He had us all in splits with his one-liners in Premam and Sakhavu, in his distinctive Aluva brogue. Now, young actor Altaf Salim is all set to make us laugh out loud again with his signature droll humour in his debut film at the helm, Njandukalude Naattil Oridavela. Starring Nivin Pauly and produced by the star himself, under the banner Pauly Jr. Pictures, the film is one of four major releases at the Onam marquee.
“It’s a family drama that deals with a pertinent social issue but told with lots of humour. That’s why we like to call the film a dramedy — drama laced with comedy. I’m a huge fan of comedy and the film is a mix of different styles of humour,” says Altaf. That accent is truly a delight on the ears, over the phone. “All will be revealed about the title when you watch the film. It has something to do with the said social issue,” adds the director, before we can prod him further about why the film’s title translates into ‘An Intermission In the Land of Crabs.’
An engineering graduate, Altaf has always had a passion for cinema. “My goal was always to be a director. B. Tech (from Pondicherry) was just a stop-gap measure. Also, it just so happened that my introduction to the Malayali audience was in front of the camera rather than behind it. Njandukalude... had been in the works long before Alphonse (Putharen, director of Premam ) asked me to act in the film. He is a friend and is also from my hometown of Aluva,” says the 31-year-old, who does not look his age.
Altaf taught himself the art of directing and also by assisting in films. “More than anything else what I learnt from Alphonse and Co. is that focus is what’s important when donning the director’s hat. That and dedication to your work. I actually enjoyed my first outing as director. The whole filming process was rather hassle free because I had done a lot of preparation, the script was bound and none of my artistes had date clashes. From Nivin to Lal sir, all my artistes were very supportive,” says Altaf.
Two to tango
Njandukalude... has been written by Altaf and another Premam alumnus, George Kora, a Chartered Accountant with filmy dreams (audiences might recall him as the George who eventually wins Mary’s heart in Premam ) .
George Kora and Altaf Salim
The film is the story of the Chacko family, comprising K.C. Chacko and his wife, Sheela (essayed by Lal and Shanti Krishna, respectively), twins Kurian and Mary (Nivin and Shrinda Arhaan) and daughter Sarah (Ahanaa Krishna). Yet another Premam alumnus Siju Wilson acts as Tony Edayady, Mary’s husband. “They are a rather dysfunctional, upper middle class family and the film is about an incident that brings them all together. What people have to say about it and how the family overcomes the situation make the film. The characters pass through a series of situations and blossom in those circumstances. Our primary objective was to be sensitive to the issue at hand and not make it a slapstick fête,” explains George.
Nivin Pauly and Aishwarya Lekshmi in a still from Njandukalude Naattil Oridavela
Debutante Aishwarya Lekshmi plays an important role in the film, with director Dileesh Pothan and Premam stars Sharafudeen and Krishna Sankar also starring in the film. Mukesh Muraleedharan has handled the camera, while the music is by Justin Varghese, both newbies.
The newcomers are going up against the big guns this Onam, competing with films starring Mohanlal, Mammootty and Prithviraj. Is the director feeling the heat? “I’m actually very happy with myself and with how the film has turned out. I think it can hold up on its own. The Malayali audience is particularly welcoming to sensible cinema and Njandukalude..., I feel, is one such film. Also, if there is good content in a film audiences will lap it up and that’s not limited to the Malayali audience,” says Altaf.
