'I see a bright future for Malayalam cinema'

'We are moving through a challenging period, especially bringing the crowd back to cinemas.'

Nivin Pauly, whose comedy Kanakam Kaamini Kalaham is streaming on Disney Hotstar, is excited about the phase Malayalam cinema is in.

"I am keenly looking at this phase to see where our industry is heading," he tells Subhash K Jha.

In Kanakam Kaamini Kalaham you are surrounded with sparkling comic talent. How did you pick your co-actors for this project?

I don't choose actors.

At Pauly Jr Pictures, we work differently.

I believe that the cinema is a director's vision and he is the captain of the ship.

So I give that sense of freedom to all the directors and they have every right to choose which actor to cast because they are the best judge for that.

Malayalam cinema is going through an interesting phase. Where do you see yourself in this movement?

I am keenly looking at this phase to see where our industry is heading.

I am currently discussing a few projects and looking at exciting content.

We cannot call this stage as a renaissance.

Malayalam cinema had always gone through what you call the renaissance period.

Now we are moving through a challenging period, especially bringing the crowd back to cinemas.

Tell me about your forthcoming projects.

Thuramukham and Padavettu are waiting for release.

Gangster of Mundanmala and Tharam are in the pipeline.

Interestingly, your cinema is not overtly political. Isn't that unusual in Malayalam cinema?

There is nothing unusual about it.

I always look at a good content and that remains my priority as an actor.

How do you see the future of Malayalam cinema and your place in it?

With cinemas reopened, and movies back in big screens, it's a great relief not just for actors but for hundreds of people who are working in the industry.

With OTT platforms, there is now a lot of space for film-makers to showcase their projects.

I see a bright future for Malayalam cinema.