Thulasidas - confident about College Kumaran

After the recently released Rakshakan, director Thulasidas is all set to make a big bang with College Kumaran, his second Mohanlal-starrer. His first Mohanlal film Mr. Brahmachari, did well at the box office, and the director of many successful entertainers like Kauthuka Vaarthakal, Mimics Parade, Mayaponmaan, Dosth, Aayiram Naavulla Ananthan etc is very confident that his second Mohanlal-starrer would become a big hit.

The film has completed the first schedule of shooting and is ready to move on to the second schedule, slated for November. In a recent interview given to Unni Nair of nowrunning.com, Thulasidas speaks about College Kumaran. Excerpts:

What is so special about College Kumaran?

College Kumaran is a different kind of campus film. It focuses on Kumaran, played by Mohanlal, who is the life and soul of a college campus. I don't want to disclose much about his character, but all that I would like to say is that without Kumaran nothing is possible on the campus. He is sought after by everyone in the college - students, teachers, the Principal etc. This central character itself is the highlight of the film.

Tell us about the packaging of the film?

It has got in it all the ingredients that make a good entertainer. As I said the lead character is the main highlight. The presentation of the lead character and the other characters, plus the narration of the story are among the other highlights. There is enough of humour. We have also put in sufficient dose of action. Songs and dances too have been put in. Everything that has to do with college life obviously finds a place in the film.

So, it's an outright entertainer, isn't it?

Of course it is an entertainer, but not a mere entertainer. The film will convey some very serious messages too.

Could you elaborate upon that?

Though the film is made in a format befitting a family entertainer, it discusses some very serious issues although in a lighter vein, especially issues pertaining to education and the commercialization of education, which has its own relevance in the present context. The role of teachers in the shaping up of society too is discussed in the film.

Tell us about the heroine of the story?

It's Vimala who is playing the lead role. She does a character named Madhavi, who is a lecturer in the college. All I can say now is that this character is central to the development of the plot.

What's your assessment of Vimala as an actress?

She is relatively new to Malayalam Cinema, but I would like to point out that she is a good actress and tries to deliver what is needed from her. She is dedicated and grabs things very fast and does full justice to the roles entrusted to her.

So, when are you planning the release? And what about the second schedule?

The second schedule will begin in Thiruvananthapuram in November and the film is slated for release in January 2008, most likely on Republic Day.

What are your expectations about the box office response to the film?

I am very confident that the film will be received well by audiences and would become a big hit. This is because I have utmost confidence in the script and the key character, which Mohanlal has been portraying to perfection. And the film, as I said earlier, has all the ingredients that are needed to make it a hit.

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College Kumaran