Raman from Peruvazhiyambalam, Vishnu of Yavanika, Ajayan from Anantaram, Raghavan of Amaram, Thomaskutty of In Harihar Nagar, and many other timeless characters were brought to life by Malayalam's own Ashokan. He is making a return in an upcoming web series 'Perilloor Premier League' streaming on Disney+ Hotstar from January 5 and is here to share his thoughts and experiences with us.

What's 'Perilloor Premier League' about?

Set in a small local village in Kerala, it's a story filled with incidents and events familiar and relatable to all Malayalees. It can be seen as a political satire. My character, 'Keman Soman,' is a local politician who participates in every election and ends up losing all. However, he confidently carries himself as if he's won each time. It was a really enjoyable character to play, and working alongside stars like Nikhila Vimal, Sunny Wayne, Vijayaraghavan, and Aju Varghese has been a pleasure. I'm hopeful that 'Perilloor Premier League' will become a fantastic New Year's treat for Malayalee audiences.

How do you feel about your movies in 2023?

2023 was a good year for me. While I didn't do a lot of movies, the ones I did were greatly appreciated and brought me immense satisfaction. I had the opportunity to portray a prominent character in Lijo Jose Pellissery’s ‘Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam’ alongside Mammootty. It was a role that received much acclaim, one I'll forever be proud of. Following that, I played a unique fatherly role in the movie ‘Entikkakkorupremandaarnn,’ but unfortunately, it didn't receive the reception and appreciation I had hoped for, which was disappointing. Then, I took on the character ‘Kuriachan’ in the web series ‘Masterpeace,’ which was well-received by the audience. I'm also excited about my projects for next year, including 'Kishkindha Kandam,' 'Jai Ganesh,' 'Jamalinte Punjiri', and 'Paalum Pazhavum.

There have been significant changes in cinema lately, especially in terms of technical advancements. How do you perceive this change?

I'm thrilled to be part of this evolving phase of cinema. Most of the movies I act are helmed by newcomers who adeptly utilize cutting-edge equipment and techniques. It's fulfilling to portray important characters in these films. Filmmaking has become less challenging compared to earlier times due to technological advancements. Thanks to technological progress, filmmaking has become less challenging, with various cameras and equipment accessible to cater to any budget. However, there are some drawbacks too. Personal connections within cinema have decreased significantly. The presence of facilities like caravans has reduced interactions and conversations that used to happen between takes and during breaks on set. After a scene is filmed, everyone returns to their caravans. At the same time, caravans do offer benefits, such as providing personal space during outdoor shoots.

(Translated by Abhijay Anand)