Sanjeev Sivan puts life into the backwaters of Kuttanad

Documentary filmmaker-director Sanjeev Sivan and his 12-year-old debutant actor son Sidhanshu Sivan speak on the making of the Malayalam film Ozhuki ozhuki ozhuki

On January 4, 2023, the Kuttanad-based Malayalam lyricist and poet Beeyar Prasad aka B Rajendraprasad passed away owing to complications from a brain haemorrhage. Had he been around, he would have been proud of how a short story that he had shared with Sanjeev Sivan fructified into a feature film that is now awaiting release.

“In 2021, Prasad narrated the story in a nutshell to me. At that time, his health didn’t allow him to develop the subject, but knowing my penchant for universal themes, he suggested I take it forward. I wrote my version and went ahead with the shooting. He had seen most parts of the film but, unfortunately, he’s not with us anymore,” says Sanjeev speaking to us over the phone from Kochi.

The 90-minute feature film Ozhuki ozhuki ozhuki is a significant film for Sanjeev, the youngest of the Sivan brothers — following Santosh and Sangeeth — as it marks the acting debut of his 12-year-old son Sidhanshu Sanjeev Sivan, though the script was readied long before the decision to cast him was made. “When the story was narrated to my mother-in-law, she suggested that we cast Sidhanshu in the role of the young boy, who is pivotal to the film. It was her dream to see Sidhanshu as an actor,” says Sanjeev.

The story is of a young boy Paakaran, a daily wage worker in a fishing cooperative who lives with his mother. He lives by the idyllic backwaters of Kuttanad in Kerala and develops a special bond with the flowing water and dreams of becoming a boatman like his father who had died in a boat capsize. The discovery of a floating body in the water changes Paakaran’s life.

Anticipating the challenge of casting his son in a role where the character appears in every frame of the film, Sanjeev and his wife, actor-filmmaker Deepti Pillay Sivan sent him for a couple of acting workshops in Mumbai. “He worked hard, prepared himself well and presented himself to me. Only then I was convinced. He earned this role,” says the proud father.

Joining in the conversation, the 12-year-old describes the feeling when he was first told he would be part of the film: “ I always wanted to act and would nag my parents but when it happened it came as a huge surprise and I was super excited,” he says adding he realised the value of the opportunity and wanted to do his best. “I used to practice my dialogues in front of the mirror. Not wanting to disappoint my dad drove me to give my best.”

With an impressive crew like Resul Pookutty (sound engineer), Sreekar Prasad (editor), Manoj Pillai (cinematographer) and Tuomas Kantenlinen (music) the film also has Kumbalangi nights-fame Soubin Shahir, Baiju, Anjana, Devu and Tamil actor Narain is its cast. Sanjeev pulled off a surprise by casting a neighbourhood woman Sarita who had no acting experience, in the role of Paakaran’s mother. “Sidhanshu is quite friendly with Sarita and when I noticed their bonding I felt it will work well for the film. Needless to say, their chemistry was an asset to the film,” says Sanjeev.