Lip sync your way to movies!

Once, youth festivals were the main talent hunting spots for Mollywood filmmakers. Those who could sing, dance and act had an edge. As norms of beauty changed, the filmmakers kept a watch on beauty contests. Mimicry troupes also contributed a lot of stars to the film industry.
Cut to the present, and for the young budding artistes, virtual platforms such as Dubsmash, Tik Tok, earlier known as Musically, and Smule, have become the go-to place to showcase their talents and catch the attention of movie makers.The two minutes of viral fame does not die down so soon, as some of their acts come under the radar of filmmakers, translating into roles in the case of a few. In fact, some filmmakers these days have started demanding dubsmash videos in their casting call in addition to self-introduction videos, a case in point being director Midhun Manuel’s forthcoming film Argentina Fans Katturkadavu.
Actress Varsha Bollamma, for instance, had done a few movies before the Dubsmash rage set in. However, she was noticed more after some of her videos went viral and people commented on her likeness to Nazriya Nazim. She has no doubt that it is a nice opportunity to let the world know about one’s talents. “Earlier, it was kind of hard for people to even think of getting into movies. With the advent of such apps, it has become easier now. Though there is a world of difference in filmmaking when compared to doing such videos, it gives the aspirants that initial boost and a chance to prove themselves.”
She explains, “When it comes to making your own video, you do it in your comfort zone at home, with help from people you are comfortable with. And that is precisely why you are able to make it perfect. Still, it is no child’s play. It takes a lot of effort and time, as one’s timing has to be correct and you have to get your expression right. When it comes to films, there are a lot of people around when you are performing, and it is very different.”
Varsha says a lot has changed since she first attempted a video. “People these days are doing amazing stuff. I already feel like I am old school (laughs). I still do them but I keep it to myself or show it to my mum.”
The team of Oru Adaar Love is full of these social media stars; director Omar Lulu points out that actors in it such as Noorin Shareef, Siyadh Shajahan and Roshan Abdul Rahoof were all unearthed from such mediums. “They were already quite popular there and had their own fan following. We selected them and then gave them audition for their characters. Platforms like these actually give them a lot of confidence, and will prove to be a reference point for others, who are on a hunt for fresh talent.”
The now-famous winking scene, which propelled Priya Varrier to celebrity status, was first done by Roshan in a similar way, reveals Omar. “We liked it so much that we recreated the scene in the song Manikya Malaraya Poovi. People, who have an inclination towards acting will invest their time in such apps, which could become a launchpad for them in films. Even if they don’t make it in the movies, they still enjoy popularity through these videos.”
When Noorin had first done a video, she remembers, not many were into it, other than a few like Sowbhagya Venkitesh. “As I did more and more, I made sure to recreate the scenes as they were, by using the same dialogues, costumes, situation and expressions. People, who watched it would have got the same feel of the movie. I had done a scene from Omar sir’s film Happy Wedding, and it started making rounds on social media. It was then that he came to know about me.”
As people started giving her their feedback, she became more interested in doing such videos and started exploring the medium further. “I used to wait for times when there would be no one at home and then set the phone to shoot the video. While we can take a video at one go, certain videos take a lot of time. However, you tend to bring an artificial smile and other forced expressions, which was one of the things the director pointed out, while we started shooting for the movie. In films, the emotions and expressions have to be more real.”
Noorin points out that a lot of casting calls for films these days ask for these videos. “While most people who are doing these videos nowadays are keen about making an impression and graduating to films, some are doing it just for the sake of it. The negative feedback and trolls that come their way are sometimes too harsh that some may never attempt them again.”
The recently released film Kinavalli boasts of two actors, who cut their teeth by recording lip sync videos— Sujith Raj Kochukunju and Vijay Johny. Sujith says: “While doing them, you have a reference point. However, in a film, you are expected to be yourself, not anyone else. You are not imitating anyone or trying to bring out somebody else’s traits.”
Whether a video will go viral depends on how successful one is in bringing out the emotions, according to him. He points out, however, that things have become a lot easier these days, as there are many add-ons to a video, which includes incorporating simple effects such as slow motion to other filters. Re-takes are a part and parcel of such videos and everything has to be pitch-perfect, he says.
He too makes the point that acting on a film set is a different kettle of fish compared with doing a video. “It took me almost a week to get used to the number of people around and be comfortable in my own skin. In a video, you play the role of the director, cameraman and the actor, but in a film, you have to implement the plan laid out by the director.”