(MENAFN-Khaleej Times) Salala Mobiles, the debut feature film of director Sharath A
Dulquer Salmaan and Nazriya Nazim
SHARATH A. HARIDAASAN, an admaker/actor/scriptwriter/director, is baffled. He was watching the first day, first show of his debut directorial feature Salala Mobiles, starring Dulquer Salmaan and Nazriya Nazim, in a packed theatre in Ernakulam with a ruckus crowd of cheering fans.
Halfway into the movie, his mobile phone rang. It was a friend who was calling him up to say that the first reviews of the movie were already out and the criticism was not kind. “I was taken aback. The first screening of the film wasn’t even over, so how could anyone even post a review?”
Such surprises, most of them unpleasant, were a dime a dozen in Sharath’s journey to fulfill his dream to direct a film. But then, he had already learnt to take them in his stride.
A few years ago, he had an even more bitter experience in the Malayalam film industry. The script he had written and the film that came out of it were entirely different. When the film tanked at the box office, his credentials as a writer was at stake.
So he resorted to his bread-winning job: That of an admaker, credited with directing Malayalam’s superstar Mammootty in his first TV commercial. To date, Sharath must have directed more than 400 TV commercials for big spending, blue chip clients.
“Every admaker, I believe, dreams of becoming a film director,” says Sharath. “Yes, by doing ads, we get to work with the best equipment, lavish budgets and the most sought-after talent. Yet, there is hardly any recognition for your work, other than within the industry. So long as you are not recognised for your work, you don’t get the full creative satisfaction.”
He has enough reason to chase the creative kick. He had chucked away a cushy job as an IT professional and took up the field of advertising, having been inspired by cinematographer-director Rajeev Menon. Now, for over 13 years, as Managing Director of Watercolour Pictures, he has been making commercials.
Before he turned director, Sharath’s passion for cinema found the right expression when director Naga, better known as the ‘Mani Ratnam of Tamil TV,’ choose his script for his debut feature film, Ananthapurathu Veedu. Produced by blockbuster director Shankar, the film – a supernatural mystery film laced with humour - went on to win critical acclaim and commercial success.
Salala Mobiles was a script Sharath had written two years ago, almost at the same time that Dulquer debuted in Second Show. Right from its launch, Salala Mobiles was making headlines. “Honestly, I have no idea how the film generated such buzz; in fact, I was told that the release of several big films were postponed not to clash with mine.”
By the time the film released, overcoming several hurdles and heartburns that Sharath would rather not talk about, the director had to face unforeseen hostility from a section of the audience.
“I still don’t understand it. At one level, the fans were greeting me with bouquets, and on the other, the ‘social media’ critics were throwing brickbats,” says Sharath. He laughs when he says at least two fans associations were formed in his name – in Kodungalloor and Valanchery with life-size cutouts of Sharath placed at the theatres.
He says Salala Mobiles is not just a love story; it is also about how relationships are being tested with the advent of mobile phones. But the film also has a third dimension: It is a tribute to the expatriate Indians in the Gulf.
In fact, in naming the film Salala Mobiles, Sharath is also evoking the memories of Cheraman Perumal, the legendary ruler of Kerala, who embraced Islam, and set on a journey from Kodungalloor in Kerala to Makkah. A tomb in Salalah, Oman, is attributed to the Indian King.Sharath A. Haridaasan
Acknowledging the contribution of NRIs to Kerala’s economy, Sharath also takes a potshot at the attitude of today’s youth. “Now, it is a trend to open a mobile shop, mostly funded by their parents or uncles who work in the Gulf. The shop suddenly gives them a better social status.”
Salala Mobiles also stars Santhanam, the Tamil comedy star. “I had worked with him earlier on commercials. His character is central to the movie; I needed someone who could play at good-looking geek who was also out-and-out funny. In fact, Santhanam is perhaps the only person I had in mind for the film, while writing the script.”
Sharath is enthused by the feedback he received from some unexpected quarters. “I had strangers calling me to say this is a film every Malayali must watch.”
And that is why he is confident that when viewed with an open mind a lot of the social media commentators would be silenced by the inherent sincerity of the film. Salala Mobiles is now playing at theatres in the UAE.
Legal thriller
AFTER NADIYA KOLAPPETTA Rathri, in which Suresh Gopi played the lead, and Prithviraj appeared in a cameo role, the two actors are teaming up again in a new film by director Shaji Kailas. The film is scripted by AK Sajan, and is said to be a legal thriller.
Suresh Gopi has returned to the silver screen after a long hiatus with Salaam Kashmir, directed by Joshiy and also starring Jayaram. The film has opened to mixed response.
Prithviraj meanwhile has taken a bit of box-office beating with the rather poor show of London Bridge, a film that raised huge expectations.
Double delight
WRITER-ACTOR MURALI GOPY will do a double role in his upcoming film One By Two, a psycho thriller directed by Arun Kumar Aravind, and also starring Fahadh Faasil, who plays the role of a police officer for the first time in his film career. Murali Gopy also had to do a bungee jump for the film.
The film is currently in its final schedule, and has generated strong buzz for the lead pairing, and the fact that Arun and Murali are teaming up again after the critical acclaim to their earlier two films together – Ee Adutha Kaalathu and Left Right Left.
One By Two is scripted by Jeyamohan, and also stars director Shyamaprasad, Honey Rose and Abhinaya.
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