‘Recognition for people who love cinema’

The maestro is taciturn. ‘‘This is a recognition for people who view movies seriously, without making compromises. I would even sa...

The maestro is taciturn. ‘‘This is a recognition for people who view movies seriously, without making compromises. I would even say this is a recognition for people who love good cinema,’’ this is Adoor Gopalakrishnan on the Dadasaheb Phalke award.

‘‘This was least expected. I am probably the youngest to get this award, and it is really gladdening,’’ he then adds.

In a career spanning 35 years, Gopalakrishnan has made all of nine films. But from 1962 when he joined the Film Institute at Pune and made his first film, Swayamvaram, that won a national award, to Nizhalkuthu, the latest that won the global film critics award, each has been a new journey.

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For the Malayali audience used to melodramatic fare, Adoor’s Swayamvaram, an intense exploration of the man-woman relationship, changed perceptions forever. This was followed eight more, each a classic in its own right, among them Kodiyettam, Elipathayam, Mukhamukham, Anantharam, Mathilukal, Vidheyan and Kathapurushan. Each of the nine won national awards while Mukhamukham, Anantharam, Vidheyan, Kathapurushan and Nizhalkuthu brought international laurels as well.

In 1982, the British Film Institute honoured him as one of the greatest living filmmakers, in 1983, the country conferred a Padmashri on him.

‘‘Each of my films gave the utmost satisfaction relative to the timeframe when I filmed it, so I can’t say which is my favourite,’’ says Gopalakrishnan. ‘‘I can honestly say that I never compromised with my film making, never. Each film, to me, has been a journey of understanding, broadening my perspectives, my understanding. Each has been a revelation of my self. I am what I do,’’ he signs off.