Biju Menon is back in a leading role with Salt Mango Tree

Rajesh Nair says the film is an unpretentious take on modern society with lateral potshots at the educational system.

'Salt Mango Tree' is one of the evergreen jokes of Malayalam cinema by Mohanlal in Doore Doore Our Koodu Koottam, a Sreenivasan film that took on the education system of the state with biting sarcasm and intensity.
Since then, Sreenivasan himself has written more movies taking on the pitfalls of the education system, while few others have ventured into that tricky territory. Now, Rajesh Nair, who earlier directed Escape from Uganda, takes a genre turn to deliver a simple, heart-warming tale with Salt Mango Tree, starring Biju Menon, Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli and Suhasini, with snobbish schools at the heart of the film's narrative.
Rajesh Nair says the film is an unpretentious take on modern society with lateral potshots at the educational system. The film's strength, however, comes from Biju Menon, who has now become the official expert of deadpan comedy in Malayalam cinema.
Following the success of Vellimoonga, Biju Menon said he had no plans to pursue solo hero roles. Biju says it is the roles that matter. "It could be a hero, villain or supporting actor. The role should be memorable."
"I need to look at my producer's eyes," says Biju. "I cannot simply take on a hero's role to satisfy my ego. I have to be responsible to the man who invests in the project."
But then Rajesh Nair insisted that Biju do the film, saying the character had the laidback air of the actor. He was also ready to forfeit the project if Biju did not go for it. He was also particular in his choice for the heroine; Lakshmi Priyaa, an actress noted in Tamil cinema, was roped in for her theatre experience which was integral to the character.
With Salt Mango Tree, success was almost guaranteed; it was only a matter of how big it would be. Playing a down-to-earth man who runs a medical shop and has no high ambitions, Biju is a natural in the film. He watches his world change as his wife aspires for the bigger things in life. The film also takes potshots at people's fixation with the English language.
A delightful comedy, Salt Mango Tree is now playing in the UAE.

• South Stars