Actor–director Nadirshah shares fond memories from the sets of ‘Raavanaprabhu’ as the iconic movie has been re-released in theatres. Nadirshah says that it was his desire to share screen space with Mohanlal at least in one frame that made him do the movie.

Moreover, it was in ‘Raavanaprabhu’ that he received the highest remuneration for the first time. In an interview with Manorama News, Nadirshah said that the young generation wishes to associate with legends like Mammootty and Mohanlal, as they have remained the same for the last 25 years.

“I asked director Ranjith for a role as I knew his next movie was with Lalettan. I told him that I didn’t need a prominent one, but wished to stand next to Lalettan at least in one scene. Ranjiyettan promised me he would try. But he called me for the movie, and I did a small role as Augustine Chettan’s son.

Although it’s been 25 years since that movie came out, my desire to stand next to Mohanlal remains the same. Those who act in movies now or wish to do something in cinema wish to work with Mammootty and Mohanlal. The truth is that they have remained the same for the last 25 years. When ‘Raavanaprabhu’ is re-releasing after 24 years, I still wish to watch it in the theatre amid all the cheers, just as I had watched it then,” Nadirshah said.

Nadirshah had been playing minor roles in movies until then. He was one of the four heroes in ‘Manathe Kottaram’. Nadirshah reveals that although he had been acting in movies, it was in ‘Raavanaprabhu’ that he received the highest remuneration. “I received ₹10,000 as remuneration even when I acted as the male lead in movies. But Antony Chettan gave me ₹25,000 even for a minor role in ‘Raavanaprabhu’.

It was the movie that gave the highest remuneration for an artist like me. The dialogue, ‘Vazhimareda Mundakkal Sekhara,’ gives us goosebumps even today, and I was able to see that scene being shot. Although I didn’t have a shoot, I would be present on the set to watch the filming of Lalettan’s fight sequence,” recalls Nadirshah.

“When we did ‘Dhe Maveli Kombath’, one would only get ₹5,000 for an entire series. Meanwhile, in ‘Manathe Kottaram’, Innocent Chettan was the most famous among us. I, Dileep, Harishree Ashokan, and Innocent Chettan had acted in that movie. All of us got ₹10,000 as remuneration for that movie.

“I was surprised when I got ₹10,000 for a hero role and ₹25,000 for acting in a minor role. Antony Chettan’s production company has always supported small artists like me. All of us were grateful and said a prayer in our hearts. The movie became a huge success as it considered everyone and made them happy. ‘Raavanaprabhu’ continues its magic run even 24 years after its release.

Those who love cinema have always cheered for movies in theatres. The young generation too love watching Lalettan’s energy on screen. The movies of those times were celebrated when they were re-released. This movie too would enjoy grand success, as Mohanlal plays a double role in it. Mangalassery Neelakandan would be among the 20 most iconic characters in Malayalam cinema, and Karthikeyan too. I consider it my luck to be able to stand next to such a character at least in one frame.

It was then that I saw how a double-role character was shot. There wasn’t any unique technology then. I was surprised seeing how Ranjiyettan was filming those scenes. He even explained how it was done. It was also a location that ignited a desire among us to become filmmakers.

The movie grips you when you watch it among the audience in a theatre and not on TV. I had watched ‘Raavanaprabhu’ at least five to six times in the theatre then. I will definitely watch it again in the theatre,” Nadirshah said.