‘I can’t even watch the movie,’ says Vijay Sethupathi about Mohanlal film
In a resurfaced clip from an interview, Tamil actor Vijay Sethupathi speaks about a particular scene from the Malayalam film Thanmathra, starring Mohanlal. Vijay revealed that despite recognising it as a performance, he finds it difficult to watch.
The scene in question features Mohanlal's character entering an office, mistaking it for his home, and starting to undress to take a bath. Vijay said, “Lal Sir enters the office thinking it to be his home and starts getting undressed to take a bath. I can’t even watch the movie. I cannot even watch that scene… I don’t know why.. I know that it is a performance, that I am an actor, and that I am watching it. Even though I am watching it to learn; still I am not able to watch that scene.”
Vijay, along with other mainstream actors, has always praised Mohanlal’s immense talent. The portrayal of an Alzheimer's patient by Mohanlal in Thanmathra was so natural and powerful that even Vijay, despite being aware of the acting, could not watch the scene without feeling emotional. This reflects the incredible depth of Mohanlal’s performance that moved many, including some of the most respected actors in the industry.
Mohanlal once mentioned, “I have heard several actors saying that they observe lives and personalities. I never do that. I don’t do any homework for acting. Many had asked me after watching Thanmathra if I had observed Alzheimer’s patients. There must be actors who act after technically learning that part, but I never could do so.”
Thanmathra emerged as both a critical and commercial hit, gaining recognition over the years as a cinematic classic. The film also featured strong performances from Meera Vasudev, Nedumudi Venu, Jagathy Sreekumar, and Arjun Lal in key supporting roles.
Directed by Blessey and featuring Mohanlal in the lead role, Thanmathra premiered on December 16, 2005. The film explored the emotional and psychological toll of Alzheimer's disease on both the individual and their loved ones.