Senna Hegde: ‘Padmini is a very simple film that audiences would love seeing Kunchacko Boban in’

During an exclusive conversation with The Indian Express, Senna Hegde discussed various aspects of Padmini, including his insights on the project, his expectations for it, the process of bringing Kunchacko Boban on board, his approach to casting, and more.

Mentioning that Padmini will be a delightful family-comedy entertainer, Senna also expressed his thrill at collaborating on someone else’s screenplay for the first time. Penned by Deepu Pradeep, known for scripting films like Kunjiramayanam (2015) and The Priest (2021), Padmini has been jointly produced by Suvin K Varkey, Prasobh Krishna, and Abhilash George, while Aparna Balamurali, Vincy Aloshious and Madonna Sebastian play pivotal roles in the movie, alongside Chackochan.

“I have known Deepu for quite some time. So, when he came to me with the script, I read it and liked it. Subsequently, we engaged in discussions about it, and there were specific areas in the screenplay that I felt should be relooked. Deepu was more than happy to do that. So, we reworked these portions and then got Chackochan on board,” Senna tells The Indian Express.

“This is a very simple film that audiences would love seeing Chackochan in, especially considering it has been a while since he last starred in a (lighthearted) movie like this. Most of his recent films over the past year or two have been quite intense. We are confident that the people’s interest in witnessing Chackochan in such a setting will work in our favour,” he adds.

While Senna Hegde’s first Malayalam feature film, Thinkalazhcha Nishchayam, was a comedy-drama, it was followed by 1744 White Alto, a crime drama with elements of comedy and now he has returned with a romantic comedy. When questioned about whether this diverse genre selection is intentional, Senna states that he has not consciously made any specific decisions in this regard.

A significant strength of Senna lies in his remarkable talent for casting the perfect actors for each character in his films. Notably, his collaborations with actors like Rajesh Madhavan and Sajin Cherukayil, often cast in supporting roles, are particularly intriguing. What truly sets Senna apart is his ability to bring out the best in actors, making his casting choices even more impressive and commendable. Elaborating on his casting process, Senna says, “When it comes to casting, I have my personal preferences. However, there are certain actors whom I would gladly work with again due to the potential I perceive in them and the sense of ease they bring to their performances. Sometimes, we are fortunate enough to have characters that align perfectly with their abilities. Indeed, as evident, there are a few actors and technicians with whom I have been collaborating since my entry into the industry. So, I guess we can say that I tend to find a comfort zone and stick to it.”

In contrast to his previous films, Padmini features a larger ensemble of prominent stars, including Kunchacko Boban, Aparna Balamurali, Vincy Aloshious, and Madonna Sebastian. When questioned about his preference between working with established actors or lesser-known talents, Senna emphasises that regardless of the actor’s stature, a director’s responsibilities remain unaltered.

“Working with newcomers or established stars doesn’t create a significant distinction in terms of the creative process or workflow. Although there may be occasional adjustments required, we were fortunate that major changes were not necessary while doing Padmini. Occasionally, minor tweaks were made to accommodate the actors’ schedules and align our work processes. However, overall, the production proceeded smoothly. Ultimately, when on the set, actors are actors, regardless of their level of fame or experience.”

As someone who is also a writer, when questioned about his experience working on material written by another person and whether he prefers writing his own scripts, Senna asserts that he has no strict rules in that regard. “I prefer writing myself because I have more control over it. However, I had not previously experienced working on someone else’s material. Now, having had the opportunity, I can say that both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages. One major advantage of working on someone else’s script, like Deepu’s, is that he does all the hard work, and I can focus solely on directing. I am open to both styles and willing to write my own films if the ideas originate from within me. However, if someone presents me with an excellent script, I am also willing to direct that. There are no set rules—whatever approach works best in a given situation,” Senna adds.

Regarding the highly anticipated sequel to Thinkalazhcha Nishchayam, Senna Hegde shares that discussions are underway and he has formulated an idea for its progression if they decide to proceed with the project. “While I am still only 50-50 certain about the likelihood of the project, I have a feeling that it may come to fruition within the next one or two years. However, this won’t be my immediate next project. Post Padmini, I have a desire to take a break, after which I will delve into another film with Deepu Pradeep. Additionally, I am also engaged in another project where I am collaborating with Sreeraj Raveendran on the writing process,” says Senna.