Twenty years after making his début with Oru Maravathoor Kanavu , director Lal Jose is still going strong. It has been an eventful ride for him with well-appreciated movies such as Meesa Madhavan, Chanthupottu, Achanurangatha Veedu, Classmates, Arabikkatha, Elsamma Enna Aankutty, Diamond Necklace, Ayalum Njanum Thammil, Pullipulikalum Aattinkuttiyum and Vikramadithyan to his credit. While these movies were hits, he did have his own share of misses as well in his career.
Busy giving the final touches to his forthcoming release, Thattumpurathu Achuthan, Lal Jose talks to FridayReview about his roller-coaster ride in the world of movies.
How do you look back at your journey as a director?
It’s a wonderful feeling, especially since it is not easy to survive in this industry. There were just three new directors in the year I made by début and only I have lasted this far. It shows how competitive the industry is.
Has the process of filmmaking changed a lot during these years?
I have seen the transition from film to digital, which has changed the whole scenario. I feel that the sound of the film rolling made the actors and directors more responsible as the wastage of stock added to the expenses of the film.
Only those with experience and a sound knowledge of the nuances of filmmaking could become directors. The situation has changed. Now, anyone can become a filmmaker. Scenes are shot with multiple cameras and all the visuals go to the editor’s table. The editors have become directors as a result.
Your latest film, Thattumpurathu Achuthan , will release during Christmas. What is the film about?
Thattumpurathu Achuthan is a feel-good movie, set in the backdrop of a temple. The hero, played by Kunchacko Boban, is an accountant at a wholesale vegetable shop. He lives with his ailing father and is a likeable youth with simple dreams in life. An incident happens and his involvement in it takes the story ahead.
You were making commercial films that were critically appreciated. But, of late, the balance seems to have tilted a bit and some of your recent films have faced brickbats.
I have done only those films that I have liked and the kind that I’ve felt would leave an impact on the audience. I have treated the plots the way it suits them.
However, some have a tendency to attack a movie if it doesn’t cater to their taste. They don’t care that the same film is liked by others. All I want to say is, if you don’t like a film, you can skip the movie instead of targeting it.
A scene from Thattumpurathu Achuthan
Last year, you teamed up with Mohanlal in Velipadinte Pusthakam. But it didn’t fare well at the cinemas. What went wrong?
I made a mistake. I started the movie without enough preparation or homework. It is very disappointing as I feel that it had a fantastic subject with an international flavour.
How does failure affect you?
Failures have more impact on current crop of filmmakers compared to the days when I started my career.
Earlier, even when a film flopped, aspects like the technical brilliance were appreciated. These days, however, a failure can make the going really tough for a filmmaker.
Do you regret doing any of your films?
I regret the way we made Rasikan. The movie had a great subject. We did Rasikan to help the producer of Pattalam, as the latter didn’t have a good run at the boxoffice.
We took a character out of a project titled Chekavan that was being planned then and made Rasikan, but it didn’t work out.
Your films have mainly targeted the family audiences. Does it limit your freedom as a filmmaker?
I have made films as per my convictions. I have never set a target audience while selecting a plot. But I am aware that the audience have classified filmmakers. I realised this when I was questioned for the “bold scenes” in Neelathamara.
YourClassmateswas a trendsetter...
Until Classmates, I never thought that movies could have such an impact on human lives. After that, I made it a point not to give negative messages through my films.
You are active as a producer, distributor and, also, at times, as an actor.
I wanted to start my banner, LJ Films, when we couldn’t find a producer for a project to relaunch Fahadh Faasil. It was for a story titled Mother India , in which he was to play a character who was both the hero and the villain. But it never took off and that was quite disappointing.
So when the plot of Diamond Necklace came up, we decided to produce it. With Thattathin Marayathu , which we distributed, LJ Films clicked as a banner and we are doing well now.
As for donning the role of an actor, it is for the thrill of attempting something that is not exactly my forte. I enjoy doing small roles, that too in a comfortable environment.
What next?
My next film is a project with Biju Menon in the lead. It will be announced shortly.
