I am glad 'Narayaneente Moonnaanmakkal' is getting it's due now, says director Sharan after OTT release

Sharan Venugopal first tasted success when his diploma short film 'Oru Paathira Swapnam Pole' starring Nadiya Moidu went on to win the National Award for Best Film on Family Values in 2022. By then, he had already begun work on 'Narayaneente Moonnaanmakkal', the intense family drama, which is currently winning rave reviews after its OTT release.

The film features Joju George, Suraj Venjaramoodu, and Alencier Lopez in the lead. Despite its stellar cast and riveting storyline, 'Narayaneente Moonnanmakkal' had a dismal run in theatres. But Sharan is happy that the movie is finally earning the recognition it deserves. "I am overjoyed with people's response to the movie, post its OTT release. Like any filmmaker, I felt bad when very few people watched the film in theatres. As filmmakers, we put in extra effort with the colour grading and sounds to ensure people are treated to a good theatrical experience. But, I guess, we need to realise that people have become more selective about going to theatres since it has become an expensive affair," he said.

According to Sharan, he first conceived the story in 2018 when he was pursuing his Masters diploma in Direction and Scriptwriting from the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata. "I had worked out a storyline involving some interesting characters. But I could not follow up on it since I soon became busy with my short film. Some of the cast, including Garggi Ananthan and crew of 'Oru Paathira Swapnam Pole' are part of 'Narayaneente Moonnanmakkal," he said.

The trio

Alencier, Joju George, and Suraj Venjaramoodu play three brothers who reunite at their ancestral home to spend time with their ailing mother who is on her deathbed. Though all of them grew up together, there are some unresolved differences, which drive the friction in the movie. Sharan first approached Joju George with the script and he was happy when the actor said yes to the project. "I was not sure if Joju would agree to be part of the film, but he was onboard immediately after hearing the story. It was the same with Suraj and Alencier. In their own words, they found the story relatable," he said.

Comparison to M T Vasudevan and Padmarajan

Sharan said he has received several comments comparing his work to films by M T Vasudevan Nair, Padmarajan, and Adoor Gopalakrishnan. "There are people who also stated that the film had the essence of a short story. Others compared it to works of legends. I think this has got to do a lot with the setting since it was centered around a tharavadu (ancestral home) and had rooted characters. I am extremely happy with these comparisons since these are all legends whom we admire. Having said that, I believe the film has its own voice and style," he said.

Sharan was conscious not to make the film or the story too loud despite the unfolding drama within the family. "I think it has got a lot to do with the way I approach my scripts. It is also a reflection of who I am as a person. I always try to contain the drama and I enjoy that writing process. I followed the same restraint in my short film 'Oru Paathira Swapanam Pole'. This does not mean I will only do stories that have that restraint in the future. I am open to working on all kinds of scripts and storytelling narratives," said the director who has two other scripts lined up.