I am not image-conscious at all, says Fahadh Faasil

Fahadh Faasil talks about taking on roles that excite him, working alongside wife Nazriya, and why he's such a secure actor as evidenced by the trailer of Kumbalangi Nights that shows other characters dominating the screen.
The Malayalam film industry is abuzz with talk about the intriguing trailer of Kumbalangi Nights, directed by debutant Madhu C. Narayanan and scripted by Syam Pushkaran. It has a powerhouse cast led by Fahadh Faasil, Soubin Shahir, Shane Nigam and Sreenath Bhasi, among others.
The movie comes close on the heels of the success of Fahadh's Njan Prakashan and Varathan. Kumbalangi Nights, which makes its way to UAE theatres this weekend, has been produced by Fahadh Faasil and Friends in association with Working Class Hero productions, which is by Nazriya Nazim, Dileesh Pothan and Shyam Pushkaran. Known for his portrayal of various characters with grey shades, Fahadh is reported to be playing the villain again in his turn as Shammi. Excerpts from an interview with the actor:
Tell us about your character in Kumbalangi Nights. Reports claim that you play the antagonist. What attracted you to the role of Shammi?
I don't want to reveal too much about the character because I always believe the audience must have a surprise element in the theatre. I play the antagonist in the fun film. When I decide on a film, more than my role, I look at the overall movie and the script. I thoroughly enjoyed the narration of Kumbalangi. The film excited me more than my character.
Madhu C. Narayanan is a debutant director. What makes an established actor like you, who has the best of directors at your disposal, take a chance on a newbie?
I have known Madhu for over 10 years. He is senior to me. When I did 22 Female Kottayam, he was the first associate director to Aashiq Abu. I joined the film around the same time that Dileesh Pothan and Madhu had started assisting Aashiq. We grew up together in cinema. I have known Madhu too long and too well. I have always wanted to see him make a film, with or without me.
You keep reinventing yourself with every film. On average, how many scripts do you listen to before you choose one?
I don't have a pattern of script selection. When I am free, I take up narrations. If something excites me, I commit to it. Whenever I hear a script that excites me, I make sure that it goes on the floor within the next six months. I don't hear too many narrations though. Usually when we gather with friends, we discuss our thoughts. Later, when some of these thoughts begin to haunt me, then I call up my friends and suggest exploring these ideas further. It's not like someone writes a script keeping me in mind. I don't work like that. I am comfortable working with people who are very clear about the way I function.
The trailer of Kumbalangi Nights shows you only a bit while other actors seem to dominate the screen. What makes Fahadh such a secure actor?
I am very clear about the film that I want my audience to see. More than me, I believe that the (director) Madhu, (scriptwriter) Shyam and (producer) Dileesh know the film better than me. I never question their way of working. I am not image-conscious at all, it's all about doing the right films, after all.
You seem equally at ease playing the suave urban persona (such as in Varathan) and rustic characters (Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum). What challenges you more and what do you prefer?
Whenever I hear a story, I get an image of something that I've seen, something I've read or heard about. For me, it's the images that make a film or story appealing. I prefer doing real movies - sort of like the images you see when you look out of the window. When you choose movies like that, you just have to submit yourself to your director and not be bothered about the genre. These days, what you see is not acting anymore, rather it's all about behaving. You just have to communicate the right emotions to the audience through the medium of cinema.
What is the difference between working with a bunch of youngsters such as Soubin, Shyam, Shane and Dileesh as opposed to working with veterans like Sreenivasan and Sathyan Anthikad?
In fact, veterans like Sreenivasan Sir and Sathyan Anthikad are younger than us! The fire and passion they have for cinema is amazing. For me, it's not just about making a film, it's more about exchanging knowledge. The interaction and wavelength we have on the sets translate into the results of a film. Working with Sathyan [Anthikad] was like attending a family reunion where you get to interact with elders. I am almost in the ninth year of my career, so I wouldn't step out of my house for anything outside my comfort zone.
What is Nazriya's input as a producer in Kumbalangi Nights? Was it more from a financial or creative perspective? Do you share the same cinematic sensibilities?
She gets involved a lot creatively and in finances as well. We share our responsibilities. She usually takes charge when I start shooting. I am involved in the planning in the pre-production stage. When the film gets on the floor and I start acting, then she takes over the reins. Her support makes me stronger. We are doing the film Trance together. Nazriya and I watch similar kind of films. She has enjoyed some of my favourite films. However, we don't necessarily like all films that we watch together. Our opinions do vary. I prefer dark movies whereas she likes romcoms. But, she wouldn't have produced Varathan or Kumbalangi Nights if she wasn't happy with the script. She produces only what she likes.
How much of an input do Nazriya and your father Fazil offer in your films? Do they watch all your films and critique them?
Nazriya and I usually watch my movies privately to gauge how the audience would react to it and whether the film has shaped into what it was conceived to be. My father usually watches it with the crowds after the movie has released. His feedback is very important. He is actively involved in my production ventures.
Most of your characters have grey shades. Do you watch out for such subjects/characters to come by?
If you look at my characters very closely, it's always a travel from one colour to another. I'd like to have all shades in all the characters that I play. These are not deliberate attempts. I'm just doing things that excite me. I don't have a plan.
What projects are you working on now?
I am shooting for Anwar Rasheed's Trance. I might also be working with a debutante director on a film that will be announced soon. My Tamil film Super Deluxe is ready to release. I am super excited about the film, which deals with how very positive characters are caught up in negative situations. Thiagarajan Kumararaja is one of my favourite directors. I don't have any combination scenes with Vijay Sethupathi, but he would come to the sets when I was shooting and we spent a lot of time together discussing films. You may see us together in films more often.
 
deepthi@khaleejtimes.com