Showrunner and director of two features Manorathangal, An anthology based on nine stories written by Jnanpith Award winner MT Vasudevan Nair, Priyadarshan’s connection to the film is evident in his conversation.
He gets emotional while talking about his work in the anthology, which premieres on ZEE5 on August 15, in which he has directed two segments, Olavum Theeravam And Silalakitham.
While reading the script of the film, he says, Olavum Theeravam (1970), which M.T. wrote at the age of 15, inspired him to become a director.
Mohanlal in a scene from ‘Olaavum Theeravam’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Priyadarshan says, “Initially, I made a name for myself by directing full-length comedy films, which was a rare occurrence in Malayalam cinema at that time. But there were other films inside me that I wanted to make. I was jealous of filmmakers like I.V. Sasi, Sibi Malayil and Hariharan who were directing films that are now considered classics in the language.”
Priyadarshan wanted to direct the veteran screenwriter’s script. “But I was a little intimidated by him. He rarely smiles and always has a serious expression,” he said.
When he shared his disappointment with Mohanlal, the actor approached M.T. and requested him to consider writing a script for Priyadarshan.
Mamu Koya in a scene from ‘Olaavum Theeravam’, one of the films from the anthology ‘Manorathangal’ | Photo Courtesy: Special Arrangement
“MT agreed and we met several times in Chennai. Then my father fell ill. He asked me to go to my father immediately. I remember his words: ‘Cinema will be made again but nobody can replace parents. Please go to them’. I went but the project did not move forward with MT sir.”
He had given up hope when suddenly he got a call from M.T.’s daughter Aswathy V. Nair, a reputed dancer and choreographer. She told him about her idea of an anthology based on stories written by her father. Priyadarshan immediately rushed to meet M.T. in Kozhikode. He wanted him to direct the film along with being the showrunner. He also got the right to choose the story he wanted to direct.
Biju Menon in the lead role Silalakitham
Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“MT Sir told me Silalakitham And I accepted it. I consider him my guru. It is like the Dronacharya-Eklavya relationship. I have read every story of his and his stories have been an inspiration for me.”
Priyadarshan had first approached Mammootty to play the lead role. But for some reason, the actor refused. Then he chose Biju Menon, Shanthi Krishna and Joy Mathew to play important roles. Silalikitham. Biju Menon plays the protagonist Gopalankutty, who persuades his mother to support the idea of demolishing their ancestral house and selling it.
Priyadarshan says he is considering Silalakitham This is his best work after his National Award winning feature film Kanchivaram,
Once the directors completed their work, they screened it for MT, who shared his opinions about the feature with the filmmakers. “I also screened Silalakitham For that, We watched the film together with Aswathi. After watching it, she held my hand, hugged it to her chest and told me, ‘Nannayittunudu’ (Awesome), it made me emotional. I was moved to tears. I couldn’t have asked for more!”
Priyadarshan says that the day after the screening, Aswathy called him to tell him what MT liked in the film, which the veteran actor shared with her. “She asked her father why he didn’t tell me all this directly. She said his body language said everything he wanted to say.”
He said that even if he retires after a few films, he will always cherish MT’s words and that moment.
Priyadarshan got the chance to direct another story when the producers were keen to include Mohanlal’s film in the anthology. Aswathy V Nair, creative director of the anthology and MT’s daughter, says they wanted a director with whom Mohanlal would be comfortable.
Overjoyed, he requested M.T. to edit the script for the film. Olavum Theeravam and explained why he wanted to direct it.
a scene ,‘Olavam Theeravam’ | Photo Courtesy: Special Arrangement
Olavum Theeravam, Directed by the late PN Menon, this is a classic that tells the story of Baputti, a timber merchant. It was one of the earliest Malayalam films to be shot outdoors. Starring Madhu and Usha Nandini in the lead, this film is a tale from another era that depicts a slice of life in Malabar.
“MT sir asked me if this story would have any relevance in the modern world,” says Priyadarshan, who assured him that it would be made as a historical film. The director’s enthusiasm is evident when he explains how MT edited the screenplay to a 50-minute feature film, making it the longest film in the anthology.
Excited with the idea of retelling the story, Priyadarshan told Mohanlal that he wanted to see him in the lead role as Baputti. He wanted to shoot the entire film in black and white. “He told me he would definitely do that for me. I also approached Santosh Sivan and Sabu Cyril to work as DOP and art director respectively. Fortunately, both agreed. We had just six days to shoot.”
His pride is evident when he says that they were able to shoot the story within the stipulated time and yet make it a grand visual spectacle. “There is water, there is fire and we have recreated every part of that period. When we were shooting the film, it was the first Malayalam film to be shot in black and white in the colour era. By the time we were ready for release, Bramayugam was released!”
Priyadarshan says he wouldn’t have been able to do it without his long-term collaborators like Mohanlal, Santosh and Sabu.
“Madhu sir told me he wanted to see the film. He praised it a lot, but he wondered why I had to make it in black and white when colour versions had already been made in the late sixties when the film was first made.”
He adds: “My job is to Manorathangal is one of a kind Donation of Guru,
Manorathangal will premiere on ZEE5 on August 15
