Venicle Vyapaari a clean entertainer -shafi
By Cine Buzz |20th November 2011|17 :20:15

Shafi, the younger brother of Rafi of the Rafi-Mecartin director duo, is now hot stuff after the success of Merikundoru Kunjadu. He began as an independent director just a few years back with One Man Show and then gave us successive hits - Kalyanaraman, Pulivaal Kalyanam, Thommanum Makkalum, Choclate, Mayavi,Chattampi Nadu,Makeup Man,Merikundoru Kunajdu before coming up with Merikundoru Kunajdu, the film that catapulted him to the top ranks in Malayalam filmdom.

Could you tell us the secret of the commercial success your films have been enjoying, right from One Man Show to Merikundoru Kunjadu?

I have learnt from them the art of making totally unpretentious entertainers, targetting every section of the film-going public. I make films that suit the festival mood in the fullest sense. Festival time, as we all know, is a time when people set aside all their cares and worries and go with family to watch films that entertain them in the main

Is your forthcoming film Venicle Vypaari  also going to be a film of that variety?

Definitely. As I said, I believe in making films that entertain. Venicle Vypaari too definitely fits into this pattern and is being made as an clean entertainer. But of course there is something in it that makes it different from my earlier films.

Could you detailed upon that?
Sure. Venicle Vyapaari is my first with james Albert. So, the films gives me an entirely different kind of feel compared to my earlier films. The film has ingredients which haven't been there in my earlier films. It brings alive before you the touch  of early eighties and the spirit of our days.

Could you tell us something about the theme of Venicle Vypaari?
“Venicile Vyapari is set in the early eighties. What makes the movie different from other period films is that it has been treated in a humorous vein. The protagonist is a coir merchant played by Mammootty, and the film portrays different stages in his life.” One of the highlights of the movie is the remix of the super hit song, ‘Kannum Kannum’, from the movie Angadi which was immortalised by the Jayan-Seema pair.

How the experience of working with Mammooty?

After the success of Thommanum Makalaum ,Mayavi and Chattampi nadu always a comfort level work with him, we are worked with each other on previous occasions. In fact the superstar didn’t even insist on a detailed story-line He readily committed without asking for the details. We both have grown to have that faith in each other. And since he is one actor who watches all the new releases, he is extremely aware of the trends of the day. It was he who suggested bell bottoms and side burns - that are typical of that period.

When is the film is to be released?

In December 16 th, as one of the Xmas films.

Yet another festival movie?

Sure. Like I said before, each one of my films is a festival movie, suiting the festival mood in all respects. Venicle Vypaari  too is a festival movie of sorts.

You seem to be optimistic about the box office response to the film?

One hundred percent. That is what every filmmaker ought to be before any film is released. I am deeply indebted to Senan sir , Siddique-Lal, Rafi-Mecartin, from whom I learnt the basics of filmmaking. I believe in the style of filmmaking I have learnt from them and that's what makes me so confident. And I place almost trust in the film-loving public of Kerala who have made each of my films a success.

Well, here's Cinebuzz wishing you all the best!

Thanks.