In the flamboyant world of filmmaking, tales of triumph and tribulation never cease to inspire. ‘Varshangalkku Shesham,’ the anticipated movie from the multifaceted Vineeth Sreenivasan, is set to sway the hearts of cinephiles with its poignant depiction of two friends on a relentless pursuit of their celluloid dreams. It charts Venu and Murali’s voyage from Kozhikode to Chennai, the dreamland for countless cinema aspirants during the Seventies, captivated by the glare of the silver screen and aspiring for stardom or a significant stride in this glamorous industry.
The film, embarking on its cinematic journey to audiences on April 11, narrates not just the struggles but also the eventual success of these friends who dared to follow their passion. ‘Varshangalkku Shesham’ brings to life the bustling Kodambakkam—the heartland of Chennai’s film studios—as experienced by Venu, portrayed by Dhyan Sreenivasan, and Murali, played by Pranav Mohanlal.
Vineeth Sreenivasan, a venerated personality in the Malayalam film fraternity, explains, “One dreams of making it big in cinema while the other has his own plans. Murali motivates Venu to go to Chennai. What happens to those friends is the story of Varshangalkku Shesham.” The film promises a rich narrative that spans five decades, offering insights into the world of cinema by tracing the life trajectories of these determined characters.
While some may wonder if the film draws parallels from the real-life odyssey of Vineeth’s father, actor-writer-director Sreenivasan, who himself mirrored such a trek from Kerala to Chennai in the Seventies, Vineeth clarifies that the film is only partially reflective of his father’s experiences. “Not completely. I have listened to his stories about his early life in Chennai and also the experiences of many of his contemporaries in cinema.”
His creativity was fueled by early memories of absorbing tales from popular Malayalam film magazines and anecdotes shared by actors during stage shows, inclusive of yarns spun by icons like Mukesh and the late Innocent. Sreenivasan’s shooting experience with revered director Priyadarshan’s ‘Chandralekha,’ which starred both Sreenivasan and Mohanlal, afforded Vineeth an elemental perspective on the cinematic process.
Vineeth’s depiction of the metropolis of Chennai aims to encapsulate the magic of the Seventies and Eighties, an era when film news was disseminated only through magazines, void of television and social media influences. With an ambitious canvas of 50 years, ‘Varshangalkku Shesham’ seeks to capture the evolving aesthetic of cinema, the transitioning styles of actors, the modulations in viewer preferences, and the shifting paradigms in filmmaking processes.
A star-studded ensemble embellishes the film’s prominent cast, with Vineeth extending his collaboration with various actors from his prior directorial venture, ‘Hridayam.’ Yet, he muses light-heartedly that there remain surprises for audiences, as the full cast is yet to be unveiled. Notable industry names like Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese, Basil Joseph, Neeraj Madhav, among others, feature in the film, with music director Shaan Rahman essaying an acting role for the first time.
‘It was serendipity,’ says Vineeth, reflecting on the cosmic alignment that allowed assembling this assemblage of bustling actors with their constricted schedules.
Vineeth’s directorial craftsmanship is further evidenced by his dexterous reuniting of talents, stirring excitement about new collaborations and reunions on-screen—meticulously planned scenes that unveil a new dimension of these celebrated actors.
The behind-the-scenes efforts were no small feat; meticulous art direction by Nimesh Thanur was crucial in reconstructing the memorable vignettes of ‘seventies Chennai’ at Aroor, Kochi, while additional scenes were captured in Coimbatore and Pollachi.
Undeterred by pressure, Vineeth shares a laugh when asked about pre-release jitters, maintaining that the intense focus during the making shields him until the proximity of the release endows a mix of nervous anticipation and relief.
A veritable jack-of-all-trades, Vineeth Sreenivasan excels as a writer, actor, director, lyricist, singer, and composer. With ‘Varshangalkku Shesham,’ he also introduces musician Amrit Ramnath, who, with his music directorial debut, is set to ensnare the listeners with melodies reminiscent of eras past.
Vineeth concludes, espousing the joy he derives from the filmmaking process, explaining his penchant for quiet composure amidst the chaos of production and his inclination to embrace new talent—an enduring testimony to his directorial philosophy. With ‘Varshangalkku Shesham,’ anticipation mounts for a cinematic sojourn through the heart of a bygone age of cinema, a tale of dreams pursued amid the glitz and drama that define the film industry.
