Eko star Vineeth on why he wanted to collaborate with Dinjith Ayyathan and Bahul Ramesh | Exclusive
The veteran performer expressed his excitement at collaborating with Dinjith Ayyathan and Bahul Ramesh, the film's director and writer, in an interview with OTTplay.
Last Updated: 09.44 AM, Nov 23, 2025
Vineeth has been associated with the South Indian cinema industry for more than 40 years, and in recent years, he has been working on a few distinctive projects. His portrayal in the most recent Malayalam film, Eko, which debuted on the big screen on November 21, has now won him praise from moviegoers. The veteran performer expressed his excitement at collaborating with Dinjith Ayyathan and Bahul Ramesh, the film's director and writer, in an interview with OTTplay.
Eko star Vineeth Interview
What would you say about collaborating with young filmmakers like Bahul Ramesh and Dinjith Ayyathan?
Indeed, that was something special. Because I loved Kishkindha Kaandam, Dinjith and Bahul were the first captivating aspects of this film. When it comes to Eko, the script is excellent and technically sophisticated. I was asked to play a part in Kishkindha Kaansam, but I was unable to do so for several reasons. Before committing to a project, I nowadays prefer to learn about the entire plot because I need to understand how my character fits into the story. Eko's Mohan Pothan is a challenging one, and it's a genre I've never worked in before. I had fun being a part of this film.
Talking about emphasising on understanding the storyline before committing to a project right now. How did you go about script selection in the early stages of your career?
During the initial stages of my career, I had the fortunate opportunity to work with many masters, including Hariharan, Padmarajan, Bharathan, and Fazil. Back then, it was all about surrendering myself over to them since things were different and it was an honour to be in their films. I was blessed to be connected to them, whether it was through a major role or a minor one. MT Vasudevan sir and Hariharan sir brought me to cinema. Before working with MT Sir on the shoot, we must read and learn by heart the dialogues. We both trusted that if they called, it would be for a significant reason.
Things changed when I started taking films seriously later. I evaluate the team I am collaborating with, my character, and the way it impacts the movie. There is a lot to discover as you become more mature, and what I do now is crucial. Equally important is my self-assurance in the role I perform.
Did you notice any similarities between Eko's creators and the directors you've previously collaborated with?
It's interesting to note that Dinjith and Bahul followed a similar filmmaking style at the school where actors like me were raised. In the past, time was more valuable and there were obviously planned shots. We also had more rehearsals in the past. Dinjith and Bahul adhere to the old filmmaking style since it is highly methodical. They are both creative in their own ways, and Bahul's dual roles as writer and cinematographer are advantageous to the film as he has a precise idea of what a frame should look like.
The distinctive stories and performances of Malayalam cinema are praised worldwide. How do you envision this industry's success?
The way that young people are seeing films is fascinating. Both international filmmakers and renowned Malayalam masters have undoubtedly had an impact. I think the magic of film occurs when all these elements are together. Movies are meant to be experienced in a theatre, and it can be challenging to draw a large crowd to big screen these days. It must be technically flawless and provide the audience with an unforgettable experience. These days, a lot of films do it. People will undoubtedly watch Eko since it is a complete package with strong emotional content and exceptional technical quality.
These days, filmmakers are using a number of senior actors to showcase different aspects of the performers in them. Has your career changed as a result of this trend?
Yes! The shift that actors like Jagadish, Ashokan, and Vijayaraghavan are going through makes me very happy. They had this talent and have always been exceptional performers. It required these kinds of chances to show the audience this side of them. A lot of senior actors including me are being benefitted by this generation of filmmakers due to the distinctive kind of scripts that are being offered to us. Eko is a prime example of that in my career. I have done my best for it and now it is upto the audience.
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