Jayasurya in a stellar role in ‘Su Su Sudhi Vathmeekam’

Coping with any kind of disability is not easy.

Ask Sudheendran, who had to deal with a stammer in his childhood. All that is in the past now.

Today at 40, this software professional is the project head of a leading company. A confident man, he lives life to the fullest with his family. However, the journey to this point was not easy. Marred by self-doubt and diffidence in his early years, Sudheendran one day realised that the first step lay in accepting his disability. Over time, he learnt to deal with his handicap.

Sudheendran’s close friend, director Ranjith Sankar, brings to screen a story inspired by his life in Su Su Sudhi Vathmeekam, out in the UAE on December 31.

“This is not a biographical tale,” said Sankar, who entered the Malayalam industry with the critically acclaimed Passenger in 2009. “I have only borrowed the core element of his life story.”

Sankar had been toying with his friend’s story since 2000, when he was wooing producers with the script for Passenger, after which Su Su was put to the back of his mind.

On his blog, Shankar writes that he thought of Su Su as his second film, but the release and success of an international film about the same handicap pushed Su Su to the background again.

Sankar went on to make three more films, Molly Aunt Rocks, Punyalan Agarbattis and Varsham.

Last year, while visiting Sudheendran’s home, he was surprised to find him a changed man: confident and happy.

It was now time to share his friend’s story on the big screen. Teaming up with actor Jayasurya again (after Punyalan Agarbattis), Sankar’s tale started rolling.

Since the lead role demanded intense preparation, Jayasurya did not work on any other film for forty days. He also met Sudheendran.

Jayasurya said, “Sudhi shared many incidents from his life when owing to his speech disorder, he felt at a loss. It helped me understand his state of mind and in portraying my emotions.”

The hard work has eventually paid off.

The response to Su Su Sudhi Vathmeekam has been overwhelming. This tale of an ordinary man connected with many, including those grappling with a similar disability.

Sankar is being praised for sensitively narrating this story that exudes positivity. Jayasurya has won appreciation for his outstanding portrayal of Sudhi.

Sankar said, “It made me realise that cinema is a powerful medium and can bring a change in society and in the lives of people. We got calls from people suffering from speech disorders and others, too, who faced low self-esteem on different grounds.”

“Everyone has a disability,” added Sankar, “It’s not about denying it, but accepting and working at it that makes one a winner.”

The supporting cast of Su Su Sudhi Vathmeekam includes Aju Verghese (whose character is inspired by Sankar, as Sudheendran’s friend), Swati Narayanan, Shivada Nair, KPAC Lalitha and Mukesh in a cameo. Shankar’s 11-year-old daughter, Tara, makes her debut as a child actor, playing a hearing and speech-impaired girl.