Kannur Squad director Roby Varghese Raj on why he rejected a Vineeth Sreenivasan film

Mammootty’s latest release, Kannur Squad, has been garnering a lot of attention from the audiences across the state, with many praising the unique style in which the film is made. The movie marks cinematographer Roby Varghese Raj’s directorial debut. He was previously associated with projects like Puthiya Niyamam, The Great Father and Love Action Drama. In a recent interview with Cue Studio, Roby shared his journey from working in IT to becoming a successful filmmaker.

Also Read: Kannur Squad: Mammootty thanks the audience for their love towards the film 

Roby Varghese Raj’s journey from the IT world to cinema

Roby said that he always wanted to work in the film industry. So, he left his IT job in Chennai to pursue this dream. His early days were challenging, and he faced many obstacles before finally establishing himself.

“My family was never in support of my decision to join films, as my father had a bitter experience in producing a movie earlier. My brother (Rony David Raj) entered films before me. He was regularly attending auditions, while working as a doctor in Chennai. I remember him appearing in several auditions and getting cheated,” Roby elaborated.

When it comes to acting, Roby said that being in front of the camera was never his cup of tea. He also opened up about an offer he received from Vineeth Sreenivasan’s Malarvaadi Arts Club. Roby said that his friend was the one who sent his photos for the audition of the film. Later, director Vineeth called him while he was pursuing a film course in Chennai, after resigning from his IT job.

Also Read: Kannur Squad director Roby Varghese Raj: ‘Reviews shouldn’t rip apart a film’ 

“I told Vineeth that I wasn’t interested in acting, and declined the offer. I’m not sure if it was for a lead role or not. But at that time I had already joined a film course using my savings from my previous job,” he explained.

Kannur Squad’s plot, cast and crew

Kannur Squad is a police procedural, inspired by the real-life experiences of a squad under the Kerala Police Force. The film - which is penned by Rony David Raj and Muhammed Shafi - also features Vijayaraghavan, Sunny Wayne, Azeez Nedumangad and Shabareesh Varma in key roles.