Dinjith Ayyathan has been on an exhaustive interview circuit over the past week, basking in the glory of his latest film, **Kishkindha Kaandam**, which has received accolades from critics and audiences alike. Speaking to the media, a jubilant Dinjith remarked, “I had manifested the movie’s success to such a level that it might sound ambitious for others. But, we were confident about the product and I was sure about making my mark as a filmmaker.”
**Kishkindha Kaandam** tells a layered and immersive story, presented as a slow-burn thriller. The narrative revolves around Appu Pillai (portrayed by Vijayaraghavan), a retired army man with a grumpy demeanor, his son Ajay Chandran (played by Asif Ali), who serves in the Forest Department, and Ajay’s wife, Aparna (played by Aparna Balamurali). They reside in an imposing old house nestled amidst verdant greenery, located near a reserve forest bustling with monkeys. The plot thickens as Aparna unravels hidden aspects of her father-in-law and husband’s lives, serving as the catalyst for the mystery, leaving the audience in utter suspense.
Dinjiht shared his excitement about the film’s Onam release, stating, “An Onam release is special. The film was supposed to hit the theatres earlier this year but had to be postponed due to the delay in a couple of Asif’s movies. Releasing it during the festival season was producer Joby George Thadathil’s decision. Despite others advising us against it because of the film’s content and the competition, Joby chettan was steadfast. The film had become personal for him.”
The success of **Kishkindha Kaandam** is a testament to Dinjith’s journey, which began with his debut film, **Kakshi: Amminipilla**, in 2019. Despite its underwhelming performance at the box office, the film was well-received by those who watched it, and Dinjith realized the importance of promotion very late. He recalls the effort his team made to put up posters across the state. The same team, including cinematographer Bahul Ramesh and editor Sooraj ES, reassembled for **Kishkindha Kaandam**.
Bahul Ramesh not only handled the cinematography but also scripted **Kishkindha Kaandam**, which is praised for being one of the finest screenplays in Malayalam cinema. Dinjith emphasized, “Emotions run high in the narrative with no relief for the audience. It was vital to maintain the right emotional measure. Since scenes were not shot in chronological order, it posed a challenge for the actors. Some intense scenes from the climax were shot at the beginning, requiring reshoots for important scenes with Asif.”
Dinjiht credited Bahul Ramesh for providing a wholesome screenplay and praised his alignment with the director’s vision. “Bahul wrote the story during the lockdown, finalizing the script in eight days. We were on the same page throughout, which is crucial for a film’s success. Sooraj’s exceptional editing made it a seamless viewing experience.
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The film’s soundscape also stood out as a key element of the storytelling. With a conscious decision to exclude songs, Mujeeb Majeed, known for his work in **Mandharam** and **Thinkalazhcha Nishchayam**, crafted an engaging background score. “The track ‘Doore doore’ with Tibetan lyrics was used as a promotional song, upon the producer’s suggestion,” Dinjiht revealed.
Boasting an accomplished cast, **Kishkindha Kaandam** benefited from the seasoned performances of its actors. Dinjiht shared insights from discussions with acclaimed director Fazil about casting wisely. “Fazil sir emphasized the importance of selecting the right actors. Kuttettan (Vijayaraghavan), Asif, Aparna, Jagadeesh chettan, and Ashokan chettan offered some of the best performances.”
Dinjiht reminisced about Vijayaraghavan’s role in his first film and his remarkable ability to design characters. “In **Kishkindha Kaandam**, I only had to ensure he performed within the intended meter,” he said, noting Asif’s evolving potential as an actor over the years.
The journey to **Kishkindha Kaandam’s** completion was fraught with delays, leading to a five-year gap between Dinjith’s two films. “I received the story in 2022, intending to shoot in 2023. However, various issues, such as finding the right house for filming, postponed the project. We eventually secured a location in Palakkad after facing setbacks in Kasaragod.”
The director recounted the challenges of shooting scenes involving monkeys at Athirappilly. “We spent an entire day capturing five hours of footage, only to use select shots.”
A native of Thalassery now settled in Chennai, Dinjith gave up a promising career in animation to pursue filmmaking. He shared his journey from his days working on pre-production for a 3D animation film in Kochi to eventually leading VFX work for movies like **1983**, **Philips and the Monkey Pen**, and **Action Hero Biju**.
Dulquer Salmaan, originally approached as the lead for his debut film, referred Dinjith to Asif Ali. Even though the initial project didn’t materialize, Asif was impressed with Dinjith’s animated short film, leading to their collaboration on **Kakshi: Amminipilla**.
Reflecting on the success of **Kishkindha Kaandam**, Dinjith fondly remembered a special moment. “Everyone is talking about the scene where Asif hugs Kuttettan. Similarly, a hug featured prominently in my first film. I have never hugged my parents, but after the film’s success and seeing my father [Divakaran Ayyathan] perform a small role in it, I hugged both my parents for the first time. It was an overwhelming and cherished moment for me.”
Published: September 25, 2024 03:24 pm IST
The Hindu MetroPlus
