Selvaraghavan Films Have Been the Biggest Influence In My Career: Girish AD

Girish AD is cementing his place among the most successful filmmakers of the younger generation in Malayalam cinema with the success of his third directorial Premalu (2024). Starring Naslen and Mamitha Baiju, the film is a continuation of Girish’s well-observed romcom formulae, centred around quirky protagonists — like his previous films Thaneer Mathan Dinangal (2019) and Super Sharanya (2022).

The filmmaker has made a niche for himself with the lowkey, harmless brand of humour mostly derived from daily interactions and the often overlooked situations populating modern-day relationships. When asked about his cinematic influences, Girish cites a filmmaker who seldom comes to mind when we speak of his brand of breezy, comfort watches. “I wanted to make films after watching the works of Selvaraghan sir. There might not be an obvious relation between the kind of films that I do but I know a few connections that are woven into my work. These are things I tend to know more than others,” he says, adding that Dhanush’s introverted character in Kaadhal Kondein (2003) is in some way an inspiration for the character of Sharanya in Super Sharanya.

Girish is quick to point out how Selvaraghavan’s heroes are not perfect which makes the characters realistic and relatable. “Usually the heroes we see in films are the perfect embodiment of what society deems acceptable and good. They excel in everything like singing, dancing, playing the guitar etc. But I haven't come across any such people in my life. I have always figured that people usually tend to be good at one or two things and pass their lives doing that without being remarkable in any major way. So I wanted to make films about those characters who are not perfect. I got that from watching the films of Selvaraghavan sir. His heroes are usually common men with no extraordinary skills or talents. That impacted me in a big way. I want my heroes to be normal people with their own limitations and insecurities. That’s what I have followed in my film.”

Coming from a short film background, Girish is keen on ensuring that everyone is treated equally on the sets. “I try not to set up any hierarchies in my film sets. Everyone can suggest any ideas and can come up to me at any time. I don't think bringing in too much sophistication and hierarchy in a set will do any good as actors will not feel comfortable doing things with pre-existing lines and scenes.” He further adds that this space to freely collaborate on set has helped him take notice of minute details that are otherwise overlooked. “I try to pay attention to the details. It's not that I am an expert at that but I tend to notice these minute things in real life that are totally irrelevant. I use these random details in my films when I get a chance.” 

Speaking about making romantic comedies and the tendency of a few people to pigeonhole his films as repetitive, he says, “I have had some pretentious opinions shared with me by people who come and say things like “Why are you doing the same kind of film again and again?” I get the feeling that they see small comedies as some sort of ‘low-art’ and they are expecting something else from me. I feel sad on hearing that as I am on the journey of discovering my own voice and I am just getting settled in the industry with only three films to my name. I know what kind of films I am comfortable making but a certain set of people do expect something else from me and I seriously don't know what that is. I will try to make other kinds of films in the future and let’s see how it goes."