KOCHI: Memories are something which one holds close to heart, something which are always fondly remembered with nostalgia. But when someone is fluctuating between memory and forgetfulness, it becomes one of the most painful situations possible. This is the theme explored in a recently released short film directed by Richy K S.
Titled ‘Anuraga Gaanam Pole’, one assumes the 8-minute-long film to be a goofy love story. A love story it is, but with a difference. The sequence starts with a young girl and an elderly man meeting together at a park. They start talking and soon afterwards, one realises that the meeting was not a coincidence after all.
For the short film director Richy, who hails from Palakkad, working on the topic was an unplanned one.
He says, “I was initially planning to make a film on old age and the feeling of loneliness surrounding the same. During a casual chat with my friend, he shared with me a true incident that one of his teachers have been through. I found it rather touching and decided to work on it.” Though Alzheimers hasn’t been mentioned anywhere in the film, ‘Anuraaga Gaanam Pole’ strives to portray the situations that the loved ones of the affected have to go through.
More than just a true incident, the subject was something the director found appealing. He says, “Life is all about memories. When one has lots of things to remember, forgetfulness is more common. Once you start forgetting each of these incidents, your mind eventually fixes on one particular memory. More than a subject evoking nostalgia, it is an interesting and heart touching topic to dwell on.”
While everything starts with a chance meeting, the twist which happens is something which one doesn’t expect. Elaborating further on the premise, he says, “Here, the lady has got her mind fixed on a particular memory as well. The film has been taken from her perspective, as she imagines herself as her young self.”
Rajkumar, Apsara Nair, K K Hemalatha and Arun Sethumadhav form the cast. Vinod M Ravi has handled the cinematography whereas the editing and colouring is done by Kailash S Bhavan. Background score is set by Arun Pradeep. The film is produced by Richy K S under the banner of Big Bear Productions.
Winding up the conversation, he adds, “The short film industry has now become a booming one. In the midst of a number of short films, genuine ones go unnoticed these days. What is important, is making films which stay in your mind.”