Animosity of viewers towards a character played by Asif Ali is his victory

Uyare, directed by Manu Ashok, is triggering debates on many issues it portrays. The movie has generated much interest with Paravathy’s excellent acting. It ends with a strong message to rewrite concepts of beauty. Bobby-Sanjay are the scriptwriters. Sanjay speak about how the story was born and what changes the film’s makers want to see happen.

What about ‘Uyare’ attracted you?

We have had our difference with the concept of beauty. It is often quite defective. Many go by a pretty face. If face is good, all is good! This is applied on women more. External beauty is a must in their case. Even at a wedding, the first thing enquired is if the bride is fair or dark in complexion.

We wonder if society needs art forms and contests that depend on conventional concepts of beauty. There are field where only beautiful men and women can enter. We find this quite primitive. Logic takes a back seat here. A person’s value is not depended on their height. This oddity in modern society attracted us to this story.

Many such issues remain in relationships too, especially in love and marriage. We have come across many women who suffer from men’s ego. They entertain concepts like man’s wish is woman’s too, or there is not a world for her outside her man’s. Many women believe their husband or lover want them to wear something because they like them in it. They do not dare to think if their happiness is even cared for. We believe women should walk out of relationships that are not in their interest. There is no love there. How can there be a relationship or marriage then?

Many have expressed disgust at Asif’s character Govind. How do you see Asif’s acting?

Asif joined Uyare in between several feel-good movies. Not many would take up such a role because of the negative shade. But Asif looks solely at the movie and character – not his head or figure. That deserves applause. It should be a lesson to many. If people are disgusted by the character, then it’s his victory. He was eager to take up the role.

Tovino too had a similar attitude. He had date issues when we approached. But he was ready to adjust dates after listening to the story. Neither of these actors asked how many scenes or space they had or was it a Parvathy movie. They wanted to be a part of the film. This is a positive change for Malayalam cinema. Fahadh did a villain role in Kumbalangi Nights. If more such stars come out like him we will have great movies and characters.

Did Parvathy’s lead role create a fear of controversies?

Only 15 out of 100 people are against Parvathy. The rest are with the movie. We did not bother about this 15. Kerala’s moviegoers do not subscribe to their opinion. If some say they won’t watch a good movie just because of Parvathy’s presence, what sense do they make? We reject a section that would make such a comment. If the movie is good, people will recognise it, appreciate her acting. This movie proves the controversy around Parvathy is generated on purpose.

Have you come across characters like Pallavi?

Many, in fact. We have many female friends who are married. Many of Pallavi’s characteristics are taken from their experiences. Restrictions stop able women from reaching the heights men of similar talents do. Many women are told to submit to husband’s house and husband’s wishes. Our concept of a mother is no different. Mother’s recipe, mother’s way of doing this and doing that… It boils down to a concept where a person is limited to a particular chore inside the four walls of a house. We accord a kind of nobility to such characters. This is then thrust upon all women in our lives. But women today will not settle for such monolithic concepts. They will smash them. Men have to realise such concepts won’t work anymore.