Jofin T. Chacko admits that he did not expect his sophomore film to receive such a reception, diagramAlthough the team was confident that it would appeal to people who grew up in the 1980-90s, the response from the new generation has taken the filmmaker by surprise. “We were 100% sure that this film would connect with the generation that has grown up watching Bharathan and Padmarajan’s films and/or consuming film-based content. Grandfather And painting land [popular vernacular film magazines of the period]But from this generation… it came as a surprise!”
He said, he makes it clear diagram It was not created just for cinephiles and film lovers: “It is for everyone. We wanted this film to connect with anyone watching the film, and it has.”
sketch, The film starring Asif Ali and Anaswara Rajan has received packed houses and the response it has been receiving has been very good. The film cleverly utilizes the alternate history genre, centering the plot around the shooting of the 1984 film Bharathan. Kathodu Kathoram,
Although Joffin started out as a director priest (2021), diagram This was the first film that he and longtime friend Ramu Sunil discussed in 2018. Ramu has co-written the film with John Manthrikal.
“Ramu and I had discussed the basic idea at that time – that a film from the past would have the background of the plot and a popular song of that time would be used. We had also decided on the name of the main character, Rekha, and the name of the film. However, he later decided to make the film. “We felt that maybe this is not a film to be made as someone’s first work. But I was sure I would make this film at some point!”
Jofin T Chacko during filming | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In retrospect, it was a good call. With its new format, this film might not have got the acceptance at that time that it has today. Over the past five years, since the pandemic, audience preferences have changed, and stories told differently have gained more acceptance. The audience was ready in 2025 diagram,
Palakkad native who studied filmmaking and assisted Joey bicycle thiefSays, “This [Rekhachithram] This is my third place experience!”
Due to various reasons the film took four years to be made. ,diagram It could be built in two years at most. It did not require that much time, but it was delayed due to several factors. Four years is a long time and I have no intention of doing that again.”
His next two films are already in the pipeline – one with the writing duo Bobby-Sanjay, “writers for whom I have immense respect” and the other written by Akhil Paul (Identification, forensics, And seventh day,
an alternative statement
Even if they’re not trying to make a suspenseful or experimental film sketch, His intention was to create a space for such a film – a film drawn from an alternative history. “We didn’t approach it as a thriller with big ups and downs. But we wanted to give importance to the past. We understood that the second part would need solid flashback episodes. The film is about a murder and how a determined policeman solves a 40-year-old mystery.
‘Rekhachitram’ stars Asif Ali and Anaswara Rajan in lead roles. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
diagram Cleverly uses flashbacks as a narrative device, recreating the past with as much authenticity as possible. Although 1984 may seem like a recent past, the world has changed beyond recognition in the intervening 40 years. Film brings back the spirit of that period through cultural products such as film magazines and those associated with films made during that period. To the team’s credit, most of them look natural.
biological narrative
A very new tool that they have used in the film, which makes it a topic of discussion, is artificial intelligence (AI) generated images. AI images of the late Bharat and Mammootty from 40 years ago have been cleverly incorporated into the film. The usage is subtle and flows naturally with the narrative. He says that when he discussed the film with Mammootty in 2021, it was not part of the script.
“At the time, I didn’t know much about AI, let alone think about using it in film. I had a plan A, which is no longer relevant. so this [use of AI images]What was not even Plan B became Plan A.”
Mammootty starred in his first film, diagram Pivots to a film starring him. Is he a fan of Mammootty? “Absolutely. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a Mamukka fan! There’s no doubt about it!”
This brings him to the inputs given by Mammootty. The veteran actor gave him a turning point in the film – Jagadish’s cameo and referencing Drink Mutharamkunnu. (1985) “He [Mammootty] Told us about the incident and a fan addressed him as ‘Mammootty’ and wrote ChetanIt fits the story perfectly…”
Even when receiving praise, Joffin keeps it real. In response to a question about making a film like diagramAn effort that some might call adventurous in its treatment, Joffin says he made a film he was confident about and it worked. “I don’t think much. when i made priest, There were elements of exorcism in it, but I had faith and believed it would work. same way, diagram…” he signs.
Sketchyam is running in theaters
published – January 17, 2025 02:57 PM IST
