Actor and scriptwriter Murali Gopy forayed into filmdom with the Malayalam movie Rasikan in 2004. A former journalist, he is the son of veteran actor Bharath Gopy. He has scripted two films, Rasikan and Ee Adutha Kalathu (2012), and acted in six. He completed his BCom from Government Arts College, Thiruvananthapuram in 1992. Later, he pursued a diploma in journalism at Press Club, Thiruvananthapuram (1995). Murali’s life at the Arts College was a roller coaster ride. On one hand, he was pained by the thoughts of his bed-ridden father and on the other, saddled with academic responsibilities. He calls it a directionless period of his life when he was constantly seeking to divert all the thoughts that engulfed him.
What did college teach you?
I chose commerce because I wanted to study with my cousins and friends. Most of the lessons I learned during that period happened outside the four walls of the classroom. I acquired organisational skills by conducting choirs. Later, the observations I made during that time proved advantageous while acting.
Your proudest moment in college.
Though I was not trained, I enjoyed singing Hindi film songs and received accolades several times. I consider it a great thing as I was being appreciated for something that I did not have any formal coaching in.
Any embarrassing moments in college?
I was insensitive towards almost everything that happened around me then. Hence an embarrassing moment cannot be picked from my college life.
Was bunking a part of your college routine?
Bunking was mainly for rehearsing music. I did whatever I liked. Those days, classes were shut for two-three days in a week due to student agitations. As I was not involved in politics, I observed their actions.
Did you have any rifts with professors?
I had great respect for my teachers though I did not concentrate much on academics. They considered me an artist.
What extracurricular activities were you involved in?
I read a lot. I prepared notes from whatever I read. My favourites were history and non-fiction. I still have a craze for non-fiction. Besides, I played cricket and was an all-rounder. When I became a sports editor, those experiences helped me a lot.
— meera.manu@newindianexpress.com