Vipin Atley walked into the big screen with a small film, Homely Meals , directed by newcomer Anoop Kannan and produced by LJ Films. The response to the film was mixed but those who saw it found the film, about the workings of television channels, a breath of fresh air. Homely Meals was inspired by Vipin’s tenure with a Malayalam television channel. Starting out as a scenarist, he landed the lead role in the film. His next, Ben, about an eponymous young boy had him turn director, music director and lyricist. The film about 10 year-old Ben who doesn’t meet the standards set by society and disappoints his mother’s rather high expectations of him was received well when it came to the awards. Child actor Gaurav G. Menon, who essayed Ben, won the National and State Awards for the Best Child Actor, while Anjali Upasana won the state award for best supporting actress. Besides, it has garnered many international awards. Starting his career in television, Vipin returns to the medium after a gap with ‘Vazhakkala Days,’ aired on Surya TV. The show that has his characteristic brand of humour and wit is attracting followers. Excerpts from an interview…
On returning to the small screen after a gap of almost 13-14 years…
It wasn’t a conscious decision; things just happened. I was in between films, after Ben, and I wanted to do something productive, which is how ‘Vazhakkala Days’ came to be. I am not fully involved in the show, but if there is a story that I would like to tell, then I step in as director. My production company, Vipin Atley Productions, is producing the show.
‘Vazhakkala Days’ is about…
I belong to Vazhakkala in Kochi and it is about life as it happens there – the everyday characters and the hangouts. I have not used professional actors; these are regular people who also happen to be my friends. The humour in ‘Vazhakkala Days’ is very different from what we see on television these days. Most of the ‘stories’ are of people I know or ,for that matter, any of us might know. It is more organic. For instance, in the first episode there is John, a friend, who complicates everything because he knows too much; like when he tells a friend that jeans should be worn only while mining copper in the United States. The show comprises a motley crew of characters such as this.
The format of the show is a tad different and new…
It is and since it is different, it will grow slowly on the audience, who are used to conventional formats – be it long-running serials or ‘comedy’ shows which, mostly, are mimicry-based. The actors are not professionals; a deliberate decision. I wanted to give newcomers a break, which is often hard to come by in this industry. By newcomers I mean not only the actors but also the technicians. I have been getting good feedback for the show from the industry.
The response to Ben
Making the film wasn’t an attempt at being intellectual or being pretentious. It was a story that I thought would resonate in the present. I wanted to tell it in film and I did. I am glad that it was well-received. The awards the film received is acknowledgement of the effort my team and I put in. Ramesh Sippy, I am told, said Ben was the Taare Zameen Par of the South, which is a huge, huge compliment.
After Ben
I have a few ideas but currently I am working on two projects. It is too premature to say anything else.
(‘Vazhakkala Days’ airs on Sundays on Surya TV at 9.30 p.m.)
