Tamil book unveils Adoor's life

Adoor Gopalakrishnan, India's only living auteur-director, now has the honour of having a book on him in Tamil! The book Idam Porul Kalai, written by Akbar Kakkatil based on some interviews given by the director, was released at a function held at Mind Screen in Mylapore, Chennai.

Director Vasanth facilitated an interactive session between Adoor and the audience. Actor Rohini, putting in a rare public appearance after the death of her ex-husband Raghuvaran, read out excerpts from the book.

The book, which has chapters on Adoor's relationships with contemporary film-makers like G. Aravindan and John Abraham, was translated into Tamil by Kulachal M. Yousuf. It has been published in Tamil by Kalachuvadu.

During a 12 minute speech in English laced with ironic humour, Adoor Gopalakrishnan said that he was initially hesitant to sit with the writer (Akbar Kakkatil). "He came into my house asking for two hours and stayed for five days. My only intermission came when he went out to smoke. I had refused to let him smoke inside the house."

He said it was a relief that the author did not think of interviewing his wife. "I think she would have a lot to say about me. I am a very difficult person to live with."

Meanwhile, veteran film critic and writer Gautaman Bhaskaran is also completing an authorized biography of Adoor Gopalakrishnan, to be published by Penguin International soon.