Ace filmmaker Priyadarshan bowled over by Kumbalangi Nights and Helen!
The last decade has seen a world of change in Malayalam cinema in terms of how new talents emerged, the kind of stories told and how films with high artistic quality are being made within the commercial format. Priyadarshan, one of the industry’s most senior and successful filmmakers, acknowledges this change and is aware about how the audience’s sensibilities have changed over time.
Recently, during the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters, Priyadarshan opened up on how Malayalam cinema has become more realistic in terms of story-telling as well as acting. He even mentioned about how certain films like ‘Kumbalangi Nights’ and ‘Helen’ impressed him. Apparently, after watching these films, he even thought that it’s time for people like him to retire.
‘Kumbalangi Nights’ directed by debutant Madhu C Narayanan broke the conventional concepts of a family set up by telling the relatable stories of two contrasting families. ‘Helen’, also directed by a debutant — Mathukutty Xavier — is a survival thriller that had Anna Ben in the lead. Both the films emerged successful – critically as well as commercially.
Meanwhile, Priyadarshan’s dream project ‘Marakkar Arabikadalinte Simham’ is set for release next month. At the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters, the director proudly claimed that ‘Marakkar’ will be the Marakkar Arabikadlinte Simham will be the most technically perfect film ever made in the country.
