Jagadish says Priyadarshan is not 'very particular' about a happy ending, cites these Mohanlal-starrers as examples

Many of the younger audiences from today's generation would probably associate Priyadarshan with comedy films that guarantee rib-tickling laughter. The Malayalam filmmaker, who has left a mark even in Bollywood with movies such as Hera Pheri, has undoubtedly helmed many popular films such as Kilukkam and Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu that are still counted among the best from Malayalam in comedy genre. But Priyadarshan is not 'very particular' about having a happy ending for his films, says Jagadish who has collaborated with the director in several movies. Jagadish, especially, talked about the climax scene in Vandanam where the lead characters played by Mohanlal and Girija Shettar parted ways. 

Jagadish on Mohanlal's Vandanam climax

In a recent interview with Ginger Media, Jagadish pointed out several films of Priyadarshan did not end on a happy note. He made this statement while talking about Vandanam, a popular film starring Mohanlal. In the climax, the lead pair go their separate ways despite being in love and other hurdles out of their way. The Vandanam climax has led to many discussions among Malayalam cinephiles with many rooting for the characters to have a ‘happily ever after’. 

"I was against that climax. I was of the opinion that they should unite at the end," Jagadish said about Vandanam's lead pair of Unni and Gaadha. Jagadish is also a part of the film as K P Nair.

He further explained that death or some other misfortune befalls the main characters at the end of several Priyadarshan films. Notably, these movies star Mohanlal in the lead role. 

“Priyadarshan is not very particular about a happy ending,” Jagadish remarked. In Chithram, the hero is taken to the gallows, Jagadish pointed out, while Mohanlal's Vinu ends up in a tragic state and is killed in Thalavattam. Mohanlal-starrer Abhimanyu too ends with the hero’s death. 

Chithram and Vandanam, especially, are movies that have several laugh-out-loud moments. But Priyadarshan, along with the writers of these movies, were able to expertly weave in a not-so-happy ending without affecting the overall tone of the movie. But despite the ending, these movies won much love from audiences.

Jagadish further explained that Priyadarshan has been influenced by the legendary MT Vasudevan Nair, who penned several hard-hitting films, such as Sadayam, that end on a tragic note. 

Also read - Priyadarshan on MT Vasudevan Nair’s Manorathangal: ‘I was jealous of Bharathan, Hariharan because…’ | Exclusive 

Meanwhile, Jagadish's latest film is Officer on Duty, starring Kunchacko Boban. The film has opened to mainly positive reviews and is currently running in theatres in Kerala.

Also read - Officer On Duty movie review: An intense Kunchacko Boban powers this gripping thriller, arrested only by its commercial trappings