Malayali Shalini Ushadevi, who won the National Award for Best Screenplay, speaks
The award was not expected
It is an unexpected experience to receive an award for the work done two or three years ago. I am resting at home in Thiruvananthapuram as Covid positive when I got the information about the award. When I was doing a web series for a Mumbai-based production house called Sikia, they asked me if I could collaborate in the work of ‘Surarai Pottery’. Sudha Konkara prepared a clear story after doing a lot of research. There was also a clear understanding of what needed to be done. So when we work with someone we become more creative.
Two years of work
Low cost air transport is the story of ‘Surarai Pottery’. Mostly business matters. The challenge was to present such an ‘unpopular’ subject with all the flavor of a commercial film. Sudha and I completed the script after two years of writing, editing and arguing with each other about ideas. I still remember the day I saw the movie on the screen after the final editing. Some of the scenes were thrilling, and some were unknowingly teary-eyed. The awards that the movie won doubled that happiness.
Nothing is planned
Studied 14 years from LKG to XII in St. Thomas Residential Public School. After that, he graduated in English Literature from Stella Maris, Chennai and Broadcast Journalism from the Asian School of Journalism. The turning point was attending a documentary and film workshop at that time. Till then nothing was planned about the career. After that workshop, with his love for cinema, he joined the Prague Film School in the Czech Republic for a directing course. He came back with the desire of his own film.
Own movie soon
In 2011, the film I directed, ‘Akam’, was released. Starring Fahadh Fazil and Anumol as the female leads, the story was based on Malayathur’s ‘Yakshi’. Worked as assistant on commercials, co-producer on non-fiction programs and creative consultant on some films. Wrote the script for the ‘True Crime’ series for Netflix. It will be released soon. A Malayalam scripted film for another director is also being prepared in the line-up. The new film, written and directed, is slated to start next year and will be in Hindi.
Writing and reading
My grandmother used to read me stories from my childhood and still continues to tell these stories. That’s how I came to love telling stories. He has great interest in reading and writing stories, novels and articles. I have written a lot for publication, I will tell you when the time comes. Another favorite is adaptation. Two such works are being done now.