VK Prakash is one filmmaker who isn’t unduly worried about the box office results of his films and would rather focus his energies on bringing out films consistently. His latest release, ‘Oruthee’ headlining Navya Nair and Vinayakan is running successfully in theatres. VKP maintains that 'Oruthee' along with being an empowering tale of a woman is also an ordinary family drama. He shares his thoughts with Manoramaonline.
About 'Oruthee'
It was the film’s writer Suresh Babu who first told me about this film and that he had Navya Nair on his mind as the main lead. And that’s how this became a project. They were also part of the discussions, and we had several such discussions throughout the making of the film. 'Oruthee' evolved through such discussions. If you ask me, it was the character’s resilience and the fact that she is constantly running to reach her goal that pulled me towards the film, more than Navya Nair’s comeback.
'Oruthee' is a woman-centric film
I would say it is also a family drama along with being a female-centric film. The story moves forward from the perspective of Radhamani (Navya Nair).
With Navya Nair
Though I have seen her previous films, this is our first collaboration. I think she has really evolved as an actor and is more realistic in her acting now. She is an actor with integrity. Those watching the film can only see Radhamani the middle-class homemaker and not Navya Nair.
Always running
A film first originates in the minds of a director or writer. I think this film talks about the struggles of an ordinary person to make ends meet. We are all running amok in life but for different reasons. So we made sure that aspect was incorporated into the choreography, Radhamani’s sprinting reflected her urgency and helplessness. We had already decided that the audience should also run with her and so the road and house were selected accordingly.
Vinayakan as SI Antony
We picked him as we knew he could do justice to the character. He is a bit slavish as a cop and he is trapped in the system. He really wants to help those who approach him with a problem. But due to circumstances and job pressures he isn’t able to do it. So out of helplessness, you can see how he is fighting the system standing inside it.
He almost develops a stubborn will to succeed. And we have left space for the audience to decide what they make of him. One can read it as a fight against caste or his job. That’s precisely why he is asking a question pointing to the audience about whether he should keep on failing every time. Vinayakan is usually seen in aggressive characters, but he proves that he is as good at playing a calm and gentle character.
Taking a break in Malayalam
If a script excited me in form or content, I like to do it and I don’t really think of its box office results. Am someone who likes to do various things at the same time. And I like to do it with a lot of enjoyment. Therefore hits and flops happen. But I am more concerned about doing my next film irrespective of the fate of my precious film. I was excited by the prospect of realistically executing the story of the struggles of a homemaker.
Success of Oruthee
As a rule, such films don’t really get many footfalls in the theatres. They are mostly noticed when they come on Television or OTT platforms. ‘Oruthee’ is a film that talks about the life of ordinary people, their struggles, and tiny victories. So I was thrilled when a lot of people came to theatres after hearing good things about it. Those who watched the film had good things to say about it. I am hopeful that a lot more people will watch it on screen.
Second part?
Right now we have seen Radhamani’s struggles and survival. Next, we will be showing her rebellion. And you can expect the help of a cop in that as well.
