Comedy, action and romance are the time-tested and proven genres which are considered relatively safe and therefore, preferred by most filmmakers. Very few directors have the gumption to come up with commercial films led by child actors. A well-experienced journalist, author and ad film maker, Tony Chittettukalam is making his directorial debut with Chakkaramaavin Kombathu, which, like the title suggests, will give the audience some sweet moments to contemplate about in family relationships.
Tony says, “In between the so-called new-gen and commercial films, we have strived to come out with a theme that reflects nativity, importance of relationships and nature, with a tinge of humour.”
The film takes a look at two families from two different strata — an affluent family of the ambitious Dr Lucy Mathew portrayed by Meera Vasudevan who has a seven year old boy relegated to the background and a poor couple — played by Harishree Ashokan and Anjali Menon — who are rich in love and are lavishing it on their son, a role enacted by Master Gaurav Menon. Another major character played by Joy Mathew is close to everyone in the village and whose word is the law.
The role marks the comeback of Meera, who has been busy raising her own son. Praising Tony, she states, “His understanding of feelings is evident in his filmmaking, which is a huge advantage. He has sensitively and delicately handled some relevant issues through the three children. This attracted me to the script more than my role as the doctor who is ambitious to the point of neglecting her child. This role has a negative shade and looks at the psychological impact of neglect on a child's mind."
Taking a slight pause, Meera continues, “Today, I am a single mother and my son will soon turn three. I am lucky that he is well taken care of by his grandparents, but imagine a child growing up bereft of that love.”
Asked if Meera had any nervousness facing the camera after a while, she laughs, “No, I was just waiting to get in front of the camera." Meera rates this as her second best performance after Thanmatra. “This film has left me with a very sweet taste and has instilled my hope in Malayalam cinema.”
