In the arts, especially cinema, (if one could paraphrase Henning Nelms), like in mathematics, the whole is equal to the sum of its parts. So many elements, so many parts work together to make a whole film. Art is one.
The production designer, the art director, and his assistants, are the ones who create the look of a film, create the ambience. Today a production designer is so many parts rolled into one. They need to have the sensibilities and skills of an architect, an interior designer, a carpenter, and so much more.
Santhosh Raman, in a span of hardly five years, has emerged as a brilliant production designer. His work in films such as ‘Indian Rupee' and ‘Veettilekkula Vazhi' show that he is in complete control of everything that is artistic.
Another creative journey
For this Thalassery-born artiste, cinema became another stop in a very creative journey. After securing a degree in Applied Art from the College of Fine Arts, Thrissur, and a course in Space Orientation at the JJ School of Arts, Mumbai, Santhosh, plunged straight into interior designing.
“My idea was to get into a career that suited me and something where I could put to use what I was trained in. Doing up interiors, for homes and commercial establishments, was a challenge,” says Santhosh, whose ‘Designer Studio' in Kozhikode, where he has now settled, caters to clients in the State and abroad.
The opportunity to work in a film came through one of his ‘clients.' “I have done up the homes of many people in Malayalam cinema like actor Vineeth, and cinematographer Venugopal. It was Venugopal who introduced me to director Jayaraj. He gave me my first independent film, ‘Aanachandam.' I also worked as an associate to Raja Unnithan in ‘Akale.' I was slowly being drawn into this world, its challenges, and immense possibilities.”
Right from the start, Santhosh was guided by the principle that art design in films must be subtle and easy to understand. Inspired by masters in this field, like his favourite Samir Chanda, and Sabu Cyril, Santhosh set about his job of creating sets with an ambience that does not hit you on your face.
The film that set Santhosh firmly on track was Sathyan Anthikad's ‘Innathe Chintha Vishayam.' His work began to get noticed. ”
The worlds that Santhosh has helped create have certainly come alive on the big screen. The grungy office at Palayam Market or the very ‘romantic' restaurant in ‘Indian Rupee,' and the entire view of the façade of a village, including the road, the bus stop, and the tea shop in ‘Manikyakallu,' were some of Santhosh's ‘creations.' “There are so many people who still think that the office was somewhere in Palayam, while the restaurant was actually the cycle-stand at the Corporation office in Kozhikode.”
Santhosh is now looking forward to Biju's new film, ‘Akashathinte Niram,' for which he has created a house that stretches into the sea in the Andamans. “This house is as important as the main character in this film. We travelled to Neil Island, where there is barely 3,000 people and the president of the ‘panchayat' is a Malayali. We built a three-bedroom house, where most of the action takes place. It was a challenge getting the necessary sanctions, getting the materials from Port Blair on those small boats the natives call ‘donkeys,' and then setting it up. After the shoot we were preparing to bring it down when the panchayat requested we keep it as it is. They, I believe, plan to use it as a guest house.”
Santhosh has begun research for his new project, Pramod Payyannur's Mammootty starrer, ‘Balyakalasakhi.' “This is a period film based on Vaikom Mohammed Basheer's famous work. I have got tremendous response from social networking sites with people sending so many photographs and drawings on materials from that period. I have made detailed sketches, visited a location near Cherthala and things are falling into place.”
‘Lavender,' a half-finished project where Santhosh worked a lot in locations in Bangkok, and Ranjith's forthcoming film, ‘Leela' are some of the other projects Santhosh is working on. He is also busy with advertisement films, working with some big brands, including the popular IPL promo film with Priyadarshan and other top directors.
