He posed before the arc lights as a child artist in the famous period movie, Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha. Surprisingly, actor Biyon is now the leading star of two films, Kunthapura and Parankimala, both unravelling the tales of past. “Kunthapura is set in the early 1920s, Parankimala speaks about a love story set in 1981. Again, in Thirakatha, my character appeared in flashbacks. I guess, I have a flair for acting in retros,” laughs Biyon. The young actor is naturally excited, as both his films will hit the screens soon.
“I was barely six years old when I acted in my first movie. It happened when my parents responded to a newspaper ad calling for child artists. I have some blurry memories about the shooting days of the movie that won much critical acclaim,” recollects Biyon.
The promising actor, who has appeared in more than 50 films till now, holds the credit of enacting the childhood of many major actors including Mohanlal and Mammootty in many films like Bharatham and Valyettan. Later, as a teeny bopper, he was seen in many multi-starrers including Holidays, Metro, Mohhabath and Last Bench.
Now as two of his films, which provide him ample screen time and acting potential are due for release, Biyon admits that he cannot negate the nervousness factor. “I do have an inhibition to do solo hero films, as I am apprehensive about shouldering the whole burden of the film. But fortunately, both Kunthapura and Parankimala have strong subject and the story is the central focus.”
Having diligently toiled for over two years to complete Kunthapura, Biyon says, “The movie is genuine and captivating to the core.” Biyon plays a simpleton with the usual eventful life, comprising love and failure in love. “He is blissfully unaware of the struggles of his nation against the foreign rule. But later, like others in his village, he also jumps into the fray against the British empire. My character displays some heroism only by the end of the film,” he says. “There are many memories related to the film. Our stays at the inns in Shravanabelagola will always remain memorable for me. I have been actively involved in every aspect of the movie, from acting, direction, camera to editing,” says he.
Speaking about Parankimala, an adaptation of Bharathan’s 1981 hit that sent the youngsters into a tizzy with its sensuous content, Biyon says, “the new version of the film has a few changes. There is less glamour quotient keeping in mind the family audience.”
Biyon will reprise the role of Appu, who falls in love with Thanka, the maid servant, in the film directed by debutant Senan Pallaserry. “Unlike the earlier version, in the new story, Appu has no negative shades.”
The thread of Bharathan’s film was the famous novel of the same name by Kakkanadan. Biyon says he had neither read the novel, nor seen the earlier flick, as he feels it would affect his performance.