Why Nivin Pauly is everyone's hero

With Action Hero Biju, a thumping success by word-of-mouth, actor Nivin Pauly is defining himself as an actor who resists the pitfalls of stardom, Deepa Gauri writes

Nivin Pauly, who shares his birthday with Bollywood's legendary Amitabh Bachchan, and much like Hindi cinema's 'angry young man' of yore is also left-handed, is doing what superstars seldom do: Break away from the traps of stardom.
He believes in a film's totality, and even if that means allowing others to steal the thunder, he is game. That is what the success of Action Hero Biju, his new film, which Nivin co-produced, proves.
Directed by Abrid Shine after 1983, a cult-classic starring Nivin, Action Hero Biju is anything but a racy cop-thriller. It is arguably the most mature depiction of the life of police officers, especially those in lower ranks, without the hang-ups of villains, blazing guns and thundering car chases.
In an exclusive interview with City Times, Nivin opens up about the movie, underlining why he is set to go places with his level-headed approach to stardom, and his genuine passion to make 'good films' that stand the test of time. Excerpts:
Why did you choose to invest your money in Action Hero Biju?
I have a strong rapport with Abrid Shine. To me, Shine chettan is a perfectionist. He gives a lot of time and effort to every scene. For him, movies must have a soul, and not just be commercial potboilers. That is why 1983 stays in people's hearts and minds even after a long time. Action Hero Biju can make a similar mark because, for the first time, it tells the story of a police officer realistically. I believe that it will always have a special place in our cinema, which is why I trusted the project.
But Premam happened between 1983 and Action Hero Biju: You went on to be what fans call a 'superstar.' Did it influence the making of the film or its marketing in any way?
We cannot approach movies with such perceptions. Every film has its soul and character; we can't squeeze in fights or promotional sequences to 'sell' a film or for reasons that do no justice to it and kill its purpose.
Films become hits for various reasons. Premam had the blessings of God; it became the 'next level' hit. That sort of success happens once in a blue moon.
What I can do, as an actor, is just to select good scripts, and to go by it, not falling into unneeded perception traps. I had full confidence that Action Hero Biju would be a good film.
People perhaps thought it would be a big-bang action flick or something along the likes of Dabangg. But that is not something we projected.
Was that why the first teaser of the film was a vintage-style song by Jerry Amaldev, perhaps to underwhelm the expectations?
It was sheer blessing to have Jerry Sir compose music for us. He was very clear with us that he had his own style. We told him to do the kind of music that he felt was right. He brought in a nostalgic style, using only acoustic instruments. He gave his heart to the song. We launched the song to convey the character of our film. We just wanted to be clear that it was a realistic film.
It was surprising how the reaction to the film changed in just about three hours of its release. From 4 and 5 stars for the first half, the comments became progressively hostile. Was there a deliberate attempt to malign the film?
Yes, we felt there was a deliberate attack against the movie in the first two-three days, but then, can we really do anything about it? We can only talk about our movie, and if it is good, it will be accepted. Thankfully, the film is doing well.
Do you think people have realised the worth of the film now?
Yes, a lot of people now ask why there were a whole lot of negative comments about the film in the first place. There is great support now; family audiences have come in. The shows are house-full. It just proves that you cannot kill a good film with comments on social media. It is for the audiences to decide, and they will undoubtedly receive a good film with all their heart.
Were you disappointed with the initial outburst, given your involvement in the film as actor and producer?
I was disturbed, of course, but I believed in the product. The film got its life and works today with great word-of-mouth publicity.
1983 fetched you a state award; do you expect one for Action Hero Biju?
We did have no such considerations. All we wanted was to make a film that would be different from the usual police stories. Typically, police stories are about cops chasing a set-villain or one case. But that is not how it is in real life. Each police officer would have like up to 3,000 cases to handle. In real life, there are several issues that call for the involvement of the police on a day-to-day basis. That is what we attempted to portray in Action Hero Biju - the real life story of a cop.
You met several police officers for the movie. Did you consciously bring any of their mannerisms to your role?
We spoke to a lot of cops; Shine must have met and discussed the film with tens of dozens of police officers - across all ranks. I had observed the cops at work, but Shine had a clear perception of what was needed. It was difficult in the first two days to get the sync but then we got into the correct track.
Action Hero Biju has a very impromptu element. You were acting without pre-written dialogues and reacting to the situation as a cop would in real life. Wasn't it a challenge?
Yes, because we didn't know how the person opposite would react or the dialogue to follow. We only knew the situation. But then, that is how a real sub-inspector works. He doesn't know what the person who comes with a complaint will say. It is with such realism that every scene was shot. That was a different experience for us.
Is this part of a new trend of realistic movies, where you have situation-scripts rather than traditional dialogue-driven ones?
Not really; it depends on the subject. We cannot make only a situation-script. Even Action Hero Biju has scenes that need proper dialogues. The movie is a mix of both - situation-based reactions and scripted dialogues.
You give a lot of new-comers the opportunity to act in the movie. Was it deliberate?
We wanted the audiences to feel each case that the sub-inspector was solving as something new. We did not want them to have any prejudice that comes with having established actors. That way, they will go with the flow of the film, and be involved in it. But then, there were also characters that needed the back-up of accomplished actors such as Suraj Venjaramoodu and Meghanathan. So we placed the right artist for such roles.
The Home Minister to police officers have congratulated you and praised the movie. Yet critics point out that the dark side of police atrocities are ignored by the film . isn't it one-dimensional then?
Why should we go always into the dark side? (Smiles). Why can't we talk about the good things? We shouldn't ignore the selfless service of many people, which helps keep crime in check. Plus if there is no one to fear, unruly elements go berserk. The force has to instill that sense of protection to maintain peace and I think they are doing it perfectly well.
You are teaming up again with Alphonse Putharen for a short film in the Tamil anthology movie, Aviyal. What can we expect after the success of Premam?
That is a short film that we did three or four years ago. Karthik Subbaraj bought the rights of the short film for the anthology.
Given that you have a lot of fans in Tamil Nadu and Kerala after Premam, isn't releasing a short film done four years back a risky proposition?
That is a quality short film, and I think people will take it in the right sense. It is just about 8 to 10 minutes.
It is historic that Premam, a Malayalam film, has run 259 days in Tamil Nadu - perhaps even more than a single-stretch run in Kerala. Does this acceptance in Tamil Nadu surprise you, given your roles are rather deeply set in the Malayali milieu?
I think it is all a blessing. Action Hero Biju has also been well-received.
Have you thought of doing a dedicated Tamil film?
My next (after Jacobinte Swargarajyam) is by Althaf. After that I will do a Tamil film with a new director Gautham Ramachandran and with a new team.
Is it the remake of the Kannada film Ulidavaru Kandante?
Nope!
What did Tamil actor Vijay tell you in your much-publicized meeting?
He was very encouraging and told me that I must do a Tamil film. We discussed Premam.
If Premam were to be made in Tamil, who would your choice of the hero be?
I don't have any such choice (laughs). let them decide.
Jacobinte Swargarajyam was fully shot in Dubai. How was the experience compared to shooting in Kerala or Tamil Nadu?
It was very comfortable shooting in Dubai; the Malayalis cooperated with us tremendously. We remember shooting street scenes in Karama, and they were very helpful. I have to thank them for their support.
You have said your dream is to do a villain role. Will you accept a dark villain at this stage in your career?
Yes, if it is a good script and a good director.
Do you feel this is the best period of Malayalam cinema in a long time?
A number of quality films are being made and people are accepting them.
After Premam, has life returned to normal?
I have never been influenced by such things. My only consideration is to choose the right script and do the movies I love.

• South Stars