A painter, sculptor, writer and filmmaker: Razi Rozario is a quadruple threat

A poster of the short film Qubo.

Having established himself as a prominent figure in the artistic realm for years, Razi is now venturing into the film industry as a burgeoning short filmmaker. His latest work titled Qubo, a sweet little tale depicting the deep emotional connection and bonding between human beings and their pet friends, has already become a hit on YouTube. Released by Manorama Music Songs, Razi also organised a private screening of the short at Casino Talkies in his hometown of Aluva, Ernakulam.

Speaking to indianexpress.com, the artist-cum-short filmmaker stated that the work was inspired by a true event. “Qubo tells the story of a pet dog who goes astray and finds himself stranded on the road, separated from his owner. With the short, I have tried to paint a vibrant picture of the human-pet relationship, with vivid strokes of love, joy, selflessness and separation.”

Expressing his aspiration to pursue both his artistic and filmmaking careers simultaneously, he says, “My dream is for viewers to watch my films because they bear the mark of artist Razi, and simultaneously, for others to purchase my paintings because they have been crafted by filmmaker Razi. I hope that both my careers will ultimately bolster and harmonise with each other.”

Prior to Qubo, Razi made another short film titled Athira, a horror comedy, which gained significant popularity on YouTube. Similar to many of Razi’s other projects, this work was marked by its innovative concept: he created and released the short film as a promotional tool for the full-length movie he intends to make, utilising the same storyline.

When asked what prompted him to enter the world of cinema, Razi says, “While everything was going well, I felt like writing a book sharing my life experiences. However, each of my four attempts to start the book hit a roadblock. I was haunted by the influence of the books I had read before and their writing styles, and I didn’t want to replicate them. Then, I tried writing one chapter of my life on Facebook, and it instantly clicked. The conversational writing style resonated with people, so I decided to follow that approach throughout the book.”

Malayalam superstar Mammootty unveiled Razi’s autobiography, titled “Njan Vashikkarana” (I am stubborn) in 2015.

Reflecting on the impact of the book, Razi shares, “After reading it, a few people invited me to the film industry. While I was initially hesitant due to my lack of confidence in my abilities, the idea gradually grew on me.” Razi already has eight scripts prepared, but he is cautious about diving into filmmaking without a proper grasp of the technical aspects. “That’s why I am currently prioritising short films as a means to gain a better understanding of the craft.”

Malayalam superstar Mammootty unveils Razi’s autobiography, titled Njan Vashikkarana.

While Qubo is still receiving good responses, Razi has already delved into the works of his next short project titled Omelette.

Foray into the artistic realm

“When I first entered the artistic world, many people tried to dissuade me, concerned about the challenges artists face in terms of survival. However, an inner voice persistently told me that I was meant to be an artist. Others found it hard to believe due to my poor academic performance and lack of focus. I attributed this to my constant stream of thoughts, but others perceived it as a ‘problem’. Adding to their concerns was the fact that I had to attempt the 10th standard exams four times before passing. My father, who studied only till 4th grade, wished for his children to receive a good education, so my situation saddened him. As a result, they decided to take me to a psychiatrist,” Razi recalls.

He says that the said expert was, however, the first person to truly listen to him. He recollects, “That made a tremendous impression on me. He assured my family that there was nothing wrong with me and encouraged them to allow me to follow my own path.”

Razi’s painting titled “Laughing Christ”.

Razi, who has successfully sold over 2,000 paintings, commenced his artistic journey by showcasing his works in unconventional venues such as colleges, rural areas, book fairs, and shopping festivals. To date, he has organised 105 art exhibitions across India.

Paintings worth Rs 2/-

During the 2000s, Razi introduced one of his most innovative initiatives — printing his paintings in the size of visiting cards. “Each card cost me Re 1, and I priced them at Rs 2. This proved to be immensely popular, especially in colleges, as, unlike most expensive paintings, these cards were affordable for the general public. People would often purchase 5-10 cards each,” he says.

“That’s when I realised the potential of art, and the need to make it more accessible. In foreign countries, the art world progressed gradually, encompassing various movements such as realism, superrealism and surrealism, before arriving at modern art. However, in our state, there was a significant gap between the (Raja) Ravi Varma era and the (sudden) emergence of modern art. This lack of gradual progression caused a disconnect between people and art. Furthermore, some artists disregarded the audience’s sensibilities and remained stubborn. As for me, I always value people’s responses and aim to attract more individuals to art. Therefore, I never decline a buyer simply because they offer a lower amount than the price mentioned on the tag.”

Razi’s painting titled “Blooming Dreams”.

“Some individuals, however, persisted in discouraging me. Out of frustration, I boldly declared one day that I would create a space within Kerala’s artistic domain, not just for myself, but for at least 100 other artists. Once my impulsive words settled, I gradually realised the enormity of the task I had undertaken. However, I understood that if I work towards this collective achievement, it will ultimately benefit me as well,” Razi says as he laughs.

Art Among Masses

Sharing the idea behind ‘Art Among Masses’, Razi states, “Though the government, through Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, supports artists by offering grants and exhibition spaces, I recognised the need for potential buyers. Hence, I shifted my focus towards creating buyers. I believe that those who contribute to our success should also share in our achievements. This belief inspired me to create ‘Art Among Masses’. Therefore, all these investors are part of the artistic journey and receive a portion of the profits when we auction the paintings again. While a painting may have been created by me, it ultimately becomes a collective work that belongs to many people, and that is my motivation.”

Razi’s painting titled “Finding Moon”.

Razi is also credited with popularising art investment in Kerala. “After 15 years in my career, I prepared 47 paintings and sought investors willing to invest a maximum of Rs 1 lakh in each artwork. It proved successful. My next goal was to materialise a project worth Rs 1 crore by 2020. However, due to the Covid outbreak, I could only achieve this milestone by 2022.”

“It took me 100 exhibitions to reach the Rs 1-lakh milestone, but I achieved the second milestone of Rs 1 crore in just five exhibitions. This indicates the success of my efforts,” Razi attributes this achievement to his utilisation of Facebook. He states, “Once I began regularly sharing my thoughts and life experiences on Facebook, I garnered more attention.” His next goal is to embark on a project worth Rs 100 crore by 2030.

Non-copyrighted paintings

Another distinctive aspect of Razi’s work is that none of his paintings are copyrighted. Individuals are free to print his works as desired. Razi shares, “As a result, my paintings can be found in various places, including hotels and shops. While this may surprise some, I feel thrilled when I come across my artwork in unexpected locations. The ultimate aim of establishing ‘Art Among Masses’ was to popularise art, and it has yielded positive results.”

A sculpture Razi made using clay, titled “Towards whom?”

Despite facing criticism from his peers for circulating printouts of his own paintings, Razi emphasises that he received support from renowned artists like MV Devan and Namboothiri throughout his career. “Art is meant for everyone… It shouldn’t be limited to hanging in five-star hotels alone.”

Once, an acquaintance expressed sympathy, telling Razi, “I saw printouts of your paintings being sold on the footpath near Ernakulam Broadway.” In response, Razi humorously asked about the other paintings being sold there, including those by Leonardo da Vinci and Raja Ravi Varma, and remarked, “Do you not see that I am now in the elite group?” Razi says he confronts such demotivating questions with lighthearted replies like this.

A sculpture Razi made using clay, titled “And then…?”.

‘Say yes to circulating printouts of our paintings’

Further expressing his viewpoint, Razi states, “All the paintings by masters such as Da Vinci, Ravi Varma, or Picasso that we see today are printed copies. They are not originals. Without the circulation of printouts, we would have never had the opportunity to admire them, unless we visited museums where the originals were located, often in foreign countries. Therefore, I believe there is nothing wrong with circulating printouts of our own paintings.”

Prominent personalities like Malayalam actors Mohanlal and Salim Kumar, as well as director Siddique Ismail, have invested in Razi’s paintings. He emphasises the importance of transparency in financial matters, stating, “The division of funds and profits is done meticulously, which encourages people to reinvest. This helps me find more interested individuals. Coming from a family of businesspeople, I understand the significance of this transparency and the value of making a profit.”

Razi’s painting titled “Remembrance”.

Regarding the Rs 1-crore painting, Razi explains the profit distribution, saying, “Investing Rs 1 lakh will yield an Rs-8,000 profit while investing Rs 5 lakh will result in an Rs-40,000 profit, and those who put in Rs 10 lakh will receive Rs 80,000 as profit. I, in turn, will receive Rs 25 lakh, which is substantial considering that artists often receive minimal amounts when middlemen purchase their works and conduct auctions. It’s a win-win situation for all involved in my initiative.”

Razi acknowledges that people invest in art for various reasons, whether out of pride or genuine interest. He, however, embraces anyone willing to invest in his work and support the cause.

Razi’s painting titled “Suffocation”.

Wrapping up, Razi expresses, “If there’s one thing I regret in life, it’s not giving education the importance it deserved. Education is crucial regardless of the field one chooses. That’s why the number four holds significance for me, as it took me four attempts to pass the 10th standard (laughs). Now, in pursuit of my goals, I always find four different paths to reach them. As you can see, I am on a mission to master four art forms: painting, sculpting, writing, and filmmaking. Before my time on this planet concludes, my aspiration is to create works equivalent to what four individuals would accomplish in their lifetimes.”

Although the artist struggled through four attempts before finally succeeding in matriculation, he went on to pursue various degrees from different colleges. These included an undergraduate degree from UC College in Aluva, a postgraduate degree from Maharajas College in Ernakulam, and an LLB from Law College in Ernakulam. During his time as a student at MG University, Razi was also honoured with the prestigious Kala Prathibha title.

In addition to his other endeavours, Razi is also working on a 10-foot sculpture for the Thrissur Municipal Corporation now.