Undying love

RS Vimal, the director of Ennu Ninte Moideen, says the real-life story of its protagonists taught him that love ought to be celebrated.

If Kanchanamala lives a life in memory of Moideen, her lost love - a love so utterly fascinating to be real for the modern generation - a filmmaker who documented the story for posterity, at one point in his journey, had to pledge everything he owned to fulfil his dream.
RS Vimal, the director of Ennu Ninte Moideen, the film based on the real-life love of Kanchanamala and Moideen, says he was on the verge of self-annihilation when his film, 90 per cent complete, faced a legal tussle.
In life's many ironies, the hurdle was tossed at him by Kanchanamala, who sought legal recourse to stop the movie, fearing it tarnishes her relationship with Moideen. The court cleared the film's shooting and it released to thunderous welcome from critics and masses, alike. But the case drags on. Vimal, who had met Kanchanamala seven years ago, to make a documentary on her 'supreme sacrifice' - of living the life of a 'widow,' of a man whom she never married - still sees her at court for the regular hearings. He feels she has been manipulated by others for vested interests.
But cut that sad episode out and he cannot but bow in respect for the life that Kanchanamala chose for herself. Vimal says the love story of Kanchana and Moideen has no parallels anywhere in the world, in real life or literature. And that is why he believed ardently that it was a film that he had to make. His tryst with the Kanchanamala-Moideen love story came upon by chance when he was working for a TV channel. For a series called Supreme Sacrifices, about ordinary men and women who rose above others through their nobility, he was introduced to Kanchanamala by Moideen's brother BP Rasheed.
For the first time since Moideen's death by drowning in the Iruvazhinji River, Kanchanamala stepped out to the riverside, travelled in a canoe and shared her story for a documentary that Vimal directed. It was told from her perspective - the story of a woman who trades her life and everything indeed for a love that will not come back to life.
With the consent of Kanchanamala and Rasheed, Vimal then started work on the movie version. He left his job, stayed in the village of Mukkam, where Kanchanamala lives, and over the next six years created the movie, Ennu Ninte Moideen.
Featuring Prithviraj and Parvathy in the lead roles, Ennu Ninte Moideen has a talented supporting cast including Lena, Sai Kumar and Tovino Thomas, and breathtaking cinematography by Jomon T. John. Now playing at theatres in the UAE, the film is a portrait of the romance as well as a compelling commentary on Kerala's socio-political milieu a few decades ago.
In a free-wheeling interview, Vimal talks about his long abiding tryst with what he describes as the world's greatest love story:
What made the story stick to you for years, even after you had documented it once?
When I first met Kanchanamala and listened to her speak, I realised that her life was anything beyond what one could comprehend or have imagined. Her love for Moideen is one that would surprise the world, and the very fact that such a noble story happened, and is happening, right now and in Kerala, hooked me. It is the decisions that people take, it is the surrendering they willingly do that define people. Kanchanamala surprises us all with her decisiveness and noble sacrifice.
Moideen also - with every new bit of information I gained about him, his character filled my heart.
Was Kanchanamala hesitant to share her story with you at first?
She was visiting the Iruvazhinji River for the first time after some 27 years since the death of Moideen. She drenched herself in the rain. We shot the portions and later she told us their story in vivid details. She gave me the word then that I would have first right to make it into a movie.
But how difficult was it to convert a documentary into a feature-length film?
I had researched tremendously for the movie. I was staying in Mukkam. I spoke to Moideen's friends, relatives and a lot of people. For the documentary, the perspective was very clear - it was to tell the story through the eyes of Kanchanamala. But there was an abundance of material about Moideen; in fact, it could make five more popular films. That was how his personality was; he was one whom I would describe as a person who could awe people around him and stands out in natural heroism. So my challenge was to weed out what was not hundred per cent relevant to the love story of Kanchanamala and Moideen. I had a full digital story board, detailing every shot, fully ready three years before shooting started.
Are you surprised by the overwhelming response to the movie?
I had always believed in the story. I knew it would have the world awe-struck. And I knew the film would be good. But beyond that, the kind of success it has gained is indeed unexpected.
Can you share one reaction from the people to the movie that you cherish?
I think one of the aspects of the movie that swayed audiences and critics alike is how platonic their love is. In fact, I realised it even during the shooting because the two star-crossed lovers do not even have a moment of physical touch. I think that struck a chord more so today, when such platonic relationships are next to impossible. I think that element of absolute purity in love is still cherished by people. That could be why even people who had never watched a movie in their lifetime come to see Moideen.
How do you respond to actor Dileep stepping forward with support for the BP Moideen charity? Wasn't that something you should have been doing?
We had contributed INR5 lakh prior to commencing the film. But now, because a legal case is ongoing, if we do anything, it is liable to be sub judice. We are delighted that Dileep stepped forward. In fact, several hundred people are willing to do so.
The court case must have been painful... especially as it jeopardised your film schedule?
Of course, we had pumped in about INR8 crore into the project when we had to stall it. The dates of artists went haywire and those were really dark days for me. I had to pledge and sell almost everything I had. In fact, I was even on the verge of suicide. If there is one person who stood by me, it was BP Rasheed, Moideen's brother. If am alive today, it is thanks to that man.
What did you learn from this story and from the making of the film?
That in a world that is increasingly being polarised in the name of caste and religion, people can love so deeply is an inspiring lesson for all humanity. Their love shows the fundamental goodness of human beings, not chained by any differences whatsoever. Their love is also a strong message in secularism. I really wish that like Valentine's Day, people celebrate a Kanchana-Moideen Day because I firmly believe that such a love story is unparalleled.
People have found it always hard to define love. After being part of such an exceptional love story, have you been able to define love?
I believe that love must be celebrated through all odds. That is what Kanchanamala does with her life. Even in her loneliness and heart-breaking melancholy, she is silently celebrating love.
So have you completed your journey with the Moideen-Kanchanamala story?
Right now, the script of the film is being published and I am planning to do the movie in Tamil and Hindi. I also have thought of another Malayalam film but I will see how it all works out.

• South Stars