The rooster caws yet again

Udaya Pictures and later Studios used an emblem of a rooster crowing proudly to announce its heralding of a new beginning in Malayalam cinema. Started by the late Kunchacko in 1942, it also signalled a shift of the industry from Chennai to Kerala.

The studio went on to produce 66 films, many of them blockbusters till around 1976 when Kunchacko passed away and though his son Boban Kunchacko did take over, the studio soon changed hands. After 30 long years, the cock will crow once again as the third generation actor Kunchacko Boban will revive the banner by producing a film titled as Kochavva Paulo Ayyappa Coelho (KPAC). The film will be directed by award winning director Sidhartha Siva.

Talking to the press along with Sidhartha, Kunchacko started off by observing a minute of silence to his dear friend Rajesh Pillai who died recently. Talking about the Udaya legacy Kunchacko says, “When I was small, I never understood the enormity of the Udaya banner but over the years as I matured, I understood the greatness of the name.

I wanted to produce a film much earlier but many well wishers including director Fazil wanted me to wait. If I was looking at only the commercial angle, I could have produced a film when the climate was right a few years back with satellite rights being easier to negotiate. More than the commercial angle Udaya always stood for good films and I desired a good story and preferred to wait till I got one which is what KPAC is. The recent Malayalam films that have succeeded have good scripts and I have confidence in my script and the director.”

In the 67th project of Udaya, Kunchacko plays the role of Kochavva—a man living in a village who helps everyone in need. An unusual turn of events affects his life and that of the villagers and Kunchacko adds that there is a very positive message in the film. Quizzed about his recent spate of do-gooder roles, Kunchacko mentions, “Frankly when Sidhartha came to me with this story, I thought his films are off-beat ones that have won awards and this could also be along those lines. But when he narrated the story to me and then the full script with dialogues it entertained me as a listener. I had a lot of people expressing their apprehension about Sidhartha doing a comedy film but he will surprise everyone! I bounced this film’s story with my family and friends and they all thought it entertaining too which is why I decided to back it.”

Sidhartha chips in saying, “As a director, I want every film of mine to do well commercially. I do not want to be labeled as an award film director and hope this film with emphasis on comedy will change that perception.”  

The title has a mention of the famous writer Paulo Coelho and Sidhartha reveals, “Yes, there is a connection of the writings of Coelho with the film and my story looks at the relevance of Coelho’s wise words in our life. He is one among many who have inspired and impacted my way of thinking.” The film will be a big budget one and Kunchacko quips, “I have asked my wife Priya to get ready to pawn her gold.”

Actually Kunchacko had two other projects in mind—one with Lal Jose and the other with Anwar Rasheed—but these have been kept on the backburner.

Talking about life in general, Kunchacko opines, “I look at life positively and accept the good with the bad. I never thought I would be acting but I am; I never thought I would last so long but here I am. I went off and came back after a hiatus and the audience still welcomed me. My setbacks have propelled me forward and made me reach this point.” Kunchacko mentions an interesting incident, “My family had a vintage Studebaker Commando that my mother and father as newly-weds travelled in. It was with us for close to 60 years and then changed hands. One day I get a call asking if I want the car back and I grabbed that chance and now that car is with me. I did not go after the car but it came back to me. Such is my life, completely unplanned.”