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An intense quest for one's identity

RJ Shaan: The man behind C/O Saira Banu says the film mirrors the life of many of the listeners who call in to speak to him.

Dubai - C/o Saira Banu is a compelling genre-bender that will move you for a second watch; its script-writer, Dubai's own RJ Shaan, explains why to Deepa Gauri as the film hits theatres here

By Deepa Gauri

Published: Thu 4 May 2017, 11:26 AM

Last updated: Thu 4 May 2017, 1:31 PM

RJ Shaan does not need a calling card. His name says it all. It could then be a quirky coincidence that for the first feature film he scripted, C/o Saira Banu, now playing at theatres in the UAE, he chose 'identity' as its theme.
Identity is not just a subtext in this critically acclaimed film starring Manju Warrier, Amala Akkineni and Shane Nigam; it is the plot-point in a genre-bender courtroom thriller defined by a 17-minute single scene climax. Realistic to the core, the film also makes strong socio-political statements.
With thousands of Malayalis tuning into his show Talk of the Town every morning, RJ Shaan, the Creative Head (Brand) of Club FM 99.6 is viewed as a presenter with a sense of social responsibility, showcasing common men with extraordinary tales.
Several characters in C/o Saira Banu mirror the people Shaan interviews. "They won't know it, but with every person I talk, I am creating a film in my mind." He is thankful to Club FM and his team not just for facilitating all those travels to Kerala to join the sets but also for the encouragement.
Chain reaction
C/o Saira Banu could very well have been the result of a creative chain reaction fueled by Shaan's passion for film. The first could be that piece of newspaper with which Shaan's mother wrapped a bottle of pickles for him. Originally from Chittoor in Palakaadu, Shaan was a student in Bangalore. The newspaper had an ad calling for voice artists. He didn't know his FM from AM then, but Shaan was interviewed and chosen for his first job as an RJ in Dubai, way back in 2004.
Building his credentials as an RJ in Dubai and in Kerala, he went on to assist Roshan Andrrews on How Old Are You, which marked Manju's come-back after a good 15 years. Shaan had the honour of clapboarding her first scene.
Manju Warrier with Shane Nigam in a scene from C/O Saira Banu
Shaan also did a crash course in filmmaking from the New York Film Academy's Indian chapter which he says 'opened doors to the nuances of writing a script.' He acted in a short film, Murugan, which fetched many awards. At one award function, a meeting with actor Jayasurya led Shaan to write a short film - Moonamidam. Sony Antony, also assisting Andrrews and a close friend of Shaan, came in as director.
Moonamidam went on to win multiple laurels, and at one function, a mother came up on stage to receive an award on behalf of her son. "That sparked something in us," says Shaan. "Why don't we do a movie on a mother who talks and stands for her son?"
Twist to the tale
In five days, the script which also took on cues from a major issue in Kerala, was ready and Manju loved it. "We had titled it Nidhi (meaning treasure), and even had a title design, to depict it as a man-woman battle of wits, and Fahadh Faasil was to have played a criminal lawyer."
When date clashes prompted the back-out of Fahadh (who went on to say it was one of the best story narrations he had heard), C/o Saira Banu got its second female lead. "Manju suggested we go for another female protagonist," says Shaan. Thus, came on board Amala Akkineni, making a come-back to Malayalam films after about 25 years.
But none of these was easy, says Shaan. "On May 5, 2015, we first narrated the story to Manju. Now exactly after two years, the film plays here in Dubai."

A well-detailed script

C/o Saira Banu casts away several cinematic conventions. "The film's pace is carefully sculpted to start slow and then hit breakneck speed," says Shaan. He also focused on detailed character sketching. "From the milieu of Saira Banu, to her mannerisms, everything has a significance in the film. "
In a nail-biting second half, the film becomes a battle for truth between Manju (who plays a post woman) and Amala (a feisty lawyer). "Ironically, the two are fighting over the same truth. In that context, the film is also about the legal system of India and its loopholes," says Shaan. His next move is to direct a film or script his second feature. "The rules have changed. It is not the story that matters but how we present it."
C/o Saira Banu doesn't lack on the story factor but the film's thumping impact also comes from its treatment. Who knows, Shaan's next characters might come alive right here in Dubai.