Exclusive! Arun Vaiga: Though Upacharapoorvam Gunda Jayan has humour, Saiju Kurup doesn’t once smile in it

It’s been a long wait for Upacharapoorvam Gunda Jayan director Arun Vaiga, who had completed the movie’s shoot well over two years ago. Now, after multiple shifts in release dates, the film, which also marks its lead actor Saiju Kurup’s 100th movie, is set to release in theatres on February 25 and OTTplay caught up with Arun to know about the entertainer.

About the movie, Arun tells us, “We have tried to present the day of a Hindu wedding in Cherthala, realistically. What I am confident about is that everyone will be able to connect with at least 4-5 scenes in the movie as the wedding experience is relatable to all of us. It also deals with incidents surrounding the friends and relatives during a wedding”

The casting of the film too stands out, with most of the supporting cast being newcomers apart from Siju Wilson, Shabareesh Varma, Johny Antony, Sudheer Karamana, Jaffer Idukki, Sabumon Abdusamad and Shani Shaki. “The rest of the cast were chosen from TikTok users and Kudumbasree,” says the director.

Saiju, meanwhile, plays the lead – but in a role that is older than some of his recent characters. On what led to his casting, Arun says, “When I was first writing the script, the character wasn’t a goon; he was just an uncle and we had even approached another artiste. But then we had some date issues. After that, when I went back and redeveloped the character, I thought of modelling him after Anjooran in Godfather. He was a goon in the past but is now leading a life with his family. So, I wanted an actor with that height and physique and Saiju chettan was the perfect fit.”

The filmmaker also says that he wanted to cast actors in roles that they haven’t essayed earlier. “I don’t think he has played such a character. Upachaarapoorvam Gunda Jayan has a dramatic theme but the treatment is rooted to reality and we have told the story through humour. However, Saiju chettan doesn’t smile even in one of the scenes in the film,” he says, about the actor's role in the movie which is produced by Dulquer Salmaan's Wayfarer Films.

While the movie has been delayed for several years now, Arun says that it has also worked to its favour. “After Saiju chettan shot for our movie, he did Android Kunjappan and Driving Licence and his roles in both were noted and enhanced his appeal among the masses. Also, Siju is transitioning into a hero. Plus, now when the audience watches Johny Antony chettan on screen, they immediately applaud. At the time he did the role, he was only known as a director who acts. So, all of that will hopefully help us,” he says.

Also read: Exclusive! Dulquer Salmaan: The next stage of my career is to lose myself and delve deep into my characters