Unni Mukundan feels ‘burdened’ by Malayalam cinema’s ‘good and neat’ reputation; ‘expecting a KGF or Baahubali…’

by

As a passionate advocate for cinema, I’ve found myself at the center of conversation recently, thanks to the resounding success of my latest film, Marco. This project has been labeled as one of the most intense films in recent times, and it’s sparked quite a discussion. In this role, I’ve been vocal about the kind of movies I believe Malayalam cinema should produce, setting it apart from other regional industries. Lately, I’ve been addressing the challenge actors like myself face when it comes to delivering films that are ‘neat,’ a term often used to describe content that is safe and devoid of complexity or controversy.

In an interview with Galatta Plus, Unni Mukundan opened up about the intense battle sequences he performed for the movie Marco. These fight scenes are quite traditional in Malayalam cinema, known for its clean and sophisticated image.

During a chat with Galatta Plus, Unni Mukundan shared insights on the hard-hitting fights he portrayed in Marco—a common aspect of Malayalam movies, which often boast a polished and elegant reputation.

Both versions convey the original meaning while aiming to be natural and easy to read.

Unni noted that this established standard is a weighty expectation for young performers such as himself, since they frequently doubt whether they can measure up initially. However, he observed that this kind of pressure isn’t as common among Tamil and Telugu actors.

As a devoted admirer, I share his perspective: “I’m unsure if every film I create will qualify as ‘quality cinema.’ It’s important to note that the expectation of solely producing ‘excellent’ or ‘benchmark’ films is not a burden that should be shouldered by filmmakers. Interestingly, I don’t perceive this pressure on actors in the Telugu, Hindi, or Tamil film industries.

In the future, the Marco character expressed his ambition to be involved in epic movies, much like the spectacular films common in the Telugu and Tamil film industries. He pointed out hit series such as KGF and Baahubali, recognized for their vast scope and universal popularity.

Unni Mukundan remembered the words his close buddy, Prithviraj Sukumaran, shared with him regarding that topic.

He expressed, “I aim to create larger-than-life films. I believe that Kerala has the potential to produce a masterpiece like KGF or Baahubali. My friend Prithviraj Sukumaran shares this sentiment too. So, why aren’t such ambitious projects coming into fruition when we have some of the best technicians and actors in Malayalam? What seems to be hindering us?

Read More

2025-02-12 09:52