Kochi: 'Cocktail' was released along with a bunch of new flicks in Malayalam this year. Unlike its peers the film doesn't involve an altruistic hero emerging triumphant after a string of herculean stunts. Instead, it tells the story of an ordinary, error-prone human being, Ravi Abraham (Anoop Menon), his adorable wife Parvathy (Samvrutha Sunil) and a bearded stranger Venkatesh (Jayasoorya) who spoils their 'happy family' party.
The subject of the film is not so very incongruent with the middle class society in Kerala. News dailies are abound with reports on incidents of promiscuity and adultery and crimes of passion that are born out of it.
So the film is refreshingly distinct in terms of theme and treatment for a common Malayali audience and undoubtedly deserves the applause that is being showered regularly at the end of each show.
Arun Kumar, the director of the film considers this ovation of the audience as a 'blessing'. He can obviously take the credit for maneuvering a paradigm shift in the style of narration of a story through a Malayalam commercial film notwithstanding the fact the storyline is adapted from a Canadian movie, "Butterfly on a wheel" starring Pierce Brosnan, Gerard Butler and Maria Bello in the lead.
He openly admits that he went after the Canadian thriller after rummaging through a number of scripts and stories he could lay his hands on. None of them carried anything novel or anything that could move him to the point of excitation. "They all had cliched characters and plots," he says, "My prime concern was a different story in Malalayalam." 'Cocktail' is truly a welcome respite for those who are tired of the commonplace gimmicks of the heroics that Malayalam cinema continuously catered.
Meanwhile Arun Kumar also rues the sorry state of affairs in Malayalam film industry at present. "Cinema is not being treated as a means of artistic manifestation here but as a minting mill. Films are being made to satisfy the needs and interests of certain groups or persons," he says, "they are simply considered as projects. They should be rather treated as art first and then as projects."
According to him no artistic freedom or value is given due consideration in Malayalam film industry as of now and what results is production of films sans substance. "So we are forced to encounter typecasts over and again onscreen by which the standards of Malayalam cinema keep slithering down towards an abysmal level," complains Arun Kumar. "See the change that Kerala has undergone down the last ten years or so, from technology, to lifestyle to mindset. Everything here has changed but cinema." he says.
There was a time when Malayalam cinema was widely recognised in India, which is now a thing of the past, he says. Currently, only few talented Malayalam directors or actors, who had made their marks in the early years of their hardships, are still able to hold any significance at the national level.
A Physics graduate from M G College in Thiruvananthapuram Arun did his non-linear editing course under KFDC after pursuing graphic artist and visual effects course in Chennai. He was introduced into film by noted director T K Rajeev Kumar.
Arun Kumar then traversed a span of nearly ten years as a well acclaimed film editor before turning to direction and he is popular as renowned director Priyadarshan's editor. 'Vettom' was his first film with Priyadarshan in the editor's lab. The camaraderie went on for over twenty odd films, most of them Bollywood blockbusters like 'Khatta Meetha', 'Bum Bum Bole', 'De Dana Dan', 'Billu', 'Chal Chala Chal' and so on. The national award winning film 'Kancheevaram' had won him nominations for Shantharam Award and National Award for best editing.
Though Arun Kumar never denies that Priyadarshan's style of film-making had left a remarkable impression, he is of the view that one should write his story in his own words.
So far so good. Arun Kumar is very happy with the outcome of his debut film and so is his producer Milan Jaleel who has already signed him on for the next venture.
Arun was so thrilled when noted director Sathyan Anthikkad called him to comment that the story of 'Cocktail' has been narrated the way it should be. South Indian megastar Mammootty had also appreciated his work and is said to have shown interest in making a film with him.
Now that his film has been well received, there is no looking back for Arun. But living up to the expectations of the audience might be a steep climb.
Born to G.A. Nair and Padmakumari in Thiruvanathapuram Arun Kumar is married to Aishwarya and the couple is blessed with a 3-year-old daughter Arsha.
The subject of the film is not so very incongruent with the middle class society in Kerala. News dailies are abound with reports on incidents of promiscuity and adultery and crimes of passion that are born out of it.
So the film is refreshingly distinct in terms of theme and treatment for a common Malayali audience and undoubtedly deserves the applause that is being showered regularly at the end of each show.
Arun Kumar, the director of the film considers this ovation of the audience as a 'blessing'. He can obviously take the credit for maneuvering a paradigm shift in the style of narration of a story through a Malayalam commercial film notwithstanding the fact the storyline is adapted from a Canadian movie, "Butterfly on a wheel" starring Pierce Brosnan, Gerard Butler and Maria Bello in the lead.
He openly admits that he went after the Canadian thriller after rummaging through a number of scripts and stories he could lay his hands on. None of them carried anything novel or anything that could move him to the point of excitation. "They all had cliched characters and plots," he says, "My prime concern was a different story in Malalayalam." 'Cocktail' is truly a welcome respite for those who are tired of the commonplace gimmicks of the heroics that Malayalam cinema continuously catered.
Meanwhile Arun Kumar also rues the sorry state of affairs in Malayalam film industry at present. "Cinema is not being treated as a means of artistic manifestation here but as a minting mill. Films are being made to satisfy the needs and interests of certain groups or persons," he says, "they are simply considered as projects. They should be rather treated as art first and then as projects."
According to him no artistic freedom or value is given due consideration in Malayalam film industry as of now and what results is production of films sans substance. "So we are forced to encounter typecasts over and again onscreen by which the standards of Malayalam cinema keep slithering down towards an abysmal level," complains Arun Kumar. "See the change that Kerala has undergone down the last ten years or so, from technology, to lifestyle to mindset. Everything here has changed but cinema." he says.
There was a time when Malayalam cinema was widely recognised in India, which is now a thing of the past, he says. Currently, only few talented Malayalam directors or actors, who had made their marks in the early years of their hardships, are still able to hold any significance at the national level.
A Physics graduate from M G College in Thiruvananthapuram Arun did his non-linear editing course under KFDC after pursuing graphic artist and visual effects course in Chennai. He was introduced into film by noted director T K Rajeev Kumar.
Arun Kumar then traversed a span of nearly ten years as a well acclaimed film editor before turning to direction and he is popular as renowned director Priyadarshan's editor. 'Vettom' was his first film with Priyadarshan in the editor's lab. The camaraderie went on for over twenty odd films, most of them Bollywood blockbusters like 'Khatta Meetha', 'Bum Bum Bole', 'De Dana Dan', 'Billu', 'Chal Chala Chal' and so on. The national award winning film 'Kancheevaram' had won him nominations for Shantharam Award and National Award for best editing.
Though Arun Kumar never denies that Priyadarshan's style of film-making had left a remarkable impression, he is of the view that one should write his story in his own words.
So far so good. Arun Kumar is very happy with the outcome of his debut film and so is his producer Milan Jaleel who has already signed him on for the next venture.
Arun was so thrilled when noted director Sathyan Anthikkad called him to comment that the story of 'Cocktail' has been narrated the way it should be. South Indian megastar Mammootty had also appreciated his work and is said to have shown interest in making a film with him.
Now that his film has been well received, there is no looking back for Arun. But living up to the expectations of the audience might be a steep climb.
Born to G.A. Nair and Padmakumari in Thiruvanathapuram Arun Kumar is married to Aishwarya and the couple is blessed with a 3-year-old daughter Arsha.
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