Exclusive: `He is one of Malayalam cinema's superstars'; Rahul Ramachandran on directing Suresh Gopi's 251st film
Rahul Ramachandran is someone who grew up watching Suresh Gopi's films. He always loved watching him perform on screen and looked up to him as well. It was not less than fan-moment when Rahul was asked to direct Suresh Gopi's 251st film.
By Bhavana Published on 5 July 2021 5:07 AM GMT
Rahul Ramachandran is someone who grew up watching Suresh Gopi's films. He always loved watching him perform on screen and looked up to him as well. It was not less than fan-moment when Rahul was asked to direct Suresh Gopi's 251st film.
The first look of the film took the internet by storm. The poster shows Suresh Gopi wearing a salt n pepper man-bun hairstyle and beard, a full-arm intricate tattoo, and quite a modern, menacing look.
In an exclusive interview with Newsmeter, Rahul poured his heart out about his childhood hero, Malayalam cinema, and Suresh Gopi's new look. Excerpts:
NewsMeter: First look poster speaks a lot about the character of Suresh Gopi. Tell us about the response you have received for it.
Rahul: I am super happy about the response the first look has received. The poster itself tells a lot of things about the story and the character of Suresh Gopi. A small teaser will be unveiled to reveal more. I am super excited to begin the shoot soon.
NewsMeter: A young director mostly wants to work with upcoming actors. But you chose to make a film with Suresh Gopi. Why is it so?
Rahul: I grew up watching his films. He is one of the superstars of Malayalam cinema. He was the one who introduced the trend and style of wearing two shirts. He was known for his fights where he even used to fight with the help of a towel. His firebrand dialogues and performance are something that I have been a fan of. So I wanted to make a film with him.
NewsMeter: So how was the fan moment when you met your childhood hero for the first time?
Rahul: It was great. I was so excited to meet him. He is such a down-to-earth person and doesn't carry that superstar image. I narrated the script to him in three different parts and he said he really liked it. In fact, I wrote it keeping him only in mind and I glad he liked it. He says he is a director's actor and that he will give the best for this film. Such words from him were very much encouraging.
NewsMeter: Can you reveal a little more about the film? Something more than what the first look conveys.
Rahul: I really cannot reveal much about the film. But yeah, it is a revenge thriller that has scope for a lot of drama. Suresh Gopi will be seen doing some action as well. I can say that the film will have some shades of Tamil film Vada Chennai. Suresh Gopi's character will have a flashback that is on similar lines with the Tamil film. Also, many Tamil actors are part of this film. We are going to start the pre-production in August and begin shooting once things get back to normal.
Suresh Gopi plays a 65-year-old watch mechanic in this film. What you see in the poster is, in fact, the whole film except a flashback scene and it is going to be a slow-paced revenge drama set in Kochi and the second half gets revealed in Chennai.
