No Tamil actor would have played Fahadh’s character in that movie: Gautham Vasudev Menon

Director Gautham Vasudev Menon, who made his Malayalam directorial debut with Dominic and the Ladies' Purse starring veteran actor Mammootty, shared his thoughts on the unique dynamics between Malayalam and Tamil cinema.

In a recent interview with The Cue Studio, GVM opened up about the contrasting ways in which Malayalam and Tamil actors approach film roles and stories.

Also Read

Sandra Thomas lashes out at B Unnikrishnan: ‘Would he say that to a man’s face?’

‘Mammootty should stop doing things that destroy youth,’ actor’s social media post goes viral

Malayalam director B Unnikrishnan booked for issuing threats to producer Sandra Thomas

Mammootty’s ‘Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha’ returns to theaters on February 7 in 4K, Dolby Atmos | VIDEO

Malayalam director Shafi in critical condition due to internal bleeding

According to him, if the same content from Malayalam cinema were offered to Tamil actors, they would be unlikely to accept the roles. He specifically pointed out that no Tamil actor would take on a role similar to Fahadh Faasil's character in the critically acclaimed Kumbalangi Nights.

“We know the stature of Fahadh Faasil. No Tamil actor would have played Fahadh’s character in that movie,” GVM said. He added that if the same role was offered to a Tamil actor, they would likely question what is in it for them, suggesting that the Tamil film industry tends to favour roles that offer greater commercial potential.

In Kumbalangi Nights, Fahadh portrayed the antagonist, the brother-in-law of one of the main female characters, Baby. He strongly opposed her relationship with Bobby (one of the protagonists) and eventually resorted to drastic actions to stop them from being together. The character highlighted the themes of misogyny and toxic masculinity, which are often mistakenly glorified as heroism in Kerala.

GVM also stated that while Tamil filmmakers might be interested in remaking a Malayalam film after its release and success, they would not show interest if the project was initiated by directors themselves. “They would be more inclined to remake it after seeing its success, but not if we suggest it first,” GVM added.

The director also highlighted that the Tamil film industry's mindset is often centred around taking “big steps,” with both major stars and smaller heroes looking for roles that promise significant recognition and financial return.

Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse

Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse premiered worldwide on Thursday, directed by the acclaimed Tamil filmmaker Gautham Vasudev Menon, marking his first venture into Malayalam cinema. Produced by Mammootty under the Mammootty Kampany banner, this marks his sixth production. The film has quickly captured attention for its unique combination of comedy and thriller elements.

Mammootty stars in the lead role alongside Gokul Suresh, with strong supporting performances from Lena, Siddique, Viji Venkatesh, Vijay Babu, Vineeth, Sushmitha Bhatt, Shine Tom Chacko, and Wafa Khatheeja.

Written by Dr Suraj Rajan and Dr Neeraj Rajan, the film offers an engaging blend of suspense and humour, with Mammootty and Gokul Suresh portraying detectives at the heart of the gripping storyline.