Into the shoes of Captain

Jayasurya,  known for his versatality, is back in theatres with yet another title role — Fukri. It is for the first time that the actor teams up with the director Siddique, who has been his favorite since his struggling days. On his entry to a Siddique film, Jayasurya says, “It is a common dream of most of the actors in our industry to become part of a Siddique film. His name would definitely be there if we check the history of Malayalam cinema even after years. It is just because of the wonderful films he directed. So, being part of his film is like a blessing for an actor like me. In the meantime, we cannot do a film just because of that factor of luck. That role which comes to me should be suitable for me. One day, Siddique sir called me and said he was planning to do a film with me and invited me to hear the screenplay. In fact, I was praying that this particular character should suit me. Gladly I liked that project and it happened.”

The actor continues, “He is a person with a positive attitude. We were free to ask doubts. He was not found uncomfortable when we asked such questions. More than that, he did not react like a senior person. He metes out the same treatment to each and every actor.” Interestingly, it was on the sets of Fukri that Jayasurya got yet another big role in his career. The actor is going to enact former football captain V.P. Sathyan in Captain. Quizzed about the role, Jayan says, “V. P. Sathyan was a legend in football.  But unfortunately, he did not get the recognition he deserved. The film is all about the life of that great player.” It was during the shoot of Fukri that the actor got call to Captain. “Prajeesh Sen, who was the associate director in Fukri, is directing Captain. It was on the sets of Fukri that he told me about this project and I would say it was just because of Fukri that I became part of Captain."

About prepping for the role, he says, “In fact, I am a person who is less aware about this sport. Though I used to play football during my younger ages, it was after I committed to this project that I started studying more about it. I do not do a film without proper understanding about the role and its background. As it is a biopic on a legend, I have started researching in order to understand more about him. We are in touch with his family and friends. Those who were close to Sathyan sir will coach me for the sports scenes. I think that will also help me a lot to know more about him,” says the actor, who is going to shed more than 10 kg for the role.

“No other cinema would demand such a physical training. I had  increased and decreased weight for my roles earlier too. I was around 82 kg when I did Pretham. Later I reduced around 3 to 5 kilograms for Fukri. After Fukri, I have not done a film so far and it is just because for preparing for the role in Captain,” he says. Compared to his previous years, the number of films the actor has done in 2016 is very less. So has Jayasurya become selective? “Last year, I acted in Pretham, Shajahanum Pareekuteem, IDI and School Bus before Fukri. May be this year the number of films would be lesser than that of last year. Now I am going to focus on quality instead of quantity,” he signs off.