Arun Kumar Aravind, film director: ‘Taffic, a game changer’
Like everyone, I am also shocked at his demise. It was too unexpected for people like me who were awaiting his recovery. Losing him at such a young age is too painful and more was left in his creative hat to come.
We know each other since he had been assistant to director Rajeev Anchal. That was when I edited some of his films. He wanted to learn and do films ever since. Moreover, he was a friend and fellow filmmaker for we both belonged to Thiruvananthapuram. Rajesh was so hard-working that he prioritised films and neglected his health.
He possessed an immense talent to evaluate movies. When my films were released, he would watch it and call me up with his comments. Between Hridayathil Sookshikkan and Traffic, there was a long interval; he devoted that much time preparing for his next, maybe. Traffic made such a bang in Malayalam film industry with its multi-narrative format inspiring many others to come up with new ideas and methodologies for filmmaking.
Traffic turned out to be a game changer in the lives of everyone associated with it —from actors to technicians. Our last meeting was when the shooting for Vettah was progressing. He longed to go ahead with Motocycle Diaries, a project that has been put on hold
RajIt Menon, Actor and director: ‘My Kindered Soul’
I got introduced to Rajeshettan when I was called to do a role in Traffic which I could not due to several reasons. I am a late night person and I found a kindred soul in him. Whenever we would be in Kochi, we would catch up for some late night snacking and talk about films. He used to call me late at night saying, “I know you are awake,” and then we used to head out to Pai Dosas or some hotel at 2 or 3 am. He used to talk only about films and since my interest was also the same, I was only keen to listen and learn from whatever he said. He had a real vision of cinema and used to breathe and eat films. More than a friend, he was also my genuine well wisher. Whenever my music albums released, he used to call me up to wish me all the best and used to genuinely spend time talking about my projects. After the last music album I did, he had called me but I could not get back to him and when I did, he was hospitalised! He was a very encouraging and a positive person who knew a lot about films. He used to love junk food and may be that affected his health.
Shamna Kasim, actor: ‘An Unyielding Perfectionist ’
Rajesh’s demise is a huge loss to Mollywood. He was such a hardworking director who wanted to have perfection in his works. Even though he did only a few movies, all of them served something special for the viewers. I have acted in his two movies — Hridayathil Sookshikkan and Mili. In Hridayathil Sookshikan, my appearance was in a single shot.
Rajesh was friendly to all on the sets. I had never seen him shouting at anyone. During the shooting of Mili too he faced some health issues. Rajesh's family was his pillar of support. I had the opportunity to visit his home and spend some time with his family. I have seen how concerned they were about him. They pampered him like a kid and was very particular about his diet. It is a sudden demise. February has taken away Kalpana chechi first and now Rajesh Pillai.
Lena, actor: ‘Immense potential’
He had immense potential as a filmmaker. Traffic was a turning point both for Malayalam movie industry and myself. It is so sad to hear that he passed away soon after the release of his latest movie. He lived for films, worked for films and had so much more to give to this industry. It is a great and untimely loss for us.
Indrajith Sukumaran
Rajesh Pillai was a fine gentle soul who had a heart of gold. The way we bonded during last few months is beyond words. Cinema, travel, bikes, things we talked about were endless. As a person, he was as sensitive as a child and I remember each time we met, we would laugh so much on some silly joke or the other.
He was an actor's delight who worked on so much detailing with regard to each of his characters and would never be happy unless what you gave him was spot on. On that regard, the actor/director equation we shared during Vettah was unmatched. You will always be remembered my buddy. I will miss u. May your soul Rest In Peace. Prayers to the family
Inputs by Meera Manu, Priya Sreekumar, Elizabeth Thomas, Deepthi Sreenivasan
