1973
When I
completed my secondary school,with my film dreams I caught the
train from Willington Island, Cochin to Chennai Central. Entering the
film - world was very difficult in
1970’s. Finally, with the recommendation of one of my relatives I got a job in
TATA Oil Mills Ennore (North Madras) as an apprentice in mango juice section.
When I was staying in Kodambakkom, going to Ennore was very
difficult to me in the morning shift, Daily I woke up at 3.30 in the morning
and by 4 in the morning I had to hurry
to catch the first train from Kodambakkom to Parrys, again the plight starts to
go from the railway station to bus
stand, then bus stop to Tata Oil Mills. When I entered the factory the siren
will start for Six o’clock morning duty. Whatever the plight was, the salary
was very good RS.660 per month. The job also was very difficult. I worked there
for six months. After that I met Sri Sasikumar Sir(The super hit Malayalam
director)He told me join as a assistant director to him. Next day I went to
Syamala Studios for the shooting of ‘MARAVIL THIRIVU SUKSHIKUGA’ with Prem
Nazeer and Ushakumari(Vennira Aadai Nirmala)
Next day sir told me they were starting the new film
‘Panjavady’ with Prem Naseer and Vijayasree at Prakash studios. where I gave my
first clap(started my job as a clapping & continuity assistant)
Picturized a club scene with Nazeer sir as a CID officer
inspecting the club to search for a culprit. After that next day we went for
the shooting of the song with Nazeer and Vijayasree in motor bike shots in
Gundy forest and back projection in AVM Studios.
When I joined
Sasikumar sir, he told me that there won’t be any salary, transport, or food.
So I used to go the studios by walk. Sasikumar sir intraduced me to
Mr.P.G.Viswambaran (Later Director). He
was the associate Director and Sarasa kumar is the 1st assistant. My
Director asked me to work under P.G.V who would give me all the instructions.
Viwambaram stayed in Krishna lodge, Kodambakkom during that period. One day after shooting at
night by 11O’clock, I was walking home by road. On the way I met our Director,
Sasikumar sir passing by his car.That day he dropped me.
He also told me in future if there would be space in the car
I can get in and get down at kodambakkom
Power House stop. Next day morning while we were shooting at Prakash Studio,
Sukumaran from the production depatment called me to join them at the breakfast
table. I said that I was not supposed to. But he compelled me and gave me the
breakfast - Idli, vada, pongal, Puri all
at one time-for the first time( It was just the beginning- since that day I had
been having the same luxurios menu for the breakfast for a million times from
various film companies). Sukumaran from the production department had convinced
the Director.
When I used to go
Viswambaran Chettan’s room he used to give me a job. I started the Censor
script writing for the film’Maravil thirivu sukshikuga’, for which Viswambaran
Chettan was the Associate Director.Everyday in the evenings PGV used to take me to Ram Bhavan Hotel and
order tiffen masaladosa, sweet, and coffee. Within seven days I completed the
script and handed it over to PGV.(That’s the first script I wrote, which paved
way to write Censor Scripts for more than Sixty films.
Mr.M.M.Kumar, the
buisiest Costumer of the period was the costumer of the film ‘Panjavady’. He
started to have a liking for me. Within 24 days Panjavady film was completed.
It was produced by Movie Shots Pvt Ltd (M.S.Productions) by Mr. BABY and Mr.
Chandy, and the film was distributed by Jolly films. After the completion of
the film oneday Chandy sir called Sarasakumar and me and gave us both envelopes
with RS.250 .That’s the first salary of mine as well as to Sarasakumar for
working as assistant directors.
Prem Naseer, Vijayashree, Vincent, Adoor bhasi, Joseprakash
are the main artistes in the film, ‘Panjavady’. All the technicians who worked
for ‘Panjavady’were very lovable to me. Editor V.P.Krishnan, fight master
Thyagarajan, Cameraman Krishnakutty Costumer M.M.Kumar, and Make-up man Bhasker
all of them were close to me. After the completion of the film I saw the film
in AVM Lab Theatre. I was thrilled to see my name in the title card as
assistant director.
‘Panjavady’ was released in 1973 and it was a box office
hit.
First I started to copy the script of ‘Panjavady’ Orginal
written by Jagathy N.K.Achary (Jagathy SreeKumar’s Father) . I wrote 3 copies
(carbon): one for director, 2nd one is for PGV and the third one is for me to
write one line order. Then I divided the scene order. After that I made the
break down script. Then I calculated the number of costumes needed for every
actor. Then I divided the number of sets required. All I did under the super
vision of PGV. And I handed over the
papers to Krisha Swamy , the Production Executive. That’s how I got the Idea
about story. The next day when Sasi sir
asked me about the story, I said I liked it. I did many jobs in the sets –
giving clap, clap report writing, dress continuity, action continuity, and calling
the artistes to the set. I also got an
Idea about editing with V.P Krishnan while helping him to “pack the reels”. Also,
I learnt about Re-Recording under R.K.Sekhar (A.R. Rehman’s father) and mixing under
Viswanathan (Engineer atAVM.C Theatre).
I loved all the work , So i learned all these very easily. All the songs of the film were super
hits. Lyrics were written by Sreekumaran
Thampy and music was composed by M.K.Arjunan.
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Status
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Released on 23-02-1973
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Director
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Producer
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Banner
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Story
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Screenplay
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Dialogue
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Lyrics
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Music
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Singers
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Background Music
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Cinematography
Box office -Super Hit
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My first film ''Panjavady''(Malayalam) in 1973 as Assistant Director.
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