Interview Director Anand Menen: ‘Fried’ worked for the audience because of its relatability

this day wazaPlantain plants, the talk of Tinseltown. Vaazha: Biopic of a Billion BoysA slice-of-life drama revolving around the mischief of a group of boys, it brought crowds to the theaters and cheered its director Anand Menen and his team.

The title is inspired by a Malayalam proverb that says it is better to grow a banana tree (Vaazha) instead of what is considered good for an individual.

The film is about underachievers Ajo Thomas (Siju Sunny), Vishnu (Amit Mohan Rajeshwari), Musa (Jomon Jyothir), Abdul Kalam (Anuraj Obi) and Vivek Anand (Anu Anshid), who are not in the good books of their families or teachers since childhood. A coming-of-age narrative about the challenges they face at different stages of their lives in their early 20s and their relationship with their father.

A scene from Vaazha: Biopic of Billion Boys
| Photo credit: Special Arrangements

Anand, who made his directorial debut with the film Feel-Good Gautamante Radham In 2020, say waza It worked for the audience because of its relatability. “We presented the perspectives of both young people and their parents with humor and sarcasm. We also included some nostalgic elements which the audience enjoyed.”

However, Anand called it “the unplanned film of my career”. He further said, “There was a gap after my first film. Because I am someone who is not easily satisfied with scripts. I kept reworking the stories that came to me and when Bipin was almost ready to direct my next consciousness [filmmaker Vipin Das] Gave me the script waza” said Anand. The movie’s story, screenplay and dialogues are written by Vipin.

Director Anand Menen (right) with filmmaker Vipin Das, who is the writer and one of the producers Vaazha: Biopic of Billion Boys
| Photo credit: Special Arrangements

Anand says that when he befriended Vipin in 2018, the latter already had a story waza With her “he named it waza Then and planned it as his second film [after Mudhugauv]. But he went on to manage other projects as well letter,Joy Joy Joy Joy Hey And Guruvayur AmblanadayilVaazha was put on the backburner,” notes Anand.

The director emphasized that several scenes in the movie could have happened to many in real life. “Vippin consciousness Such experiences may have occurred or heard from others. I can even relate to some of the scenes.”

Siju Sunny and Meenakshi Unnikrishnan in a scene Vaazha: Biopic of Billion Boys
| Photo credit: Special Arrangements

The director added that the film wouldn’t have happened if the producers didn’t have faith in the cast. “Heroes are relatively new faces in Malayalam cinema and usually producers are cautious in their investment. but waza The project materialized because of a bunch of people who believed in the actors,” he says. The film has five producers – Vipin Das, Harris Desam, PB Anish, Adarsh ​​Narayan, Icon Studios.

Anand added, “We all wanted freshness in the film for which we needed these actors. They were put in a place that was new to them and to the audience.”

Its promotional poster Vaazha: Biopic of a Billion Boys
| Photo credit: Special Arrangements

He says it helped that the actors were from his circle of friends. “I have known Jomon, Amit and Anuraj for many years. Jomon acted in my first movie. false consciousness A part of the short film was, MagnetoIn which I acted. Anuraj and I started our careers together. Love for cinema kept us together and it brought a natural chemistry between us,” he says. It is through Vipin that he is introduced to Siju, Anu and the Saf bros, who plays BC Vishwam, a studious kid who makes him the ringleader of the gang.

Anand points out that there was minimal interference from Vipin. “We started shooting with the song sequence at the college and he was there throughout the shoot. Apart from that he was rarely on the set as he was busy Guruvayur Amblanadayil. So, we mostly coordinated the shoot through video calls or voice notes.”

Director Anand Menen in a candid shot with the actors Vaazha: Biopic of Billion Boys
| Photo credit: Special Arrangements

He noted that the climax sequences – one of the highlights of the movie – were the only “properly written” parts of the script. “All the rest was dialogue and situation. Sometimes vipin consciousness Will also write on the spot. Actors were given freedom to improvise. Of course, when performance had to be controlled, so did we.”

Anand mentioned that he always takes advice from his team. “Shots for the first song, ‘Athimanoharam’ were suggested by all the members of the direction team. Since VIPin consciousness Author, his advice is preferred.”

The performances by a bunch of veteran actors – Kottayam Nazir, Nobby Marcos, Aziz Nedumangad and Jagdish have received a lot of praise. “Their characters were well defined in the script, including their behavior and body language. And they took it up a notch with their talent and experience. Time and again they proved how underutilized they are in our industry.”

(From left) Amit Mohan Rajeshwari, Jomon Jyothir and Siju Sunny in a scene Vaazha: Biopic of a Billion Boys
| Photo credit: Special Arrangements

He noted that the young actors made an impact with subtle humor and dialogue delivery. “It was fun to see how they amped up the comedy during the dubbing.”

The songs, blended well with the narrative, are composed by five independent musicians. “Among all the tracks, the anthem ‘Waja’ by Nomad Voice and ‘Swaha’ featuring Jay Stellar and rap musician Rakaz Radiant were part of the movie before I got the script.” Other composers are Rajat Prakash who wrote, composed and sang ‘Athimanoharam’, Parbtish Pradeep (‘Thottavadi’ and ‘Makane’) and Electronic Kiley (‘I Banane’). Music supervised by Ankit Menon.

Anand added that while the film was initially shot at Irinjalakkuda in Thrissur, Chalkkudi has the giant banana tree. “Plantations are important to the story and it took us a while to identify this one,” he says.

Meanwhile, the makers have announced a sequel to the movie directed by Savin SA, one of the collaborators of the first part.