Director Ranjith is breaking many moulds with new film Leela

Ranjith revels in unpredictable. He is among the few directors who own a distinctive idiom and identity in Malayalam cinema. His films have been associated with macho men, the last vestiges of feudalism, and have also featured some powerful, almost divine femininity, that escaped the eyes of critics.
A School of Drama product, Ranjith climbed the rungs of the industry as a script-writer. His works include the cult-classic comedy Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal and the incomparable Devasuram. He went on to direct super-hit films such as Ravanaprabhu, before surprising audiences with gems like Pranchiyettan and The Saint and Paleri Manickyam.
Now, he is all set to roll out a dream project - his screen interpretation of R Unni's story Leela. The film was scheduled to be released on February 22 after long-drawn industry battles in theatres in Kerala. Now film-lovers all over the world have the opportunity to watch it on the same day and time online through www.reelax.in.
In an exclusive interview, Ranjith talks about Leela, his first commentary on the film before its world-wide release. Excerpts:
There were a number of challenges in releasing the film. How do you look back on it?
The biggest challenge is how the film will be received by the audience. All the problems along the way are nothing compared to their first feedback. Whatever happens before that is irrelevant.
Did you opt for an online release worldwide because of the issues you had in releasing it?
I never had an issue releasing the film in Kerala. That is not why we are doing an online launch. There are limitations in Malayalam films reaching a large audience outside Kerala. We are now taking the movie to their fingertips.
Do you think this will revolutionise the Malayalam film industry and break the traditional - theatre, DVD, satellite rights cycle?
The world has changed dramatically already. It is imperative that we reduce the distance between the cinema and the audience.
Would you have opted for this if it were say a commercial film such as Loham?
Leela is commercial. In fact, the moment a person buys a ticket every film becomes commercial. The only exception is John Abraham's Amma Ariyaan.
Over then to Leela; why did you choose this story; its template is way different from any story you have adapted earlier for the big screen?
Leela addresses a man-woman relationship from a very different perspective. There are a lot of complicated issues in this relationship that are non-real. Nature's way is polygamy; man isn't. He is restricted to the norms of 'civilised' society - be it through institution of marriage. Inside him, there is a man clamouring. Kuttiyappan (the central role in Leela) is on a search, the sort that is above any normal human being, for a relationship that is acceptable to his heart and mind. That search is universal; it is not just from a man's perspective but also highlights today's often muted womanhood. In the movie, Leela does not utter a single word.
Do you think the 'search' of Kuttiyappan in the movie could be branded as sexist, more so because you have often been criticised for creating chauvinistic characters on-screen?
Different people interpret the story in different ways. There is a common plane that most people take away - of Kuttiyappan being on a journey to satisfy his lust - which is very physical and material. But there is a trauma behind that. That is what I am attempting to portray.
But during a time when films come with 'health warning' how do you think the film's fundamental premise would be seen by the so-called moral high-grounders?
All this moral policing we see in our society is utter falsehood; Leela is a statement against such morality posturing.
The story has several magical elements. How do you interpret them given it is your production and is not very high budget?
We worked on the limitations; in fact, we added several elements - including a conversation Kuttiyappan has with an angel - these are aspects not there in the story. The Leela you see is my interpretation of the story. Unni (the writer) fully cooperated on how I interpreted it. We have not replicated the story; the original story is still free for any director to interpret it the way they want.
Why Biju Menon for Kuttiyappan?
I had discussed this with Mohanlal; he was keen to do it. At some point, I had discussed with Mammootty, my associate Shankar Ramakrishnan, and Murali Gopy. But there are things beyond our control. The role reached Biju and his interpretation is different and interesting.
What does Biju bring to the role?
I guess he also brings in an innate sense of humour that he has, which shines in private spaces. He is not the person we see in public. He sees situations from unusual angles.