When the Supreme Court of India refused to legalise same-sex marriages earlier this year crushing the hopes of millions of LGBTQ+ people who aspired to unite legally, director Jayaprakash Radhakrishnan had already finished his fourth feature film on the very topic and had also aptly titled it ‘Kaadhal Enbathu Podu Udamai’ a.k.a KEPU loosely translated as ‘love is a public property’.
Jayaprakash was aware of the contentious nature of the topic in the prevailing political and social climate in India and yet was keen on making a mainstream film with popular artistes as he didn’t want the film to be brushed aside as yet another offbeat and festival-circuit film. “I believe the true purpose of art is to stir a debate in civil society on topics that are considered taboo,” says the KEPU director. “I knew we would face many difficulties and stiff resistance from various quarters but the purpose of this project was to stir that debate.”
And his struggle began very early in the project. “As the story is about a lesbian couple, I could not find a mainstream artiste who would perform that role. I approached several leading artistes including some had expressed an intent to work in my projects. But when I narrated the story, they backed off sighting various reasons,” he says.
“I believe the true purpose of art is to stir a debate in civil society on topics that are considered taboo.”
Director Jayaprakash Radhakrishnan
While several movies on same-sex/transgender relationships have been made in the past including the acclaimed film ‘Fire’ directed by Mira Nair way back in 1997, Jayaprakash wanted to make a film that families could watch together in their living rooms and talk about the subject. And for that to happen, he needed popular artistes to work in the film, which wasn’t happening.
After scouting around a lot, he convinced Malayalam director Jeo Baby to present the project. Producers Mankind Cinemas soon came on board following which actor Lijomol Jose, best known in Kollywood for her stirring portrayal of Senggeni in the blockbuster Jai Bhim besides starring in several other popular Malayalam films like Maheshinte Prathikaran etc. signed up for the film. “Soon things began to fall in place with well-known actors like Vineeth, Rohini and several others agreeing to work in the film and the project took off,” the Kepu director reminisces.
Speaking to the Ground Zero Post, Lijomol Jose confesses she knew the project would receive only a mixed response and could even stir a controversy at the time of signing up for the project. “But I wanted to do this as I was convinced that this important topic should be brought out in the open. While some people might criticize me, even if one per cent of my audience get the message conveyed in the film, which I consider to be very important, I will be happy,” the noted actor clarifies.
Preparing for the role wasn’t easy either. Lijomol confesses that she did quite a bit of homework to understand the world in which the film was set. “I was aware of same-sex relationships but had no clue about the various nuances of such bonding. The director sought me to watch several films and also roped in a script doctor from the LGBTQ+ community who guided us a lot in getting into the skin of the characters. This person was with us throughout the process and helped me and my co-artistes bring out an honest portrayal of the characters we played. Now I feel I can relate to their world and that it is no different from anyone else’s,” she asserts.
“I was aware of same-sex relationships but had no clue about the various nuances of such bonding.”
Actor Lijomol Jose
Filmmaker and activist Malini Jeevarathinam who worked with the Kepu cast and crew as the script doctor in sensitising them on the LGBTQ+ community says that movies like this should be released by mainstream theatres to eradicate homophobia from our society. “Even now, social media is abuzz with homophobic comments following the recent Big Boss talk show developments. Even a star like Mamooka (Mamooty) is being trolled in social media for portraying a homosexual character. In such an atmosphere, movies like Kepu should come out for this phobia to end. The film’s crew asked me to vet the script and work with the artistes to bring out a realistic understanding of the real issues concerning same-sex couples. I wish the movie comes out soon and puts an end to several myths,” Malini tells the Ground Zero Post.
Meanwhile, director Jayaprakash Radhakrishnan continues to face one hurdle after another. “Today, all decisions are made based on availability of data. If a certain movie becomes a big hit, everyone wants to make similar films as numbers support the theme. Big production houses and distributors only go by these numbers. As a result, only certain types of movies and OTT series keep coming again and again. In such an environment, it is hard to bring out anything original as there are no numbers to back these projects,” he points out.
KEPU will be screened at the IFFI – 2023 as part of the Indian Panorama on Nov 26.