Sathyan Anthikad's Personal Tribute to Sreenivasan
Director Sathyan Anthikad and writer-actor Sreenivasan shared more than a professional relationship. They were close friends who taught each other valuable lessons. Their bond was built on complete trust and mutual respect. When Anthikad speaks about Sreenivasan today, he avoids grand statements. Instead, he shares simple, heartfelt memories that reveal their genuine connection.
A Deep Emptiness After Loss
Sathyan Anthikad experienced profound emptiness following Sreenivasan's passing. He expressed his feelings in a detailed note titled "Sreeni, the Lone Star" for Mathrubhumi Weekly. Later, he posted the same note on Facebook. In this emotional tribute, Anthikad reflects on their shared journey. He writes about laughter, fear, honesty, and tears that defined their partnership.
Challenging the Apolitical Label
Many people describe Sreenivasan as apolitical. Sathyan Anthikad strongly disagrees with this characterization. He attributes such views to what he calls "political blind believers who swallow whatever their leaders say without thinking." According to Anthikad, Sreenivasan maintained keen observation of society. He consistently questioned power structures. He challenged political systems. He even scrutinized the cinema industry itself.
A Train Journey Revelation
Anthikad recalls a memorable train journey from Thrissur to Kozhikode. An elderly woman with grey hair, a retired school principal, sat near him. She asked a straightforward question: "Who is the best screenwriter in Malayalam?"
Anthikad initially mentioned M.T. Vasudevan Nair. He also cited Padmarajan and Lohithadas. The woman smiled and responded, "That may be right. But the writer who understood the Malayali mind the most is Sreenivasan. Because people see him as a comic actor, many overlook his brilliance as a writer."
She discussed characters from several iconic films:
- 'Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala'
- 'Vadakkunokkiyantram'
- 'Sandesham'
- 'Varavelppu'
She specifically mentioned Dasan and Vijayan from 'Nadodikkattu'. She praised the natural, unforced dialogues. Anthikad says he felt no surprise at her insight. He knew she spoke the truth. This understanding motivated him to keep Sreenivasan close throughout their careers.
Uncompromising Writing Integrity
Sathyan Anthikad emphasizes that Sreenivasan never wrote a single dishonest line. If Sreenivasan felt he could not do justice to a script, he would simply walk away. Anthikad personally witnessed this principle in action.
The 'Kudumbapuranam' Example
A powerful example involves the film 'Kudumbapuranam'. Sreenivasan initially agreed to write the script, adapting it from the Tamil film 'Samsaram Adhu Minsaram'. He had not seen the original Tamil version. He liked the concept and joined Anthikad for discussions in Kozhikode.
Everything seemed promising initially. Anthikad even scheduled shoot dates and contacted actors. However, the script stalled at just ten or fifteen scenes. They decided to watch the Tamil film together. After viewing it, Sreenivasan remained silent that evening.
The next morning, Anthikad found him packing his bag. Before leaving, Sreenivasan stated clearly, "I am escaping from this story. If you want to survive, you should escape too. You cannot make a film out of this." Then he departed.
Later, Lohithadas successfully wrote the script. When Sreenivasan returned to act in the film, he laughed and admitted, "When Lohi wrote it, it became good. I couldn't do it. If I had stayed back to argue, you would have forced me to continue. That is why I committed that deed that day."
For Sreenivasan, writing was never merely a job. He wrote from life experiences. He wrote from personal pain. He wrote from fundamental truth.
Sharp Social Observation
Anthikad notes that Sreenivasan possessed sharp social observation skills. He followed world politics closely. This depth is evident in films like 'Sandesham'. Dialogues such as "Don't say a word about Poland" were crafted with full understanding of political contexts.
Even after thirty-four years, 'Sandesham' remains remarkably relevant. Sreenivasan questioned political systems, but he also challenged cinema conventions. 'Udayananu Tharam' serves as clear evidence of this critical approach.
Emotional Creative Process
Anthikad recalls one of the most emotional moments from 'Katha Parayumbol'. In the film's climax, Mammootty's character delivers a speech about his old friend Barber Balan. Anthikad believes very few viewers can watch this scene without tears.
Sreenivasan revealed that this speech took fifteen days to write. He rewrote it numerous times. He repeatedly changed sentences. Finally, he said, "When I read the final version again, my own eyes filled up. I felt this would work. I gave the scene to Mammootty to read and stood aside watching him. After reading it, I saw Mammootty wipe his eyes."
Anthikad observes that every powerful scene emerges because someone pours their heart into it.
A Pure Heart That Could Cry
Anthikad remembers another poignant moment. Sreenivasan once read a letter from a young man in Delhi describing deep personal pain. As he read the letter, Sreenivasan broke down and cried loudly. Anthikad admits he cried too.
"I have heard that the ability to cry is a blessing. Tears flow only from a pure heart," Anthikad writes. He believes Sreenivasan possessed such a pure heart. This quality enabled him to make people laugh, think, and cry through his work.
Accepting the Unbelievable
Sreenivasan is no longer with us. Sathyan Anthikad acknowledges this painful reality. Yet he confesses he still struggles to fully believe it. The loss remains deeply personal, reflecting the unique bond they shared beyond their cinematic achievements.
