The much-awaited Dulquer Salmaan starrer Kurup has opened in the cinemas to positive reviews from both the audience and the critics alike. Those who watched the movie are showering praises on actor Shine Tom Chacko who has surprised everyone with his impeccable on-screen performance. Shine plays the role of Bhasi Pillai, Kurup’s brother-in-law in the movie. The actor calls the character a vile person who will be hated by the audience.
New getup
Shine’s makeover to essay the character who lives in the 1980s is spectacular. He rocks the pencil-thin moustache that was the trend during 70s and 80s. He says that the moustache alone has brought significant change to his looks. “My character Bhasi Pillai is an alcoholic. He is the brother-in-law of Kurup played by Dulquer Salmaan. His character is so vile that no one could imagine having such a person around. He is cruel enough to kidnap a stranger and murder him ruthlessly. I haven’t done a character like Bhasi Pillai until now,” says Shine.
Will the real Kurup come?
Shine wishes that the audience come to the theatres to watch the movie. He, in fact, doesn’t mind even if the real Kurup, who has been absconding all these years, watches the movie. A voice recording has been doing the rounds on social media in which a person, who claims to be Sukumara Kurup, speaks to actor Dulquer Salmaan. “The people of Kerala want to see Kurup behind the bars. The case happened in the 80s; the police haven’t been able to trace him until now. He is such a shrewd person. Can we really expect that he would come to the theatres to watch this film?” wonders Shine.
Impressed Dulquer
Shine calls Dulquer a gentle person who speaks calmly. He thinks that the actor wouldn’t have seen such rogue person as Bhasi Pillai in real life. “Bhasi Pillai is a severe alcoholic who picks up fights. A conversation would always end in a brawl. He begins consuming alcohol from morning onwards, loses his senses by noon and starts a fight by evening. I have seen lots of people like that from my childhood onwards. So, I didn’t have any difficulty playing that role. However, Dulquer might have struggled watching someone like that. These are new things for him. My duty is to go to any extend to perfectly essay a character,” notes the actor.
The message
Shine vows that the intention of the makers wasn’t to glorify an absconding criminal like Sukumara Kurup. Instead, they have merely recreated what he had done. He says that an actor of Dulquer’s stature didn’t play Kurup to defend the latter’s actions. Shine is of the opinion that a character would be either positive or negative. He adds that the actors who plays criminals or murders on screen are not like that in real life. Moreover, Shine doesn’t approve that an actor should only play positive characters.
“I needed to concentrate only on my character. However, the lead hero is shown throughout the movie. The entire plot is depended on that character. He should work really hard to make this movie work. He even had to retain his get up and look for a long time. Dulquer is someone who doesn’t even raise his voice. It must have been difficult for a gentle soul like him to transform into a cruel character. He has tried multiple looks in this film. In many shots, he looked eerily similar to Sukumara Kurup’s pictures. Sukumara Kurup was a stylish person. He owned a big house and a car and enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle. The makers didn’t purposefully show him like that to glorify him, but they have portrayed his ways quite realistically. All the underworld dons in the world were stylish. They have lots of money and live lavishly. A person who wears stylish clothes or grooms himself well need not be a good person,” says Shine.
Besides, Dulquer is also the producer of the movie. Shine says that it was quite a task recreating the 1980s. It was difficult showing the places as they had been or use the clothes or vehicles of those times. Shine reveals it was really difficult picturizing Dubai as it was in the 1980s. Vintage cars or vehicles aren’t allowed on the roads in Dubai today. However, the crew had done a fabulous job to recreate an era in the most amazing way. “Dulquer took up the production as he wanted everything to be perfect. If someone else had produced the movie, it would have been really difficult convincing them to arrange all these. He need not ask anyone if he himself is the one who bankrolls the movie. So, Dulquer has done an excellent job as a producer too,” adds Shine.
Movies in the post-Covid era
“It’s been almost two years since new movies have been released in theatres. Just like the audience, we too are waiting to see crowded cinema halls. It feels as if we are all newcomers and our movie is going to be released. Gone are the days when all of us wondered whether movies would ever release in the theatres. Public spaces have become active and the shops are open. Even though life hasn’t completely returned to normal, it is better than earlier. Movies have begun releasing in the theatres. As far as cinema workers are concerned, our lives have restarted. Movies are made so that they could be enjoyed in the theatres,” Shine doesn’t hide his opinion.
Latest projects
Shine has completed filming his portions for Amal Neerad’s Mammootty-starrer Bheeshmaparvam. He has also completed a movie called Panthrandu. Meanwhile, he is currently acting in the Tamil movie Beast starring Vijay in the lead role. Besides, he has a few films, that were shot before the pandemic outbreak, lined up for release. However, the release dates of those movies haven’t been announced yet. “I hope that Kurup will be a success in the theatres. Cinema is best enjoyed when you watch it among a group. That is what makes movies interesting. Will you be able to enjoy movies like Thenkasipatanam or Punjabi House, sitting alone, as much as you watch them in theatres? We have made Kurup in best quality and have done everything for it to reach the audience. I hope that people would come to the theatre to watch Kurup. Moreover, I wish that the theatres get back to life after the release of this movie,” Shine signs off.
