Resul Pookutty, the Oscar winner known for his keen insights into Indian and foreign cinema, has a cautionary message for Malayalam cinema: “If you know the history, beware, you might be throwing Malayalam cinema into the same state that Bollywood is in currently.”
His directorial debut, ‘Otta,’ is set to hit theaters on the 27th. In an interview, he shares his thoughts on the film, which stars Asif Ali, Sathyaraj, and Arjun Asokan, along with some updates on his career.
‘Otta’ is a film that delves into the life of Mumbai’s ‘Samathol’s founder, S. Hariharan, a dedicated social worker. His organization’s mission is to find missing children, reunite them with their parents, and aid in their rehabilitation. Hariharan’s life took a transformative turn when he encountered someone in Chennai during his own childhood. The film explores his quest to find that person and the search for a lost friend.
Resul emphasizes that ‘Otta’ portrays a multitude of relationships, reflecting the diverse linguistic fabric of India. While the film features actors from various languages, it will not be dubbed into other languages. Instead, subtitles will allow the film to reach audiences across states and countries, preserving its unique soul.
When questioned about his choice to make his directorial debut in Malayalam, Resul explains, “My mother tongue is Malayalam, and I have studied in a Malayalam medium school.” He had three directorial debut options, including a Hindi film and an international project, but he chose Malayalam for its ease of communication.
‘Otta’ gives significant importance to music and its various settings. Lyrics in Tamil were penned by Vairamuthu, and the film incorporates multiple languages, including Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, all intertwined to convey the rich tapestry of Indian cinema. Resul highlights the use of sync sound in the film, emphasizing the importance of authentic audio.
Discussing the state of Bollywood, Resul points out that regional cinema often draws strength from literary works, whereas Hindi cinema relies more on package projects. He suggests that the domination of package films has affected the industry’s diversity and creativity, with only a few outliers thinking differently. Malayalam cinema, he warns, may also be heading down a similar path with its increasing film output.
Despite the challenges, Resul Pookutty remains committed to his craft. He has been involved in designing sound for ‘Aadu Jeevitham’ and working on projects in Kannada and Telugu. His future endeavors include ‘Pushpa 2’ and an upcoming Hindi film. He is currently in discussions for his next film, which could be in Hindi or Malayalam. His company is also involved in the Hindi remake of ‘Premam,’ and he is considering directing it. Additionally, he has a British film project in the pipeline, exploring the possibilities of sound in innovative ways.
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