Documentary on author Zacharia sheds mild on his private and literary journey

Hailing from Urulikunnam in Kottayam, author Paul Zacharia, popularly generally known as Zacharia, affectionately recollects its rain, sunshine and shade because the daybreak of his literary journey. Nevertheless, his life is a continuing topic of rebirth and reinvention – as a baby in Kerala, a school scholar in Bengaluru and a author and journalist in India’s capital, Delhi.

Zacharia, a documentary directed by award-winning filmmaker Shiny Benjamin concerning the prolific author, was screened at Kairali-Sree-Nila Theatre advanced in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday (August 18).

The movie, produced by Achu Ullatil and Okay.M. Gafoor, binds collectively fragmented sides of Mr. Zacharia’s life together with his works by animated illustrations by Sunil Raj, whereas shedding mild on his household and mates.

“I really feel nice pleasure in seeing my life reconstructed so creatively on the massive display, particularly seeing my tales and my life performed out in tandem, like a fictional work,” says Mr. Zacharia, whose works embrace quick tales, novellas, travelogues, screenplays, essays, and columns, amongst others.

A poster of the documentary Zacharia 
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The 81-year-old author debuted in 1964 with the quick story Unni the Youngster. His most famed works embrace Bhaskara Pattelarum Ente Jeevithavum, Salam America, Aarkkariyam and Oru Nasrani Yuvavum Goulishashthravum, amongst others.

Within the one-hour-long movie, Mr. Zacharia or Skariachan, saunters down reminiscence lane, narrating his encounters with concepts corresponding to misogyny, Christianity and communism, amongst others. “He has written, travelled and skilled a lot. To condense them and current them on the display was the largest problem for me,” says Ms. Benjamin. “It’s a 40-hour movie that we managed to trim to at least one hour,” she jokes.

The music of the movie, shot by Jebin Jacob, is dealt with by veteran composer Sarreth and edited by Don Max.

One of many highlights of the movie is Zacharia’s encounter with late filmmakers John Abraham and G. Aravindan. The latter’s demise is described because the lack of half his soul by the author. Mr. Zacharia says, “They made me who I’m, and the true goal of this movie is to resurrect them by me.”

The movie underlines the author’s philosophy: “I’ve failed as a author the second I stop to reinvent myself with each new work.”