During a conversation with South First, MC Jithin spoke about his new film and his thoughts on filmmaking.
Published Dec 11, 2024 | 12:36 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 11, 2024 | 1:17 PM
MC Jithin. (Supplied)
The latest Malayalam release Sookshmadarshini starring Nazriya Nazil and Basil Joseph is running successfully in packed theatres. The movie is centred around Nazriya’s Priyadarshini, a strong woman character who leads the movie forward.
Sookshmadarshini is directed by MC Jithin and produced by Happy Hours Entertainment.
During a conversation with South First, MC Jithin spoke about his new film and his thoughts on filmmaking.
Here are edited excerpts:
Q. Your second movie Sookshmadarshini has become a blockbuster, however, your debut movie Nonsense (2018) didn’t make an impact, how did you take it?
A. My obsession with the lead character led me to create Nonsense. There were many obstacles, but my aim was to make it happen, and I succeeded. That was a personal victory.
Sookshmadarshini only came about because of Nonsense. I was deeply fascinated by the character Priyadarshini. It’s challenging to create a female lead in Malayalam cinema, but I waited for this project to materialize.
Both projects were difficult to execute, and making them happen feels like a success.
‘MC Jithin’ gives credit to the whole team for the success. (Supplied)
Making Sookshmadarshini was easier because the story and lead actors had commercial appeal. Production houses that heard the story didn’t reject it.
The story’s universal relatability made it grounded and accessible, I had the story in mind since Nonsense’s post-production. I initially planned to make it in Hindi, but that didn’t work out. I wanted to create a Hitchcockian mystery within a Satyan Anthikad-style setting. This vision became clearer when the character came into focus.
Two writers helped develop the story, and the movie benefited from a great team, including Happy Hours Entertainments and its collective effort.
Q. Sookshmadarshini discusses a relevant theme. What can you say about this?
A. I am an admirer of Jordan Peele’s Get Out, and when I wanted to make a thriller, I didn’t want it to be a passerby thriller, I wanted it to be an impactful one. That is why, Sookshmadarshini has an angle that speaks about a socially relevant theme. We got the idea of this film in 2019, it was relevant then and it is now too.
Q. There has been criticism about the lack of women characters in recent Malayalam films, but Sookshmadarshini has women in lead roles, do you think filmmakers aren’t making women-centric films fearing their market value?
MC Jithin’s ‘Sookshmadarshini’ is a thriller. (Supplied)
A. I’m someone who reads newspapers, checks social media, and stays aware of what’s happening around me. While following these discussions. I believe my film should speak for itself. My cinema is speaking now, and it will continue to do so.
If these discussions lead to production houses supporting new ideas and encouraging women-centric themes, that’s great. But if nothing changes and writers and directors still struggle to get these stories greenlit, then the discussions are pointless. At the end of the day, it should be practical.
I don’t believe writers and directors lack challenging stories; they simply don’t want to waste their time. For me, when something sticks in my mind, I’m obsessed and determined to make it happen.
Right now, Sookshmadarshini is behind me, and I’m excited about my next film. I’m doing research and meeting people, and that’s what motivates me now.
Q. Basil’s character has a grey shade. I felt the character was a bit eccentric like the one in Oru Vadakku Nokki Yanthram. How did you develop it? Any inputs by Basil?
MC Jithin with Nazriya Nazim and Basil Joseph. (Supplied)
A. The metre of Basil’s character changed during the shooting. We have tried different aspects for that character and everyone including me, Basil and the production house had a group discussion to finalise the character’s mannerisms in the movie.
Q. Siddharth Bharathan’s character too is a little eccentric. How did you cast him?
A. The actor for that role wasn’t decided initially. After watching his performance in Bramayugam (2024), I thought of casting him in my movie, and my producer too agreed. We kept on tracking his mannerisms and on spot improvisations were also there for this character.
Q. Music by Christo Xavier has worked for the movie giving intriguing moments. What was your input to him?
A. I told him the story and he got the soul of it. He decided to have orchestrational music and I also wanted the same.
Orchestrational score was used in Nonsense too. In this movie, all decisions regarding the music were made by Christo itself and I gave some corrections only.
We stood with him and an artist from outside the country had also worked in this movie. I gave him a suggestion that the music must be done in a Western style and he also had this aspect in him.
Q. Malayalam films have had an incredible year so far. Your movie is also part of it. What’s your take on Malayalam films getting more recognition?
A. We should be able to tell the stories we love. From Nonsense onward, I’ve been exploring out-of-the-box subjects. Nonsense told the story of a teenager, which was challenging to do at the time. But now, many films about teenagers have been made, with only a specific genre succeeding.
In my view, filmmakers should have the freedom to make films without barriers or difficulties. After Sookshmadarshini, I will only make films that I truly like. Both of my films were projects I enjoyed, and I also liked their titles. In Nonsense, I was obsessed with the character Arun Jeevan, and in Sookshmadarshini, with Priyadarshini.
For my next film, I already have a character in mind that I’m excited about. I always start with a character and build the story around exploring them.
Q. Future projects? Is victory a responsibility?
A. I’m working on my next movie, but there’s no announcement yet. I’m sure it won’t be an instant success just because Sookshmadarshini became a superhit, I’m making this film for myself first. Once I like it, I’ll work to make others like it and take it to production companies.
I worked with Happy Hours Entertainments for four years on Sookshmadarshini because I knew they were the right fit. A film’s success is also a victory of teamwork.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula)
