Fahadh Faasil attempts something new in Trance

You're either a believer or a non-believer when it comes to cults and organised religious groups. There is no space for a grey middle ground called scepticism. India, and Kerala, in particular, has had its fair share of miracle faith healers, and cult leaders.
Penned by newbie screenwriter Vincent Vadakkan, Anwar Rasheed's Trance has left audiences in Kerala 'pretty much in a state of trance.' A small-time motivational speaker from Kanyakumari transforms into a miracle faith healer following some personal setbacks. Charming and hysterical all at once, Fahadh Faasil is being hailed for his fanatical performance in the movie.
Starring the very intense Faasil and Nazriya Nazim in lead roles, critics are calling Trance a very bold, one-of-a-kind Malayalam movie. "Trance is definitely a new attempt in all dynamics. There is so much layering in his narrative. I believe only Anwar Rasheed could've done this," Fahadh told City Times in an interview ahead of the movie's release in the UAE today.
Following immense production and release date delays, Trance released to much fanfare in Kerala on February 20. Here are excerpts from our interview with Fahadh:

Trance is Vincent Vadakkan's first movie as a writer and we heard that you were convinced about the script from the very beginning. What made you give this movie a shot?
The idea was to explore human dependency on drugs (anti-depressants) and religion. It sounded very fresh to me. I met Vincent with the script roughly seven years back. And I had left it as I couldn't convince anyone to fund me. Later on, Anwar Rasheed came in and things started falling into place. The script was completely re-worked, and eventually, when I heard it, it wasn't anything close to what I had heard before. I was even more excited.

Trance marks Anwar Rasheed's comeback after three years; and your first partnership with him. There was already immense expectations from the star cast and the production behind the movie. Added to the movie's massive budget, production and release delays, how did you deal with the pressure?
It wasn't my first association with Anwar Rasheed. I did his slot in 5 Sundarikal called Aami.
I don't work on timelines, so, no kind of pressure affects me. It wasn't easy to make a film like Trance, and working with Anwar is so challenging. There is so much layering in his narrative. Trance is definitely a new attempt in all dynamics. And I believe only Anwar Rasheed could have done this.

How was it like sharing screen space with Nazriya following your marriage to the actor? Was it challenging or easy considering you both have acted together in Bangalore Days?
Nazriya and I share a common circle of friends. So, our social life is just a small extension of our personal life.
We weren't married when we worked together last time, in that way, this was so much more fun. We had more freedom. And we love it. She was also excited to do something new. It was fun watching her do it.

Would you say your character in Trance is something unlike anything you've played before?
I would want the audience to judge me on that. I have tried not to repeat myself with the kind of films I do. I have five or six faces in my pocket. I honestly don't know how successful I am at it.

You reportedly play the character of a motivational figure/cult leader in Trance, with less of an Osho and a darker Tony Robbins sort of vibe, as visible in the trailers. How did you prepare for the role? What was your homework material like?
Honestly Trance has nothing to do with Osho or any such Godmen or their teachings. Like I said earlier, the effort was to explore the conflicts of a man who was put into this.
There was a child evangelist in the '70s in America, Marjoe Gortner. He later confessed how he was manipulated. There are a lot more similar cases.
Trance is inspired from such events, and not a single person.
There was so much research done for the detailing of the character. And I should thank Anwar and his team. I just had to listen to him. He is a dream for any actor. I hope I will get to work with him again soon.

Does the movie attempt to make any kind of social statement or message of sorts?
I have never tried or for that matter attempted to ever have a message in any of my films. My only intention is to entertain my audience.
I think in Malayalam. So, I believe all my stories and movies are inspired by people and incidents I have read or seen in and around Kerala. But if my audience gets a reflection of the society watching my films, that's great.

What message do you have for UAE filmgoers?
There is so much love for Malayalam cinema within every Malayali there. Please continue to give that love even if you decide to hate me one day. Thank you for everything. I owe my career to every single Malayali alive.
Vincent Vadakkan: From ad-man to creator of 'God-man'
Bangalore-based advertising creative director turned screenwriter, Vincent Vadakkan has been nurturing the idea for Trance since 2012. Based on personal experiences and several life incidents, Vincent's protagonist uses the power of suggestion to lure people into believing something that may or may not exist, using religion as a powerful tool of conversion. "The movie is not just about his physical transformation, or his economic one either. It is his psychological transformation as well," he explained.
Surprisingly, the idea for Trance popped into Vadakkan's head while he was in a hospital waiting room. "My dad was admitted in a hospital, undergoing major surgery and that's when I thought of this story for the first time. I was at a hospital in Kerala that had pictures of a religious leader all over the place," said Vincent. Over time, the idea began growing flesh and bones until Vincent quit his day job in advertising to write the script in 2015.
"I used to work for Ogilvy and Mather and advertising is a great platform to meet people. I first met Fahadh in 2013, while he was shooting 5 Sundarikal, and that's when I was able to pitch this idea to him. He got on board almost immediately and suggested Anwar listen to it," said Vincent. However, the movie took an entirely different direction once Anwar Rasheed came on board.
After some encouragement from Vincent's close friend and popular Indian theatre personality, Abhishek Majumdar, Vincent dove deeper into the story. "I am not a trained writer. I've not been to a film school. I checked out YouTube videos on how to write a screenplay," said Vincent.  Inspired by the works of Aaron Sorkin and reading screenplays of other films, Vincent learnt the art of writing on-the-go.
"Though, the last four years of being with Anwar has been a film school," he added. Vincent drew inspiration from incidents that took place during his schooling days in Kuwait. "During the Gulf War, my family and I had to leave Kuwait. I had an aunt, who I love very much, who would tell us to pray to a certain God-figure. That, and several other experiences, gave birth to the idea for Trance," he explained.
An ambitious movie, starring excellent actors, the opportunity is a dream come true for any newbie in the industry. "I think it's something that's never been done before. No one has ever spoken about it either; what draws people to these cults? Is it healing, a financial blessing? It is definitely a bold subject," he added.
The writer is already working on a couple of other projects and hopes someday he can work in the industry as an actor.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com