‘Romancham’, which hit the theaters with laughter, is also a lucky film for many young people who dreamed of cinema. One of them is Siju Sunny who played the role of Mukesh. Siju was crazy about acting since he was in school. After BTech, he flew to Saudi Arabia, but Siju returned home to follow the craze of cinema. Jithu Madhavan discovers Siju from the reels video made during the covid era. Siju says that Jeethu’s gift was the biggest gift to him who wanted to do at least a small role in the film. Siju joins Sunny Manorama Online with exciting features…
Thrill is my lucky picture
Holy Mejo is my first movie. I was only in a small scene. After that, Soubin Ikka (Soubin Sahir) and Manju Chechi (Manju Warrier) acted together in the film ‘Vellaripattanam’ in two or three scenes. “Thrill” is my third film. For the first time the character throughout the film was thrilled. Ramancham is a lucky film, Ramancham received an unexpected reception for a debutant.
Children lessons from Venalthumpi
He used to act in small plays while studying in school. In those days there used to be short comedy skits on TV. I used to write all that and do it with two or three friends. Plays have been performed in school festivals. During the school vacations, they will participate in street plays, folk songs, etc. While working in that camp, I learned more about acting and became more fond of acting. Some of the brothers who come in Venalthumpi were working as assistant directors in the cinema. I got the mobile number from them, called them when the camp was over and started going to the auditions when I was studying in Plus One. But nothing worked
Even after coming to Saudi, the passion for acting did not leave
Even after completing engineering, my goal was cinema. I am wasting my life like this and when nothing is happening there is pressure from home to go to work. That’s how I go to Saudi. But even after getting there and getting a job, he didn’t stop sending photos for auditions. I thought that when I came home for vacation, I would get a chance in a movie. Had short writing sessions and wrote a script. Despite being in Saudi, I was still trying to act in films in the country. I was striving to fulfill my wish.
Reels video was the turning point
When I got a producer for the screenplay I wrote, I left my job in Saudi and came home. But that movie didn’t happen. The covid came from time to time. Reels videos became popular when I was wondering what to do next. I started making videos myself by writing 30 seconds of content. Jithu Chetan, the director of Romancham, happened to see a video in it. That’s how he called me when he decided to do the film.
He hasn’t put his shirt on since hearing the story
Jithu Chetan called and narrated the story and said that Siju is playing the role of Mukesh in this. Mukesh is an irresponsible person who is not very clean among friends who live together in the same house. A person who sleeps in any situation where he walks without wetting his two lungis, without putting on a shirt and without cutting his nails. “From now on, walk around the house shirtless, by the time you start making movies, it will become a habit.” So from that day I began to live as a ploughman. When they saw me walking around without cutting my hair, without cutting my nails, without putting on a shirt, even at home, everyone started hating me. Seeing their fear that I might have something wrong with me, I said, “This is preparation for a film”. He only told his family but not his friends or neighbors. Their thought was that something serious had happened to me. I didn’t tell anyone because I was afraid that my character might get away from me. However, the family said, “You’re not going to act in a movie, cut your hair and go.”
Intimacy started on the train
A few days after telling the story, Jithu Chetan called us all to Aluva. We all wanted to get to know each other and create a vibe. Only Nirup and Nath were absent. We all gathered there with singing. Jagadish would mime, we would all sing and dance and act out scenes from the film. We all called each other the same name from the movie. After a few days, Sajin Gopu and Nath joined in the train to Chennai. By the time we reached Chennai, we were all set. Sajin Gopu aka Nirup is a little senior than us who has done hit films like Jaane Mann and Churuli. Our friendship still continues. Now even when we go for promotion we all take hotel rooms just like in the movie. Me and Anant one room, Nath and Soman one room Afzal and Jomon one room. I want to carry this partnership like this.
responses
The trailer of Romancham has been getting good response since its release. After seeing the trailer, everyone shouted that there is good hope. When the movie came out, we got a response that we never expected. Relatives, friends and many people from the film called and gave good comments. Calling for new movies. Discussions are going on for two or three projects.
I had a relationship with Soubin Shahir five years ago
Soubin is acting together with Ikka for the first time but has a relationship with him for five years. Five years ago, I went for the audition of Soubin Ikka’s film ‘Parava’. I took a photo with him when I went to the audition. I didn’t get a chance for that film then. I kept that photo. At the location of Romanchath, by chance, the picture from five years ago came into the memory of the phone. I showed Soubika this photo and Soubika has no recollection of that day. He saw it and said, “Oh, that’s great.” I again took a picture with him and put both together and kept it. Soubika helped us all very well and we parted after the shoot as great friends. I have done a small role in his Vellaripattanam which is also a great pleasure.
Arjunethan (Arjun Ashokan) joined the film halfway through. Those who have seen the film know the impact of his character, even after reading the script, they were waiting to see how the character of Sinu will be played. That character is so hyped in that script. The range changed when Arjun Ettan came and started acting. I knew then that the film would be on another level. Arjuna is also a very cool guy. He would support us by saying that it is okay if we make a mistake and we can do it again.
Didn’t expect it to be such a big hit
While making the film, there was a feeling that this film would be successful. But I didn’t expect it to be such a big hit. It has been a success beyond our expectations. The film is a huge success in Kerala, outside Kerala and GCC. It’s nice to see friends from other countries going to the cinema and sending photos of their tickets. As an expatriate, I know that the only holiday an expatriate gets is Friday. It is nice to know that they are satisfied when they spend their time and money to watch our film. It was a dream to get into cinema and that dream came true. It got more acceptance than a beginner could get. Not only me, every star in the film has a fan base. Even the smallest character comes in and gets a standing ovation. There is great joy.
The family is also happy
My place is at that place in Pathanamthitta. There is a mother, stepmother and their baby in the house. Chetan is now in Saudi. Dad is dead. Chetan went with his family after seeing the thrill. I was not there at that time. When I came back, I went and watched the movie again with my mother and aunt. Relatives and friends watched the movie. Now my mother sends me the voice messages sent by my relatives after watching the movie. Another interesting incident occurred. An aunt of my father’s relation went to see my film, and she is not a movie watcher. After seeing the picture, Ammachi called my mom and said, “Thank you, they didn’t even give him a shirt. They always put him in a toilet. After seeing that, many people sat and clapped their hands and laughed.” In their mind, they felt that everyone saw their grandson very badly. So my mom said, “It’s not like that, Ammachi, his role in the movie is like that.” If Ammachi felt that much hatred, then it seems that my character has succeeded.