‘Shafeekkinte Santhosham’ directed by debutant Arun Pandalam hit theatres recently. Actor Unni Mukundan who essayed the lead role in the film speaks to Manorama News about his latest movie.
Shefeek’s happiness
I was looking for a different story after my last film ‘Meppadiyan’ and came upon Shefeek’s story. It is a feel-good movie, with love and some humour, targeting family audience. Choosing such films is an attempt to prove that I can do such movies too as an actor.
Another interesting element was the medical condition of ‘piles’ that the protagonist suffers from in this movie. Unlike the case of other lifestyle diseases, people do not generally open up and talk about piles. Director Anoop Pandalam was confident about handling this element maturely in the movie.
The confidence in investing as the producer for the film
Sometime earlier, I was deterred from production after listening to the experiences of certain people. Now, I think I’ve made the right decision to enter the field of production. Besides ensuring the quality of the film, it gives the freedom to rightly deliver it to the audience.
Out of the ‘muscle man’ image
As I had to wait for a long time to do a film like ‘Meppadiyan’, I could only take up antagonistic or villain roles for about 4 years. I cannot set my body aside and act. I have been typecast many a time because of that. It has also affected my opportunities.
Earlier, I used to do movies that were rejected by other actors. Now, I do the films that I like. Even if the role is small, I am willing to do it, if it is demanding for an actor and is good.
Does that confidence reflect in the new movies?
I am currently going through the best part of my journey as an actor so far. The upcoming movie ‘Malikappuram’ is expected to be a huge release.
Then comes ‘Gandharvan Junior’, in which I act as the Gandharva (a form of incubus in the Indian context). There are a few such movies lined up. Though I had got an offer from Telugu after ‘Yashodha’, I could not take it up as I had films to be completed here.