Two tramps and their infinite wait - ‘Waiting for Godot’, 20th century’s most celebrated absurd drama, now has a screen version, that too in Malayalam. “Modern man is alienated from life, love and the universe. He is doomed to solitude and has no freedom of movement and this miserable reality makes the backdrop of the play. The film takes the gist from the play and reinterprets it,” says Advocate Balachandran, director of the film.
The two-hour film titled ‘Godoye Kathu’ explores the existential puzzle of life. In the original the lead characters, Vladimir and Estragon wait for Godot, but are absolutely clueless who or what Godot is or he would ever come. Both of them are bored and often caught in endless loops of circular conversation. They fight, make up, contemplate suicide, and gnaw on chicken bones. Then enter two other characters Pozzo and Lucky, the master-slave duo who enact a grotesque scene. Beckett’s characters don’t belong to any particular geographical space and transcend race and creed.
Like the play, the film too has an overwhelming sense of futility looming large on each and every frame. But the film is not a complete adaptation either. The major deviation in the film is that “Godoye Kathu’ has a female in the place of Estragon. “Though an absurd play ‘Waiting for Godot’ has a strong message to convey. Each character and imagery has its own relevance,” says the director.
The first schedule of the film was completed in and around Kovalam beach. Dr Santosh has penned the screenplay and dialogues.
There are five core characters in the film and S L Pradeep and Sunu Lexmi will play the lead roles of Vladimir and Estragon. S Radhakrishnan, Christy Gerald and Sivan will appear as Pozzo, Lucky and Payyan. The film is expected to hit screens in April.