It has been around two years since Jibu Jacob-directed Vellimoonga hit the screens which gave a different dimension to the actor in Biju Menon. Since then, Biju is being chosen by the filmmakers for lead roles more than ever before and most of these films have become blockbusters. And yet, the actor is not ready to call himself a hero of those films. “In the past few years, I got a chance to become part of some exciting offers. Even now I am committed to some films, whose scripts I have been impressed by. In all these films, I am essaying some prominent roles. But, I cannot say that I am the only hero in these films. I like to say that I play one of the lead roles along with some brilliant co-actors,” he says in the typical Biju Menon tone.
“In the upcoming film Marubhoomiyile Aana, directed by V.K. Prakash, I am acting as a Sheikh and the film is titled in connection with my role. But I am not the only hero in the film as Kichu’s (Premam fame Krishna Sanker) character also has equal importance in the storyline,” he adds.
When quizzed more about his role and the film, he says, “It is an out and out fun film, which can entertain all. More than that, this is my first film with V.K.P. (V.K. Prakash), with whom I was planning to do a film for the past 15 years. You know what, I was supposed to act in his debut film (Punaradhivasam). But that did not happen and though we tried to team up for many other projects, somehow, none of them materialised. When it comes to my role, it is a comic character which is embedded with some suspense elements.”
It is when an actor who could harvest back to back hits that he gets tagged as a super star. But Biju Menon is an actor who likes to keep his distance from such an adjective. “I am not interested in such a label. I like to continue as a good actor. In fact such stardom gives you big responsibility, which I am not interested to take up,” he says. Biju points out, that his humourous avatars, which happened in the last three to four years have helped him to become more popular among the audience, though it’s been 22 years since he started acting. “Yes, people used to recognise me even during the initial days of my career as I am an actor. But now they have started approaching me with a smile and share their happiness with me. This change is all because of my humorous roles.”
About the criteria in character selection, he says “I will do a role which does not bore me or the audience. That’s all. To be frank I do not go for a detailed thought process as I do not get that kind of time. But of course, I try my best to zero in on the best projects. I like to do realistic films as well as sensible humourous subjects, just because I think these films are only capable to attract people to the theatres. Though I agree that serious movies are also good and I like to watch them, it is a fact that majority of the people are hesitant to go to theatres for those films. But if we could come up with some good humour subjects, majority of the family audience will come to cine halls and only then can a producer collect at least the production cost of the film.”
The actor who has recently completed Jose Thomas-directed Swarnakaduva and Asif Ali starrer Kavi Udheshichath, is now taking a small break. “I have a pain on my knee and for the past few months, my doctor has been advising me to take treatment. But owing to busy schedules, I could not devote time for that. Now I have decided to take a small break for the treatment,” says the actor who will join N.K. Gireesh’s film which has actor Neeraj Madhav as screenwriter, once the treatment is over.
