'Roy is not a villain,' Kappela director Muhammad Musthafa explains

The social media has been going gaga over Jessy, who dreamed of the ocean and Roy who took her to the dream ever since the movie Kappela released on a prominent OTT platform. Kappela, which released just before the theatres closed down due to the coronavirus outbreak, has been grabbing excellent reviews both from the critics and the audiences alike.

Though Kappela ran in the theatres for only five days, this movie was beginning to draw crowds. However, ever since its release on the online platform, cinema enthusiasts have been raving about the movie on many social media groups. Director Muhammed Musthafa speaks to Manorama News portal about the overwhelming response and also reacts to some of the criticisms that the theme of the movie faces.

Online release

Musthafa vows that the decision to release Kappela online hasn't affected the movie at all. Instead, it has reached a wider range of audiences. "Watching a movie on an OTT platform and enjoying a theatrical experience is definitely different. We made Kappela for a theatrical release. I was initially upset that the movie did not get ample time in the theatres. After watching it online, many people told me that it was a movie that should be enjoyed on the big screen. However, I am extremely happy that the movie had a wider reach after the OTT release. I am satisfied with the excellent reviews that Kappela is garnering now," says Musthafa.

The actor-filmmaker thinks that actors perform in their own unique styles whether the movie releases online or has a traditional theatrical release. He says he has spoken to cast of the movie after the online release. Musthafa adds that all of them are excited about the OTT release.

Miscalled trouble

"The story of Kappela springs from some of the incidents that I have seen and heard about in my life. Three or four years ago, when I was working as an assistant director for a movie in Kozhikode, I met a girl who came from Wayanad. She said she had come to meet her friend. When I asked her where her friend was, the girl said she hasn't met him in person yet and they were friends on Facebook. Incidents like this have helped me develop the storyline of Kappela," notes Musthafa.

Moral policing

Musthafa says he has been noticing the discussions that happen on the social media about Kappela. Some people have criticized the movie saying that it supports moral policing. However, the director dismisses such ideas and asks them to watch the movie again.

"The movie clearly depicts the character of Roy. But, nothing has been spoonfed. When he saw a man trying to assault a woman during the temple festival, he just shouted ''eda!'' to distract him. Later, Roy realizes that the couple was in love. Roy is not someone who wishes to interfere with other people's personal lives. He interfered when he thought that the woman was being assaulted. Roy had understood that Jessy was in a trap, through the phone call. Looks like things weren't clear for those who haven't carefully watched the movie," Musthafa signs off.