Jayasurya's Su Su Sudhi Vathmeekam makes a positive impact

The story of Sudhi, whose stammering is a source of an inferiority complex and confidence-buster, and how he rises above - not through magical quick-fixes but through acceptance and determination - has universal resonance, says Jayasurya.

Multi-faceted actor Jayasurya could not have asked for a better bet to close 2015 than his new co-production with director Ranjith Sankar curiously titled Su Su Sudhi Vathmeekam. Now playing at theatres in the UAE, the film has touched a chord among audiences in Kerala, where it has already completed a dream 50-day run.
But on a subliminal level, it has also influenced Jayasurya, who says that the underlining thought of the movie - of self-acceptance and being oneself without resorting to comparisons - is today his guiding force. "No one is 100 per cent perfect, and people discover their pluses and minuses through reading, from family members or through good friends. Some others realise their strengths and weaknesses on their own. We are delighted that a film could do this function of making people think and look inward," says Jayasurya.
The story of Sudhi, whose stammering is a source of an inferiority complex and confidence-buster, and how he rises above - not through magical quick-fixes but through acceptance and determination - has universal resonance, says Jayasurya. "People have their inner demons, and many of us are fighting these battles within us. What Sudhi's story tells is the importance of accepting what we are and being yourself," he says.
Being yourself is a mantra that Jayasurya has been living by for some time now. It reflects even his choice of movies. "I have done several movies that I was forced to like but now I have taken a call to do only projects that I like, without having to resort to compromises or cutting corners."
Jayasurya says that although the film's story is inspired from real life, he did not resort to imitating anyone with stammering difficulties.
"If I follow any other man's behavioural patterns, the character of Sudhi becomes someone else. I observe people but my approach is to internalise the roles and become the character that the director has conceived."
He says Sudhi has been the most challenging role he has done to date. Portraying the evolution of the character through three phases, Jayasurya says there was detailed preparation for the movie. "What is heartening is that after watching the movie, several people came up to me saying Sudhi is just like them. They were not just talking about stammering but also of other weaknesses that were pulling them back."
Such words, he says, are also his biggest recognition. In fact, social media went viral this year with people from all walks deriding the decision of Jayasurya not bagging any government awards despite his sterling performances in Apothecary and Iyobinte Pusthakam. "I regard these comments from the people as much more valuable than any institutional honour," he says. Jayasurya has had a dream run in 2015 too with hit films including Amar Akbar Anthony and Jilebi, and acclaimed ventures such as Lukka Chuppi and Kumbasaram. But with Su Su Sudhi Vathmeekam, he has won over audiences on a truly positive note.

• South Stars