From not even getting to talk to Siddique to being the hero in his film, it's been overwhelming: Jayasurya

Jayasurya has had a good year ' what with winning a National Award, acting in his first big budget action flick IDI and bagging his first biopic on footballer VP Sathyan.
Another wish he ticked off from his bucket list is working with director Siddique.
The actor, who is awaiting the releasing of the duo's Fukri, shares his working experience not just with the veteran director but also the host of newcomers in the movie:
It's the first time you are working with director Siddique'
When I dreamt about getting in to films, I used to visit the sets of Siddique and Lal.I had gone to the location of Vietnam Colony and In Harihar Nagar. Back then I didn't even get an opportunity to talk to Siddique ikka. In Vietnam Colony, I didn't get a chance to act even as a resident of the colony because people from Alappuzha were preferred as the shooting was there. So, in a way I felt great when he asked me to be the hero of Fukri.
I have always felt that his greatest gift is he can write content and humour that is relevant now and in the coming years. He observes a lot and that also reflects in the visuals of the film, which he ensures is captured such that it resonates with today's youth. So, he's updated about every technological advancement in the industry. He is always ready to clarify your doubts and welcome questions from the cast and crew about the movie.
The film also has actor and director Lal'
Despite their split as a directorial duo, I think they have done quite well to keep their friendship intact. When somebody asked the reason for the split, Lalettan said: 'It was just a soundaryapinakkam. Both of us had an ego as to who is more handsome? Siddique said it was him and I didn't agree.' Both Siddique ikka and Lalettan have this amazing sense of humour. While we were shooting Fukri, I was lucky to be part of the silver jubilee celebration of Godfather, which they both wrote and directed.
Tell us about your role in the movie
My character Luqman Fukri wasn't a challenging role per se because I could easily do it. But there were certain sequences which were hard to pull off. That's because the film is a comedy and it's often easy for an actor to forget the mind-set of the character while doing such a movie. For instance, I like to think I have a sense of humour and so when I crack jokes on the sets, people laugh. Being a comedy movie, it's easy to forget how the character responds in such situations and just be yourself because either way your job is to make people laugh.
So, I had to take care of not mixing Luqman Fukri's sense of humour with that of Jayasurya's.
Apart from you, Lal and actor Siddique, the film also has a lot of newcomers'
Yes it does, and there's a reason for that too. Siddique ikka was part of the judging panel of a comedy show and a lot of people had asked him, 'What nonsense are you doing? You have directed Salman Khan, why would you then go back and be the judge of a comedy show?' He told them that he had come from a mimicry background and he doesn't consider judging mimicry talent any less job than directing a movie. So, he's got this large heart to understand people and also encourage them. For Fukri, he has cast some of the best mimicry talents from Kerala.
For me also, I got to work with the young crop of actors such as Prayaga Martin and Anu Sithara. What I have learnt from them is that they are passionate about movies. When I entered films, I was never exposed to the range of movies that the youngsters these days are. So when you are working with them, you feel they are already experienced. Recently, the youngsters in Anandam astonished me with their performance. They were so natural.
You are never shy praising young talent'
Why would I be? There are a lot of people who sit in the comfort of their homes and say that acting is simple. But to perform in front of a camera is definitely no mean task. If any actor has essayed the character so well that they make me believe in them, then I make it a point to call them up and say that. It's because I also learn from that. I believe a guru does not have an age. Be it a veteran or a youngster, we can learn something from everyone; we just have to be open to it.