Feat of clay

These days, it is almost impossible to think of a movie without teaser. It is the window that opens to the big canvas. Over the years, we have seen different kinds of teasers but not one featuring characters made of clay. That makes the craft of Razi Rozario, an artist-turned-filmmaker, different. He has used clay figurines in the 2.57 minute-long teaser that introduces his debut venture Idiminnal Eenaashu.

The teaser begins with the miniature of a school and pans to a classroom where the teacher talks about idiminnal (thunder and lightning) to his students. And, soon, the conversation drifts to the character Idminnal Eenaashu and the set changes according to the description teacher gives to his children. Eenaashu turns up as a police officer, burglar, and even a thug in their imagination. Finally, the teacher reveals who Eenashu is — a man who is afraid of thunder and lightning. Not just the characters, but a few properties used in it are also made of clay.

Razi Rozario with the clay figures “Light and sound effects have been brought in to bring the apt mood,” says Razi, a native of Kochi. He had actor Biju Menon in his mind while working on this film. “I am new to the movie industry. Hence, they wanted to know my filmmaking calibre. They asked me to do either a short film or a storyboard. I prepared a storyboard but was unsatisfied. Thus was born the clay teaser. I made a few figurines, put them on a table and did the shooting using the mobile phone. Later, I sent it to the concerned persons, who were impressed and went ahead with the idea,” he adds. It took Razi one and a half months to complete the process. 

“I had won prizes for clay modelling during university competitions. I applied my interest when I got a platform. Once the idea was approved, we did the shooting in four different sections. It was shot like a movie. Story and script of the movie are ready. The technical side is also taken care of. Now, we are waiting for the lead actors’ nod. Talks are on,” says Razi, a postgraduate in Malayalam Literature and a graduate in law.

A self-taught artist, how did Razi enter film making? “It was my autobiography that fetched this opportunity,” he goes down the memory lane. “The ‘autobiography idea’ struck my mind two years ago during a heavy monsoon. I had no work and couldn’t hold an exhibition. Hence, I thought about writing about my own life. I started writing each chapter of my book Njaan Vaashikarana on Facebook. I didn’t chronicle my life from birth till that age but shared some incidents in my life laced with humour. Later, I published it and the response was good,” says Razi.

One might wonder why a person like Razi should write his autobiography. This thought had crossed Razi’s mind also. “Autobiographies are usually written by famous people. Even if those stories are inspiring, a common man who reading it may think that all these were possible for them because they were big. But, when they read stories of a person whom they could relate to, the result will be different.”

A painting done by Razi

And, he recounts one such experience. “After reading my book, an auto rickshaw driver called me and asked, ‘if a person like you who had written the SSLC examination four times could write an autobiography, why couldn’t I, who had failed in two attempts do the same?’ I told him that if my book could bring that confidence in you, I am successful as a writer,” he says. The book was released by actor Mammootty. The preface was written by director Siddique. Reading his book, his friends in the movie circle approached him.

“They asked me to adapt one story into a movie. But, I wrote a new one drawing inspiration from a man who visited my home along with my brother when I was a pre-degree student. He was afraid of lightning and thunder. The movie would be a comedy-thriller,” says Razi, who works towards popularising art among common people. He spearheads the project — Art Investment.

“From the beginning, I have been propagating the concept ‘art among the masses’. As part of that, I conducted exhibitions in campuses and villages. I made small prints of my works and sold them among students for a meagre price so that it would instil in them the habit of buying paintings. During the 100th edition, I commenced the project ‘Art Investment’ that gives a share of profit to the sellers.” Razi continues his mission as an artist. Meanwhile, he is excited about the new path. He believes that everything happens for a reason.