This is the story of seven youngsters — Arun Kurian, Roshan Mathew, Siddhi Mahajankatti, Vishak Nair, Anu Antony, Anarkali Marikar, and Thomas Mathew. They were either regular college goers, or newbie employees, or struggling film lovers, for whom the Universe gave an opportunity of a lifetime when they least expected it. For the interview, six of them sat happily at Café 17, a significant place where their first movie’s pre-production phase took place. The sense of excitement that ran through their veins was visible on their faces. Siddhi was unavailable due to her classes in Bengaluru.
Their film Aanandam, directed by debutante director Ganesh Raj has another specialty. This movie about college students is produced by youth icon Vineeth Sreenivasan, and it is also his first production venture. Of the seven, only Roshan had a prior experience in acting. He played the antagonist’s role in the Mammootty —Nayanthara starrer Puthiyaniyamam. For Aanandam, he had three auditions.
“The kind of enthusiasm and the way these people have picked up fast makes me feel like I wasted my time in a film school. It is a difficult industry to survive.
I hope my dear friends get the rewards for their dreams. I got into Aanandam through an audition, as Ganesh ettan is my cousin's friend and was asked if I was interested to give it a try. That’s when I took a month’s break from my film school in Mumbai,” says Roshan.
Anu and Thomas, narrated the story of how a desperate Ganesh, who went to their college in Bengaluru for an audition, found them on a street. Thomas, who was doing his Bachelor of Business studies in Christ University, Bengaluru says, “I was not sure of attending the audition when Ganesh ettan and team came. I met them randomly on the college road. I still can’t believe this happened,” says Thomas.
While Anu kept repeating to herself, “I can’t believe I acted in a movie. Initially, when they came, I was least bothered to give it a try, but when I was called for the audition, I was not even sure if my parents would agree in the first place. Right now, I think it is the team spirit that I am happy about. I am more excited to go with them for shoots and interviews, than about the movie.” Even she was also found on the college premises, while Ganesh was tired of looking for his character Devika for the movie.
The 20-year-old Anarkali, who is doing her bachelors in Media Studies says, she didn’t even have an audition. “My character was exactly as Ganesh ettan had sketched in his mind. It feels great, as now we are recognised beyond our expectations. Especially, when those who never minded us during our school days are trying to connect,” she says.
Arun Kurian, who was in Mumbai as an assistant director for an ad-agency says, cinema was his long-time dream and this was beyond his expectation. “When I started out, everybody around me was very unsure as to where I was heading. I used to be like other film-lovers, following every film personality, looking for opportunities. At least now I can say my parents are happy to see this achievement,” says Arun.
Lovingly called ‘Kuppi’ by his fellow team, just like his character’s pet name in the movie, Vishak says he was about to join his MBA classes before the film happened. “It was by chance that I got into this role. I grew up abroad and I was working in Chennai for two years. I used to be part of theatre activities there and when this chance came about, I sent a couple of my YouTube videos to Ganesh ettan which he liked and thus got through,” says Vishak.
The two weeks of rehearsal camp, making Lulu Mall Kochi their ‘tharavadu’ to select the costumes, shooting some of the most intense scenes, the team went through their share of a bumpy ride. While director Ganesh, supported them throughout, they said, they made sure they came up with performances without letting them down.
“Everyone was very supportive, especially Ganesh ettan, cinematographer Anand ettan and not to forget our Vineeth ettan. Meeting him was like a dream come true, being with him especially during the post production phase. He helped us a lot even when we dubbed for the first time, which we found very challenging,” the team gushes.
As their humility speaks, the team says, “It is not just about the seven of us. We had our classmates also acting with us with whom we had an amazing time,” says Roshan.
Casually sitting in the café, pulling each other’s legs, teasing each other, caring for one another, the warmth of a close friendship was evident. Excited about their first movie which is releasing this month — which is a four day ‘college trip’ as they call it — this young gang probably didn’t have much to act. They just lived their dream.
