Interview by Suhas KM   Translated by: Shilpa Ann Stanley   Words by: Charishma Thankappan

Delivering much talked about characters and films like Cocktail, Left Right Left, and Ee Adutha Kalathu; editor turned director Arun Kumar Aravind speaks about his journey and his latest film Kaattu.

What interested you to work for Kaattu when you heard the script?

It’s been 17 years that Kaatu script has been written. I am very close to Anandhapadmanabhan and we had discussed a few scripts. And I think around a year and a half back, Murali Gopy had mentioned that Pappan has a script and he asked me to listen to that. If you ask me what attracted me to this script is, the milieu. The story is set in the ‘70s and ‘80s, where there was no electricity; technology hadn’t come up. So we wanted to revisit that era and show it to the present generation.

The legendary director Padmarajan’s stamp is there in this movie Kaattu. How challenging was it for you?

It was a great responsibility for me when I chose Padmarajan’s characters in this movie. I wanted to ensure that nothing should go wrong. And now the responses which we are getting are more than our expectations. To portray that particular period, I think we have used all the technicalities. We have taken all the shots in the brand new camera Arri XST. We have used master prime lenses for that and the sound has been done by Dolby Atmos. To recreate the ‘70s and ‘80s, I think all the departments have worked really hard for this.

What made you choose Asif Ali to do the role Noohakannu?

When I heard the description of the character of Noohakannu, I was well convinced that Asif was appropriate for that role. When I discussed the role with him, he quickly felt like doing the film. And moreover, we were confident enough with him because he could easily transform into Noohakannu’s mannerism and physicality.

I have noticed that all your heroes have shades of grey and are not categorised in black or white. Why so?

It’s nothing like I wanted to create those ‘grey-shaded characters’. We’ll always see people’s positive face. But each and every one of us has a negative aspect too. So it becomes natural if we reproduce them in movies in a realistic way.

Critics have pointed out that your characters take a lot of time to get established, as either positive or negative. What do you have to say about this?

In my view, the story is carried out through my characters. So if there is no substance in them, and if they are not able to transform into that appropriate character I don’t think the audience will be able to accept the plot or the movie. And furthermore, we have different kinds of audiences too. Some audience can accept the characters even before they are established. But there are some audiences who need detailing in characters.

Following three hit movies, you returned with the movie 1 BY 2, casting Murali Gopi and Fahad Fasil. Almost everybody was expecting the movie to be a huge success, but unfortunately, it didn’t do well. What do you think could have been the reason?

I don’t consider it is an average movie. People have expectations once a movie is released. And I think this movie couldn’t meet people’s expectation. This might be the reason of failure. I should state that I have put the same effort in this movie too.

Was it the failure of 1 BY 2 that made you wait for another three years for your next movie?

Whatever it is, be it success or failure, it doesn’t affect me. I am a person who thoroughly hands over my movie to the audience after the making. Thereafter, it is their choice to accept it or not. Every movie is a learning process for me.

Your combination with Murali is a known hit combination in the Malayalam movie industry. How did it start?

I approached Murali to act in one of my movies. After that, we had a lot of conversations on many subjects. Ee Aduthakalathu was one of them and I was really impressed by the storyline. I asked Murali to write the script for that, which initially he denied because he wasn’t very confident about writing a script after the failure of the movie Rasikan. With time, after we started talking to each other, we understood that we have the same vibe. We are looking forward to more movies together in future.

When did you consider shifting your career from editing to direction?

When I started my career, I never had any plans to become a director. After editing almost 30 films, I thought of making a film and I was interested in learning direction. It was while doing the movie ‘Kaanichivaram’ that I finally decided to try out direction.

Your production Vedi Vazhipaadu faced a lot of problems because of the censor board. What is your impression about the interference of the censor board?

The censor board doesn’t have any authority to chop a movie; they have the authority to only give film certification. Today, I think almost everyone can see all sorts of videos which are accessible on the internet. So I really don’t get it as to why the censor board is demanding to cut a few scenes and several dialogues from movies. They claim that it affects the audience in many ways. Actually what censor board is doing is something which is not satisfactory. Do they think that our audiences are fools to follow what they see on screens? Our audience is knowledgeable and intelligent enough to take the movie as it is.

Actors like Indrajith, Murali Gopy, Jayasurya, and now Asif Ali have had the best performances of their careers in your films. What’s the secret behind it?

I’m happy to hear that. All actors should be like clay so that the director can mould them according to how the character should be. If you give a defined character, they will be able to deliver their utmost performances.

The post Winds of Change: In conversation with Kaattu director Arun Kumar Aravind appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

Interview by: Suhas KM   Words By: Charishma Thankappan    Featured image source: Wazir official movie page

He is known for changing the face of Bollywood cinema with never seen before concepts through films such as Shaitan, starring Kalki Koechlin and Rajiv Khandelwal. Bejoy Nambiar soon shot to stardom with the tag of being an experimental filmmaker, bringing uncommon experiences to the audience. He was also behind films such as David and Wazir. A Malayali, he is now venturing into the Malayalam film industry for the first time with Solo, starring Dulquer Salmaan. The film has roused a lot of curiosity ever since it was announced, through its one-of-a-kind storytelling and its exceptional music. Bejoy speaks to us about his journey so far.

What is Solo about?

Solo is an anthology of four stories, based on the four different elements of earth, fire, wind, and water. It explores the emotions of Shiva, ranging from extreme rage to extreme love. Dulquer Salmaan plays the protagonist in each of the stories as the characters Siva, Rudra, Shekhar, and Trilok.

Image source

How different are Dulquer’s characters in this film, from what he has done in all his previous films?

Dulquer has done a fabulous job in making sure that each of the characters in the four stories is as different and unique from each other. Entering into the Malayalam film industry, I wanted to bring something very different that has not been seen in Malayalam films before, and Dulquer has ensured such a performance which will be very unexpected for the audience.

Another unique characteristic of your films is the music. Like your other films, Solo too has a number of songs with several musicians.

I don’t set out doing a film deciding that I need a certain number of songs in it. As I’m writing, I keep writing music into my films; I start collecting songs and keep recording music, using music as a tool for my writing and filming. My filming process is such that I keep adding music as it progresses. But my problem is I don’t know when to stop (laughs). Solo gave me a lot of freedom and opportunity to lend different soundscape to the different stories and genres. There are four-five songs which are existing songs of which I did reprised versions, such as Aal ayal … It was my way of getting more out of them because I love their music, and therefore the large number of songs in the film. There is so much variety in the music that everyone will like some of the songs at least.

Image source

Tell us about the female characters in the film.

Sruthi Hariharan plays the character Ruku in World of Siva, Neha Sharama is Akshara in World of Rudra, Dhansika is Radhika in World of Shekhar, and Arthi Venkatesh is Aisha in World of Trilok. Women play a pivotal role in the film. Even though Dulquer is there in all the stories, each of the women characters is integral, without whom the film would be incomplete. It is not just the female leads, but other actors such as Suhasini Mani Ratnam, Deepti Sati, Sujata Sehgal, Sai Tamhankar, Asha Jayaram, Ann Augustine who play important roles in each of the stories.

Being a Malayali, what made you venture into Malayalam films so late?

I was born and raised in Bombay, and therefore my natural inclination was towards Bollywood. However, I started my career in Malayalam through a short film. I had also discussed a project with Lal sir (Mohanlal) but it did not pan out. I was also in talks with Prithviraj after Shaitan and David, it was almost in progress but did not work out in the end. I have now ventured into the industry with Solo. Let’s see how it is received.

After watching your films in Bollywood, such as Shaitan, David, Wazir, etc., I felt that experimental films are your forte. Now, while entering into the Malayalam film industry as well, you are bringing such a new concept. What made you choose such a genre?

When I set out to do a film, it has to excite me and make me feel I really want to do it. So I have never consciously tried to confine it into a particular genre. I do not strive to make big budget commercial films. With Solo, I have tried to bring in a commercial aspect as much as possible, which you can see from the trailers as well, and they are quite relatable.

Image source

Do you follow Malayalam films?

I do watch Malayalam films. Lijo Jose Pellissery is a close friend of mine. He advises me on which films to watch. Even in Mumbai, people watch Malayalam films when there are English subtitles.

How did you develop your passion for films?

I have loved films right from childhood. My family members are also movie buffs and we used to wait for new releases to watch through VHS (video home system).
I started with a short film called Reflection. After that I assisted Mani Ratnam sir in Guru. That’s how I made my entry into films.

Image source

Tell us about how you got Mohanlal to act in your short film Reflection?

I always wanted to get into films. But I wanted to do at least ten short films before venturing into feature lengths. Lalettan was of course on my wishlist. So I started approaching him for an appointment and after about six months I finally got one. He heard the story and within ten minutes agreed to do the film. I was shocked! It was the early 2000s, when films were still being shot on reels. At that time there was no one to help me out; it was cinematographer Sethu (Dangal) who did my film.

You assisted Mani Ratnam sir in Guru and Raavan, and then worked with him again in Kaatru Veliyidai after being a director yourself. How was the experience of working with a legendary filmmaker like him?

Working with Mani sir is like going back to school to learn. I ask him about the when, what, hows of the filmmaking process. Even if he doesn’t want me around during the shoot, I somehow fit myself around to watch and learn from him.
I was able to get the opportunity to work in Guru through Reflections. I was just about to start my second short film, when he called me for Guru. So I dropped all my plans and went to join him.

How was it working with Amitabh Bachchan in Wazir?

Like every director in India who wants to work with Bachchan sir, I am no exception. To be able to work with him is a big thing, and being able to direct him was a great experience. He is an absolute sweetheart and is full of warmth. Even now when I meet him, I am starry-eyed.

In the film Shaitan, I was taken aback by the scene in which there is a shootout sequence, and it has the background music as Khoya Khoya Chaand. What made you place such a song in such a scene?

While writing the script, we always had in mind that we needed a completely random song that was out of the scene. Initially, we had the songs Lakdi ki Kaati and the Vicco Turmeric in mind, then later fixed on Khoya Khoya Chaand, which was perfect.

When I watched your film David, I felt that the story which had actor Jeeva (in Tamil and Vinay Virmani in Hindi) had a lot more to convey. There is scope to convert it into a feature film. So, can we expect something on those lines in future? Also, the film has three stories in Hindi and two in Tamil; why did you cut out the story based in London, which has Neil Nitin Mukesh in the lead?

David did not receive a great response, so I don’t think that a sequel to it will be welcome. I started writing David with the story which has Jeeva/ Vinay, so that story is very close to my heart.
When we had planned David, we had not decided to bring it out as a bilingual. So we felt that the London-based story would not suit the Tamil audience.

The post Bejoy Nambiar : A Solo Changemaker appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

Words by Charishma Thankappan   Images: Parava    Featured image: Soubin Shahir

Mattancherry is not just a place; it’s a feeling, a culture, a way of life. And Soubin Shahir wears his heart on his sleeve in depicting his love for the place in his directorial debut Parava.

It was sometime in mid-2016 that I first got the hint of the film through Soubin’s Instagram posts. Thanks to his active presence on the social media platform, I got a peek into the creative side of this actor who was beginning to emerge as my favourite comedian in present day Malayalam cinema. Having followed his performances from Annayum Rasoolum till Comrade in America, I was highly curious about Parava and eagerly looked forward to it.

With absolutely no idea as to what the film would be about, I went to the movie theatre with high expectations. I was not really worried about how the film would fare as I went in with a blank mind and a secret wish that the film turns out to be a success.

A riot of colours greeted me right from the opening credits of the film. Using real, raw images of the different elements that constitute the microcosm of Mattancherry, Parava gained an entry into my heart. The offbeat song Vadakele Pathune, with its funky beats set the tone for the rest of the film.

Parava gripped me right from the first scene. The introduction of the two boys, Ichappi and Haseeb is one of the most memorable visuals among recent films. I was unaware that these are the two characters that will dominate the length of the film, while unknowingly wanting to see more of them as the film progressed. Amal Shah as Ichappi, and Govind Pai as Haseeb deliver an incredible performance in what is undoubtedly one of the best among children’s performances in Malalayam cinema. The incredulity of their acts, which is on par with seasoned actors, was augmented when I learned that it’s the first time that the two have ever acted, let alone face a camera!

The friendship of the two best friends, Ichappi and Haseeb, is one of the purest in its forms, one which inspires through its innocence and evokes admiration through its resilience. Ichappi is the apparent hero of the film in all manners – from being the spurned high school lover to the winner of the pigeon flying competition in the end of the film. Amal exudes a supreme confidence befitting a future hero as he carries a large chunk of the film on his shoulders, or rather, wings.

Sharing Amal’s onus is Govind, who is a delightful find, displaying natural humour that instantly endeared him to me. But while Ichappi takes the upper hand as the unlikely hero, Haseeb generates great appreciation for his understated role as the ever supportive companion. He distresses over Ichappi’s pains, and celebrates his victories perhaps more intensely. His constant presence in Ichappi’s life, always beside him in rain and sunshine, lends a semblance worth respect to his otherwise happy-go-lucky nature.

Dulquer Salmaan ruled the promotional billboards and posters of the film, but that anticipation of seeing him in the entirety of the film was dulled when it was revealed that he is present only in an extended cameo appearance for 25 minutes. I was a little disappointed in knowing that I wouldn’t get to see enough of DQ in the film, but somehow, Parava was always about Soubin and nothing was going to stop me from watching it.

The beauty of Parava lies in the importance given to each character in the film, no matter how small a screen-time they may have. Shane Nigam, Arjun Ashokan, Zinil Zainuddin, Siddique, Ashokan, Indrans, Jaffer Idukki, Srindaa, Jacob Gregory, and the several new faces lend wholehearted performances that are commendable. As perhaps the central character around whom the film revolves, Shane displays a resolute performance, bettering his previous acts. As the film progressed, I almost forgot the presence of Dulquer in the film, and was pleasantly surprised when he made his entry. His character as Imran is most charming and perhaps, flawless. As the wise and more mature leader of his group of friends, he elicits approbation. It is no wonder then, that I plunged into agony at his loss. The scene where Ashiq Abu in the role of a police inspector breaks the news to Ashokan is one of the high points of the film, praiseworthy for the sheer simplicity with which it breaks the heart. That the filmmakers chose to do away with the dramatic portrayal of the death at that point in the film is laudable. It was also a way of levelling Dulquer’s presence, which otherwise shined exemplarily even in the short screen time that he got.

Parava is a film that has hit the right notes in various aspects. As a film based entirely in Mattancherry, it breaks the stereotype of viewing the place as a hub of dopers and goons, as has been generally depicted so far in Malayalam films. It draws the viewers pleasantly into the everyday lives of the inhabitants of the place, portrayed in an authentic and crude form. Here is where Soubin succeeds the most in bringing out the intricacies, whether it is the rivalries between the gangs of pigeon fliers, the speedy shots through the narrow lanes, or the real as real can be shot of saliva threading out of Haseeb’s mouth as he relishes the beef pathiri made by Ichappi’s umma. The director should also be credited with keeping the language as is spoken in the place, instead of ‘machanising’ it as is done in other films that depict Mattancherry and Fort Kochi as the centre of “freakanmaar”.

In the end, Parava is a resounding success from Soubin and meets the high expectations that I had from it. A balanced mix of comedy, drama, and action; complemented with excellent music, in particular the background score; makes this a complete film.

The post Experiencing Soubin Shahir’s Parava appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

Interview By: Suhas KM   Compiled by: Shilpa Ann Stanley   Words by: Charishma Thankappan    Featured image: Jinu Abraham

He began his journey as a scriptwriter and made his way into the director’s seat. Jinu Abraham talks about how he found his inspiration for Adam Joan in this exclusive interview with FWD Life.

Adam Joan is your directorial debut. What made you don the director’s hat?

I had no plans to direct the film. But as I was very thorough with the script, Prithviraj asked me to direct it.

How did you get the storyline for Adam Joan?

Years ago, I was in Scotland, searching for the location for the film London Bridge. The weather was gloomy, with dark skies and fog. I imagined that there was someone who was very disturbed. He was wandering about and searching for something. From that moment I got a story started taking shape in my mind.
A lot of things were added and contributed to this movie. It took more than two and a half years to complete it.

Image source

What made you venture into black magic/ satan worship in Adam Joan?

It is primarily the story of a girl who is kidnapped and tracing the story behind it. Indian films have generally explored the subject of kidnapping with the stories of organ transplant, trafficking, etc. But Satanic worship is a new notion that came into my mind.

One day when I was driving through Edinburgh, my Line producer Shine showed me a lady on the road, who looked very strange. She was walking fast, wearing a black dress. Shine told me she was going for satanic worship. This incident gave me the idea for Satanic worship in Adam Joan.

I researched a lot on satanic worships. I read books and watched movies which had satanic worship because I never wanted any kind of influence of those movies in Adam Joan. I am from a Jacobite orthodox family in Pathanamthitta. When I was young, I had heard a lot of myths like Karuthachan ootu which is black magic. So, I have taken a lot from these for the film.

Did you always have Prithviraj in mind for the title role?

Yes. I shared the story with Prithviraj and I was very sure that he would show an interest in this film. We know each other since the days of the film Masters. Even though the film wasn’t a big hit, he had always trusted and believed in my work. That gave me courage.

Adam Joan has a lot of foreign actors. How did you rope them in?

I had a concept about how the villians should be. So, we made all the settlements and I sent all the references to my line producer Shine. He made all the arrangements with the casting agencies of Scotland. They gave us a short list, from which we selected our crew.

There were strong women characters in your first film Masters and now in Adam Joan as well. According to you, how important are women characters in this film?

Masters gave a lot of importance to women characters but it went unnoticed. In Adam Joan as well, after Prithviraj, the next important characters are Lena and Bhavana. Their characters of Daisy and Shwetha were never created with a conscious effort of giving prominence to women characters. I had a plan to create an entire film about the character Daisy, and so the character for Adam Joan was inspired from that.

How was your entry into the movie industry?

I was always very interested in movies. I had a passion for writing, reading and I used to watch a lot of movies. I admire MT and Padmarajan’s movies. I also idolise Madhu Muttam the script writer of Manichitrathazhu, under whom I have worked as assistant scriptwriter for Bharathan Effect. After that I wrote for Masters and moved into films fulltime.

You are a known scriptwriter, and now a director. How is your experience with the two?

It was a great experience for me. I am a very lethargic person. When I was the scriptwriter, I was tardy to reach the sets. But things changed when I became a director. I had to take a lot of responsibilities. But I enjoyed my work to its fullest and it has been a great experience.

What are your future projects?

I have some stories in my mind. I will choose the one which inspires me more. Basically, I am a scriptwriter, so I have a few more commitments to finish. Maybe after that, I will return as a director.

The post In the Director’s Seat: Jinu Abraham on his film Adam Joan appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

Words by: Suhas KM, Shilpa Ann Stanly, Charishma Thankappan    Images: Zinil Zainuddin

Son of late actor Zainuddin, Zinil is taking wings in the Malayalam film industry. With his latest film Parava, he wishes to create an identity of his own, veering away from the shadow of his illustrious father. Read on to know more.

Parava is your fourth movie, in which you are doing a main role. How did you bag this project?

I know Soubin ikka quite closely. He has seen me take part in mimicry shows on TV, so perhaps he found me apt to handle the character in Parava. After acting in this film, I felt like I have done 100 films…that’s the kind of experience I had. It is a great feeling.

Parava is a big undertaking compared to your other movies. With Anwar Rasheed’s production and Soubin Shahir’s directorial debut, Parava is quite special. What was the experience like for you?

I am extremely grateful to be a part of Parava. Soubin ikka gave us all a lot of freedom. The entire shoot went very well. Also I consider myself extremely fortunate to have got the opportunity to work with Anwar ikka.

How was your preparation for Parava?

In this film, there are two stages in the life of my character Sharafuddin – one is when I was fat and the next when I become thin. I had to lose weight in two weeks no matter what. I used to get up by 3.30am and walk from Padivattom to Highcourt and walk back in the evening. Also, I had received a few injuries while doing stunt scenes, but I was so passionate about this film that I did not care about the pain.

How was it working with Dulquer Salman?

I have met Dulquer when I was very young; and he gave me chocolates then. After that, it was on the sets of Parava that I met him next. He is a very good person at heart. Sometimes, when we used to have early morning shoots, he used to ask me to do mimicry in order to fend off sleep. It was fun working with him. He is a real down-to-earth person.

What are your other interests?

I am interested in music and I write scripts for short films.

Which films of your father do you like the most?

I like Hitler, Mimics Parade, Alancheri Thamprakal, Innathe Programme. Even now I sit and laugh watching his movies, but I still miss him and that hurts deep inside.

Who is your favourite actor?

Fahad Fazil.

The post “I am extremely grateful to be a part of Parava” : Zinil Zainuddin appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

Words by Suhas KM and Shilpa Ann Stanley     Featured image source: Justin Varghese, Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela

The tracks of Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela are already creating waves in the music charts. The song Enthavo, from the film is the chief favourite, with the melodious feel-good number being easy to catch on. FWD chats with the film’s music director Justin Varghese to get an insight into the making of the the film’s music.

Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela is your debut movie as music director. How did you get the offer?

Althaf Salim and I have many mutual friends. We used to meet in a friend’s studio often. Althaf used to always remain shut in a room, buried under books or watching movies. Gradually, we lost touch after some time. One day I got a call from one of my friends saying that Althaf was directing a film and wanted me to create the music for it. That’s how I got the opportunity to work in the film.

Tell us about your experience in Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela?

I always had a concept in my mind about how my first song should be. But this was something different from my league. My family and relatives used to taunt me about my music that there was always the touch of gospel music to it. So I wanted to break that feel. But when Althaf called me saying he needed the music of the film to have a devotional touch, I was initially disappointed.

Coming to the songs, Althaf wanted a romantic mood for the Enthaavo. So, initially the song was entirely romantic, but then later we added a fun element to it. This song is sung by Sooraj Snathosh. The second song Nanavere is sung by Tessa Chavara and Vipin Lal. Tessa is a student of class 11 and a member of the choir in a church that my friend visits, and so he suggested her to me. We had initially thought of Bombay Jayashri for this song but as we wanted a new voice, we chose Tessa.

I had all the freedom to choose the lyricist, that’s how Santhoshettan (Santhosh Varma) came into the scene. We are good friends and I really felt comfortable working with him. I got all the lyrics first in hand, and then I started working on its composition. I am glad that all the songs got a good reach.

Image source

How did you end up in the world of music?

Since childhood I had a deep devoted passion towards music. After my schooling I joined the seminary. I wanted to become a priest and I also wanted to explore my passion for music. The seminary was a good platform for both. From there I started working on music. But slowly I dropped out from the seminary due to some reasons. Meanwhile, I came to know about a sound engineer called Henry in my native place. He was like a role model for me. He has worked under A R Rahman. But I concentrated on my studies more and I left for Arunachal Pradesh where I worked as a teacher for a short period. Finally, I had to drop that and I came home because of the passion that I had towards music and sound engineering. I took a loan and studied sound engineering, which gave a breakthrough to my career.

What was the response you received or the best compliments that you got for the songs you composed for Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela?

I got very good feedback for all the songs. Surprisingly, Sachin Warrier and Veetraag called me and congratulated me for my work, which boosted my confidence and it was also the best praise that I have received.

How was it working with Nivin Pauly as an actor and producer?

As a producer, Nivin gave me a lot of freedom to choose the lyricist and the singers. He used to give me suggestions about the songs which turned out to be very helpful.

You have been working with music director Bijibal for eight years. What are the lessons you have learnt from him?

It was music director Afsal Yusuf who introduced me to Biji ettan and it has been eight years since I’ve been working with him. Words are not enough to express my gratitude to him. He has influenced me a lot in my life. He used to correct me when I did something wrong. He is against the use of plastic, and would forbid me from bringing it in any form inside the studio. This habit caught onto me and I started following it at home as well. I followed his teachings in several ways, to the point where if I didn’t do something, I was asked if it was because Biji ettan didn’t do it. He has always stood beside me as a guide.

For my debut movie Njandukalude Naattil Oridavela, Biji ettan gave me one of his studios just for me to get onto the track and for the entire music production. I had not disclosed to anyone about this offer when I received it, but Bijiettan used to introduce me to everyone as the music director for Njandukal, which was quite humbling. Music should always complement a film, and not dominate it, is the lesson Biji ettan has taught me.

Image source

How was your entry into the movie industry?

I met Afsal ikka after finishing sound engineering. He introduced me to the rest of the music directors of Malayalam movie industry. My initial work was with Gopi Sundar as a programmer. Thus, I began my journey in the Malayalam film industry.

What are your thoughts on the current scenario where social media is filled with music apps like Smule, Musically, etc.?

Personally, I really support these music apps because it gives an excellent platform for everyone to display their singing talents. Earlier, people had to go to a music recording studio to send a demo, but now the process has become very easy because of all these apps.

What genre of movies do you prefer to work with?

I don’t mind working for any kind of movies. But, I wish to work for an action thriller movie.

What are your future projects?

As of now I haven’t signed any other projects.

The post On Song with Justin Varghese appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

The post Aishwarya Lekshmi addresses her debut with Nivin Pauly appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

Words: Rochelle D’Souza    Feature Image: Mobin Kurian

Remember how when you were growing up and someone asked you what you wanted to be? Most of us had just one dream job. Astronaut. Lawyer. Bus driver even. This isn’t the case for Aishwarya Lekshmi. As the proverbial saying goes, ‘thoughts become things’ and Aishwarya was hell bent on making the most of her life, after all, why settle for one career option when you can have multiple?

From being a doctor, a model, a stylist and now an actress, FWD Life’s newest muse, Aishwarya’s foray into the limelight has been one hell of a rollercoaster ride. Aishwarya says acting never figured on her to-do list until she completed her MBBS.

“I had been modelling for a few years but wasn’t keen on acting. My MBBS took up my entire life and I needed to give it my entire focus and dedication to ensure I did well. But once I got done with my studies I thought ‘why not give acting a try’. By that time I’d been modelling for about three years. When I accidentally chanced upon the casting call, I went for the auditions. I managed to land the role of the female lead in Njandukalude Naatil Oridavela alongside Nivin and that was my first big break.” she says.

Following her big break, Aishwarya worked alongside Tovino Thomas in Mayanadhi and is currently working on a Telugu movie directed by Jayendra Panchapakesan. When asked how she manages to do it all she says that she has a lot of help in the process. “I am currently in the process of completing my house surgency. Back in my modelling days, I only had to take just a day or two off to work on my projects, but now, since I am working full-time on a film and I have to block dates that run into multiple days and weeks for shooting I have put off my house surgency for a while. I have three more months to complete which I will go back and finish up once my shooting is done with. All of this is possible only because of the support from my college and the Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences.” she says.

The multi-talented and highly extroverted Aishwarya is nothing short of humble through her journey thus far and if you think that acting is the last stop on her list of professions, then you’re highly mistaken. Aishwarya says that doesn’t intend to stop at just acting.

Catch the rest of Aishwary’s enthralling story in the upcoming issue of FWD Life.

The post Aishwarya Lekshmi: Breathing New Life Into South Indian Cinema appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

Text: Devika V Menon   Photos: Various Sources

The 23rd annual general body meeting of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA)was held at Crowne Plaza in Kochi on Thursday, June 29. The meeting started at around 10:45 am, and ended at 4:00 pm, with most of the association members attending the event.

The press conference was held at 3:00 pm where announcements were made. An ambulance, ‘Theruvoram’ was launched by the general body members. This ambulance, with a tie-up with the Thrissur General Hospital will go around the city treating children who they find on the streets. Their aim is to clean them up, treat them, if they’re ill and hopefully try to reunite them with their families. In the announcement made, President of AMMA, Innocent said a total of Rs 17 lakh has been spent on the ambulance. Also, 12 homes have been provided for the homeless. 100 people with disabilities have gotten a 3-wheel cycle and 8 people will get a ‘kaineetam’ of Rs 5,000, which makes it a total of 118 people to have received the amount.

The post AMMA General Body Launches “Theruvoram’ Ambulance For The Needy appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

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

The post Unni Mukundan opens up in an exclusive interview with FWD Life appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.