Megastar Mammootty is generating immense excitement for his upcoming thriller 'Kalamkaval', and in a recent candid interview, he shared crucial insights into his film selection philosophy and a key directive for scriptwriters.
Mammootty's Directive to Scriptwriters: Focus on Character, Not the Star
In a promotional interview released by his production house, the veteran actor laid down a fundamental rule for filmmakers approaching him. He expressed that writers should avoid picturing him in the role while developing the script. Mammootty believes that if a character is written specifically with him in mind, he merely becomes a version of the writer's imagination rather than embodying an authentic persona.
"When you write a story or develop a script, don't picture me in the role," Mammootty advised. "If you do that, I’ll just end up becoming the character you imagined. Focus purely on the character itself, only then films like 'Kalamkaval' become possible." This approach, he suggests, is what allows for groundbreaking cinema.
The Production Strategy: Seeking the Unpredictable and Unconventional
The actor also shed light on the unique curation process at his production company. The team actively seeks out projects that defy conventional commercial expectations. They intentionally look for films that other producers might hesitate to make with him or those where box-office success is not a guaranteed formula.
"We pick films that other producers may not want to or may not be able to make with me, projects where commercial success isn’t guaranteed or predictable," he explained. Even when a project has commercial potential, it must offer "something different." He cited his recent films 'Rorschach', 'Kannur Squad', and 'Turbo' as prime examples of mould-breaking narratives that still managed to connect profoundly with audiences.
Embracing the Antagonist: Mammootty as the Villain in 'Kalamkaval'
At the film's pre-release event, Mammootty ended all speculation by confirming his role as the antagonist in 'Kalamkaval'. He revealed that Vinayakan plays the protagonist, while he himself has taken on the part of the villain. "The hero of this film is Vinayakan, and I am also the hero… but the villain," he stated with a smile.
He candidly warned audiences that his character might be challenging to embrace. "The character I play in this film may be very difficult for you to love or like," Mammootty said. Addressing the delay in the film's release, he reflected, "After quite some time, one of my films is releasing. This film got delayed a little for reasons you all know. This is a film I really wanted to do." He described 'Kalamkaval' as his biggest character experiment, heightening anticipation for this bold thriller.
