'I can't do intimate scenes, will quit'; director Sajan remembers Mammootty's warning

Mammootty’s classic movie ‘Oru Nokku Kanan’, released in the 80s, still brings a freshness upon a rewatch. Not many movies can brag about this. Baby Shalini played a double role in the film with other ensemble cast including Menaka, Shankar and Ambika. Now, director Sajan has opened up about the behind-the-scenes anecdote of this movie. Sajan's revelation came on Safari TV's ‘Charithram Ennilude’.

Sajan:

“The discussions were completed and everybody seemed revitalised knowing about the plot. But, there was one anomaly, Mammootty. The actor said he would not commit to this movie which shocked everyone. When enquired, Mammootty highly praised the story and assured it would run in theatre for more than 120 days. But he had a serious problem.

The lead actor cheats on his girlfriend and later gets married to another. This was the plot. Mammootty knew that this required mandatory lovemaking scenes and the trouble was already here. The actor would in no way do a scene touching other actresses or getting intimate. He was even ready to quit the movie for the same reason.

At this time, I stepped in to mollify his tensions. I proposed a suggestive shot which would leave the audience to interpret rather than going for any intimacy. Mammootty was not ready to give up his doubts and wanted me to explain to him meticulously how I was going to execute it.

I asked Mammootty whether he was ok touching the hands of the actress. He had no qualms. I then made a canny reply and asked the actor to drop all pretension and leave everything for the director to do the magic. We kept the promise made to Mammootty and the movie was shooted as per his conditions.”