They are flashing ‘Houseful’ boards once again, and this time for the least expected film. When the flamboyance of idols, big banners and multi-starrers failed to wow the audience, a modest film could keep the cash registers ringing. And Basil Joseph, the techie-turned-filmmaker, is a happy soul if not partly surprised by the incredible feedback. “I wasn’t prepared for this. All I wanted was to make a decent film and Kunjiramayanam has been accepted in a way far beyond my anticipation. Yes, it was risky placing it alongside larger-than-life spectacles. But, then we were confident that there will be audience for this too,” says the director.
Basil says Kunjiramayanam is a film for commoners with desi sensibilities, not the uptight multiplex crowd. “It’s not a film aimed at the urban audience alone. It’s a village fantasy and involves elements that lack any logical explanation. But anybody with an open mind can enjoy it and have a few laughs,” he says. The film has an ensemble cast including Vineeth Sreenivasan, Dhyan Sreenivasan, Aju Varghese, Neeraj Madhav and Deepak Parambol in key roles.
Unlike other new-gen hits Kunjiramayanam doesn’t have a tech-savvy backdrop, moreover the narrative unravels in an idyllic Malabar village. “Most of the new films are inspired by Hollywood blockbusters or foreign language films. But Kunjiramayanam is a throwback to the homely Malayalam flicks of the late 80s and 90s that invoke nostalgia,” he says. Desham, the fictional village in Kunjiramayanam, doesn’t bear any typical period flavour, but is set in an unspecified time. “Desham can be a place in Kerala’s rural interior where development has come to a standstill. Though the world outside has progressed a lot, the people there are unaware of it,” Basil says. Apart from the laid-back village of Desham, a particular brand of liquor was also recreated for the film. “Salsa is not available in market now, it used to be one among the cheapest choices. But we customised the bottle with new design and Malayalam label,” he says.
Kunjiramayanam has no big names in its cast and crew, which in fact is a conscious decision by the director. “It was conceived as a simple film and we never thought of revamping the template. We were not ready for the stress and hype of having biggies on board. Even now I will opt for relaxed and small-budget subjects, films that will make you leave the theatre with a smile.” Though filming was more or less a smooth affair, it wasn’t free of logistic challenges. “We zeroed in on this place at Palakkad and was ready to start shooting within a week. Suddenly there was this heavy summer rain and the whole topography changed. Instead of warm tones, it became full of irregular greenery. Then we had to hunt for another location for exteriors. It was a last minute change. But all our efforts have finally paid off,” he adds.