After 'Dhehi', Kalaripayattu takes centre stage once again in 'Look Back'

I needed an older woman who can do Kalari and who is better than Meenakshi amma, beamed Mullaratt, adding that the film will be released in three months.Last time, because of Covid, I was unable to bring Dhehi to theatres.

The swirl, the pounce and the sword and shield of Kalaripayattu are not new to Indian films, particularly Malayalam films. But usually, Kalari makes only a guest appearance – without any context and often without being acknowledged.

Perhaps, the most enduring nationwide mark it left was in Santhosh Sivan's 'Asoka'. The swordsmanship exemplified by actors Shahrukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor in the film released in 2001 is a nod to this ancient martial art from India. Sivan, it was said, had also roped in Kalari masters to play warriors in the movie.

But for Bengaluru-based Kalari Gurukulam's Ranjan Mullaratt, who has been teaching the art form for nearly 24 years, these fleeting instances were not enough to tell the world about the benefits of Kalari. And so, in a span of five years, he ended up making not one, but two Kannada films on Kalaripayattu.

The audio launch of his latest film, 'Look Back', featuring the rockstar of Kalaripayattu, 81-year-old Meenakshi Raghavan, popularly known as Meenakshi amma, is scheduled for May 7.

"It had always been my dream to make a Kalari film like those Chinese martial art films. My father used to take me to watch them when I was a kid and I was very fascinated by them," said Mullaratt.

But his first film, 'Dhehi', which was more of an arthouse ode to Kalari, was far from the fast-paced Chinese action films. Released in 2020, the film though commercially could not make it, made an impact in the film festival circuit, garnering awards in its wake.

"We focused on telling the story of this 3,000-year-old ancient practice. Although I failed to find any financial backers, creatively I had solid support. Writer B Jeyamohan wrote the script and the film was directed by Mani Ratnam's associate Dhana," said Mullaratt.

'Look Back' will be different, said Mullaratt who has also taken charge of directing this time round.

"In 'Dhehi', we just filmed the performers, the students of gurukulam, mostly from a wide angle. The film was partly supported by the students, who wanted to show the world what it takes to learn Kalari. The audience was taken through the 'astha vadivu' or the various animal poses, as the heroine learns Kalari. We then show the various other techniques like using wooden sticks, swords, etc. But 'Look Back' will pack in all those punches that are expected of a martial film," added Mullaratt.

Although Meenakshi amma has performed in front of the camera many times, a full-length feature film is her first time, she said. "When Mullaratt asked me, I said yes immediately. I think it is possible to bring Kalari to more people with ventures like these," added Meenakshi, who has been awarded Padma Shri in 2017 for her contribution to Kalaripayattu.

She was not there only because she is synonymous with Kalari, insisted Mullaratt. "The film needed her. It is about the journey of a woman from her childhood to old age. I needed an older woman who can do Kalari and who is better than Meenakshi amma," beamed Mullaratt, adding that the film will be released in three months.

"Last time, because of Covid, I was unable to bring 'Dhehi' to theatres. This time, we want to see Kalaripayattu explode on the big screens," Mullaratt said.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)