IImagine a flop movie getting a sequel, that too because of popular demand. “I think it will be first time in the history of motion pictures,” says Jayasurya, as he is gearing up to play Shaji Pappan once again.
Aadu, when released two years back, sank without a trace but broke all records when the DVD was out. Later, the hero became such a rage that online platforms were bursting with Pappan clones, “from grooms to priests, you will still find a lot of them on youtube. It was then we realised that the character had the potential for a franchise.”
Though the film couldn’t create any fireworks when released, Pappan and his pals went on to create quite a flutter. “Films bombing at BO and getting appreciated later is not a new phenomenon. But in this case, every second person I met wanted an Aadu sequel.
They didn’t stop after six months or even an year. It was a novel experience in my film career,” says the actor.
Since the characters have a cartoonish edge, it was not possible to settle for an ordinary script. “We went through three stories before, but I wasn’t happy with any. But when this script came along, we wasted no time in announcing the sequel. The second part will have all the quirky elements that made Aadu so popular.”
Jayasurya says they had to stretch the release date to December as he needs some time to look his part. “Once I finish Captain, I will take a break to beef up for Aadu. To play the footballer I had to tone down and shed 10 kilos. If I start shooting for Aadu now, all slim and thin, nobody will like the new Shaji Pappan,” he says.