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The twists and turns of fate

February 22, 2018 01:30 pm | Updated 01:30 pm IST - Thiruvananthapuram

In conversation with Binu Vellathooval, director of ‘Bhramanam’, a new soap on Mazhavil Manorama

A still from Bhramanam

Soaps are the staple of many entertainment channels. A new saga, Bhramanam , based on a novel by Joycy, started this month on Mazhavil Manorama. Directed by Binu Vellathooval, the serial has been adapted for the small screen by Joycy himself and has been produced by him as well. This is Binu’s second project with Joycy after the success of Manjurukum Kaalam , also on the same channel. In a conversation, Binu talks about the new serial that tells the story of a mother’s travails and her desperate attempts to set right a mistake in the past. Mukundan and Lavanya play the lead roles in the sob saga. Excerpts from the interview...

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What is the storyline?

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Anitha comes back into her children’s life after a gap of 16 years. However, she is forced to pretend that she is only their home nurse. A series of unfortunate incidents had led to her separation from her husband Harilal, a bank employee, and their two daughters. Now, when circumstances bring them back under the same roof, she finds that her two daughters are going astray.

Binu Vellathooval

It is not just a sob serial but it is about how lack of parental guidance and circumstances lead our children into all kinds of unsavoury situations.

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Any special reason for working again with Joycy?

Well, our first project together — Manjurukum Kaalam — was a big hit and garnered impressive TRP ratings. The present one is also based on a novel that did very well and so I hope viewers enjoy the episodes. There is an intense emotional journey of the characters and that should strike a chord with viewers.

Lavanya had played the lead in Manjurukum Kaalam too...

I had looked at more than 200 profiles for a suitable person to play Anitha. More than just looks, I wanted a capable actor, someone who could act as the unfortunate mother. When I could not find anyone, we decided to cast a proven actor like Lavanya as Anitha.

So, like many other directors working for the small screen, is cinema a dream for you?

Yes, it is. But, right now I am completely immersed in this work. That is how it is with serials. Once the work starts, you are in it 24X7. There is no way you can take a break.

The problem with many soaps is the way the story gets stretched unnecessarily. Will this be another of the never-ending storylines?

Never. It is based on a novel. Hence, we cannot prolong it unnecessarily.

It should go on for about 250 episodes. After all, this was a popular novel and so we cannot keep increasing the situations or characters without a reason.

Bhramanam is telecast on Mazhavil Manorama on weekdays at 8 pm.

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