Shine Tom Chacko: To get a State Award, I might have to now play a character who doesn’t drink or smoke

Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko is not known for mincing words. Two days ago, he put out an open letter to his Kurup co-star Dulquer Salmaan to release his movie Adi, which is backed by the latter’s production house. On Thursday, Shine also expressed his disappointment at Kurup not winning any honours at this year’s Kerala State Film Awards.

“We took a lot of effort to do Kurup. We are choosing to believe that the jury hasn’t seen the film but even then that pain kicks up every now and then,” he told the media, after the preview of his latest release Kochaal in Kochi.

Conceding that he is disappointed that the movie didn’t win any award, he also pointed out the effort that went into making the period film. Shine pointed out the film’s crew, including art director Banglan, associate director Praveen, cinematographer Nimish Ravi and director Srinath Rajendran, had spent weeks in Ahmedabad to find locations to shoot as Mumbai and Dubai of 70s.

“The film’s production was designed well. Most of these were real locations. People used to say that awards would be given only if the locations felt like they were sets. Maybe because this was too authentic, they must have thought there was no art direction involved,” he said, adding even the costume department of the film was ignored.

Talking about him not winning any honours for his role, which was appreciated when the film had released last year, Shine said. “What’s the difference between best actor and best character actor? Doesn’t the best actor have character? In that case, I obviously wasn’t going to get the award for best character actor because my character was smoking beedis and drinking alcohol all the time in the movie. So, he doesn’t have the best virtues. Maybe that’s how they are giving away the awards. I will have to play a character who doesn’t smoke or drink to get an award.”

Shine, however, said that there was no politics involved. “The award selection depends on the people, their mindset at that particular time and so on… Awards are not something we should claim after protesting, it should be given.”

Also read: Shine Tom Chacko appeals to Dulquer Salmaan to release Adi: ‘You know the pain of ignoring talents’