Making people laugh is not as easy now

A Mollywood actor once quipped, “Nadirshah is like the Thumba rocket launching station of Kerala. Many rockets are propelled into space from there making history, but Thumba calmly stays back on earth as a happy launch pad.”
A popular name for decades in Kerala as a mimicry artiste, actor, singer and mentor for many who made a name in Mollywood, Nadirshah is finally gearing up for the release of his debut directorial.A tête-à-tête with the entertainer on how filmmaking shaped up as his dream, evolution of humour in films and his hopes:
You have been in the industry for long. Why a late entry into filmmaking? I am not someone who had direction as my dream destination, until about ten years ago. The thought struck me only when someone expressed an interest to produce a movie if I direct it. However, I didn’t have the knowledge or expertise to make a movie back then and I started studying about cinema. Later, I began the search for the right subject to get started. I was sure that it needed to be a humorous subject as that is what people expect from me. It had to be something that stands out and also impresses the audience. I would leap into something only if I am sure I can do justice to it and gather enough confidence for the same. Often a story similar to the one I had in mind was used by other filmmakers and so I had to drop them halfway. When the upcoming film’s scriptwriters Bibin George and Vishnu Unnikrishnan — two youngsters with a background in mimicry —approached me with this story, I could sense that it is something I can handle as a filmmaker. That is how this film happened.
Indrajith, Prithviraj and Jayasurya are teaming up after Classmates for your film For my film, I wanted three heroes, who have equal space in the story and also share camaraderie. Truth be told, their off screen equation has really worked in this movie. I initially did think of casting new faces in the film but when I shared the story with Jayasurya, he agreed to be part of it. Then I wanted someone who is of the same age as him, as ‘just-in’ actors sharing an ‘eda-poda’ chemistry with him on screen wouldn’t look convincing. When Prithviraj heard the story, he was the one who suggested getting the Classmates combo back by also roping in Indrajith. While all of them individually act as heroes in films, I am told that they blocked dates for my movie as it was different and also gave them enough room for performance. Moreover, all of them have handled comedy roles in the past and the film has only situational humour, which they can pull off with their body language. As compared to other industries, I believe the friendships among actors in Malayalam are warmer and there is nothing like vying for screen space or ego issues.
At a time when comedy clips are widely shared and audience are exposed to such programmes across the world, how easy is it to make people laugh now? It’s definitely not easy as in the past. Just as how portraying emotions have changed, so has comedy. We still remember the humour in movies like Kilukkam and Chitram and laugh. They are from a time when quoting such moments from a movie was one of the few ways to share laughter. Now we are in an age where creative youngsters from any corner of the world can make some humourous lines and share it across, making people laugh.There are times when you hear some hilarious lines and think about using it in a film, only to be told by someone that it is something circulated on social media. Therefore, making comedy for movies means putting together something that would stand above all of it and that is quite a challenge.
Your performance as a negative character in a short film recently was much appreciated. Any thoughts on a second innings in movies as an actor? The offer for the short film came at a time when I had put a full stop to acting. However, anyone who has tried the art once, will have that craving to try out certain characters. My reason to consider the negative role was purely this. I was confident about the talent of its directors and their will power to cast me, without even thinking much about the output. However, I wouldn’t have acted in that short film if I was directing it. It is because I don’t feel confident enough to say ‘start, action’ myself and become the character. I want someone who can correct my mistakes and guide me to do a character well. I would act only for such directors.
Many mimicry artistes from renowned troupes had made a name in Malayalam cinema in the past unlike today. Is the future of the art and these troupes bleak now? Maybe there aren’t many from troupes now but we can’t say that mimicry artistes aren’t making it into acting now. Pashanam Shaji aka Saju Navodaya, Ramesh Pisharody, Noby, Nelson, Dharmajan — they are all artistes who have a mimicry background. Times have changed and so have the forums that contribute artistes.
What about your next movie? Let me first see how this is received. If it gives me confidence, and a good subject and team comes my way, I might do an even better film next.