Privilege Comes With Responsibility: Dulquer Salmaan's Cinematic Journey
In a revealing conversation that offers a rare glimpse into the dynamics of one of Malayalam cinema's most celebrated families, actor Dulquer Salmaan has shared the profound impact of his father Mammootty's guidance on his career choices. The revelation came during a recent interview where Dulquer discussed his approach to script selection and the upcoming release of his new film Kaantha.
The Weight of Legacy and Artistic Freedom
Dulquer Salmaan, who is preparing for the November 14 worldwide release of the period drama Kaantha, opened up about the unique position he occupies in the film industry. Directed by debutant Selvamani Selvaraj, this ambitious project marks another bold choice in the actor's 13-year career, demonstrating his commitment to meaningful cinema.
During his conversation with Cinema Vikatan, Dulquer explained how the emotional and financial security provided by his parents has empowered him to take creative risks. "The security and safety my parents give me allows me to experiment with risky subjects," the actor revealed. This foundation has given him the courage to pursue quality projects without the pressures that often constrain artistic choices.
Mammootty's Straightforward Wisdom
The most striking revelation from the interview concerns the straightforward advice Dulquer received from his legendary father. Mammootty, with his characteristic dry humor, pointed out a fundamental difference between their generational experiences in cinema.
"Dad used to make fun of me saying that I don't have problems like worrying about my sister's marriage, or building a house, or any such issues back home to be worried about while making script choices," Dulquer recalled. "He told me that he used to have those problems."
This observation led to a crucial realization for the younger Salmaan. Mammootty explained that he had occasionally accepted less-than-ideal projects due to family responsibilities and financial pressures – challenges that Dulquer doesn't face to the same extent.
"He said that he had to do bad films in the past as he had all these problems to take care of. But he said that I don't have that excuse in my career," Dulquer shared. After reflecting on his father's words, the actor acknowledged their truth: "If I do a bad film, I really don't have any excuse to fall back on."
Embracing the Responsibility
This frank family discussion has significantly influenced Dulquer's approach to his craft and career trajectory. The actor recognizes that audiences perceive him as coming from a privileged background, which creates different expectations for his work.
Rather than viewing this as pressure, Dulquer has transformed it into a guiding principle for his artistic journey. "I think that if we keep on chasing good cinema, good cinema will come to you," he stated, outlining his optimistic philosophy toward filmmaking.
The upcoming Kaantha represents the practical application of this approach. The period drama explores the ego clash between a superstar and his filmmaker father during a 1950s film production. Featuring an ensemble cast including Samuthirakani, Bhagyashree Borse, and Rana Daggubati, the film is jointly produced by Dulquer's Wayfarer Films and Rana's Spirit Media.
Interestingly, Kaantha has recently faced legal challenges, with MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar's grandson seeking a stay on its release over concerns about the portrayal of Tamil cinema's first superstar. This development adds another layer to Dulquer's commitment to meaningful, though sometimes controversial, cinema.
As Dulquer Salmaan continues to navigate his path in Indian cinema, the wisdom passed down from his father serves as both compass and challenge – a reminder that privilege in art comes with the responsibility to pursue excellence without excuses.
