Suresh Gopi: Paappan is not a movie that is written or directed for a superstar

Paappan is a highly-awaited movie for Malayalam film fans for a few reasons. Firstly, it marks the comeback of Joshiy-Suresh Gopi duo, who have presented the industry some of its biggest hits with Lelam, Pathram and Vazhunnor. But that’s not all, it’s also the first time in a decade that Suresh Gopi will be donning the khaki and boots.

The veteran superstar plays a former cop named Abraham Mathan Mathew in the film, which also has portions from his heydays as a top police officer. Despite it being a crime drama, Suresh Gopi in a recent interview with Manorama News said, “He is someone who was a cop till a tragedy happened in his life. In the trailer itself, you would notice a line – ‘A police officer is always asked, duty or family?’”

The actor said that there were repercussions when his character went on to choose both the options at various stages of his life and has had to bear the burden. “It's not a story about a particular police officer but the entire police force,” he said.

While fans are excited to see the actor again as a police office, a role that he immortalized through his performances in movies such as Commissioner and Ekalavyan, Suresh Gopi said that the film’s writer RJ Shaan and director Joshiy have ensured that they have kept the creativity intact while writing and making this film. “This movie is not written for a star or a director for a star. If Paappan is a supercop or if he is a normal police officer who turns into a supercop, it’s all there as part of the story,” he told The Cue.

On how he shaped the character of Abraham Mathew Mathan, the actor said, “I didn’t strain too much. I took references from a few foreign actors who I used to admire back in my college days.” He said being part of a new-age film, he had to let go of the loud method of actor and choose a more mature and subtle performance.