Lead role, a big responsibility!, says Biju Menon

Need a good laugh? These days we all do, considering the drama that unfolds in most of our personal and professional lives. The marquee has always been a favourite space to give vent to our urge to laugh to our heart’s content, thanks to a few entertaining films that lay emphasis on satire, taking inspiration from the mundane lives of the common man and his perceptions. Biju Menon has now become a safe bet for all films that require an impeccable comic timing. Films like Vellimoonga, Salt Mango Tree, Anuraga Karikkin Vellam, Rakshadhikari Baiju Oppu, Anarkali, etc have showcased the diversity of his roles – it does not  matter if he plays the lead or supporting role. His recent release Padayottam has been keeping the audience rolling in the aisles with its witty one-liners and quips. Biju plays the fearsome goon Chenkal Reghu who is intimidating in his looks and demeanor, but turns into a mouse at the mere mention of his mother. To get into the skin of his character, the actor grew his beard and came up with a trademark way of dressing – in a dark mundu and shirt, riding a bullet.

“Director Rafeek Ibrahim’s idea of Chenkal Reghu was a mature, tough-looking, intimidating, but someone devout and scared of his mother. Hence the thick beard, close cropped hair and clothes to go with the appearance,” explains Biju. Reghu had for company a motley group of friends who travel from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargod to avenge a friend who was attacked. Since Reghu is from the capital, it was a given that the character spoke in the Thiruvananthapuram slang, “I did not want the slang to be exaggerated and used only those common words that is part of the everyday lingo,” he says. Getting the humour part pat on was challenging, he reveals, “Unlike a rough and tough goon, Reghu gets motion sickness, a stomach upset and is scared of his mother. We have tried to avoid clichés surrounding a goon and used situational comedy to elicit laughs.”

For an actor who has played an entire gambit of roles, perhaps  getting someone to laugh can be the toughest act of all. “A  situation that can be exploited to elicit comedy was already present in the film. People expect comedy from me and there is nothing extra I did on my part,” he says humbly. Asked if the audience has a  certain perception of him, expecting comedy from him in every film, Biju firmly says that though that expectation is not limiting, it certainly is a liability. “When audience expect only humorous roles from me, my roles will become cliché and  predictable. When I do serious films, I find that my viewership comes down. So within the roles I am offered, I try to be selective and take up those roles I find  different,” he explains, adding,” It is not an easy job to make  people laugh always.”

Though Biju has tried to veer off the comedy track and take up serious films, he has not found many takers for those, “I do not want my producer to lose money on account of me. Everyone wants money at the end of the day, so I have decided to go with the flow and do comedy roles for some more time.”   The director is important for Biju as also the strength of the script. He does not shy away from acting under the baton of newbie actors and says, “I look at their past credentials and their style of narration and then judge them.” Script is of paramount importance to Biju, who divulges that he does not like playing the hero, “Right from the beginning to the end sometimes even after the release, the lead actor is responsible! He also has to look into the nitty gritties of everything.”
A very down-to-earth man who likes to do films at his own pace, he says. “Playing character roles gives me the freedom to try out different roles, including negative ones or elderly ones. When one is playing the lead role, clearly there are limitations and responsibilities.” 

He takes a minute and in his trademark mock serious tone quips, “Somehow people are not allowing me to play only  character roles and are dropping lead roles on me.” The actor is glad that Mollywood  is going through a good phase now, where the audience is open to accepting various genres of films. “I love acting in realistic, serious films, but I am adamant that no producer suffers because of me.” He also shares his views on the changing phase in Mollywood. “Earlier, films could be made only with stars, but now anyone can make a film with talented actors, provided the subject is good. The talent pool has also increased. The number of cinema theatres has increased and also the audience. So it is a good time for cinema and cinemagoers.”

No interview of Biju would be incomplete without enquiring about his very pretty wife Samyuktha Varma. There has always been an undying interest in her comeback and recently rumours have been flying far and wide. Biju clears the air, “We have not given it any concrete thought but she can come back at any time if she feels like it. No one is stopping her. Currently she is busy looking after our son Daksh Dharmik; his schooling and running a household keep her busy. Also someone should be around to look after Daksh since mine is not a 9-5 job. When I go for long schedules, he misses me and I am adamant that he not be subjected to that feeling. I have to balance my family as well as my career.” Aanakallan is Biju’s next release where he plays a man who dons various roles to get by in life. It is a murder mystery. Also in hand is G. Prajith’s upcoming film.