I am satisfied with Albhutam - Jayaraj

Jayaraj has no time to stop and look back, for he is always moving forward. A prolific filmmaker, he has made his presence felt in mainstream cinema as well as in the parallel stream. While his last film Albhutham, the fourth in his 'navarasa' series, had created a record of sorts by being shot in just 2 hours and 14 minutes, he is ready with his new film Anandabhairavi, a musical.

Jayaraj speaks about Albhutham,Anandabhairavi and his future plans in a brief interview given to Unni Nair of nowrunning.com. Excerpts:

How did you come upon the subject of Albhutham?

The subject had been there in my mind for quite some time. A newspaper report about a mother submitting a petition for euthanasia for her son was what made me think of this subject. Euthanasia, which has been legalized in Oregon in the US, has been a much talked about issue in recent times. And hence I too narrated the story with Oregon as the background. The film, as you know, narrates the story of a person who has got the government's sanction for the medical termination of his life. The 70 minutes that precede carrying this out forms the story of the film.

What kind of preparation did you have to make for being able to finish it in such a record time?

We rehearsed strenuously for ten days. The first phase of the rehearsal was with the artists only, while the next phase was for six days with lights, camera and all. The third phase was with costumes. It was then only that we went in to shoot. We shot the entire film in just two hours and fourteen minutes, and that too using just one camera at a time.

And what about the end-result? Are you satisfied?

Of course, I am. The film has come off the way I wanted it to. But somehow it is not getting the exposure or support that it should have got, especially regarding the distribution aspect. I had to take a theatre on rent in Thiruvananthapuram and show it there. I am also planning to do so in the other main centres of Kerala.

How was the response when the film was screened in the IFFK last month?

It was well received. The film was screened to a full house. And people reacted very positively. Even when the film was shown in the theatre, people who saw it liked it. And that is encouraging for me.

So, when are you planning your next 'navarasa' movie?

As you know this is my fourth film based on the navarasas - the other three being Karunam, Shantham and Bheebhalsa. I had made these four films only when I got the right kind of inspiration. This would be applicable for my next 'navarasa' film too. I will make it, but only when I get inspired to make it. As of now, I cannot say anything about it. In the meantime I will be making other films.

You are at present making Anandabhairavi, a musical. Please tell us about this film.

Anandabhairavi is complete and I have also conducted a preview screening. It is actually a musical, one focusing on classical music, of the genre represented by Shankarabharanam. Saikumar is playing the central character, that of a Kathakali artist. And his son is a child prodigy, a classical singer. Those who saw the preview spoke well of the film.

Will it be released on a commercial level?

Sure. We are planning to release it soon. It is a film that will appeal to all sections of viewers and hence the film will soon find its way to the theatres.

What else is there in your mind? Any other interesting project? You had spoken in a recent interview about plans to make a film based on Macbeth, with Mammootty in the lead role.

Of course I want to make a film based on Shakespeare's Macbeth. And I have spoken to Mammootty too, but not in detail. He has shown interest. Anyhow that is not an immediate project. I have always been fascinated by Shakespearean plays and I have already made two films Kaliyattom and Kannagi based on Shakespearean plays. And Macbeth too will happen.

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Adbhutham