He dares to walk the path that others fear to tread.
Yes, director Priyanandanan has the guts to do things differently though he is not educated like his counterparts.
In fact, he has come a long way from working in the tile industry to the sophisticated world of cinema. He earned respect from his debut film ‘Neithukaran’ itself for moving away from mainstream cinema.
Now, his second release titled ‘Pulijanmam’ is in the theatres. It is also said to be a different kind of film wherein an educated man chooses to live as a farmer and fight for justice in the society.
Now, the director shares his life experiences and about his new film.
Excerpts from the interview:
Tell us about your experiences from a factory worker to a filmmaker.?
My life has gone through drastic change, a sort of evolution. I worked for a tile factory, as I couldn’t complete my studies because of my poor family background.
As fate has it, the factory was closed down. I then joined gold work like other unemployed guys to earn my living though I am not from a goldsmith family.
In the meantime, I did not give up theatres activities. This helped me get to know noted filmmakers like KR Mohanan and PT Kunju Mohammad, from whom I learned the technical aspects of filmmaking.
My experience in theaters encouraged me to join films.
What was the response of the public on your debut film ‘Neithukaran’?
It got lots of appreciation and accolades. You know, it bagged two state awards for best actor and best supporting actress.
What took you so long to come out with your second film ‘Pulijanmam’? 
Yes, I am making this film after a long gap.
The truth is, I started working on a film called ‘Sabda-ngal’, based on a story by Vaikkom Mohammad Basheer after ‘Neithukaran’.
Mammootty agreed to play the lead role without any remuneration but it was unfortunately dropped. So, I started another film titled ‘Athu Mantha-rappoovalla’ with Prithviraj and Kavya Madhavan in the lead roles.
Why were these films shelved?
You know I am a newcomer. Sadly, distributors are not willing to see films by newcomers like me with positive attitude. These people are more concerned about the banner, the director and the star cast.
So, I made it clear to my producers that my films won’t fetch them profit though it could recover the production cost. This is why producers backed out.
Ok, tell us something about your new release ‘Pulijanmam’.
The film tells about people who are deprived of justice and at the same time not able to come out of it. It also depicts the story of an educated man turning to farming and working for social justice.
It can be called a search for history in advance.
Do you think all films should carry message for the viewers?
I think delivering message is not important. What really matters is the realization of the message.
There are different categories of films say, art, commercial, entertainer etc. To which category do you think your film falls into?
I just can’t understand on what criteria films are categorized. What I know is that cinema is an art, and every art has its value.
This is why co-operation from various people like producers, distributors and others is very much needed.
What is your opinion on filmmaking?
Filmmaking has become like a game these days. Only the fittest wins. It is unpredictable with even big-budgeted films failing at the theatres.
However, cost of production should be brought down and the government should come forward to support the small-budgeted films.
Low-budget films are screened for two weeks at Nandan theatre in Bengal irrespective of the crowd, for this type of films attracts fewer crowds.
If these provisions are not given, Film Development Corporation should be called film-marketing corporation.
Good films used to come out in Kerala earlier with financial help from NDFC and Doordashan too used to telecast award-winning films but they have become a passé now. For this very reason, people like me are forced to take up undue risks.
What do you think of awards?
I think it is an encouragement and a stimulus to do better but I doubt if they go to the people who deserve.
Some people make films just to get awards but can you find writers writing for winning awards?
Film industry is different here. The point is that awards should go to the deserving people.
