'I have never been perturbed by criticism'

The most talked person  in Kerela at present is none other than Santosh Pandit. The actor is seen on all the television channels and magazines, to say nothing of the internet.

So, who is this Santosh Pandit?

Pandit recently made a film Krishnanum Radhayum of which a few songs from the film were posted on the internet and all hell broke loose.

In a matter of a few weeks, songs like Raathri Subharathri..., Anganavaadiyile Teachere... and Ma Ma Ma Mayavi... became famous. The songs lacked quality but everyone wanted to watch them again and again. The songs went on to become hugely popular. Soon, the ordinary looking man with a lean frame, buckteeth and oodles of confidence became one of the most searched for names on the internet.

Krishnanum Radhayum was released in just three theatres on October 21 to packed houses. Pandit handled almost everything--story, screenplay, dialogues, direction, production, choreography, stunts, lyrics, music, singing, graphics...

He was also seen in the lead with the rest of cast were all debutants. Despite all the hate comments, criticism, and ridicule, he managed to bring in huge crowds to the three theatres where the film was released, at a time when it is tough even for movies with superstars to pull in audiences.  

It is easy to dismiss Santosh Pandit as a fluke, but it would be wiser to introspect on what has worked for this man with no past experience in films. Why would large numbers of spectators wait at ticket counters to get to see this man's rather silly film?

Could it be to watch an almost masochistic desire to see something that is ridiculously crap? Or to discover for oneself what the brouhaha is all about? Whatever the reason, the audience reaction doesn't surprise the man behind all this debate.

"I did expect this kind of a fabulous reaction to my film, as I have studied psychology. Now I am getting positive response from everywhere around," says Santosh Pandit, without batting an eyelid.

He believes that he has made an entertaining film and viewers are enjoying it. "I have never been perturbed by criticism and am going to make the film in Tamil and Hindi now. In fact, I have started working on a new project named Jithubhai Enna Chocolate Bhai. Another project in the offing is Kalidasan Kavitha Ezhuthukayanu,"he says.

Made for the rather paltry sum of around Rs 5 lakh, Krishnanum Radhayum could turn out to be a big money spinner for Santosh Pandit. He claims he gets some money for each hit on the internet for his songs.

The film industry has generally ignored him, but Santosh says, "I do get calls from some of the known actors and they have been cordial with me. Of course, I am not going to reveal the names."

Santosh Pandit could be a classic example of the flash in the pan theory, but he has provided food for thought for the film industry with his unprecedented success.