Dhoomam director Pawan Kumar says he wants to do a light-hearted film next: ‘I have a genuine fondness for slice-of-life films’

“Dhoomam marks my fourth film in the past decade. Initially, I was caught up in the rush of making at least one film per year. However, over time, I began questioning the purpose behind this approach. If I couldn’t create films that truly reflect a part of myself, what was the point of it all? Consequently, I am no longer in a hurry to dive into anything immediately. Nor am I thinking of becoming a part of the ongoing trend of big-budget, pan-India films. Now that Dhoomam is complete, I intend to wait for a new thought or a strong feeling to emerge naturally, breathe, and gradually transform into something meaningful. I really want to do a light-hearted film. I have a genuine fondness for slice-of-life films. Hence, my next inclination lies in that genre, and I hope that both circumstances and my writing align to grant me the opportunity to embark on such a project,” he tells The Indian Express.

Considering that U-Turn dealt with a highly pertinent social theme and now Dhoomam following a similar path, The Indian Express was curious to understand Pawan’s perspective, as an artiste, regarding the role of films in conveying a message or directly addressing societal concerns. The director, however, says that he holds no such beliefs and instead prefers to create personal films. Prior to making his directorial debut with Lucia, Pawan Kumar wrote the scripts for two films, Manasaare (2009), a romantic psychological film, and Pancharangi (2010), a romantic comedy film, both directed by Yogaraj Bhat.

“My first film was a very personal work. It fell within the romantic comedy genre, and I have a desire to revisit that style in the future. To be honest, I have grown somewhat weary of consistently working on movies that address social issues or carry intense themes.”

“However, after my initial films, a significant change occurred as I started viewing things from a personal standpoint. Lucia, in particular, was a deeply personal project that explored the theme of identity crisis. By the time I began writing U-Turn, my daughter had been born. So, between Lucia and U-turn, another shift happened in me and I began observing events in the world and contemplating how they could impact someone we love. My daughter was just eight months old at the time. But this notion was always a driving force for me,” Pawan states.

“I had written Nicotine even before getting married, yet the underlying thought was similar: our responsibility for the well-being of others. I was intrigued by the idea that one can be indirectly affected by circumstances without actively participating in them. Climate change incidents have greatly influenced me, as even if we lead a simple and environmentally-friendly lifestyle, the repercussions of the majority’s actions inevitably affect us. These themes have consistently provoked me to question various things, thus influencing the narrative style of my films. However, I hope to break away from this pattern with my next project,” he adds.

Bankrolled by Hombale Films, known for their remarkable achievements with KGF and Kantara, Dhoomam stars Fahadh Faasil, Roshan Mathew, Aparna Balamurali, Vineeth, and Achyuth Kumar in pivotal roles.