The Malayalam actor-writer-director says he doesn't put in conscious efforts to do feel-good films but they happen as such.
Published Nov 09, 2023 | 7:00 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 09, 2023 | 7:00 PM
Actor-director George Kora. (Supplied)
Actor-writer-director George Kora has been in the Malayalam industry for the last eight years. He debuted with the sensational industry hit Premam, directed by Alphonse Puthren, in 2015.
In 2017, he wrote his first script for Nivin Pauly-starrer Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela.
In 2021, George Kora directed his debut movie Thirike, which told the story of brotherhood. It featured Gopi Krishnan who had Down’s Syndrome as the elder brother.
George Kora’s new directorial venture Tholvi FC (2023) is now successfully running in theatres.
In an exclusive interview with South First, the young actor-director reveals some interesting facts about his latest release.
George Kora’s films mostly have a feel-good genre.
When asked about this, he said he doesn’t put in conscious efforts to make only feel-good films, but they happen as such.
“I worked for Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela and it was a feel-good film. The movie did well, and as a writer, I got an opportunity to work in that space. When I decided to direct a film, I wanted to talk about brotherhood, and Thirike just happened,” George Kora quipped.
The young filmmaker said he felt happy as if it was the first time a person with Down’s Syndrome was acting in a commercial movie, and the film received great appreciation.
Malayalam actor-director George Kora’. (Supplied)
George Kora reveals that he was supposed to do a big film as his second directorial, but it got pushed due to technical reasons.
About the reliability factor in Tholvi FC, which the audience mentioned, the filmmaker noted that having been born into a middle-class family, his life was not extraordinary and that could be the reason why he could bring some relatable elements in the flick.
George Kora has had a long association with Althaf Salim, Sharafudeen, and director Alphonse Puthren since the time they were based in Kerala’s Aluva — way before the release of Premam in 2015.
About his character as a football coach, the actor-writer-filmmaker said he had been a football fanatic till a certain age.
“I am a late bloomer too. Everyone will have a dream, and in practical life, it’s not possible to attain that goal when we choose a career. But we can’t get rid of it. We will try to hook on to that. Everybody will have a similar attitude. My character of Thambi is a blend of these aspects,” the actor-director elucidated.
George Kora during promotions of ‘Tholvi FC’. (Supplied)
George Kora says the women characters in three of his movies are strong.
“Women are more stronger than men. The women in my life — whether it’s my mom, sister, aunts, or friends — are all more capable and independent than men. The women characters in my films are inspired by these women,” he said.
About mobile phone addiction among children, which Tholvi FC speaks of, the filmmaker admitted that kids in his family too are widely using smartphones of late. However, he observed that the issue was never raised in movies though people do discuss the ill effects in real life.
“In daily life, every parent discusses this. But they don’t have an option as they have to adopt technology with changing times. I didn’t want the issue to be preachy but ensured that the scenes had cinematic flavour,” George Kora added.
George Kora reveals that Meenakshi Peethambaran — though she acted in Malik (2021) — was selected as the female lead in Tholvi FC only after auditions.
George Kora, Vineeth Sreenivasan in ‘Mukundan Unni Associates’. (Supplied)
Incidentally, Asha Madathil, who portrayed the mother’s character in George’s latest outing, played a mother’s role in Mukundan Unni Associates (2022) too.
George Kora explained that he realised what an amazing actress Asha Madathil was when he shared the screen with her in Mukundan Unni Associates (as his son). So, he roped her in for Tholvi FC too.
Sibi Mathew Alex, who worked for Mukundan Unni Associates, composed the background score of the flick. There are three songs and interestingly, each song is written by a debut music director.
“I like giving opportunities to newcomers — actors and technicians. Althaf Salim has been my mentor; he was the director of my first film. I learnt the first lessons in filmmaking from him. Meanwhile, I wanted to explore Sharafudeen as an actor as his graph in recent times went high,” George explained.
For the first time, in Thovi FC, the Malayalam actor-writer-director wrote characters by keeping Sharafudeen and Johny Antony in mind. Interestingly, this is the first time that the actors have come together on screen.
“I wanted them to act as father and son. I know that there will be lots of layers and a give-and-take aspect in a father-son relationship. But they both were natural and improvised the scenes wherever needed,” he added.
George Kora has a lineup of films as an actor. He will be seen in a Tamil movie with director Vishnu Vardhan. The shooting is almost over.
The other films will be announced soon.
His projects as a writer will take off only next year. “Well, I’m still learning and want to try a new genre in every project,” he signed off.
