Kunchacko Boban says he still has a long way to go

50, NOT OUT!

Fifteen years in Mollywood and now working on his 50th film, actor Kunchacko Boban says he still has a long way to go

Parvathy S Nayar

Kunchacko Boban is just back from Punjab after shooting for director Vysakh's Mallu Singh. For the actor, the film is special in more ways than one, for, it marks his 50th film in his now 15-year-old Mollywood journey. "Over the years, I've matured as an individual and actor, on and off screen; I'm more level-headed now," says Kunchacko, who is basking in the success of debutant director Sugeeth's Ordinary, where he plays a bus conductor.
From the chocolate hero in jeans and tees zooming past on trendy bikes, to getting into the shoes of lesser mortals, Kunchacko has undergone a sea change in his career. "It was director Lal Jose who instilled in me the need for an image makeover as I was all set for a second coming. When my role as a milkman in his Elsamma Enna Aankutty clicked, it gave me and more directors and producers the confidence to experiment with me," Kunchacko says. Ever since, he claims, it has been a conscious decision to choose roles that do not fall into the run of the mill segment. Villain roles came by soon, including those in Traffic and Seniors.
"From the college goer in Aniyathipravu that marked my debut, to the bus conductor in my last release, Ordinary, I'm lucky to have got such different roles," the actor says. Ask him if he feels being part of multi-starrers is a damper in his career and quick comes the reply. "No way! Ultimately, it's doing good films that matter."
Besides Mallu Singh, Kunchacko has been signed on for director Shafi's next flick, where he'll co-star with Jayasurya and Biju Menon. Quiz him if he's part of Traffic director Rajesh Pillai's next, Gold, and Kunchacko says, "I'd love to be associated with every
project of his. We are still
in talks though," he
signs off.

GOLDEN GLOW: Kunchacko Boban