Sons of politicians go filmi

An increasing number of youngsters, who are sons of politicians, are entering Mollywood. There are actors, scriptwriters and directors among them. Apart from their passion for films, what unites them is the fact that they consider films as a medium through which they can express their social concerns. And they believe that no work of art is devoid of politics.
SHYAMAPRASAD
WHO: Son of BJP leader O Rajagopal
WHAT:Director
For veteran director Shyamaprasad, politics was never an attractive option despite his father being a well-known politician. “In my formative years, I have witnessed my father and the rest of my family undergoing great difficulty — financially and otherwise. So, instinctively I was indifferent towards politics. Besides, I have always been cynical about politicians being so sure of themselves and stuck on their point of view, whereas I love to have and have always had a free and ambivalent way of life,” he says.
ANOOP RAMESH
WHO: Son of Trivandrum Mayor K Chandrika
what: Director
Young filmmaker Anoop, whose debut, Crocodile Love Story, is currently underway, says his parents were a huge support ever since he announced that he wanted to become a filmmaker. “I still remember the day when I told them I want to make films, half-expecting them to say no. But all my mom said was, ‘Whatever you do, do it with lots of love,” he said during the puja of his debut film.
ARUN LAL
WHO: Son of CPI leader P Ramachandran Nair
WHAT: Scriptwriter
While the trend is for children in a politically-inclined family to get into the field, Arun says his only dream was to do films. Interestingly, for Arun, it was his father who was instrumental in helping him realise his dream. Arun, who is the scriptwriter of Jayasurya’s latest film Thankyou, says, “Once I realised films were my calling, there were a few years of struggle. I worked in a television channel as assistant director, before I landed my first film, 10.30 am Local Call. My family, especially my father, was my biggest
support.”
ASIF ALI
WHO: Son of Municipal Chairman M P Shoukat Ali|
WHAT:Actor
Asif Ali says he was away from his home for the major part of his formative years. “As a student, I was always away from home and stayed in hostels. So, in a way, I was away from politics and was never inclined to it,” he says and adds that his parents wanted him to be an engineer or a management professional. “They came to know about my acting career after they saw my first movie’s posters. My only wish was to get into films, and probably after my first movie, my parents realised how passionate I was about following my dream and have been fully supportive about it.”
BINEESH KODIYARI
WHO: Son of former Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan
WHAT:Actor
For former Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s son, Bineesh, his father has been a major influence in his life. “While my dad wants me to choose cinema as a secondary career and focus on something else, he has never said that to me directly. He has always encouraged and supported me to pursue a career as an actor,” says Bineesh, who has a slew of upcoming projects lined up.
The Karmayodha actor also tells us that right now his focus is movies. “I don’t think you can suddenly break into politics whenever you want to. It’s something that happens gradually and you should also have people’s support. Cinema is my priority right now and I hope you do some good roles and be remembered for that,” he says.