Do you feel you were lucky to have a powerful actress like Manju Warrier at that time to portray Desdemona?
That was one of the most positive aspects of my film. I cannot even think of any other actress in that role. You have to see just one scene in the film to appreciate what an actress Manju is!
There is a scene in which her father says, as she had cheated her own father, so would she cheat her husband too. When her father says this, she turns back and looks at him. You should see that expression of Manju! I have not seen such a performance in my career as a filmmaker; so astounding was her expression.
How did the Western world receive your adaptation of Othello and your interpretation through such a traditional art form?
Other than winning the two most important National Awards, Kaliyattam was invited to more than 25 international film festivals. What everyone appreciated was my using a traditional art form like theyyam as the backdrop. In Birmingham, there was a film festival of all the Shakespearean adaptations. Kaliyattam also was selected for the festival. I am happy to say that my film was very well appreciated, which I feel is because I used a very traditional Kerala art form to tell the story of Othello.
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