THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A film like ‘Thommanum Makkalum’ would sound out-of-place in IFFK. But this year, the festival remembers all those eminent people whom Malayalam cinema lost since the 13th IFFK. The film ‘Thommanum Makkalum’ has been included in the homage section, as a remembrance to Rajan P. Dev.
Noted for his villain roles laced with a touch of humour, Rajan P.Dev came to limelight for his characterisation of Kochuvava in the play ‘Kattukuthira’. Several of Dev’s villain roles had a touch of comedy, but, he could not get out of the typical villain character mould. He got a break in ‘Aniyan Bava Chettan Bava’ (1995), directed by Rajasenan, in which he played Aniyan Bava, the younger brother of Chettan Bava, played by Narendra Prasad. The film established his versatility. He went on to act in full-fledged comedy roles after that, most notably in films ‘Sphadikam’ (1995), ‘Thommanum Makkalum’ (2005) and ‘Chotta Mumbai’ (2007). He died in Kochi on July 29.
Actor Murali, known for his powerful portrayal of character roles, lead roles, and negative roles will be remembered through the film ‘Neythukaran’. Murali had won the National Award for best actor for his portrayal of a freedom fighter and professional weaver in ‘Neythukaran’.
Adoor Bhavani’s film ‘Kadalpalam’ will also be screened in the homage section. Best known for her appearance in the national award-winning film ‘Chemmeen’ (1965), directed by Ramu Kariat, Bhavani had acted in around 450 films. Some of her best films include ‘Mudiyanaya Puthran’, ‘Thulabharam’, ‘Kallichellamma’, and ‘Anubhavangal Paalichakal’. Her last film was ‘Sethurama Iyer CBI’, directed by K.Madhu.
Veteran cartoonist and film producer K.P. Thomas died following a brief illness in a private hospital in Kochi on June 1. His film ‘Manimuzhakkam’, which won him the national award for the best producer, will be screened at the IFFK. ‘Rasaleela’ and ‘Kanthavalayam’ are some of his prominent movies.
Shobana Parameswaran Nair, who entered the cinema field as a still photographer for the path-breaking Malayalam film ‘Neelakkuyil’, later went on to produce major hits such as ‘Murappennu’, ‘Ninamaninja Kaalpadukal’, ‘Nagarame Nandi’, ‘Abhayam’ and ‘Kallichellamma’. He will be remembered as a person who worked for meaningful changes in the Malayalam cinema. ‘Murappennu’ has also been included in the homage section.
Last but never the least is poet Madhavikutty aka Kamala Das aka Kamala Surayya. When Lenin Rajendran began adapting her short story ‘Nashtapetta Neelambari’ into a film in 1999, Kamala Das was still Madhavikutty. By the time ‘Mazha’ released in the late 2000, Madhavikutty had donned a purdah. But her poetry remained the same, sensitive and beautiful. ‘Mazha’ will be screened again, but the Malayalam film world will never stop missing her.
trivandrum@expressbuzz.com