Mohanlal, a legendary actor, who made over 350 appearances in his illustrious career of nearly close to 5 decades, recently made his directorial debut with Barroz, which released on the festive day of Christmas.
In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Mohanlal revealed why he chose
Barroz to be his directorial debut and why Malayalam films are garnering pan-India appeal due to OTT.
On Barroz
This is a different viewing experience. You have to set your mind and you have to set your view viewing experience, your ears, because entirely different. It is not like watching a 2D film. The pace is different. The hearing is different. The mindset is different. And this is a film for families, and children. It’s a fantasy adventure.
Why a film like Barroz and a genre like fantasy adventure as your directorial debut?
Reflecting on 47 years in the film industry. I feel an immense sense of gratitude for all that it has given me. Opportunities, experiences and the knowledge that I have learned along the way. These years have been nothing short of a blessing, and it is, this journey that inspired me to take on a new role as a director. So this project came about quite unexpectedly. And from the outset we know it would be different.
It’s a 3D fantasy film, and it’s children-friendly, but this is something new, and we have to create some magic. So this is something, nobody has tried for the last 40 years. So this is a new way of storytelling.
And creating a 3D film comes with its own set of challenges, every aspect of filmmaking. So if you watch the film, you must be knowing that camera work, lighting, editing, sound, and artwork, costumes, because a level of precision that is far more demanding than usual. We assemble a team of highly skilled technicians and artists.
So this is a beautiful combination of people and they only created this magic. And, you know, sir, my humble offering to the audience and the industry that has been my home for so many years.
On choosing a children’s film?
That is an interesting question because making a children’s film is not easy and when we hear the story, this is a very interesting story that the family and children can come and watch. And I have a plan like, I don’t have a plan. I never had a plan to direct a film, but if I had a decision, if I do a film, If I direct a film, it should be a children’s film.
Nowadays, there are children’s films are there, but what the other films, I don’t know. Like, I cannot comment on other films, but, some of the films are really not children-friendly films. So when I get a chance, I’m very keen to do a children-friendly film.
This is a film for families to watch together. For children to be enchanted by its magic and for adults to find moments that speak to the child with the best. Because I love I love fantasy films. I love comics, to read comics. I love to hear, stories. So this, I thought this is other films, other films are coming. But for them, this is a new experience. So it’s a call, I think. This is a decision.
It’s happening. So that it created in me. That is why I was forced to not be forced to. I was required to do this.
On challenges making a movie with a set of children
See, this is not just a movie or a film. It has got a lot of layers of emotions, wonders and magic. So if you do a postmortem, then it is then we cannot do anything. This is a new viewing experience. It’s a labour of love, a collaborative effort fueled by passion and creativity. And, I feel truly blessed to have been part of this incredible journey.
I’ll ask you a question. We see films made in almost every genre, like action, romance, thriller or drama. But how often do we see something that speaks to the child in all of us? Or something that is truly, made for children. That is where Barroz comes in. That is why I said I wanted to create a film that not only sparks the imagination of children, but also allows adults to revisit their own innocence and sense of wonder.
That is why your space was like that. And to bring out a 3D film is not an easy thing. It’s everything from camera, lighting, costume, and editing, everything is different. Even the pace of the film, making up the film. Everything is different.
On handling direction and acting
We have stereographers. We have Santosh (Sivan) even there. We have a beautiful paraphernalia of our people as we have got a very good team. So it is like a picnic for me. The film is a blend of technical expertise, artistic vision, and then understanding your psychology. That’s the main thing. Your psychology means you should give them when they watch the film, you should not have given you are not supposed to give any kind of strain them. So you don’t feel that you are watching that film with the glass. As I think you have seen the film.
What keeps you going after over 350 films and close to five decades in the film industry?
It’s the love for your profession. If you start loving your profession and if you respect your profession, if you have integrity towards your profession, then that is a fuel when of this drive. It is a beautiful industry, and it is a well, we have a lot of good actors, technicians. So it’s like a beautiful family, and we are blessed with great actors, colleagues, directors. So if you ask me what is the secret, then I don’t want to find out the secret. Let it run.
Whenever you are doing two projects simultaneously or there is very less gap between the first and second projects and one character is a dark character and the other is different, especially in your initial years. So, how do you switch from one to another? Like is it exhausting for you?
At one time I did 36-37 films in 1 year. So it is like training. I don’t find anything. Like, we are a performer. This is a practice, and this is people are there to guide you. So for me, if you take it very seriously, then it will become a problem. I have never taken it very seriously. I never plan, or I never prepare. That is my way of doing things, and I think I don’t have a problem with that. I can I’m a workaholic.
Malayalam cinema has been known for its out-of-the-box yet strong and relevant content. And due to OTT, in the past few years, it has got that pan-India appeal despite not getting a Hindi release, when it’s released on the OTT platform, it trends big time on social media. So do you think that finally, Malayalam cinema has got its due to OTT and other things?
During COVID, we created that film called Drishyam 2. It was a big hit on OTT platform. And because of the COVID nobody was working. So, I think I I have done around 6 or 7 films at that time. Even Barroz, we started. So to run the industry, somebody should come out.
So, I was the first one to come out with a film that is Drishyam 2 and it was an OTT platform. Audience loved the film and then they watched the Drishyam 1. Then they started watching so many films. So now when I travel around in Jaipur or Gujarat or Rajasthan, people recognize me with Drishyam and Lucifer. So, it’s an OTT platform, that created a big magic for the Malayalam industry.