Malayali audience have often wondered why Vineeth Sreenivasan, who writes, directs and acts in Malayalam movies hasn’t moved his base from Chennai to Kerala. They are curious to know why he doesn’t act in Tamil movies or keep relying on music in order to write. In a candid chat, Vineeth Sreenivasan speaks about his latest movie ‘Mukundan Unni Associates’ and also about his future projects.
Adv. Mukundan Unni and his tricks
The character in ‘Mukundan Unni Associates’ is, in fact, calmer than me. But, Mukundan Unni can only think about himself. His sole aim in life is his own success. His movements are often unpredictable. It was director Abhinav Sundar Nayak’s idea to try unique ideas for promotion. He suggested opening a page in the social media platforms in Mukundan Unni’s name. The posts that appeared in those pages gave hints about the character of Mukundan Unni.
You have a few unique techniques in script writing. What are those?
Whenever ideas come to my mind, I record them as voice clips in my own voice in my mobile phone. That idea might not be as strong when I try to recall it later. Some dialogues too are like that. I might remember the idea but would forget the words. So, when I listen to those ideas and words in my own voice, I can recall the circumstance that inspired it or my mental state at that moment. Besides, I keep listening to a song that perfectly reflects the mood of the scene that I am writing. When I reach the right mental state of the character, then I listen to the voice clips that I had recorded earlier. All these have helped me in writing.
You are settled in Chennai. How do you experience Kerala and the incidents that happen here?
Even though I live in Chennai, I come to Kerala at least five or six times a month. I am not completely away from here. The Keralites who live outside the state share a special bond with their hometown. I miss Thalassery even as I live in Chennai. The movie ‘Thattathin Marayathu’ happened from that love for the place.
In Chennai, I live in a place where no one recognizes me. So, I don’t miss a normal life. I did get offers to act in Tamil films. If I become successful in Tamil films, then I shall have a different image. Moreover, I shall lose my freedom as well. Pranav too had rejected offers from Tamil cinema. He is someone who wants that kind of freedom.
What are your new movies?
I have been developing a thread, that was in my mind since some time, into a movie. So, I have started recording voice clips in my phone. I would start writing it next year. Meanwhile, the filming is likely to begin in 2024. I still have some more films in which I will be acting. So, I plan to write after completing those films.
What about the film in which you would be sharing screen space with your father?
We will be acting together in ‘Kurukkan’. My father’s health has improved a lot now. Its been more than a year since he acted. I think acting is his best medicine. Now, he is busy learning the dialogues. He has plans to write films again. But, we are scared he might start smoking again if he sits down to write. So, we have asked him to take a break from writing.
Your disciple Basil’s movies are becoming super hits. Do you have any advices for him?
Basil told me that he would act till coming February and then take a break from acting to direct a movie. As his movies are becoming back to back hits and audience trust him a lot, it is better for Basil to concentrate on acting right now. Both of us are similar. Even though we act in movies, direction is still our passion.
