Ranjith is a connoisseur of words and images, of expressions that carry multitude of meanings and of visuals that go beyond the obvious. Perhaps that explains his success as a writer and director and why his scripts and films have a special place in Malayalam cinema; a place that the versatile director has made for himself by dint of his sterling work as a writer, director, producer and actor. From a writer of blockbusters, Ranjith moved on to tackle social issues, political subjects, suspense, mystery and romance without alienating himself or his work from the box office. In the process he unearthed talents and helped many youngsters to shape their own vision of cinema.
In addition, Ranjith has put his money where his mouth is and taken the lead to produce and distribute films that he felt deserved to be made and screened. While Njan , his latest film, an adaptation of T.P. Rajeevan’s book, KTN Kottoor: Ezhuthum Jeevithavum , reaches theatres today, Munnariyuppu , produced by him, is still running in theatres.
As Ranjith makes his mark as producer and distributor, the director sits down to take some questions on his films and cinema .
What is Njan about?
The story begins on August 15, 1947 when KTN Kottoor, a man in his thirties, is said to have been last seen on a beach in Chennai. A poet and political activist, he was active in political and literary circles in Malabar but never moved centre stage to etch his name in history. He symbolises many such activists who were/are the lifeline of any movement. They remain anonymous or, at best, as footnotes in the pages of history. We don’t know their names or their achievements or about their families. But each person must have had his/her own story. KTN Kottoor, a fictional character, was one such person.
Through Kottoor, we step into the main political movements that rocked Malabar and meet the leaders who were at the forefront of those struggles.
Any particular reason for choosing this theme?
I wanted to take up this story to remind our viewers about the history of our State and her people. Many people, especially youngsters, seem to live in the present or the future. They have no interest in the past and don’t want to know either. I want to give such people a glimpse of all those who have shaped our land and language. All this was not created out of a vacuum.
You have also written the script of the film.
Yes, I have taken some liberties to relate the story to the times we lives in. Thus there is a blogger Ravi who writes under the name of KTN Kottoor, a writer with a social conscience. Ravi, played by Dulquer Salmaan, is also a theatre activist in a troupe called Root. He is trying to decode the story of this man who vanished into the mists of time. He is on a quest and that is when he travels back in time to understand the man, the activist and the poet.
You worked with Mammootty in Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha , and now with his son, Dulquer, in Njan . Any comparisons?
None whatsoever. Dulquer is an extremely hardworking actor with his feet firmly planted on the group. His success or his fan following has not given him starry airs or graces. His involvement in every scene is total. I could not have asked for someone better than him for this role.
The women characters in the film...
All have the same importance and space but there is no heroine as such in the film. Mythili, Jyothi Krishna, Anumol, Sajitha Madathil, Muthumani and newcomer Shruthi Ramakrishnan act as the female leads.
The music in this film is also special. It has five poems written by Rafeeq Ahamed and recited by Sreevalsan J. Menon, Kottakkal Madhu, Bijibal and Ratheesh. The background score has been composed by Bijibal. Joy Mathew, Ranji Panicker, Saiju Kurup, Irshad, Harish Peradi and Suresh Krishna play key characters in the film. I must also mention the camera work by Manoj Pillai that plays a vital part in the film that crosses several time zones between the past and the present.
Even as Munnariyuppu , produced by you, is still running in theatres, your next film releases. Any apprehensions about the film or its fate at the box office?
No anxiety at all. But my partners of Gold Coin Motion Picture Company, the producers and distributors of Njan , have trusted me completely with their hard-earned money and I am concerned about them. I am extremely happy about Munnariyuppu . It has been directed by Venu, a dear friend. The film's success prove that viewers appreciate good cinema. There is no point getting agitated when a film does not win the viewers’ appreciation. I think the viewer today is intelligent enough to recognise a good film.
There is widespread concern about the role of social media and critics...
It is all unnecessary fuss. However there is concern about the kind of language used. Criticism should be about the film and the filmmaking and the language should be temperate. Criticism about a film should not degenerate into personal abuse of a person or persons or their private lives.
You have many roles in the film industry in Kerala. What is your favourite role?
I am passionate about good cinema. That does not mean I am contemptuous of the box office. But I feel certain films must be made and screened. When Joy Mathew was looking for a distributor for Shutter , we stepped in and distributed the film along with Seven Arts. In the case of Munnariyuppu , we produced the film but did not distribute it. Njan is being produced by Gold Coin and distributed by us.
So, what is your reaction to frequently heard complaints about lack of theatres to show films that are not mainstream?
There aren’t enough theatres to screen all the films that are made. A city like Thiruvananthapuram is better off when compared to Kozhikode or smaller towns in Kerala. We need more multiplexes. There is no point in blaming theatre owners alone. But the government can certainly help offbeat cinema by helping its makers screen their films. Finally, if a film is good, nothing can stop viewers from watching it and appreciating it.
New projects
I am writing a script for G.S. Vijayan. My next film will be with Fahadh Faasil in January. That will be shot in Kozhikode.
