THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: About two decades ago a gaunt young man walked into the rehearsal camp of Chalakudy Sarathy Theatres. His uninvited entry irked the director who was none other than the cine actor, Thilakan. At the camp Thilakan was no less than a dictator who never tolerated outsiders during rehearsals. Seeing this man he roared at the Secretary of the theatre who meekly told him that the young man was one of the producers of the theatre.
Half-heartedly Thilakan went on with the rehearsal. As the rehearsal proceeded, the young man kept intervening and even suggested some corrections in the dialogues. That was too much for the director and he gave the man such a frown that he was completely taken aback. But the spark in those dialogues struck the director and he asked the man his name. ‘‘Lohi,’’ said the man.
Months later Thilakan came across a news item about A.K.Lohithadas winning the professional drama award for the best writer. Thilakan was not sure whether it was the same ‘Lohi’ he had met at the rehearsals. When this was confirmed in the affirmative, Thilakan asked for the script. Once he finished reading it Thilakan asked Lohi ‘‘Why didn’t you show it to me?”.
‘‘I was afraid that you would shout at me’’, came the humble reply.
Thilakan was touched by the endearing humility. That was the beginning of a relationship which gifted us a director and a script writer who made an indelible mark on our hearts.
Memories gushed forth as Thilakan recollected his association with Lohithadas at a gathering organized by ‘Frame’ - a cultural organisation, to commemorate the great script writer - director.
He was overcome by emotion as he took a long pause before he began his speech. He recounted the birth of the film ‘Kireedam’- one of the best scripts penned by Lohitadas. ‘‘When Lohi expressed his desire to enter the film industry, I introduced him to K.G.George. It was George who asked him to write a story on a young man who is forced to become a killer by the society. However the project did not materialise since they could not find a producer. But the spark remained in his mind and years later it flared into one of the biggest hits ever,’’ he said.
There are not many who know that it was Thilakan who had led Lohithadas into the Malayalam film industry.
‘‘I was working for a Sibi Malayil film when he told me that he was looking for a new writer. The moment I heard him, it was Lohi’s face that flashed in my mind. I asked him to meet Sibi Malayil and soon they were ready with a theme which was so new to the Malayalam cinema. It was about the conflict of a man who has to bear the stigma of being mad despite being perfectly sane. It was named ‘Thaniyavartanam’ and it was the film that became a turning point in the career of Mammooty.’’
Thilakan said that though his loss is irrevocable Lohithadas has spawned a new era in our film industry.
‘‘He is still alive in every body’s mind. Death cannot take away the wonderful memories he has left
behind.’’ Thilakan said.
Director Blessey recounted the scenes of Lohithadas going through enormous stress and emotional turbulence while getting himself immersed in script writing. ‘‘He always seemed to wobble between the narrow line that separated sanity and insanity during the creative process. He would wind a towel tightly around his head and would sit for hours pondering over his characters.’’ Blessey who assisted Lohithadas in six films said that he learnt a lot from the master director.
Kireedam Unni shared an unusual memory. ‘‘Lohi was completely frustrated and distraught since he felt that he would never be able to use his creative potential. He was working as a lab technician and he brought home a bottle of cyanide from the lab. Since he was hungry he took a sumptuous meal and just as he lifted the bottle it slipped off his hands and broke. But Lohi soon gave up the idea,’’ he said.
trivandrum@epmltd.com