‘Sad that there are no producers for films like Oththa Seruppu’

Dressed in a blue shirt and sporting a sunglass, Parthiban walks into the office like he is ready to take on any questions pertaining to Oththa Seruppu (Single Slipper). His confidence overflows from the minute he starts talking about the film and the flow never ceases. “The script of Oththa Seruppu has been lingering in my mind for over a decade now,” he begins. “I have been writing the story in different dimensions and putting myself in different locations. I have written this story as if it takes place in a small room, then it moves to a railway track. After teleporting myself and the story to several places deep, the film is now complete and will hit the screens in June,” he adds. The audio launch of the film that took place recently has been lauded by ace actors and directors like Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth and Shankar. Rajini even said that Oththa Seruppu deserves an Oscar. “These are appreciations that one doesn’t easily get even with paid promotions. Be it Kudaikkul Mazhai, Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam or Housefull, I always wanted to give the audience something new with my films. I want my characters and my story to hit them hard. 

Oththa Seruppu is one such endeavour. It talks about the struggle of people from a man’s perspective. There is only one character in the film. Only 12 films in the world has released with a single character. I have seen 3/4th of them. I am sure Oththa Seruppu will be as intriguing as films that have a star ensemble. Ivan enna apdi kizhichuda poraan nu kepaanga (People might ask what new can Parthiban achieve). This film will be the answer. You can call me boastful or someone with a creative arrogance. Let it be,” he elaborates. Aamir Khan was among the first celebrities to call up Parthiban and heap praises on the teaser of the film. Minute detailing from rubber slippers to a dark room to a colourful kite will not go unnoticed. He smiles, “I wanted to hear these from an audience and you have put it across to me. Also, the title says Oththa Seruppu, Size 7. My real slipper size is 11. Apart from the details that you have noticed, you will see the connect between number seven and 11 in the film. Apart from that I’d be happy if Aamir Khan comes forward to do the film in Hindi.” Parthiban is also the director and the producer of the film. He says that he didn’t approach any producers with the script. “There is a belief that the audience root for commercial films. That is not the case. They are smarter than filmmakers. 

They look for good content. It is the producers, who aren’t willing to make such films. It is a sad truth but I am not complaining. I have narrated the story to my daughter Keerthana and son Raakhi several times. They asked me who the producer is. I said I will have to spend the money that I have saved for them,” he pauses. And then continues that he hasn’t made any compromises on creativity. The film has its music by Santhosh Narayanan and Resul Pookutty is the sound engineer. “I narrated the script to Santhosh and he immediately said, ‘Super sir’. And he didn’t charge a penny to work on this. There is only one song in the film in the right place. When I asked for a promo song he said that it would be unnecessary as one song will convey what the protagonist is going through,” he concludes.