Malayalam actor Tovino Thomas' Narivetta has hit the big screens today (May 23, 2025), and the buzz around the film is growing. In an exclusive   screenwriter and Sahitya Akademi Award winner Abin Joseph opens up about his debut script, inspirations, and a spine-chilling experience from the movie set.

Q. How did the journey from journalist to screenwriter begin?

During my time as a journalist, I published my first book, Kallisseri Thesis, a collection of eight stories. But my mind was always drawn to cinema. I dreamed of writing for films. Since childhood, I've been a movie buff. We got a TV at home when I was in first grade, around 1997, and I've watched films daily ever since. Back then, TV programs were limited, mostly movies. So, I used to watch films continuously.

- Before becoming a journalist, I was a short story writer. I started writing stories while still in school, and many were published. In college, I won several prizes in story competitions and university arts festivals. Writing was always at my core. Then I moved into journalism, but continued writing.

Later, I got a job at a film college, which gave me even more access to cinema. Whether in theatres, on YouTube, or via apps, I watched everything. That passion and the stories I held within led me to screenwriting.

Q. What inspired you to write Narivetta?

- It began with the idea of a young man from a village in Kuttanad - lazy, living an ordinary life. He shares a lot of traits with me. Like many of us, he dreams big but doesn't put in much effort. At a turning point in life, he's forced to take a job he doesn't like.

Q. Can you tell us about the story of Narivetta without giving any spoilers?

Many people, at some point, have wished to quit their hard job and do something else. This character is someone forced into a job he dislikes. And in Kerala, being a cop is one of the toughest professions. The story explores the consequences of that.

- It's the journey of a young man from a water-bound village like Kuttanad. He lives a carefree life with his girlfriend, then becomes a police officer at one point. The story follows how his life changes and the crises he faces, which wouldn't have occurred if he had chosen another job. It's about how that job, being a cop, alters his life and how he tries to overcome the challenges.

Q. How did Tovino Thomas join the film?

- The name of the main character in Narivetta is Varghese Peter. When writing, I imagined Tovino in that role. His lifestyle in Kuttanad, his love story, his struggles - Tovino's face was the only one I pictured. Even director Anuraj Manohar felt the same. We didn't consider any other actor. Anuraj and Tovino are close friends, so we approached him directly. After narrating the story, Tovino immediately agreed to do the film.

Q. Why is Suraj Venjaramoodu in Narivetta?

- Suraj plays Basheer Ahmed, a pivotal character with limited screen time but immense impact. We needed a seasoned actor to leave a lasting impression despite fewer scenes. Anuraj and I knew Suraj was the right choice. After narrating the entire script with dialogues, he agreed. And he's delivered an extraordinary performance.

Q. How did the performances elevate the characters?

- I believe that Varghese Peter from Narivetta is one of the three or four best characters played by Tovino Thomas. The character has layers, transformations, and emotional depth, and Tovino portrayed all of it brilliantly.

Cheran (Tamil director and actor) played a never-before-seen role in his career and delivered a powerful performance. Suraj conveyed intense emotions with ease. Arya Salim, Priyamvada, and Pranav also gave standout performances. The actors’ contributions are one of the film's greatest strengths.

Q. What makes Narivetta different from typical Malayalam thrillers?

- Narivetta is neither an investigative thriller nor an action-packed one. It follows a young man's emotional and personal journey. I intentionally avoided clichés, twists, and templates commonly seen in thrillers. If anything, it could be called a political thriller because a major incident in the story is political. But unlike other political films, it doesn't follow conventional styles. Ultimately, the audience will judge.

Q. What's the most unforgettable moment on set?

- While shooting in the Wayanad forest, one morning, we found blood behind our caravan. Locals asked if someone from our crew was missing; they were scared. That area has tigers and leopards. We later discovered it was the remains of a deer killed by a wild animal. Shooting there, we often saw deer run by in the early morning or heard jackals at night. I will never forget those moments.

Q. How was the experience working with the Narivetta team?

- It was a physically challenging shoot. We filmed around Kuttanad for 10-15 days during the monsoon. The area is surrounded by water; sometimes we had to take boats with our equipment. But the beauty of Kuttanad and the support of locals helped us endure the difficulties.

After Kuttanad, we shot for about 50 days in the forests of Wayanad during the cold season. There was rain, fog, and intense cold, which made filming tough. But we had a fantastic crew, around 500 junior artists on some days, all working tirelessly, regardless of conditions. Their dedication helped us complete the film as planned.

Q. How long did it take to write the screenplay?

- Surprisingly, I wrote it very quickly. I pitched the story to Anuraj, and the next night we narrated it to Tovino. Afterwards, I drafted a scene order, just brief lines of what happens in each scene. Writing the full script with dialogues took about 7-8 days.

Q. Were there any script changes during production?

- The first script was written in 2022, which we shared with Tovino. Filming began in 2024. Over those two years, a lot changed - our perspectives, and the story evolved. Just before shooting began, I rewrote the script in a non-linear format. Originally, it was a linear narrative. That change brought new depth to the storytelling.

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