A veteran director known for his many successful films in Tamil cinema is finally stepping into the Malayalam film scene, and it’s a significant occasion. Gautham Vasudev Menon’s movie, Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse, featuring the renowned Mammootty, is set to release in theaters on January 23. The multi-talented actor-director-producer openly shares that he’s feeling a bit anxious about this new venture. In a chat with Hindustan Times, Gautham Menon acknowledges that it took him quite a while to make his debut in Malayalam cinema, as he was kept busy with Tamil films all these years. 

Mammootty wasn't interested in taking on an investigative thriller

My Malayalam debut was bound to happen eventually, and teaming up with Mammootty felt like the perfect way to kick things off. I heard Neeraj Rajan's story and immediately pictured Mammootty as Dominic. The director of Kaakha Kaakha shares that at first, Mammootty, or Mammukka as he's fondly called, wasn't too excited about doing an investigative thriller. “In Tamil cinema, some actors hear a story and if it’s labeled a love story, they’ll quickly say no, wanting something more mass appeal,” he explains. When Mammootty asked about the plot, I wanted to share the whole story with him instead of just giving him a brief idea. I told him I preferred he listen to the narration, but he was curious, so I revealed it was an investigative thriller. He initially declined, but I convinced him to give it a shot. Twenty minutes into the narration, he was hooked and even offered to produce it! I think he really connected with the character and how the story unfolds. The climax is pretty intense and definitely not what you'd expect.

As for the title, Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse might sound a bit quirky, but I think it fits perfectly. The character's name is Dominic, and the plot kicks off when he finds a lady's purse and is tasked with returning it. I felt this title was spot on, and when I pitched it to Mammukka, he loved it too. It makes sense since he plays a detective. I hadn’t thought about sequels back then, but I imagined future stories like Dominic and the Yellow Coloured Ribbon. It opens up a whole series of adventures for this character. I really wanted a title that captured the essence of the film, which is very character-driven. I’m a big fan of the investigative genre, and I’m excited to explore something fresh with this project, he adds with a smile.

Directing Mammootty

Gautham had previously shared the screen with Mammukka in Bazooka, but this was his first time directing him. Having collaborated with various stars in Tamil cinema, he reflected on the experience. “For me, it felt like a celebration of Mammukka. I’ve been a fan since watching films like Thaniyavarthanam, Amaram, Thalapathi, Vadakkan Veeragatha, CBI Diary Kurippu, New Delhi, and August 1. I was completely captivated and knew I wanted to work with him. Now, directing him in a film he’s also producing is just magical. There’s really no comparison; it’s way beyond what I imagined working with Mammootty would be like. I’ve also worked with legends like Kamal sir, which was intense and compelling, and this experience was on a similar level. Every scene had a unique edge thanks to his performance. Before we started shooting, the writer asked him how he would approach the character Dominic, and Mammukka replied, ‘I have no idea; I’ll see what Gautam has in mind and what inspires me.’ He kept building on that, and the film turned out to be quite complex because of his portrayal. It was a compelling experience, unlike anything I’ve done before. So, there’s really no way to compare,” he shared.

When it comes to sequels, he mentioned there’s just an idea floating in his mind. “No, I haven’t discussed it with Mammootty sir at all. When I first heard the story, I got caught up in the thought of it. Maybe it’s just a big dream or wish of mine. If the film resonates with the audience and they connect with the character, then we might be able to convince Mammootty sir. I’m really excited for the film’s release,” he concluded.

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