The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
‘A supportive audience pushes you to make unconventional choices’
Lead actors of Paradise, Roshan Mathew and Darshana Rajendran, on headlining a Indo-sri Lankan co-production and working with director Prasanna Vithanage
SRIL LANKAN filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage, in his latest movie
Paradise, explores the complexities of a relationship between a young couple. Headlining the film, produced by Newton Cinema and presented by Mani Ratnam’s Madras Talkies, are popular actors Roshan Mathew and Darshana Rajendran who play the Indian couple holidaying in Sri Lanka to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary. Set in 2022, Paradise explores the cracks in their relationships even as the island nation is dealing with a major financial crisis.
Ahead of the film’s release on June 28 in theatres, Mathew, known for his compelling performances in Moothon (2019), Cusoon
(2020), Darlings (2022), Poachers (2024), and, Rajendran, who has been praised for her performance in Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey (2022),
Hridayam (2022), talk about being “permanent collaborators”. They also share their experience of working with Vithanage; the impressive crew of Paradise, including Rajeev Ravi (cinematographer), Sreekar Prasad (editor) and why Malayalam movies are finding a wider audience. Excerpts:
After being screened at festivals globally,
Paradise is now releasing in India.
Darshana Rajendran: This is the best possible outcome for a movie like this. In Kerala, our photos are on buses and banners, which is unexpected. Newton Cinema is promoting for the sake of cinema even though they are aware that people might not throng the theatres. In Kerala, we have had a bunch of massive entertainers which had ‘full house’ runs. Yet, this month, three different types of smallbudget movies — Ullozhukku, Gaganachari and
Paradise — are releasing. The audience is allowing all kinds of movies the space (to exist) and it’s very exciting to be part of that.
How did you first react
to Paradise’s script?
Roshan Mathew:
Rajeev Ravi, who had shot Prasanna Sir’s previous film, got in touch with me. When I read the script, I initially thought my role was similar to my character in Choked (2020). When I met Prasanna Sir in Kochi later, I realised the facets of a relationship that he wanted to explore were different. I was curious how he was going to do it.
Rajendran: Earlier, the couple was going to be a Malayali man and a north-indian woman. They auditioned actors from Mumbai for the female character. At some point, they thought of having a Malayali female lead, that’s when I came on board. By then, the shoot was about to start. Though the script had fewer lines for my character, I could see that she goes through a journey. It was amazing that the cast and crew from two countries had come together to make this movie.
As co-actors, you have worked together on several projects. What kind of collaborative energy do you both share?
Rajendran: We have collaborated in different capacities. Roshan has directed me once; we have done theatre together and been co-actors in movies. When we have free time, we do readings together. We’re kind of permanent collaborators. We have known each other from the beginning of our journey as actors. When we are working, if anything is off, it would be called out and what’s good would be acknowledged. I value his feedback.
Mathew: I am always on my toes when I am working with Darshana. Early in the Paradise shoot, I knew she was on to something special in her discovery of the character. I had to take up the responsibility of not letting the film or her down. Also, it is inspiring when everyone around us, the cast and crew, are very good.
How do you feel as actors when several talented people such as Mani Ratnam, Rajeev Ravi and Sreekar Prasad are attached with an indie feature?
Mathew: When the crew is talented, it assures you that you are in the best hands possible. You have to just focus on your work. Not once di di goto the monitor and request a playback to see what I had done during the shoot. I was convinced that if Rajeev and Prasanna Sir were okay with it, I don’t need to bother. I haven’t had the chance to speak with Mani Rat nam yet. but we know he liked the film and wanted to support it. The spotlight that a movie like this would get by being associated with him is something I am grateful for.
Many call 2024 a great year for Malayalam cinema. What does it mean to you?
Mathew: This has got to do with the audience that’s watching Malayalam movies and not all of them are Malayalis. The movies which have done well are so diverse, from
Aavesham to Bramayugam. A supportive audience pushes you to take risks and make unconventional choices. You are assured that if you get certain things right, you will be rewarded in some way.
Rajendran: I have always believed that it’s a blessing to be part of the Malayalam industry even when I was playing small parts.
Do you see a difference between indie and mainstream movies?
Mathew: As an actor, I don’t see a difference even though every movie is different. Every time I stood in a long queue during the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival before the screening of an indie movie, I thought it was cool that a big crowd had turned up to watch it. However, when an indie film manages a theatrical release, I wonder where did all those people go. However, it is reassuring that we are beginning to notice some changes. It’s also heartening that independent movies are made in spite of several hurdles.
This is the best possible outcome for a movie like this. In Kerala, our photos are on buses and banners. That’s something we didn’t expect Darshana Rajendran