Director Gautham Vasudev Menon, renowned for films like Vaaranam Aayiram (2008) and Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010), is making his Malayalam debut with the investigative thriller Dominic and the Ladies' Purse. In a recent interview, Menon shared insights about his first Malayalam film and his collaboration with Mammootty, who plays the lead role.

How did the Mammootty-Gautham Menon collaboration come about?

It all started through Manju Warrier, who introduced me to the writers of the film, Dr. Neeraj Rajan and Dr. Sooraj Rajan. Initially, we discussed a film with Manju Warrier as the lead, but that project didn’t materialize. However, my discussions with Neeraj and Sooraj continued, and one day they brought up the idea of Dominic. When we liked the story, we decided to move forward. During the discussions, I felt Mammootty would be the perfect fit for the role of Dominic. At the time, I was working with Mammootty on another movie as an actor and didn’t want to bring up another film while we were working together. Once Bazooka was done, I reached out to George and asked Mammootty for a meeting. We went to his house in Kochi, and after hearing the story, he liked it and said he would let us know. But the very next day, we got a call confirming that we could start preparations for the film. His response was beyond our expectations. His production company came forward to produce the film, and within 30 days, we had the cast and crew in place. Filming began in July and was completed by September. Dominic and the Lady's Purse became the fastest film I’ve completed in my career.

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Film actors Gokul Suresh and Mammootty - still from malayalam movie Dominic and the Ladies' Purse.
Film actors Gokul Suresh and Mammootty - still from malayalam movie Dominic and the Ladies' Purse. 

What makes Dominic different from other investigative roles Mammootty has played?

Mammootty has portrayed investigating officers in numerous films, and I’ve been a fan of these films since my school days. Before I began filming Dominic, I revisited many of these films to understand the nuances of his investigative characters. What sets Dominic apart is his approach to the investigation. He’s not the typical larger-than-life hero solving complex cases. Instead, he investigates a seemingly simple case—a purse—and the twists and turns that unfold. Dominic’s character is grounded and relatable, someone you might meet in your daily life. Mammootty’s natural expressions and understanding of the character made it easier to bring Dominic to life. We had detailed conversations about his style and mannerisms before the shoot. Mammootty assured me that he understood the story and character, and he brought a fresh perspective to the role without needing extensive preparation. If the audience accepts Dominic, there is definitely potential for a sequel.

How was it to direct and act alongside Mammootty in Bazooka?

Bazooka, which also stars Mammootty, is another exciting project. What made it special was that I got to act alongside him in a full-length role. Both directing and acting with Mammootty were incredible learning experiences. His approach to acting is meticulous—he makes sure he understands every aspect of a scene before stepping in front of the camera. We had many discussions about the scenes in Dominic and the Ladies' Purse, where we openly shared our doubts and perspectives. While acting in Bazooka, I faced the challenge of spot dubbing since I’m not fluent in Malayalam. However, Mammootty explained how spot dubbing enhances the performance and brings naturality as an actor, and I learned a lot from his approach. I’m thrilled to be making my Malayalam directorial debut with a Mammootty film.

(Translated by Warda Zain)