The filmmaker reflects on his experiences with 'Thalavan', discussing his collaboration with Asif Ali and Biju Menon, among other things.
Published Aug 30, 2024 | 5:47 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 30, 2024 | 5:48 PM
Malayalam director Jis Joy recently grabbed the headlines with his outing Thalavan, an engrossing murder mystery. The film, which starred Asif Ali and Biju Menon as police officers, not only won critical acclaim but also became a super hit.
Following the overwhelming success of Thalavan, the team behind the film—already announced a sequel—Thalavan 2, which will soon begin production work.
Meanwhile, Thalavan will be premiered on SonyLIV on 10 September, coinciding with the Onam festival season.
Jis Joy is well-known for delivering hit films like Sunday Holiday (2017) and Vijay Superum Pournamiyum (2019), both featuring Asif Ali in the lead roles.
In addition to his directing career, the filmmaker is also a popular dubbing artist. He is recognised for lending voice to the Malayalam dubbed versions of Allu Arjun’s Telugu films.
In an interview with South First, director Jis Joy spoke about his experiences working on Thalavan, his collaboration with Asif Ali and Biju Menon, and also shared some interesting updates.
Q. Was it a planned move to shift from the feel-good genre while making Thalavan?
A. It was an organic process. We have been working on the story of Thalavan for the past two years, and the story has been reworked throughout that time.
Q. Your association with Asif Ali is well-known. How comfortable is it working with him?
A. It’s always comfortable working with Asif Ali. I’ve done films where I felt he was the perfect fit for the character.
Q. What aspects of a script spark your interest?
A. When I listen to a story, I first see if it excites me. If I enjoy it, I believe it can be turned into a film. I always approach the story as a viewer first.
‘Thalavan’ will be premiered on SonyLIV on 10 September. (Supplied)
Q. How has your background in ad films and dubbing helped you, as a filmmaker?
A. My dubbing experience has shaped my film characters, and working on ad films has boosted my confidence. While cinema isn’t always consistent, ad films provide regular opportunities to engage with cameras, editing, and music. Despite their differences, both have contributed to my growth, especially as ad films require conveying messages quickly.
Q. You mentioned that Thalavan was fine-tuned for a long time before the trailer launch. Is it feasible to apply the same approach to all films, considering the potential financial constraints for producers?
A. There were no financial issues with this movie. Adequate time for editing and post-production enhances the final product. Typically, producers rely on directors to manage this process.
Q. Asif Ali has made a comeback with Thalavan. How do you view his growth as a friend?
A. Asif Ali started with Rithu (2009) and has been consistently successful. He’s a good artist who studies his character deeply and performs well. His characters, like those in Kettyolaanu Ente Malakha (2019) and Uyare (2019), bear his unique signature style.
Q. Music plays an important role in your films, especially in Thalavan. How was your collaboration with Deepak Dev?
A. Deepak Dev is a close friend and an established musician who has worked on films like 7th Day (2014) and Lucifer (2019). He did an excellent job with the music in Thalavan, and it took 3-5 months to perfect it.
Q. Do you think there is a lack of representation of women in blockbuster films?
A. Many films feature strong female characters, so concerns about representation might not be entirely relevant. There is a growing focus on heroine-oriented subjects.
Q. What kind of films do you wish to make? Are you interested in doing comedy films?
A. Yes, I would like to make comedy films that have a strong story. I also enjoy thrillers. These are the two genres I’m most interested in.
Q. What can you tell us about Pushpa: The Rule?
A. I will be dubbing for the movie, and I expect it to be a super hit. I feel happy when people appreciate my voice work in the film.
Q. When can we expect Thalavan 2?
A. Yes, it is happening. More details will be available after some time.
(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
