Scriptwriter-actor Murali Gopy stares out of the glass-paned window of his seventh floor hotel room in Kochi, and says, “Let me give you some perspective. The budget of Tiyaan (released recently) is `18 crore. This is half the cost of the climax of Baahubali. But yes, in Mollywood, this is regarded as a big-budget film.”
Scripted by Murali, Tiyaan is a socio-political drama. While Prithviraj plays the lead role of Aslan Muhammad, his brother Indrajith plays Pattabhi Raman. The film was shot in Leh, Mumbai, Nasik, Manali, Allahabad and at Ramoji Rao Film City in Hyderabad.
“In Tiyaan, like my earlier films Ee Adutha Kaalathu and Left Right Left, I have looked at how a man reacts to contemporary politics and issues,” says Murali.
As he speaks, the shoot for Kammara Sambhavam, which is penned by Murali, has begun. In this film, comic superstar Dileep has moved in a new direction—he plays a 94-year-old man. “Among our stars, Dileep’s talent has not been explored much, except in comedy,” says Murali. “I always felt he could do grey shades.”
Murali will now be writing a script for Lucifer, in which Mohanlal plays the hero. Like most people in Kerala, Murali is a fan. “Mohanlal is the all-time great in terms of crowd-pulling, charisma, and acting talent,” says Murali. “It is god’s gift. So when such a person acts in your film, it is like preparing your house to host an emperor.”
Is he nervous that although the film’s shoot is scheduled for May 2018, he is to yet write the script? Murali smiles, “I only have to write. For that, I don’t need to shiver. The pen needs a steadiness of the hand and mind. Writing is a meditative exercise. You have to go within and come out with whatever is inside you.”
It seems to have worked, because Murali is noted for his scripts.
Asked the qualities of a good one, he says, “There should always be a take-home element for the viewer. That is what I aim for. Secondly, I’ll only write if I have something to say. This has always been a promise to myself. At the same time, I don’t want to compromise on the entertainment value, because I want people to come and see my films. I don’t want to write for award juries at film festivals.”