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A few months back when Sameer Thahir came and narrated the subject to me at Amethyst in Chennai, there was an urge to commit this film instantly. I fell in love with the plot and the characters in no time which rarely happens to me. Still there were a million doubts in my head about how this movie is going to be executed. A week before the shoot, when I went for the script reading, that’s when I actually started loving “chappa”. The open discussions, exchange of ideas, participation of everyone involved, slowly this movie started to grow on me. Sameer kka, Shanu[fahadh fassil], unni chettan[writer], joemon [camera man], myself and many more people involved with “chappa kurish,” started getting closer to each other. I guess that’s how it works when u set out to do something meaningful.
First time in my life I stood in front of camera without fear or inhibitions. I loved playing my character, Ansari and i loved doing everything that he does in his life. Of course there were hard times when Shanu and I had to do a fight sequence for almost three days which was brutally painful. Realistic fights are not easy. Especially for a guy like me who has not done anything to have a good physique and stamina, it was really hard to take. I pitied myself for not having done anything for my body ever. But when I saw the result, all the ailments flew away. Every shot is worth the pain. And for a director like Sameer Thahir, u wouldn’t mind any bloody thing!!

chappa 01

Sameer kka is a visionary in disguise. When u see him from a distance, he would look like someone who is lost in the crowd. His face would be blank and most often he wouldn’t even know what clothes he’s wearing or if he has combed his hair or not. But as a film maker, his microscopic detailing would surprise u!! I ve not come across many film makers who have the kind of guts that he has. Some people have to try too hard to be different. But not for those people who are actually different. Sameer Thahir would join the latter group.
Shanu[fahadh faasil] has been my friend for a long time now. It was in 2005 that I spoke to him for the first time. Now in 2011 when I work with him, I am actually surprised by the transformation that he has had as an actor and as a human being.He gets a high when he acts. He’s an actor who’s extremely excited about every scene he does. Not like those young actors who keep speculating the salary of their 3rd or 4th film while they are actually doing their first film!! He loves his job and he does that with so much of grace.

chappa 02

There is so much more to write about so many people. Cameraman joemon, writer unni chettan, my other co stars.. but I think I ll stop for now. I ve to get out of the hangover that Chappa has given me. It’s time to burn those incense sticks again. It’s time to fill the rest of my A4 sheets to bring out the boy and the girl who has been falling for each other in my mind for the past several months. “Chappa” held their place for almost one and a half months now. Still, refusing to leave!!!

Give me a break “Chappa”.. I need my old self back!!!

This is one film I am extremely curious to see how audience would react. The director, the cinematographer and so many other people working in this film are debutants. For the first time in a film set, I am seeing so many people who are less than 30 years of age. All of them know that they are dealing with a very different yet risky subject. But the director, Sameer C Thahir [cinematographer of BigB, Daddy Cool] and his team are ready to take up the challenge and work towards something which I think is totally new.
If this movie works the way it is intended to, an era of independent cinema is not very far.
“Chappa Kurish” is in the making. Keep us in ur prayers guys