‘In the heat of a fight with Ranjith, my father bled from his nose…’ Shammi Thilakan on a dispute later resolved

Actor Shammi Thilakan expressed that he is proud to be known as Thilakan’s son. “There’s a certain thrill in being called Thilakan’s son. That is why I said I always have a father to call my own, which makes me proud. When people see glimpses of my father in me, they recognise me also as Thilakan,” he said.

Speaking to Mathrubhumi News during the promotion of the film ‘Vilayath Buddha’, Shammi Thilakan also recalled an earlier on-set incident between his father and director Ranjith. “There was quite a quarrel, back and forth with words flying. My father felt it deeply. In the heat of the moment, his nose bled, and in anger, he drove from Pollachi to Thiruvananthapuram. The production controller called me and informed me. Two hours later, I got a call from an unknown number—it was Ranjith. He spoke for a while about the matter, apologised to me but not to my father, saying my father also at fault,” Shammi recounted.

Shammi Thilakan further spoke on the casting of Thilakan in ‘Indian Rupee’, which coincided with a critical period in the veteran actor’s career. “Ranjith told me that Thilakan had a pivotal role in the film with Prithviraj as the lead, which would become a highlight of the movie. Because of his hesitation to call my father, Ranjith asked me to do the same. The initial call led to a quarrel, but Ranjith later personally spoke to my father and resolved everything,” he added.

Vilayath Buddha, directed by Jayan Nambiar and produced under the Urvashi Theatres banner by Sandeep Senan in collaboration with AV Anoop, is based on G R Indugopan’s acclaimed novel of the same name. The screenplay has been written by G R Indugopan and Rajesh Pinnadan, following the production team’s string of hits including ‘Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum’, ‘Sathyam Paranja Viswasikkuvo’ and ‘Saudi Vellakka’.