Within five years, he’s become a fixture in the Malayalam movie industry. Perhaps it was a result of the confidence this fact has given him or maybe, the rapport FWD has with him, having worked with him a number of times earlier, but Unni Mukundan has become quite the conversationalist.

FWD Life had a long chat with this Malayali heartthrob and gained a little insight into what makes him tick. Unni isn’t your ubiquitous, run o’ the mill, silver-screen actor, ready with expected answers and reactions. Impenitent with responses and sudden to laugh, he is unapologetically himself.

This is your fourth cover with FWD Life. When you look back, from the first cover till the fourth, what changes do you see in yourself and the magazine?

I generally don’t do covers, and the fact that I’ve done four with FWD in the last five years indicates that we share a good rapport. And, it’s nice that FWD considered me and invited me to be a part of their growth. And this latest photoshoot that we’ve done, I think, dramatically, it’s my best.

You mentioned that it’s been five years since your first foray into this industry. How have your dreams changed within this time?

I don’t think my dreams have changed, not at all. I guess one could say that I’m enjoying the process of realizing them. It’s like when you’re a bodybuilder. You don’t achieve your end result in one go. You set targets for yourself and achieve those first, one by one. It’s a process, it’s taking shape, and I’m in the middle of it.

Would you say, then, that being in the field has influenced your perspective on life?

Definitely. The stress, the happiness, the magic of this industry has changed my perception of life, of people and of the industry. Everything has changed. I have evolved as a person. And, I think that there’s nothing can be crueler than the movie-making industry. Or more fun.

I’m sure everyone is looking forward to your latest film, Achayans, which is set to release in May. How was the Achayans experience?

It was great. At first, I was not slated to be a part of the film. I had been a little busy shooting a Telugu film, but I’d been pretty involved with the scripting. The scriptwriter of Achayans is a very good friend of mine, so I happened to know how the movie was shaping up from the very beginning. And when I got a gap in my shooting schedule, and because I already knew the script, he asked me to be a part of the movie. And, this movie was a refreshing experience for me, because I got to widen my horizons a bit. I wrote the lyrics for a song and sang it in the movie; I got to extend my repertoire from just an actor, to include singer and lyricist.

How did you find your co-stars? What were they like?

This was my second time, working with Jayaram ettan, which was wonderful. I got to work with a star cast, and it was a lot of fun. We all had a great time and were able to realise the director’s vision. The movie is a definite entertainer and I hope people will like it.

What is your definition of a true blue Achayan?

Of course, there is the traditional understanding of what or who an achayan is. You relate them to the Kottayam area and the way they’ve been portrayed in movies so far. But we’re not doing that clichéd stuff in this movie. Rich, influential and based in Kochi. Without that accent. That’s how we portrayed them.

Acting is largely about understanding your character’s personality. How did you cultivate this art in yourself?

I try my best. When I go through the script, certain moments strike me, and the rest of character and his personality stem from those. I try and use experiences I’ve already had in life to guide most of my work, but things needn’t necessarily have happened to me personally, for me to able to relate to it.

Tell us about your fascination for Superman.

I’ve always been fascinated by superheroes, right from childhood. But Superman, he’s special. His strength is inspiring, true. But it’s his moral code that I admire. He’s obviously more powerful than humans, but he chooses to be restrained by the expectations of human society.

Speaking of impressive physiques, yours seems to have garnered yourself an impressive fan following. Is your relationship with them like walking down the primrose path or more along the lines of a rocky road to hell?

Well, obviously, I’m thankful to have fans. It’s a good feeling, somewhat humbling and makes me want to do something good for them. But, when it comes to fans, I think guys are more loyal than girls. Guys usually like me the way I am, but girls, they demand a lot.

Conversation, an hour later, wound up with Unni telling us that though he’s always wanted to visit Italy, his love for English literature makes Shakespeare’s land also closer to his heart. He claimed that what the world needs today is an invention that helps us understand others’ emotions because the usual ways that involved actual interaction don’t happen anymore.

For a man who loves animated movies and fantastical stories, it’s interesting that his all-time favorite movie is Rocky. Probably a testament to his positive attitude towards life. “Not that I’m very optimistic about things. It’s positive that I try to be.”

Digital Version now available on : https://goo.gl/ruLaF2 || https://goo.gl/Tsy9Cl

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Throwback to our last Women’s Issue featuring Mamta Mohandas where she talked about womanhood, gender equality and raising our sons right.

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Award-winning architectural firm IDEA Centre Architects is a vision of contemporary and progressive India. Spanning two decades, and with more than 300 completed projects in its portfolio both in the country and abroad, the firm holds a fine distinction in the field of architecture. And spearheading the organisation is its MD, chief architect and urban planner Anil Bhaskaran. Under his leadershipIDEA offers solutions in urban planning, interior design, landscaping and visualisation. He is an associate member of the Indian Institute of Architects and recipient of two UN scholarships.

Some eminent examples include the Infosys Mangalore, Benchmark Sunshine Township in Bangalore, HMS Institute of Technology etc. The firm also has a list of on-going projects including resorts, homes, institutes, urban planning, and more. IDEA also incorporates sustainability and has many projects that are LEED (Leadership in Energy) certified. He speaks to FWD about his journey so far and plans ahead.

How have the retail and residential designs changed today?

Both commercial and residential designs have undergone tremendous changes during the last 50 years. Post independence, the government used to build commercial offices, while retail spaces and residential buildings were built by civilians, mostly without the help of architects. Today, buildings in both categories are built and sold by those who specialise in them. As a result of globalisation, the expectation by clients, on quality, precision, and styling, have risen very high. However, the Indian manufacturing sector has been rather slow to cater to such demands. Therefore, these aspects of design and delivery continue to be big challenges to architects.

What is the future of Indian architecture?

I think it holds both good and not so- good prospects for the people concerned. On one hand, we will see more buildings being designed for just monetary considerations. In such cases, the desire for profit will be the main driving force. On the other hand, there will be growth in the niche category of buildings that respect good architectural principles and nature.

What is the role of technology in architecture?

Technology has had a big impact on the realm of architecture. It made the design and construction of taller, bigger and uniquely-shaped buildings, possible. It also made life inside the buildings possible, irrespective of their locations. However, we must be careful not to overuse technology and ensure optimisation. More often than not, very simple techniques can solve the design problems related to architecture. Huge technological inputs, in such cases, will lead to enormous waste of energy, money and deplete the natural resources of our planet.

What are some simple green tips any space can adopt?

Architecture is essentially all about solving a given design problem related to a particular function, while giving that space a pleasing visual form. The solutions are inherently tied up with nature of the location, where the building is supposed to come up. The easiest way by which you can make any space ‘green’, is by designing it in total harmony with the climate and its surroundings. This is such a simple thing to do! India is a tropical country. Our architecture must be ‘open’ and not ‘closed or sealed’. Secondly, the building should consume as less material and energy as possible, both when it is constructed and later on during maintenance. Thirdly, inclusion of courtyards, inside and outside the building, and allowing natural air and light to come in and not using (or minimising the use of) glass on the western façade, are a few more examples of simple ways by which we can enhance the ‘green quotient’ of a building.

How should we mediate with spaces in cities today ?

I have always maintained that a city should ideally be designed primarily for the pedestrians and cyclists and not motorised vehicles. A city’s ‘walkable’ and ‘sit and chat’ spaces are not spaces that are ‘left over’ after the ‘roads’ are put in place. They are, and should be, the ‘soul- spaces’ within a city, around which the rest of the cityscape should be designed. One of the ways to reverse this situation is to convert the ‘roads and footpaths into ‘streets and walk-ways’, that have character. Apart from this, landscaped city squares and plazas have to be created. This will generate a ‘dialogue’ between the city and its citizens.

Can you elaborate the design concepts of two of your best works?

I particularly liked Jal Bhavan and the Ramana Maharshi Seva Kendra. I designed Jal Bhavan for the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board, which is their corporate office. I feel the building has the right ingredients for being a landmark. Apart from its unique rainbow shape, Jal Bhavan is also an office building that used minimum glass and avoided air-conditioning systems. The construction method adopted was unique, with the raft foundation and flat slab system, which allowed the building execution and interiors to be completed in less than a year. The Ramana Maharshi Seva Kendra, on the other hand, is an eco-friendly project. The building blocks are
fully-integrated with landscaped courtyards. In a sense, it is a ‘nonbuilding’ project.The material used for construction such as bricks, stones, and wood, are non-synthetic and are natural. Minimalism was adopted as one of its  core design concepts. The campus is axially-planned, creating interesting visual and physical pathways. Rainwater harvesting was scientifically-planned and incorporated as a part of the design.

Words by Sudipto           Photographs from Various Sources

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Sijoy’s looks can be deceiving. As a wise copywriter once said, “It’s all in a headline.” Thus, I started with a line to ensure that your eyes move to the next sentence, after all the photographs may hold you captive.

Accoutered in a plush vine bandghala, Sijoy Varghese walked towards the shoot proudly, to take his position. He adjusted his cravat, rested his arm upon his sceptre and with very focussed eyes, posed like a king. Frozen for the frame, his poise reflected the same image as portraitures of kings and emperors on the walls of ancient castles. As soon as the camera snapped a shot, his sharp eyes relaxed, and he broke into a smile which instantly quelled the air
of authority. Beyond the portrait, Sijoy was anything but a formidable feudal lord, he is a funny, laid back adman, who is also effectively the most selfeffacing celebrity you would meet. “Though people think I am stylish and cool by my appearance. I believe I am a typical Malayalee at heart. I am the sort who is interested in Ashaan Kalari and grew up writing Malayalam letters on ezuthola (palm leaf) with ezuthani (stylus used to write on palm leaves).”

So for someone penning down letters on palm leaves, it doesn’t come as a surprise that this man-of-many words in fact belongs to advertising. At the first go, one would think he is the brand ambassador for something like the Braun shaving trimmers. His movie roles have only proved time and again his affliction to styling his beard; which our stylist would vouch for in a book on how to style Sijoy’s beard. But instead, he is the ‘Charlie’ of his factory. He spearheads the TVC Factory, an ad film production house that operates in Kochi, Mumbai and Dubai. Pun intended, he said that the last movie he enjoyed was ‘Charlie’ and he feels there’s a little Charlie that runs in his wild- pirited mind. “If you are in advertising, you are naturally  just a bit crazy.”An example? Martin Prakkat was quite sure Sijoy would  bail out from his role, but he still  gave the tailors the measurement for his costume. When Sijoy tried on the police uniform, he stared at himself in the mirror, twirled his moustache and said he was taken back by a storm of power. He walked into the setunrehearsed-as commissioner Benny Thomas, and, oh well, made his first debut in a movie, ABCD.

Tell Tales

I found the interview to be rather very easy going. Stories ebbed and flowed, with no interruptions from intermittent questions. Rather, it was evident that he is fascinated with story-telling, which he confirmed has been the case since he was a little boy. “When grandparents narrate a story, they put in the actual emotion and expression, and these minor things will enhance the creative visualisation capacity in a child’s mind who sits and listens to them keenly.” He retorts that when he winds up with storyboards at work, the next set of stories unfurl as bedtimestories for his children – a lovely pack of four- Adhitya, Amy, Annie & Anthony, who never cease to ask, “And then what happened?”

Sijoy wasn’t one to decide his career path, he didn’t think he was particularly cut out to become a doctor or engineer, and neither did he think he would get into the creative field.

He says, “According to me, being creative is not something you realise one fine morning. It is a continuous process which is understood by the way you behave in certain situations and the way you talk which will build a conviction in your mind.” His earliest memory of having a way with words was one time when he quarrelled with his sister who teased him saying that he stole the lines of the poem he had written. She jokingly added that he was seen sneaking into the Ernakulam Public Library as well, for this feat. Undaunted, he proved his wits by writing a poem impromptu and recited it in front of everyone, an arduous one about his mother. To this she replied, “You are not that bad after all, you have brains.” A phenomenal impetus surged in him.

An undertone unravels when you look into Sijoy’s works. From his first venture into scriptwriting with Sidharth Bharathan for the vignette ‘Isha’ in Amal Neerad Production ‘5 Sundarikal’ to his role in Peter in ‘James and Alice’, it’s pleasant to see how words can uplift an unsought idea. He believes that whatever career one pursues, there should always be an effort to hone skills and impart the best you can. One of his revered muses is late Mathew Paul, ad director most known for the Poppy umbrella ads and one who started the initiative, ‘Indian ad filmmakers association’. Sijoy was the secretary at the time, with an aim to be socially-responsible by promoting inspiring videos. For him running an ad agency goes beyond just hitting the right target audience and being successful.

Role Play

A green tea later, Sijoy casually slid into the couch, nonchalant about the camera. He talked about how coach Zach in ‘Bangalore Days’ was a lifechanging role and joked about how biker jackets did a great job making one look rough and tough. “A group of students from Mangalapuram and Coimbatore invited me to their college to inaugurate their biking clubs  thinking I am an awesome rider who could perform stunts. But the truth is I am no daredevil, I just enjoy riding a bike, like a normal rider. ”Away from the mettlesome role, Sijoy like Coach Zach embraces something, the pursuit of happiness.

The formal tone of the interview waned when he addressed me by my name. The more we conversed, the more apparent it was on his attentiveness- a trait he acquired in the youth motivation programme he attends. “I like the fact that the younger generation today is trying to maintain the traditional setting of Fort Kochi. My colleague prevented his uncle from destroying an old property of theirs by merging it with Biennale. I appreciate that action of his.” While most feel the word youth has become trite, his belief in today’s youth is remarkably lucid and vocal.

“The young generation fosters our future. I am happy to see them instill an ambiance of creativity in the field of advertising here in Kerala.”

Sijoy mentioned that while directing ad films is his ultimate passion, he enjoys doing fresh and challenging roles occasionally. His recent role as Peter in ‘James and Alice’ was his toughest but most fulfilling role, he says. “After reading through the script and wrapping up our discussion, the first thing I wanted to do leaving that meeting was to go have lunch with my wife Tessy and our children.” An advocate for always being there for the family, he said the movie didn’t fail to narrate in realism, and that it gives an agreeable insight into marriage. Playing the role of Peter, Sijoy said that it is roles like these that make the world of films much more meaningful. “In the end, it always

comes down to your family. They are the ones who make me realise ‘jeevitham ente lahari aanu’. And if there’s anything that beats a glass of spirit, it’s his humour. “During the shoot of ‘James and Alice’, there was a scene where the protagonist Prithvi Raj had to walk through the hospital hallway. All the nurses were thrilled, clad in their veils. When we had to retake the shot, they were all waiting eagerly to see him again, and even took off their veils. But much to their disappointment it was me who walked in.” He mimics their reactions, still unable to keep from laughing every time he thinks about it. And so, unlike how this interview began, beneath his proud stance and emperor moustache, Sijoy Varghese is really a funny, funny (so good you say it twice) adman. The lights faded, the cameras were switched off. He laughed, “Interview over?”

I replied, smiling, “You may have to tell us another story.” He grinned, unable to refuse.

That’s why there are a few more lines beyond this full stop.

Beyond the full stop

All in a Handshake

“During the promotion of ‘Bangalore Days’, a child went running up to him and shook his hands with deep respect. He was so flattered. Things took a drastic turn when the child innocently asked him, “Can you pass this hand shake to Dulquer?” He still chuckles at this story.

The Unexpected Entrance

When ‘Jamna Pyari’ was released, there was a major cheer for Kunchacko Boban by his fan club in the theatre. There was much noise and hype for Kunchacko’s character, Vasu. In the scene where the protagonist was coming out, the fans released a huge burst of confetti. nly, it wasn’t Kunchacko but Sijoy. He said that he never expected such a welcome.

Now available on : http://goo.gl/NVkK8v

Model: Sijoy Varghese

Photographer: Jinson Abraham

Words By Atheena Wilson

Styling: Lakshmi Babu

Makeup & Hair Styling: Blessy Mary Chacko

Costumes: Kim India

Retouch: Jemini Ghosh

Location: David Hall and Fragrant Nature, Kochi

Production: FWD Media

Special Thanks: Metro, Lulu Mall

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