Roads were shut and stern warnings were issued as the country experienced extreme weather conditions
It's a mixed bag. It's certainly true that when expectations are sky high, it brings along a certain amount of responsibility and stress. Initially, I was tense because Lal and I were collaborating after a gap of six years. Writing a role for Mohanlal isn't a mean feat. Once we decided to work together, there was a clear need to create a role that Lal hadn't portrayed before, which was daunting in itself, as he's brought alive on screen all sorts of conceivable characters. This was a slow and laborious exercise which finally formed the crux of the film. On Lal's character taking shape, exciting times lay ahead, as a story then needed to be woven around him. I was ecstatic on seeing Lal bring this character alive on screen in his own inimitable style.
During initial discussions about who to cast in this role, many names cropped up, but I had always had Arbaaz in mind while writing the script. When I proposed his name, the entire team of Big Brother got excited, as there was a general feeling that the role was tailor-made for him.
He volunteered to fly down to Kerala, as he also wanted to meet Lal in person. He arrived in Kochi and we met Lal on the sets of Ittymaani. It was during this visit that I narrated the story of Big Brother to Arbaaz. On hearing the story and a narration of his character, he was thrilled and said he was really looking forward to being a part of the project.
Everyone who has seen a preview of the film, including Mohanlal, has said that no other actor could have done complete justice to this role, which I feel speaks volumes about Arbaaz's performance in the film. Overall, there's no doubt that Arbaaz is a definite plus as far as Big Brother goes.
As indicated by the trailer, Big Brother is an action thriller. Until now, the predominant element in my movies has been humour. Big Brother too has lighter moments, but it is more of a taut action-packed thriller. It also has melodious songs, heart-wrenching emotional scenes, and some strong characters.
What viewers may find surprising is that Big Brother has some spectacular action sequences, something that my films aren't known for.
Finally, Mohanlal's character has also shaped up really well, and as expected, he's turned in a highly nuanced performance. All in all, I'd like to believe that the film has all the necessary ingredients in proportionate quantities. It's a complete entertainer that'll whip up the crowds, creating a festive atmosphere at cinemas.
Malayalam cinema has gone from strength to strength due to its ability to embrace change. What we see today is an evolutionary process that began a number of years ago and that has taken into account changes in society and the tastes of moviegoers.
Personally speaking, I don't feel out of my depth when confronted by such changes. For one thing, I've always made a conscious effort to keep pace with changes in cinema. Even during my initial years as a director, the films I made had strong plots or revolved around characters that left an indelible impression on the viewer.
What has changed, though, is the entire audio-visual experience that moviegoers get to have nowadays, thanks in no small measure to advances in technology. There's no doubt that movies these days can take viewers on a magical journey.
I have never been one to shy away from experimenting or using technology - even in this film, we've used the latest technology available to provide a visual treat to audiences.
Roads were shut and stern warnings were issued as the country experienced extreme weather conditions
The game’s rising stars and DP World Tour winners will be in action over the next four days at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club
In the video, the man can be seen scaling the roof of an SUV and smashing its glass roof
This directive has been issued after taking the current country-wide circumstances into account
USA Basketball confirmed a formidable 12-man roster bristling with NBA talent
Many walked for hours on end to get to safety, however, some were not able to return home until the next day