THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: You might have gazed in wonder at those mammoth cut-outs of actor Mohanlal in front of theatres in the city during the release of his films. Apart from the size and perfection in drawing, the cut-outs would give an exact picture of the actor’s character in the film, along with the credit line ‘Silpi’. Behind all these giant hoardings is none other than a hardcore Mohanlal fan, James, who hails from Neyyattinkara on the outskirts of the city. It is not just talent, but his intense admiration for the actor, which helps him to be so precise while making the giant cut-outs.
James started painting images of Mohanlal and making his cut-outs for advertising purposes way back in 1990. “I used to go to shops and would suggest the idea of making a board for the shop, including a picture of Mohanlal,’’ said James, who first made a huge cut-out during the release of the film ‘Manichitrathazhu’ at Thameens theatre in Neyyattinkara.
“In that cut-out, I had portrayed an action of Lal in the climax scene of the film. It was of 40 ft tall and 20 ft wide and there was much appreciation from the public,’’ he said.
His association with Mohanlal Fans’ Association brought James to city.
In 1998, James made a huge cut-out for the film ‘Harikrishnans’, which was erected in front of the Sreekumar theatre at Thamapanoor for the first time.
“Members of our’ Association used to say about Silpi, who drew Lal Sir very well. After seeing his work, we decided to bring him to the city,’’ Vimal Kumar, secretary of All-Kerala Mohanlal Fans’ Cultural and Welfare Association, said.
The 65-ft-tall cut-out made for the film ‘Sagar Alias Jacky’ was the biggest cut-out made by James so far. “For the film ‘Thandavam’, I made a 50-ft size cut-out, which was the most challenging one. Now, 65-ft is the record. If any one breaks this, I will make a much larger one. I have heard that Mammootty fans are making a 75-ft cut-out. Now, I am planning a 100-ft cut out for Lalettan’s next film,’’ James said.
On Sunday morning, Mohanlal inaugurated James’s new venture - Mega Flex Print - at Thampanoor.
“I consider this as the biggest recognition for me and my work. When I thought of starting this printing centre, I used to dream of Lal Sir inaugurating it. Once everything was finalised, I told this to Antony Perumbavoor and he took the initiative to bring Lal Sir here. Now I am very excited. Certainly, it is a turning point in my life,’’ James said.
Besides Mohanlal, James has also drawn pictures of Jawaharlal Nehru, Swami Vivekananda, Sachin Tendulkar, Shah Rukh Khan, Mammootty, Jayaram and Kamal Hassan.
Contact James on ph: 9447100403 or mail him to megaprinttvm@gmail.com.
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