Director Johnson Esthappan is back after a hiatus of 11 long years. As if he is too uncomfortable with the rewind, Esthappan boils up the moment a question is asked on the reasons for his sabbatical and previous film (Ponmudipuzhayorathu), only to cool down for being asked about his new project. He speaks at length on his expectations. “I am a government employee. I can’t do films at will. To take time off from my work with Irrigation department needs certain formalities to be cleared,” Esthappan gets candid.
Daffedar peeps into the life of a less talked about section of people, entangled in the dutiful routine within bureaucracy. As irony would have it, these people dress up to the nines and live a lack-lustre life. This is the key aspect the director has attempted to capture on the big screen. “The attractive wear makes Daffedars appear like a king. The reality that they live in abject penury is not known,” the director shares his opinion.
The lead character of Daffedar is enacted by Tini Tom, as a sexagenarian, a role he hasn’t been seen in till now. The role was reserved for Kalabhavan Mani but upon his demise, it was taken up by Tini. “Mani had been a friend of mine. That was a character he had loved to do. Tini has shown 100 percent justice to the role he has been entrusted with,” he says.
The movie’s other highlight is that the background score and three songs are done by Ilaiyaraja. Malavika, the state-award winning child-artiste graduates into a heroine's role in the film. “It tells a story in a family background. The Daffedar has been caught in a routine he has been following for four decades. Though so miserable, he cannot escape from the uniform he has been in for such a long period. Another area has a clash of ideologies between two generations. Malavika arrives as a home nurse. She manages to strike a balance between these people who are poles apart. The movie doesn't follow a love track either,” he explains.
The film is slated for a theatrical release on October 21.
