Few biopics have ever been made in Malayalam. But, two of them reached cinemas within a week of each other. Comparisons therefore are inevitable.
But, Prajesh Sen, whose directorial debut Captain has been received well, feels there is no need for that. Answering a question whether Kamal’s biopic on writer Madhavikutty, Aami , deserved all the harsh criticism it received, he said he liked the film.
“Kamal is a director I have respect for,” he said. “I liked Aami . But, I don’t think I have enough experience in film-making to comment on Aami .”
He said the narrative style of Captain was different from Aami. “But that wasn’t deliberate,” he said. “It was after working on a newspaper feature on V.P. Sathyan that I felt that there was scope for a feature film on this former Indian football captain.”
He said the film became a reality because actor Jayasurya agreed to do it as soon as he told him the idea. “I could not think of anybody else to play Sathyan,” he said. “Jayasurya has the right physique and the acting skills required for the role.”
Jayasurya said he was glad that he could play Sathyan.
“I had not even heard of Sathyan till Prajesh told me, as I had no interest in football,” he said. “But I prepared mentally and physically for the role.”
Anu Sithara, who played Sathyan’s wife, and Deepak Parambol, who essayed the role of footballer U. Sharaf Ali, also attended the press meet.