The bond between 'Thudaram' and Pathanamthitta

Pathanamthitta: The film Thudarum, set in Ranni and its surrounding areas, is successfully running in theatres. The story's setting in Ranni is deeply personal to the film producer M Renjith, a native of Mathoor in Omalloor, Pathanamthitta. Renjith, who has been active in the Malayalam film industry for 35 years as a producer and distributor, leads Rejaputhra Films. He was in his ancestral home with his wife, actress Chippi, to participate in the flag hoisting ceremony at the Mathoorkavu Temple. During his visit, he shared thoughts on his journey in cinema and his emotional bond with Pathanamthitta.

How did your interest in cinema begin at Mathoor Manthramadam?

Malayalam film historian and critic Chelangatt Gopalakrishnan is my maternal uncle (my mother’s younger brother). He was the one who sowed the seeds of cinema in me during my childhood. While staying at his house in Cherthala, I was introduced to many books and films. I also had the chance to meet several people from the film industry through him. It was also his wish that I enter the world of cinema.

How did your journey to becoming a film producer begin?

After my studies, I worked with various companies both inside and outside Kerala. In 1990, while working in Kottayam, I got to know many people in the industry through a friend’s film distribution. That led me to delve deeper into cinema. I shared my interest in producing films with people like Pattanam Rasheed and J. Pallassery. Through these connections, I produced my first film, Mukhachitram, in 1990 at the age of 24. It was Pattanam Rasheed who came up with the name ‘Rejaputhra Films’.

What led you to set the story in Ranni?

Pathanamthitta is one of the places that I love the most. But more than me, it held a strong emotional connection for my father, P. Unnikrishnan Nair. Growing up watching his attachment to the region, I too developed a soft corner for it. That’s how many of my projects ended up being here. My connection with the district played a big role. Initially, the shooting location of Thudarum was planned at Palakkad. It was my suggestion to shift the setting to Ranni.

Ranni is a place where we could naturally integrate Sabarimala, Erumeli, Pathanamthitta town, Kumplazha, Thiruvalla, and even forest regions into the script. Since I’m familiar with these areas, I could guide the team during the development of the script

How did you help the scriptwriters understand the setting and language of Pathanamthitta?

Right from the beginning, we took the writers to see the locations. Whenever they had doubts, director Tharun Moorthy and scriptwriter K.R. Sunil would ask me for clarifications. Even the name of the police station was suggested by me. To capture the essence of the dialogues, we travelled extensively through the regions mentioned in the script and interacted with the local people there.

Despite beautiful locations, why are not many major films shot in Pathanamthitta?

Many small films are being shot here; however, there is not enough infrastructure to support large-scale productions in the district. In filmmaking, timelines are crucial, and sometimes it is hard to meet them with the resources available here. We tried to shoot a major portion of Thudaram in Pathanamthitta, but due to heavy rains and other challenges, only a part of it could be filmed here.

What was Mohanlal’s reaction to this Pathanamthitta-based theme?

Lalettan is someone who has a strong attachment to his hometown. He was enjoying himself while delivering the dialogue, ‘Njan Pathanamthittakarana’, in the film. Lalettan and I are relatives; our families were very close when we were children. I still remember taking his grandmother (his mother’s mother) to watch his debut film Manjil Virinja Pookkal at Anurag Theatre in Pathanamthitta.

Are new film communities emerging in Pathanamthitta? What are your thoughts on the district’s film culture?

When I entered the film industry, things weren’t so easy. Only a few like Gandhimathi Balan and Pandalam Gopinath, were active from the district. Now, we have more communities and connections forming around cinema. However, the main issue is the lack of collective leadership to guide film-related initiatives here. If such a movement arises, I would be more than happy to contribute. When Thudaram was released, most of the calls, appreciating the film, I received were from people in Pathanamthitta. They even searched for my number to express their happiness. That shows how deeply people here love cinema and their homeland.

Films produced by M Renjith: Mukhachitram (1991), Mukhamudra (1992), Ponnaramthottathe Rajavu (1992), Chinthamani Kolacase (2006), Red Chillies (2009), Elsamma Enna Aankutty (2010), Makeup Man (2011), Idukki Gold (2013), Left Right Left (2013), Tamaar Padaar (2014), Two Countries (2015), Koode (2018), Thudaram (2025)