Kalabhavan Shajohn’s transition from a comedian to handling character roles happened in rapid transition. All the same, the cine actor didn’t give up doing roles that sent ripples of laughter in movie houses. Now, with two decades of tryst with Malayalam cinema, Shajohn is wearing the hat of a director. The Prithviraj-starrer is the culmination of Shajohn’s long-felt desire to be a filmmaker, he told OnManorama.
What is the movie planning to convey?
Brother’s Day, with Prithviraj Sukumaran as the hero, will be a family entertainer. It will have jokes, romance and thrills.
Story, screenplay and direction. All three are going to be yours?
Actually I wanted someone else to direct this movie. I narrated this story to Prithvi(raj) way back in 2016. As he was busy acting in a lot of movies Prithvi didn’t get enough time to spend on this one. All the same, Prithvi insisted I alone directed the movie. That is how I took up this new role. For me, it is a distant dream that has come true. It had written the story even before I got busy acting in Drishyam (2013). I completed writing it during my intervals of that film.
Why Prithvi?
Well, when I wrote the story, Prithvi’s face constantly came to my mind. You will make out the reason once you watch the film. Brother’s Day, produced under the banner of Mantra Productions, will have four heroines. We are yet to decide on the other characters. The shoot schedules will begin from early 2019. Prithvi has one more film
in his kitty after the upcoming political thriller Lucifer scheduled for 2019 release. After that, he will work for Brother’s Day.
Won’t you continue acting?
Definitely. After watching Brother’s Day, the viewers can decide whether I should direct more movies.
