Kunchacko Boban says that he has finally come of age. And, the industry seems to agree, or at least that is proven by the slew of characters he has done over the past few years. From a coy milkman in Elsamma Enna Aankutty, to the auto driver in Jamnapyari, Kunchacko has, undoubtedly, evolved as an actor and has managed to shed the ‘syrupy boy’ image that had stuck to him for long.
As he plays a cop in his career for the first time in Rosshan Andrew’s School Bus and that too “a very realistic police officer” as he calls it, Kunchacko is in a secure position as his career graph soars. In a tete-a-tete with Express, Kunchacko opens up about playing the demure cop, his space in Mollywood, and, above all, bringing his family studio, Udaya, back to the limelight.
Tell us more about School Bus where you play a cop for the first time?
This is for the second time that I am working with Rosshan. The movie is penned by Sanjay-Bobby and I couldn’t have asked for a better outing. Just like any other Rosshan’s movie, this, too, has a very strong social message.
I play a cop, K R Gopakumar, who is a normal guy, not the usual beefy tough ones you see onscreen. This may be the first time a police officer is shown very realistically. We usually have this trend of extremes, either a cop is a funny man or a very serious guy. But, Gopakumar is just like anyone else. He gets entangled in an issue involving a couple played by Aparna and Jayasoorya. It is a very meaty role.
So, is School bus a family drama?
Actually, the prominent roles are played by two children. The present-day life is under the scanner, and there are many thrilling moments. Anyone can relate to the characters. My own character is a grounded person, who is soft-spoken. Even in the most thrilling of moments, he is the same and never goes over the top. In fact, when I wore the costume of a police officer for the first time, a certain seriousness came over me. But, Rosshan told me to be myself as Gopakumar is like you or me.
Seeing your oeuvre in the past few years, one can assume that you show an inclination to roles that are rustic. You played second fiddle to Manju Warrier in ‘How old are you?, then even in the recent Valliyum Thetti Pulliyum Thetti you play the quintessential guy-next-door.
There is no concerted effort to find such characters. I think I have come of age, and industry folks too think so and that might be one reason why more such roles have come to me. I am only delighted to shed the ‘chocolate-boy’ image that was once my identity. Even in ‘How old are you?’, I play a husband who is diagonally opposite of me. It may not be that prominent but it definitely helped me shed a softboy image. People could identify me with that image. Ditto with Vasuttan in Jamnapyari. It has only helped me in the career.
You have seen many ups and downs of your career and now you are in a very secure space with characters made for you, most of them humorous . Are you now playing it safe, like you decided to give the Biju Menon-Kunchacko combo a break?
Yes, I have been fortunate but I believe there is enough opportunity and space for all, right from Lalettan to Nivin. I have characters made for me like any other actor. But, you need to update and adapt to changes. Changes do happen. Certain things work and certain others fail. As for playing it safe, nobody really thought Biju and I would click big time. All our movies did well, as we share a very good chemistry. But, then, the expectations got high and we did not want to spoil it.
You have decided to revamp Udaya Studios. How is the banner’s comeback movie, Kochavva Paulo Ayyappa Coelho, shaping up?
I have always wanted to give Udaya a new life and there were circumstances wherein I could make movies without spending a penny from my pocket but I insisted on a quality product. So, when Siddartha Shiva came to me with the story, I knew this was it. ‘Kochavva Paulo Ayyappa Coelho’ is a good movie, a very likable story with a lot of light moments.
I think I have come of age, and industry folks too think so and that might be one reason why more matured roles come my way. I am delighted to shed the ‘chocolate-boy’ image