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Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Arun Cherukavil on 25 years in Mollywood: I've never done anything to ‘survive' in cinema, and maybe that's exactly why I'm still here
Arun Cherukavil reflects on his 25-year journey in Malayalam cinema. He recalls his debut in 'Life Is Beautiful' with Mohanlal. Arun remembers the impact of '4 The People' and his diverse roles. He appreciates the influence of industry legends. Arun expresses concern about revealing behind-the-scenes details, preferring to preserve cinema's magic. He values discipline and sincerity in his work. From the charming school heartthrob Sooraj Kishor in 'Life Is Beautiful', to the righteous Aravindan in '4 The People', the rebellious Dineshan in Amritham, the chilling portrayal of Fr. Bennette Franko in Anjaam Pathira, and now the complex DYSP Jacob in Ronth, Arun Cherukavil's career has been a remarkable journey through diverse, unforgettable characters. Spanning over 25 years, his performances have left an indelible mark on Malayalam cinema and earned him a special place in the hearts of every Malayali, especially the 90s kids who still remember him as their beloved chocolate boy. In an exclusive conversation with ETimes, Arun opens up about his cinematic journey, the evolution of his craft, and the roles that shaped his career, taking us on a nostalgic walk down memory lane. That dreamy welcome to Malayalam cinema Arun couldn't have asked for a better start to his acting career, a dream debut in Life Is Beautiful (2000), directed by the legendary Fazil and starring none other than Mohanlal. For any aspiring actor, it doesn't get more iconic than that, and Arun's entry into cinema is as cinematic as the films he would go on to star in. 'Back then, getting into movies felt like chasing the impossible. We were from a generation where even meeting someone from the film industry, not stars or directors, just people who'd made it on screen, even in a small role, was a big deal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like L&T - The Gateway: Sewri's Tallest Landmark L&T_The Gateway Learn More Undo I had given my portfolio, you know, the ones with the epic floral background, to assistant directors and production executives,' he laughs. Then came the turning point: a telegram inviting him to an audition. 'When I reached, there was a sea of people. It was packed. I somehow made it to the final 30 or so who were shortlisted to play school students taught by Mohanlal's character in the film,' he says. But Arun's big break wasn't over just yet. His real test came when he was asked to perform a scene from Aniyathipravu in front of the director himself. 'Fazil sir's associate told me he wanted to see me. I was nervous but thrilled. Fazil sir asked me to enact the breakup scene from Aniyathipravu, and I did it. Then I was called into another room, and there he was, Mohanlal, getting his makeup done. Fazil sir introduced me and told me to perform the same scene in front of him. I was stunned,' he narrates With shaking nerves but sheer determination, Arun pulled off the performance. 'I had no hope after that. I just wanted to run out of the room,' he laughs. But what came next changed his life. 'Fazil sir walked up to me and said, 'Welcome to Malayalam cinema. You are doing this character.' That was my true entry into the film world.' 'It was a celebration for, by, and of the youth' One iconic line — 'Aravindanu Achane Pole Rashtreeyamokke Undo?' 'Illa sir, rashtrabodham und.' - is all it takes for Malayalam cinema lovers to instantly recognize Arun. As the fearless, fiery Aravindan in 4 The People, Arun became the voice of a daring, disillusioned youth. The character wasn't just a role, it became a symbol. Reflecting on that unforgettable chapter, Arun says, 'It's a blessing to have been part of a film like that. Even today, I still receive messages asking if 4 The People will ever get a re-release. I don't think I'll ever experience that kind of instant fame again in my career. At the premiere, I walked into the theatre like any regular guy. But by the time the film ended, people were cheering, lifting me on their shoulders, celebrating. It was surreal — almost dreamlike. It wasn't just a film. It was a movement. Branded as a 'new generation' movie at the time, it truly felt like a celebration by, for, and of the youth,' Arun shares, his voice tinged with nostalgia. 'I owe it to the stalwarts of this industry who shaped me' Over the past two decades, the actor has fearlessly explored a wide spectrum of roles in Malayalam cinema. From playing a disturbing pedophile in the psychological thriller Anjaam Pathira to tickling audiences as a humorous priest in Hello Mummy, Arun has shown that he's not one to be boxed into a single mold. 'It's quite ironic that I've played two priest characters with almost the same physique and makeover, yet with completely contrasting personalities. Being able to do such diverse and distinct roles is truly a blessing. I owe it to the stalwarts of this industry who shaped me. We were blessed, and still are, with icons like Nedumudi Venu, Bahadur, Jagathy Sreekumar, Thilakan, Mammootty, Mohanlal, Siddique and Sai Kumar. I've had the privilege of sharing the screen with many of them. Just being around them was a masterclass in itself. They silently teach you so much, about craft, presence, and discipline. It's their influence and those invaluable experiences that have molded me into the actor I am today,' Arun shared. 'Now you have to fire the gun and make the 'boom' sound yourself' Despite a powerful debut and a string of memorable roles, Arun is often described by cinephiles as one of Malayalam cinema's most underrated actors. While his talent has never been in question, his on-and-off presence in the limelight has sparked curiosity over the years. 'I've always been here, giving my best to every film. But not every movie becomes a box office hit or reaches the masses. That's just how this industry works. I've always believed that cinema is a powerful medium, it speaks for you. You don't need to shout to get noticed. For me, being a good actor means being disciplined, showing up on set, doing your job sincerely, and not being a burden to anyone. That's my idea of professionalism,' the actor shares. However, he admits the dynamics of the industry have shifted. 'Today, it feels like you have to fire the gun and make the 'boom' sound yourself to get noticed,' he says with a wry smile. 'Maybe I'll get there too. I've never done anything to 'survive' in cinema, and maybe that's exactly why I'm still here. I've always trusted the magic of cinema, and in return, I've always been taken care of,' he added. ' Not everyone needs to know what happens behind the scenes' Change is inevitable, especially in an industry as dynamic as cinema. Having spent over two decades in front of the camera, Arun has witnessed the evolution of Malayalam cinema up close. But when asked about one change he finds hard to embrace, he doesn't hesitate. 'I'm not too comfortable with the whole trend of BTS and the 'spilling the beans' culture around filmmaking. Call me old school, but you know what we've lost because of it? Magic. Remember how we used to marvel at magic tricks, like when a person disappears or a flower suddenly appears from an empty vase? The wonder, the surprise—it was pure joy. But once you reveal how it's done, the magic fades,' he explains with a beautiful analogy. Arun believes cinema is no different. 'There are so many people who love watching films as a magical experience. Not everyone needs to know what happens behind the scenes. Sure, I'm all for it being studied as research material by film students and enthusiasts, but for the common viewer, the magic lies in not knowing. In the age of instant content and constant reveals, we've somehow taken away that element of surprise. The thrill of seeing a hero jump off a cliff, not knowing how it was done, that's what cinema is to me,' he shares.
Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Soothravakyam movie review: Shine Tom Chacko, Vincy Aloshious deliver serviceable mystery thriller that needed better writing
Soothravakyam movie review: As I was watching Soothravakyam, I couldn't help but notice and admit how much potential Shine Tom Chacko has. It's not while playing the stereotypical eccentric characters, mirroring his once-infamous real-life persona, that he truly shines. To be honest, in such roles, his performances often come across as too manufactured, as if he's trying too hard to become the gaudy funhouse image we expect of him. Instead, it's in characters requiring a controlled, layered approach, or even in comedic roles, that his real talent surfaces, showcasing how much untapped potential he has; real-life problematic behaviour aside. Debutant director Eugien Jos Chirammel's Soothravakyam (Formula), as rugged and uneven as it is, stands as a testament to that. Christo Xavier (Shine) is not only the SHO of a police station but also the beloved mathematics tutor for a group of local school students. After he began offering evening tuition above his station, Nimisha (Vincy Aloshious), a teacher at the nearby school, claims that her students have stopped paying attention in her classes. They even bunk the last hour if she's teaching, assuming Christo will cover the topics more effectively. This sparks an initial clash between the two, which soon softens into compassion, as both have their hearts in the right place. Set in a village in Palakkad district, Soothravakyam begins as a feel-good, Manikyakkallu-type film before venturing into darker territory. For Arya (Anagha Annet), life is as beautiful as it can be when she's with her friends, especially her boyfriend Akhil (Naseef PP). But at home, she lives in constant fear of her elder brother Vivek (Deepak Parambol), who resents her. As she was born to their parents when he was 18, Vivek claims that he has been on the receiving end of so much humiliation and embarrassment because of her. Thus, he not only treats her coldly but often assaults her, especially because of her relationship with Akhil, warning her he won't let her cause him more 'humiliation'. Although Christo and Nimisha intervene, Vivek's violence continues. One day, he thrashes Arya and Akhil black and blue after catching them together. This incident becomes a turning point in the story, after which a crime unfolds that drives the rest of the film. Though Soothravakyam initially feels like a low-budget telefilm made by amateurs, Eugien never allows it to completely nosedive. He manages to keep it on track, at least technically. However, the writing falters quite a bit. Although Eugien introduces Christo as the students' favourite, we never understand why the children are so attached to him. Yes, he is a soft-spoken and chill guy, but what makes them eager to spend time with him, and that too learning? We don't know. In films like Manikyakkallu (2011), Life Is Beautiful (2000), Mohabbatein (2000) or the OG Dead Poets Society (1989), one key aspect the respective makers focused most on was establishing the bond between the teacher and the students, anchoring it in emotion, even showing that only the teacher saw their true worth. Those connections are why those films resonate decades later. This is exactly where Soothravakyam fails. Even if we set that aside, since Christo isn't a teacher by profession, and assume the students are simply drawn to his skills as a mathematics tutor, the film still doesn't offer more than the superficial. Occasionally, we see him writing equations on the board while the kids take notes, and that's it. The whole part feels half-cooked. When Soothravakyam shifts gears into thriller mode, Eugien's writing does improve but remains middling, relying heavily on the few already-established, overused elements. Opportunities to elevate the narrative are ultimately wasted. As the story progresses, it is revealed that a murder has occurred in the village and that it's connected to some of the central characters. However, in trying to build suspense and mislead the audience, Eugien underplays the victim's character so much initially that their death, upon eventual reveal, has almost no impact. Meanwhile, the final revelation as to who committed the murder and why feels too far removed from the core plot and the main characters' arcs that it comes across as a subplot forced into the film just to make it 'thrilling' or, worse, to pad the runtime. Also, if Soothravakyam gave you déjà vu of Sookshmadarshini (2024), you're not alone. The similarities were too obvious to ignore. At the same time, most characters in the movie end up being superficial and unexplored, the most unfortunate example being Nimisha. Even Akhil, who later endures significant trauma, is reduced to a unidimensional PTSD-stricken character with just one stable expression on his face afterwards. The same goes for Vivek. Although Christo himself is underwritten, the film cleverly keeps him busy enough that this weakness doesn't become glaring. One aspect of the writing that deserves credit is how the romance between Arya and Akhil is handled. Despite being between two late-teen students, the writer-director refrains from making their relationship cringeworthy by sidestepping clichés. Instead, their romance feels as mature as it can for kids their age. Despite all the narrative shortcomings, Eugien does manage not to bore audiences. He avoids letting the film bite off more than it can chew and wraps everything up at the right time, resulting in a watchable experience overall. Barring the extremely graphic depiction of the assaults on Arya, which could be very triggering, he keeps the film from becoming needlessly bloody. Although not all the visual imageries in the movie work, the final shot of Christo teaching kids at a juvenile home the mathematical concept of Integration (which also means the action or process of joining or mixing something/someone with a different group) was a noteworthy moment, underscoring the importance of rehabilitation. While Shine Tom Chacko's acting isn't extraordinary, mainly due to the weak writing, he demonstrates he shouldn't be written off and that he is a solid actor. Vincy Aloshious' performance, unfortunately, feels as clueless as her character, who seems unsure why she even exists in this story. Anagha Annet, nonetheless, is spectacular as Arya. Whether in tender moments with Akhil or in scenes of traumatic suffering, she remains fully committed, giving Arya a soul. Jean P Johnson's background score is effective, though the songs don't fare as well. Sreeram Chandrasekaran's cinematography has shining moments but also falls flat quite a few times. Soothravakyam movie cast: Shine Tom Chacko, Vincy Aloshious, Deepak Parambol Soothravakyam movie director: Eugien Jos Chirammel Soothravakyam movie rating: 2 stars
Fashion Network
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Brunello Cucinelli: Soon to be a major motion picture
Add "docudrama star" to the list of Brunello Cucinelli 's professions, alongside designer, brand builder, philanthropist and savant. Cucinelli will make his film debut in December in Rome when he unspools a film on his life and career by Giuseppe Tornatore, an Oscar winner with "Cinema Paradiso" for best foreign film in 1988. 'I thought if I was going to make a film, I had better work with the best. And, well, Giuseppe is magic. Too many people get films made about them when they are dead. Better when you are alive, as I am,' enthused Brunello on Wednesday in his elegant stand at Pitti. The Umbria-born entrepreneur revealed that shooting for the autobiographical film had already begun in 2023 in his hinterland – the towns of Magione, Solomeo and Castel Rigone, clustered around the regional capital Perugia. The evolution of Cucinelli's story, from his modest beginnings to his consecration as the 'king of cashmere,' will be presented on the big screen. 'Cinema Paradiso is a little like the story of my life,' said Cucinelli, who grew up in a working family before going on to build Italy's latest global sartorial brand. "Cinema Paradiso" narrates the story of a successful film director who returns to his small hometown in Sicily for the funeral of his mentor. Its ending is one of the most beautiful in the history of film. Cucinelli also divulged that he had called on the skills of composer Nicola Piovani, another Italian Oscar winner for "Life Is Beautiful" in 1997, for the soundtrack. The news emerged as Brunello unveiled a subtle yet very substantial switch in his aesthetic – baggy pants. New trousers cut with double pleats, and a lower, looser waist. 'More like this,' explained Brunello as he opened his jacket to reveal the trousers' lower waistline, and how he had displaced buttons an inch lower on the jacket of his six-button chalk stripe linen suit. Believe it or not, Cucinelli even showed worn and ever-so-ripped jeans, practically an insurrection in his bible of style. His informal evening breaks new ground with matinee idol jackets with satin-free shawl lapels. While the color palette also has plenty of kick–orange, apricot, royal blue, and coral red. Overall, think fluid yet sartorial. But the biggest news will come in early December when Brunello unveils his docudrama. Tornatore's most recent film was a biopic on Italy's most famous composer for cinema, Ennio Morricone. Next, Giuseppe and Brunello will head to Rome for the cinematic debut in the capital's legendary film studio – Cinecittà – in the first week of December. Roll over, David Beckham and Michael Jordan; there is a new docudrama designer sheriff in town.
Fashion Network
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Brunello Cucinelli: Soon to be a major motion picture
Add "docudrama star" to the list of Brunello Cucinelli 's professions, alongside designer, brand builder, philanthropist and savant. Cucinelli will make his film debut in December in Rome when he unspools a film on his life and career by Giuseppe Tornatore, an Oscar winner with "Cinema Paradiso" for best foreign film in 1988. 'I thought if I was going to make a film, I had better work with the best. And, well, Giuseppe is magic. Too many people get films made about them when they are dead. Better when you are alive, as I am,' enthused Brunello on Wednesday in his elegant stand at Pitti. The Umbria-born entrepreneur revealed that shooting for the autobiographical film had already begun in 2023 in his hinterland – the towns of Magione, Solomeo and Castel Rigone, clustered around the regional capital Perugia. The evolution of Cucinelli's story, from his modest beginnings to his consecration as the 'king of cashmere,' will be presented on the big screen. 'Cinema Paradiso is a little like the story of my life,' said Cucinelli, who grew up in a working family before going on to build Italy's latest global sartorial brand. "Cinema Paradiso" narrates the story of a successful film director who returns to his small hometown in Sicily for the funeral of his mentor. Its ending is one of the most beautiful in the history of film. Cucinelli also divulged that he had called on the skills of composer Nicola Piovani, another Italian Oscar winner for "Life Is Beautiful" in 1997, for the soundtrack. The news emerged as Brunello unveiled a subtle yet very substantial switch in his aesthetic – baggy pants. New trousers cut with double pleats, and a lower, looser waist. 'More like this,' explained Brunello as he opened his jacket to reveal the trousers' lower waistline, and how he had displaced buttons an inch lower on the jacket of his six-button chalk stripe linen suit. Believe it or not, Cucinelli even showed worn and ever-so-ripped jeans, practically an insurrection in his bible of style. His informal evening breaks new ground with matinee idol jackets with satin-free shawl lapels. While the color palette also has plenty of kick–orange, apricot, royal blue, and coral red. Overall, think fluid yet sartorial. But the biggest news will come in early December when Brunello unveils his docudrama. Tornatore's most recent film was a biopic on Italy's most famous composer for cinema, Ennio Morricone. Next, Giuseppe and Brunello will head to Rome for the cinematic debut in the capital's legendary film studio – Cinecittà – in the first week of December. Roll over, David Beckham and Michael Jordan; there is a new docudrama designer sheriff in town.
Fashion Network
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Brunello Cucinelli: Soon to be a major motion picture
Add "docudrama star" to the list of Brunello Cucinelli 's professions, alongside designer, brand builder, philanthropist and savant. Cucinelli will make his film debut in December in Rome when he unspools a film on his life and career by Giuseppe Tornatore, an Oscar winner with "Cinema Paradiso" for best foreign film in 1988. 'I thought if I was going to make a film, I had better work with the best. And, well, Giuseppe is magic. Too many people get films made about them when they are dead. Better when you are alive, as I am,' enthused Brunello on Wednesday in his elegant stand at Pitti. The Umbria-born entrepreneur revealed that shooting for the autobiographical film had already begun in 2023 in his hinterland – the towns of Magione, Solomeo and Castel Rigone, clustered around the regional capital Perugia. The evolution of Cucinelli's story, from his modest beginnings to his consecration as the 'king of cashmere,' will be presented on the big screen. 'Cinema Paradiso is a little like the story of my life,' said Cucinelli, who grew up in a working family before going on to build Italy's latest global sartorial brand. "Cinema Paradiso" narrates the story of a successful film director who returns to his small hometown in Sicily for the funeral of his mentor. Its ending is one of the most beautiful in the history of film. Cucinelli also divulged that he had called on the skills of composer Nicola Piovani, another Italian Oscar winner for "Life Is Beautiful" in 1997, for the soundtrack. The news emerged as Brunello unveiled a subtle yet very substantial switch in his aesthetic – baggy pants. New trousers cut with double pleats, and a lower, looser waist. 'More like this,' explained Brunello as he opened his jacket to reveal the trousers' lower waistline, and how he had displaced buttons an inch lower on the jacket of his six-button chalk stripe linen suit. Believe it or not, Cucinelli even showed worn and ever-so-ripped jeans, practically an insurrection in his bible of style. His informal evening breaks new ground with matinee idol jackets with satin-free shawl lapels. While the color palette also has plenty of kick–orange, apricot, royal blue, and coral red. Overall, think fluid yet sartorial. But the biggest news will come in early December when Brunello unveils his docudrama. Tornatore's most recent film was a biopic on Italy's most famous composer for cinema, Ennio Morricone. Next, Giuseppe and Brunello will head to Rome for the cinematic debut in the capital's legendary film studio – Cinecittà – in the first week of December. Roll over, David Beckham and Michael Jordan; there is a new docudrama designer sheriff in town.
