who values my time as I enjoy travelling, reading and seeing films. I don't have any regrets about my career, for I know I am an actor with meagre talent; I could not have asked for more.”
Anoop, who has made a successful transition from television to the large screen, feels good days are here again for Malayalam cinema.
“So many films have done good business this year and suddenly there is an increase in the number of films. It is heartening to note that good films are doing well and that our cinema is no-longer star-driven,” he says.
