PremiumKunchacko Boban: I used to read Padmini’s script to relax when I was emotionally drained during Ariyippu’s shoot
In an exclusive interview, Kunchacko Boban explains why he enjoyed working in Padmini and what to expect from the film
Last Updated: 08.13 AM, Jul 05, 2023
Unlike most of his contemporaries in Malayalam, in the past six years, Kunchacko Boban has been able to maintain a balance of doing hard-hitting films such as Pada, Nayattu and Ariyippu while also being part of entertainers such as Bheemante Vazhi and Nna Thaan Case Kodu. His latest outing Padmini, which is helmed by Senna Hegde and written by Deepu Pradeep, is another example of how he ensures that amid taking up challenging roles, he also gets to have fun with his characters.
In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, ahead of Padmini's theatrical release on July 7, Kunchacko tells us about what to expect from Padmini and what he loved about working with Senna and team in the film, which also has Madonna Sebastian, Aparna Balamurali and Vincy Aloshius.
Senna Hegde, much like Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval, is one of those exciting directors that everyone wants to work with. You have now collaborated with both Padmini and Nna Thaan Case Kodu, respectively. What makes their working styles different from the filmmakers you had teamed up with earlier?
Both their working styles are entirely different. They are creators who had worked earlier as ad directors, so they have their own visual concepts while making their films. What’s common between them is that both have great sense of humour.
With regards to Senna, his films have made us laugh a lot. He’s a very easy director to work with, not just for me but everyone. He knows how to extract the best output from you, without pushing you too much out of your comfort zone. He gives you that freedom while also telling you exactly what he wants. I have felt that the magic in his films happens at the edit table. If he gets a good script, he tries to make a clean film, keeping its essence intact, but without any gimmicks. That’s how he approached Padmini during its shoot. But during the edit, he was able to elevate that content.
Both Bheemante Vazhi or Nna Thaan Case Kodu had you playing roles that the common audience could easily relate to. Senna had said the producers of the film had you in mind even before scriptwriter Deepu Pradeep had pitched the script to him. Is the balance of choosing family entertainers as well as intense movies paying off?
Like most of the audience, I also love humour. After being part of intense characters or films, doing such movies that are laced with humour is a relief. That vibe resonates while you are shooting the film and also after it.
Padmini revolves around the women that come into my character Rameshan’s life, and the interesting incidents and emotional moments that happen through them. It’s told through humour. So, it’s got a mix of the sense of humour of both Senna and Kunjiramayanam writer Deepu Pradeep. People will be able to instantly connect with that and also have a laugh about it when they think about it later. There is a lot of situational humour and it will also be a film that would let the audience relax and enjoy.
Padmini was shot in 29 days, at break-neck speed. But the people who have worked in the film said it was probably the most chilled-out set they have been part of. How much did that help to play Rameshan and is it also reflective of the whole mood of the movie?
We had allotted only the right number of days that its script had demanded. More than scampering to complete it, we had reshot scenes to improve it further and also improvised at the locations; so, we had taken our due time.
When I did an intense film like Ariyippu, it used to be a taxing experience – both emotionally and physically – by the time I used to get back after late-night shoots. To relax during that time, I used to read Padmini’s script. The final output of the movie has come out way better than the chilled-out script, with good songs and content. I have actually tried my hand at singing in the film atoo nd I am happy that people liked it. I believe if I can sing, anybody can. So, Padmini has moments that people can easily relate to as well as enjoy.