Kerala’s son revolutionising cinematic genius

In the lush, tropical landscapes of Kerala, India, a voice in cinema has emerged, weaving intricate tales that capture the complexities of human emotions. Christo Tomy, a talented filmmaker from this picturesque region, has been making waves in the Indian film industry with his thought-provoking stories. Now, with his selection for the prestigious BAFTA Breakthrough program, his unique voice is poised to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Being part of the breakthrough program is a dream come true for Tomy. “It means a lot to me. I’ve been following this program for quite a few years and it’s finally this year that I was able to apply for it, with my project because my projects were recently released.” Christo’s journey to this milestone has not been easy. Despite passing out from film school in 2016, it took him eight years to make films and get them released. “So, it has been a long journey,” he reflects. “And after all the hard work, the BAFTA Breakthrough program has happened at the right time.”
He believes that this recognition will not only be a great emotional boost but also open doors to new opportunities. “I’m excited about all the opportunities that this will bring in,” he says. As part of the program, he envisions himself taking his stories to a global audience. “I want my stories to be seen by people from around the world and the dream is for my films and stories to be celebrated all over the world,” he expresses. The Kanyaka filmmaker hopes that the program will help him build relationships with industry experts, directors, producers and actors from across the world, leading to future collaborations on exciting international productions.
Christo’s previous projects have already garnered national acclaim, including a National Award. When asked about how these experiences shaped his approach to directing a feature narrative, he recounts the moment he received the news of his National Award win. “I was editing my music video when I got a call from my mother, saying that I won the National Award”, he reminisces. Initially, Tomy thought it was a mistake, confusing it with the National Student Film Award. However, upon verifying the news, he was overwhelmed with emotion. “It was a huge moment for me because I was very young and I was winning at that time for a project where it’s normally you don’t win national awards for a student short film project,” he explains.
Receiving a national award is a milestone for any filmmaker and for the Kamuki fame, it has been a surreal experience twice over. He fondly recalls his first trip to Delhi to receive the national award, describing it as a “great experience” that he will always cherish.
His second national award win for Kamuki was a testament to his conviction in telling stories that resonate with him, even if they may seem common to others. Despite initial doubts from others, Christo felt a deep connection to the story and decided to pursue it. The national award win was a huge moral booster, especially during a challenging time in his personal life.
These award wins have had a profound impact on Christo’s approach to storytelling. “What these awards did is that it cemented my trust in the stories that I was telling,” he reflects. Despite his stories being rooted in non-commercial themes, they have managed to connect with a wide audience. His film Kamoji, for instance, has garnered over 2 million views on YouTube.
In his films, Christo often explores the themes of secrecy and revelation. His movie Ullozhukku, for instance, delves into the complexities of family relationships and the secrets that bind them. “Kerala society puts family at the center of it,” Christo explains. “Family and relationships hold very important value in all our lives. At the same time, it is also a society that is conservative.”
This conservatism, he notes, can lead to secrets within even the closest-knit families. “A guy going out to see his girlfriend might not be able to tell his parents that okay, I’m going to see my girlfriend because they won’t approve of the idea,” he illustrates. “More so for a girl, a girl going out won’t be able to tell her parents that I am going to meet my boyfriend.”
His film Ullozhukku features a powerful performance by Urvashi as Leelamma, a character whose resilience and despair are deeply intertwined. When Christo finished writing the script, he knew that he needed an extraordinary actor to bring Leelamma to life. “I was blessed to have Urushi play the character,” he says.
Urvashi’s rich personal experiences and emotional depth brought a level of authenticity to her performance. “That is why her performance is very true and very honest,” Christo notes. As a director, he often found himself in awe of Urvashi’s talent, saying, “Sometimes when she performs, I would just stand there, marvel at the magic that she creates on the screen.”
Christo and Urvashi’s working method was highly collaborative. Before each scene, Urvashi would read the script, call Christo and they would discuss the character’s motivations and rework the lines to make them more convincing. Once Urvashi was inspired by the character’s motivations, she would take over and Christo would simply observe the magic unfold. “My job as a director with Urvashi was to get her inspired, to do that scene, to get her inspired in the motivations of the character to do and say those things in the scene,” Christo says. “Once she’s inspired or seen that space, she just takes it from there and you can just sit and watch the magic happen before you.”
Malayalam cinema is experiencing an international resurgence, with audiences keen on its unique storytelling. Christo is enthusiastic about the global appeal of Malayalam films, saying, “I’m excited about Malayalam cinema. I’m excited that the films have done extremely well in the theatres in Kerala. And not just in Kerala, outside Kerala as well.” He notes that even unconventional narratives have been huge successes in Kerala, which is encouraging for filmmakers and storytellers.
His experience as a jury for the National Film Awards has given him a unique perspective on the importance of language and title in filmmaking. For Christo, the title of a film plays a crucial role in capturing the essence of the story. “I feel like the title plays an important role because for me, when the title doesn’t land, it always feels that something is not right,” he explains.
Christo’s own experience with finding the right title for his film was a laborious one. He recalls having many options and changing the title over time. “I had a book where I’ve written options for the titles and the list would go on and on,” he says. “And I would ask friends and family about which titles would which title is better.” Finally, landed the title.
As the spotlight shines brighter on Christo Tomy, his dedication to his craft, his passion for storytelling and his willingness to take creative risks will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of filmmakers and audiences alike. With his cinematic journey gaining momentum, one thing is clear: Christo Tomy’s voice will be heard, his stories will be told, and his vision will leave an indelible mark on the world of cinema.