Director Gautham Vasudev Menon, known for his significant contributions to Tamil cinema, has ventured into Malayalam filmmaking with Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse, starring Mammootty, which released on January 23. Despite his successful career in Tamil cinema, Menon has faced several hurdles, notably with his much-anticipated film Dhruva Nachathiram, which has been delayed due to legal and financial issues.
In recent interviews, Menon opened up about his challenges, particularly with the Tamil film industry, where he expressed disappointment over the lack of support from certain quarters. Despite this, he emphasized that he doesn’t hold any grudge against the industry. “I speak candidly about my experiences, but there’s no resentment towards anyone,” Menon clarified, explaining that even with Suriya initially attached to Dhruva Nachathiram, the film would have faced similar issues regardless of the lead actor.
Menon, however, doesn’t view cinema through regional lenses. He revealed that his decision to work in Malayalam with Mammootty was purely based on the story’s potential and the actor’s suitability for the role. He expressed admiration for Malayalam cinema’s flexibility, with actors like Mammootty embracing diverse roles in films such as Kaathal and Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam. He noted that while Tamil actors may be reluctant to take on such subjects, Malayalam actors are more open to experimental content.
On his relationship with Suriya, Menon admitted feeling hurt when the actor, with whom he collaborated on Kaakha Kaakha and Vaaranam Aayiram, backed out of Dhruva Nachathiram. Despite the setback, Menon clarified that he’s not closing the door on future collaborations, highlighting their brief reunion in 2021 for Guitar Kambi Mele Nindru in the Navarasa series.
While Menon has occasionally stepped in front of the camera as an actor, he describes himself as a “reluctant actor.” He shared that most of the time, he declines acting offers, though he sometimes agrees when directors he respects approach him. He cited his role in DD Returns as an example of his occasional acting commitments.
Reflecting on his 25 years in the industry, Menon shared a valuable lesson: life goes on. Despite setbacks and challenges like those with Dhruva Nachathiram, his resilience and unwavering pursuit of creative fulfillment continue to drive him forward. The positive experience working with Mammootty on Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse reinforced his belief that perseverance and trust in relationships ultimately lead to success in filmmaking.
