Thirteen-year-old Minon is elated after bagging this year’s National Award for the Best Child Artiste for the film ‘101 Chodyangal.’ But he has no time to bask in the glory of the award as he is busy preparing to take a class on mural painting and its history for the students of S.B. College, Changanassery.
People who know Minon will agree that he is extraordinarily talented. When the role of Anil Kumar Bokaro came to him through the film’s director Sidhartha Shiva, he did not hesitate, even though he had no prior acting experience.
For Minon, who has 36 painting exhibitions to his credit and takes classes for MBA students on environment, it was part of the challenge that life keeps throwing up.
Minon bagged the State award for the same role, in which he portrays a class 5 student and his journey to find answers to 101 questions.
Missing school during the film’s shooting was not a problem because he has never been ‘school educated.’ Minon’s parents John Baby and Mini, who are artists themselves, decided not to burden their child with school-imparted knowledge till he was 10 years old, after which he was free to chose what he wanted to do. And Minon has no regrets about his decision.
Speaking to The Hindu over telephone, Minon, who hails from Alappuzha, said he was gaining knowledge through books and other cultural activities.
“In future, if problems arise because I do not have an educational certificate, I am confident I can study and clear any examination to get them,” said a determined Minon.
“He is a talented child, and started reading and writing at the age of four. Each child has a talent and parents should recognise it and help them excel in it. If it is acting and art that my son is interested in, then we will support him,” said Mini, his mother.
Facing the camera for the first time was an easy task for the little actor as he was convinced that the director would bring out the best in him.
He acknowledges that for an actor to grow, good roles should come his way. “Cinema is the best medium that can reach a wider audience. If I get good roles, I will definitely work in films. I am also curious about theatre,” said Minon, who now prefers to immerse himself in Shakespeare than Sherlock Holmes.
