Sonalee Kulkarni calls Malaikottai Vaaliban ‘the real pan-Indian film’: ‘It’s Malayalam cinema’s magnum opus with Mohanlal’s brilliant performance’

‘Malaikottai Vaaliban is the celebration of Indian culture’

“This is the real pan-Indian film that authentically portrays various cultures across the country. Beyond being filmed in various regions across the country, the movie features characters and actors from different parts of India. I am from Maharashtra, we have Katha Nandi from Bengal and Danish Sait from Karnataka, among others. Consequently, each of us brought our unique cultural elements to the table. In the film, I also perform a Lavani, a traditional Marathi folk dance. Therefore, I believe this is a genuine celebration of Indian culture on the grandest scale,” she notes while emphasising that the movie also has its soul intact.

“Malaikottai Vaaliban has a soul and a philosophy within it. It’s not as if things are happening solely for visual appeal. It imparts a beautiful message that will linger with you.”

(From left) Actors Katha Nandi, Manoj Moses, Mohanlal, Sanjana Chandran, Suchithra Nair, Sonalee Kulkarni and Hareesh Peradi. (Image: Sonalee Kulkarni/Instagram)

Who is Rangapattinam Rangarani?

According to Sonalee, her character, Rangapattinam Rangarani, is an artist, a dancer and an actor who performs in theatre. “She’s vivacious, animated, loud and glamorous as well,” the actor mentions, adding that Lijo noticed her for the first time when he saw her performance in the Lavani dance song “Apsara Aali” from the 2010 Marathi film Natarang.

Heaping praise on Lijo Jose Pellissery, she points out that the director had a clear idea about whom to cast for each character from the very beginning. “He had a list of top options for each character, and trust me, the people he initially envisioned did become a part of the film. So, there was no compromise in the casting process.”

 

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‘Lijo Jose Pellissery is highly unpredictable’

She, however, quips that working with Lijo can be a bit stressful because he “doesn’t prep a lot with actors”. “It’s like you don’t know what’s going to happen. Sometimes, I would spend six months learning specific lines and when we arrived on set, Lijo would say that we were not proceeding with that scene and present me with another one. So you have to be on your toes because he is highly unpredictable. While, as an actor, I embrace spontaneity and, therefore, don’t extensively prepare, there are instances when it’s necessary. However, in this film, all the preparations and planning were thrown aside. That’s when I realised I need to be fluid-like, go with the flow, and adjust myself according to the filmmaker’s directions.”

Emphasising that mastering the language posed the most significant challenge in her journey as Rangapattinam Rangarani, she says “I studied in an English-medium school where we mostly spoke Hindi and English. So, I did not speak a lot of Marathi growing up and only picked up the language after entering the industry. Doing a Malayalam film felt like restarting the entire journey after 15 years in this field. Particularly, given the uncompromising nature of Marathi and Malayali audiences regarding lip-sync, one needs to be exceptionally careful. Thus, the process began with learning Malayalam, for which we also had some workshop sessions, followed by honing the craft. As challenging as it was, the process of learning the language was fun too.”

‘Malayalam industry is very professional and open to outsiders’

Noting her lack of familiarity with the workings of the Malayalam industry, or its counterparts in the south, when undertaking the role, Sonalee says she initially harboured scepticism. However, the actor highlights that the producers created a welcoming atmosphere, particularly for the non-Malayalees, herself included. “So, the industry here is, I feel, highly professional and open to outsiders. Despite it still being a patriarchal field, there was a considerable amount of respect and I can confidently say I felt safe while on set.”

Describing Mohanlal’s performance in the film as truly brilliant, she expresses, “Once he’s on set, he sheds his stature, grandeur and any other baggage. He’s so grounded, humble and such an amazing co-star to work with. Not only does he sit there attentively observing your performance, but he also encourages you and provides valuable tips.”

 

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‘Malaikottai Vaaliban will feature a brilliant performance by Mohanlal’

“Honestly, you don’t even have to sit and ask him questions to learn. By simply observing his style of working, you can absorb a wealth of knowledge. I believe that, beyond being touted as a stylish spectacle featuring Lal sir in a never-seen-before avatar, this film also showcases Mohanlal’s brilliant performance. He has killed it on screen — subtle yet impactful. And that is a lesson I wish to carry with me as an actor: that sometimes, doing nothing on screen can also leave a lasting impact.”

Commending cinematographer Madhu Neelakandan, Sonalee expresses that he has done an exceptional job here. “The film’s music and background score also present a unique experience. Thus, Malaikottai Vaaliban seamlessly combines visual and audio elements, evoking a diverse range of emotions for the audience. I strongly recommend watching it on the big screen to fully appreciate the immersive experience. I have even been advising against watching the trailer on mobile phones or tablets as it doesn’t do justice to the film.”

“I am glad that Malaikottai marks my debut in Malayalam cinema, even though it’s releasing in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi languages as well. It beautifully portrays India on the larger screen in the best possible manner,” she concludes.