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Director Jeo Baby’s Kaathal – The Core, featuring Mammootty and Jyothika in the lead roles, received widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences for its sensitive handling of bold and revolutionary themes. However, one area where the film fell short was in its exploration of the relationship between Mathew (Mammootty) and his lover Thankan (Sudhi Kozhikode). Even in our review of the movie, we noted that “a more in-depth exploration of the relationship between Mathew and his partner was undoubtedly needed.”
Discussing the deliberate decision to avoid portraying any personal moments or on-screen interactions between Mathew and Thankan, director Jeo Baby explained during the Film Companion directors’ adda, “The screenplay was precisely designed this way. In it, they never meet but watch each other from a distance. The script was crafted by Adarsh Sukumaran and Paulson Skaria. Mammootty was the first choice that came to my mind. I needed Mammootty as both the actor and the human being for this film. After narrating the story to him, he not only suggested some changes but also became deeply involved in its further development. He actively participated in numerous discussions, even sending WhatsApp messages to me occasionally with suggestions. His support was truly invaluable. For instance, during the interval portion, Mammootty proposed allowing them to share a moment of eye contact. Although we had already written something, we made that change based on his suggestion, and it worked in our favour.
“It was a collaborative process. Adarsh would contribute one idea, Paulson would add something more and then I would extend my suggestion, and that’s how it evolved. I also consult with my editor and assistants. Whenever there’s uncertainty, I discuss with all of them to find a resolution,” he added.
One of the very few Malayalam movies to address homosexuality with sensitivity, Kaathal – The Core also marked Jyothika’s return to the industry after 14 years. It was recently featured at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in the Indian Panorama section and also at the 28th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) in the Malayalam Cinema Today section.
In our review of the film, we wrote, “Kaathal – The Core is a groundbreaking film that should be watched by all, particularly those in the film industry who continue to present recycled age-old narratives, expecting unquestioning acceptance from the audiences.”
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