Irupathiyonnam Nootandu starring Pranav Mohanlal has hit the screens on Friday. Even before release, audience had been comparing the Pranav-starrer with the super hit film Irupatham Nootandu which had his dad Mohanlal and Suresh Gopi in the lead roles. While Mohanlal delivered a power packed performance in Irupatham Nootandu, Suresh Gopi’s performance as the antagonist was widely praised.
Now, the legacy of the movie has been continued through the next generation as well. Besides Pranav, Suresh Gopi's son Gokul Suresh too plays a cameo in the movie. Gokul spoke to Onmanorama about his role in the movie and his experiences while working in it.
Guest appearance
Gokul admitted that his role isn’t a unique one. Not disclosing too much information about his character, the youngster, said that he had liked the character when the director Arun Gopy narrated it to him. It took just three days to complete the filming of his portions in the movie.
“I am just three films old. The set of Irupathiyonnam Nottandu was so energetic and lively that it would stay fresh in my memories forever. I don’t have any action sequences in the movie. However, I could feel a unique energy on the sets,” observed Gokul.
“I am not adamant that I would only play the lead roles. I have done a cameo in Irupathiyonnam Nootandu. I chosen the film because I thought that the role offered a scope for me to perform. Everyone would have a different stepping stone to the movies. It is the audience and the media which decide whether one should succeed in the industry or not. I have decided to head forward keeping that in mind,” he said.
Next generation
It was speculated that Irupathuyonnam Nootandu was a sequel of Irupatham Nootandu, a gangster movie. Confirming that it isn’t a sequel of Irupatham Nootandu, Gokul said, “This is not a sequel. What can I say about Irupatham Nootandu in which Lal sir and my father had acted so well. I am not big enough to compare myself with them in any ways. So I can’t say anything about next generation taking up their roles. They are such extraordinary artists, aren’t they?”
On acting with Pranav
Gokul admits that he wasn’t close to the filmy circle though his father was a big star. His father hardly used to take his family to award functions or other film events. The actor said that Suresh Gopi himself didn’t attend such functions very often.
“I am not personally very close to Pranav. Though we met each other on the sets of Aadhi, it was on this movie’s set that we could at least speak a bit. He is a simple person. We didn’t talk about movies. We just had normal conversations that would have happened between two people. As I am a person who doesn’t like to probe much into others’ personal spaces, I left Pranav alone in his own world,” revealed the actor.
Not a big thing
The young actor believes that he hasn’t made it big in the movies. “I didn’t begin my career with a big hit. Comparing myself with my father who has done exceptional roles, I think I have done nothing at all,” observed Gokul. He said that earlier he could roam around at the malls without being recognised. Now that he is an actor, people recognize him and he thinks that his freedom ends there. “Some people would come and talk to me. I would then tell them that I haven’t done anything big in the movies,” Gokul said.
Marketing
“Have you ever seen me promoting myself?” asked Gokul. “Even my father hasn’t done anything like that for me. I do not believe in it. I was called up for this interview because I did this movie. I am aware that no one would seek me, other than a few people who are really close, if I take a break from the movies or I am out of it. It is as simple as that. So I believe that there is no point in self promotion,” he said.
Father’s son
Gokul doesn’t deem being Suresh Gopi’s son as a liability, in the industry. “I am just like any other new comer in the industry. I decided to go forward when I was offered roles after my first film,” noted Gokul.
Strong stand
When it comes to choice of characters, the youngster has strong stands and opinions. “Not only that my character should be unique, it should excite me as well. We can understand how creatively inspired they are when we listen to the screenplay. Similarly, the making of the movie and its style should be unique. I value these two factors with great importance and respect,” Gokul said
Beyond the movies
Gokul has completed BBA from the Christ University, Bengaluru. He did an internship at the prominent Le Meridian hotel in Kochi. He has worked as a front office and back office staff while doing his internship. It was during this time that the youngster realised that movies were his true calling. “More than higher studies or a proper job, I was fascinated by the movies. I was never interested to study sitting in a classroom or do a job which matched my qualification. I realised that corporate job didn’t suit me at all. A few movie offers came my way after my debut movie and I decided to grab it. I have decided to take up agriculture if I am out of the films. I used to draw earlier. But I don’t do it often these days. I am someone who loves to spend my time in the house itself. I enjoy watching movies. I don’t mind the language or the genre of the movie; I would at least watch two movies a day whenever I am at home,” revealed the actor.
Future projects
Gokul Suresh plays the supporting role in the movie directed by Madhav Ramdas, starring Guiness Pakru in the lead role. He is playing the lead role in Sayahna Varthakal, which also stars Dhyan Sreenivasan and Aju Varghese.
