Director's cut                                                                                          About Madhupal

Yet another actor is donning the mantle of film director. Actor Madhupal who knows the nuts and bolts of almost every field of filmdom is excited about his debut directorial venture. 'Thalappavu' starring Prithviraj in the lead role, depicts the protagonists of the 70's who took up arms to fight a system which they found oppressive. "There are times when people fail to find lenity in a person, 'Thalappavu' is all about bringing out the other side of what we usually see," he says.

Madhupal who turned actor by chance in Rajeev Anchal's 'Kashmeeram' in which he was actually assisting him, has found success on small screen both as an actor and director. Now with experience of about 15 years in the industry, he is making is debut on the big screen with a movie that evokes bitter-sweet memories of the early 70's. He believes that it was the brilliance of the script that challenged him to make the movie. "It is a well written one by Babu Janardhanan, his ability to discern the good and bad is great."

Madhupal delivers the story with a reserved, realistic approach. It has all the essentials of a commercial movie and he hesitates to categories it for any particular audience. For him what matters most is the story. As long as it comes out good he is not bothered about the hands behind it. "I was totally absorbed with this script. It is something that i was waiting for a long time and what I had in my mind."

"I want to see if I can do better behind the camera and film good ideas." Madhupal is full of praise for Prithviraj. "He is brilliant and is able to grasp things easily and I think he is the best in his generation," says the director. Lal plays an important role in the movie along with Jagathy Sreekumar, Athul Kulkarni, Manian Pillai Raju and others.

Actor by chance and film director by choice, that's how Madhupal sees himself. "Cinema is a collective art form and there's no scope for a one-man show." What strengthens this group effort is the crew. The camera work of Azhagappan, Alex Paul's lyrics and O.N.V. Kurup's music are unique.

With barely a few months left for its release, the movie has already attracted intense attention from film circles and public.

Madhupal won the Atlas Kairali Puraskaaram for best short story, for 'Velicham Nizhalinu Velippedum', which was recently translated into Tamil, and is in the process of being translated into English and Hindi.

INDIAN EXPRESS TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2008