Garudan: Suresh Gopi, Biju Menon’s characters are raw and real and not larger than life, says Arun Varma

The makers of Suresh Gopi’s latest movie Garudan recently revealed the first look of the actor’s character from the film and it was much in sync with the roles he has played since he decided to prioritise cinema over politics. The movie, however, is anything but that. It has a long list of highlights including Midhun Manuel Thomas’ script, Abhirami’s comeback and the team-up of Biju Menon and Suresh Gopi.

In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, the movie’s director Arun Varma, who had previously worked with Major Ravi, tells us, “Garudan has a mixed genre. It’s got a bit of an investigation as well as a bit of courtroom. It’s a different film. I don’t want to label it as a ‘mass’ or a ‘class’ film right now. It’s got its own commercial elements and both the stars come with their own levels of ‘mass’ presence; so, there’s always that tendency to expect that kind of film. What we are trying to do is make a good movie by sticking to the script.”

Elaborating on the characters Suresh Gopi and Biju Menon essay in the movie, Arun says, “Their characters are real and raw, just like Chackochan’s (Kunchacko Boban) in Anjaam Pathiraa. They aren’t these larger-than-life characters that they have played before. The portrayals too are realistic in that sense. Both of them have their own quirks and issues.”

Also read: Exclusive! Biju Menon: My priority has always been to satisfy the audience rather than find personal joy 

Will the movie too have several phases of the life of its protagonists, which has been the case for most of Suresh Gopi’s movies since Varane Avashyamund? “It will have a few flashbacks, but it doesn’t take the audience back to several years,” says Arun, adding that they are making it on a big scale only because the script warranted it.

The movie will also have actresses Abhirami and Divya Pillai as Suresh Gopi and Biju Menon’s pairs, respectively. Siddique also plays a pivotal role in the movie, which is being shot in Kochi.