'Joshua' Has Got Nothing To Do With 'Yohan': Gautham Vasudev Menon

Gautham Vasudev Menon’s films seem to have a timeless quality, making them seat-fillers even after a decade of release. His films, including, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010) and Vaaranam Aayiram (2008), were recently re-released to packed theatres, with fans enjoying and celebrating the film on social media years after original release.

The director tells us that he doesn't really know how such celebrations make him feel. “When I am making something, it’s not like I know this will work or that we will create magic in the theatre. We make a film and everyone puts in a lot of effort. That said, when my previous films are celebrated even after years, I feel there is a certain payoff that we are receiving now for the kind of work we put in the past. And the payoff is not through box office numbers but just as works of art.” This reception in a way also motivates the director when it comes to releasing his much-delayed films now. 

His spy thriller Dhruva Natchathiram has been in the pipeline since 2019 and came very close to release late last year. On the other hand, his upcoming action drama Joshua Immai Pol Kaakha was also long-delayed due to COVID-19 and is finally set to see the light of day on March 1. Speaking about the delays and how they might have affected the film’s production, GVM says, “Be it Dhruva Natchathiram or Joshua, despite the delays, there were no changes made in the screenplay or script. In fact, the producer of Joshua (Ishari K Ganesh) backed the film; he was rock solid and knew it was an experimental film from the very beginning.”

A lot of people think that Joshua is an updated version of Yohan: Adhyayam Ondru, GVM’s shelved film with Vijay. However, the director disagrees. Although the protagonists in Yohan and Joshua are both assassins, GVM explains that Joshua is more of a contract killer. Joshua is also one of the rare times when the director has collaborated with a bunch of up-and-coming actors. Ever since his debut with Minnale (2001) starring Madhavan, the director has worked with big stars like Suriya in Kaakha Kaakha (2003) and Kamal Haasan in Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu (2006).  “I want to work with big stars, there’s no two ways about that,” he says. He further adds that if sometimes it’s difficult to convince the stars and they have to work around it, he is still ready to do it because he is passionate about his work. 

That said, working with non-stars in Joshua with non-stars was an enjoyable process for the director for a different reason. “I had actors who were willing to go the extra mile with everything you were giving them.” For instance, he recalls that Varun, the lead actor, actually performed scenes without wearing any footwear for almost 3/4th of the film. “I know the kind of work Varun put in for the role. His character is always on the run. So, irrespective of the terrain we were shooting, Varun wasn’t wearing footwear. In addition, he also went abroad to undergo training for the film’s action sequences.”

“If I said, “Jump’, the actors would jump,” he says. “There were no body doubles and the camera did not have to hide and shoot the actor. We could see the entire action.” GVM adds that it might be easy to call Joshua a mindless action film or diss it but a lot of effort has gone into its making. “Will it set the box office on fire? I don’t know. And frankly, I don’t give a damn, though it might be irresponsible to say.”