It is hard to believe that next year, in 2027, Kunchacko Boban, affectionately called Chackochan, will complete 30 years in the film industry. Ageless, as an adjective, does not convey it. He is all smiles as he settles down for the conversation about his latest film, Unmadham, his years in the industry, and being seen as an actor rather than a star.

Unmadham will be Kunchacko Boban’s third film with writer Shahi Kabir, best known for writing cop stories drawn from his own experience as a policeman. Three cop roles with the same writer? This is from an actor who did not want to be stereotyped.

Chackochan anticipates the question.

“It is a cop role, but all the police characters I have essayed in Shahi’s movies, be it Praveen Michael of Nayattu or Hari Sankar of Officer on Duty, are different. Shelly (in Unmadham) cannot be connected to the other two or even the movies. During the trailer launch event, he (Shahi) announced that this movie doesn’t have the typical, dark ending of a Shahi Kabir movie! This is the first Shahi Kabir movie with the U 13+ censor certificate.”

A ‘surprise’ element of the film is the combination of a regular police station story/thriller with a dash of the supernatural, which, he feels, would work with the audience.

Shelly is a police constable who wants to be in films, like Shahi. “Naturally, the characters and episodes in the film have shades of real life and resemble Shahi’s experiences but told more cinematically.” The other factor Chackochan is convinced would work for the film is the cast, which boasts names like Lijomol Jose and Sudheesh.

He makes special mention of the director, Kiran Das, a debutant who brings the experience of having edited films like Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, Joseph, Moothon, Joji, Ela Veezha Poonchira, Romancham, and Ullozhukku, among others. It was Shahi who suggested working with Kiran, and Chackochan was only too happy to do so — because Kiran was a newcomer, which meant less pressure, not too much hype. The audience would give the director some leeway and some concession because it is his first. “The problem with hyped movies is the expectations, which fortunately Unmadham doesn’t have. We feel it is a blessing in disguise!” The team is counting on the curiosity the trailer has generated with its suggestion of the supernatural.

Chackochan praises Kiran for his vision and clarity, without demanding that actors overdo. “He knows what he wants, where to cut, pause, and the exclamation marks. His experience as an editor came in handy in other ways, which helped keep the budget under control too.”

Donning khaki, again

Three cop characters imagined and written by the same writer — how different was the process of getting into character?

“ Pravin from Nayattu was hunted by the system, which sidelined him and made him sceptical about whether he should fight or surrender to it. In Officer on Duty, Hari Sankar is strong-headed and arrogant. So I had these two examples telling me what not to do with Shelly. His own thoughts drive him and he follows his fantasies.”

Chackochan confesses it was an easier character to portray than the other two, despite it being layered and complex. “As I said, Shelly’s character has some shades of Shahi’s life as well. So, whenever I had a doubt, I just had to look towards Shahi and understand what I had to do,” he says, laughing. With the material drawn from real life, the actors just had to present it organically and in a cinematic way.

30 years of Aniyathipraavu

Aniyathipraavu, completes 30 years in the industry next year. He laughs, “At that time, I did not think I would last even three days. There were no claps in the theatre, only booing all over Kerala. After that, the movie picked up. It was one hell of a ride; I am humbled, blessed and thankful that I have been placed in this situation.”

Aniyathipraavucame out, nobody knew me. I belonged to a film family, but that was it. Shalini was not Baby Shalini…so, we were both essentially newcomers,” he says in response to a question about the trend of content creators turning actors. “They are not newcomers…they are popular faces,” he says, unironically.

The actor’s characters, of late, have been more varied; there is no hesitation when it comes to the length of the role, whether the story pivoted his character, was part of an ensemble cast, or was a ‘female-oriented’ film. He has been driven by a desire to avoid being typecast. Chackochan once said he envied his peers — Prithviraj, Jayasurya and Indrajith — who were able to avoid the trap. “That envy helped me try different things, new things. I had my share of ups and downs, but those made me stronger. My contemporaries ignited my passion, showing me the way. I am thankful for that; after all, competition makes you better. Even newcomers teach me things, and I happily learn from them.” His choice of films, especially post-pandemic, shows a resolve to do just that — Nayattu, Ariyippu (which he also produced), Nizhal, Nna Thaan Case Kodu, 2018, and Officer on Duty.

He refers to the new trends as encouraging and fascinating. “Post-COVID, Malayalam movies have set a benchmark when it comes to movies worldwide. We are not driven by stars or money power; we are driven by content and how it is delivered entertainingly. Even the genre doesn’t matter; you name it, we have it and packaged differently.”

When asked the best things about his three decades in the industry, Chackochan says, “You take the good and learn from the bad. Movies may make or break you, but you have to get up again and move forward. When I came back to movies after a break, I made it a point that I didn’t play the hero. I started small — cameos, guest appearances, special roles, female-oriented films. I ensured I was part of all memorable movies in Malayalam, from Traffic to How Old Are You and 2018, among many others.  I took small steps forward. Then opinions changed, and the audience accepted me as an actor, not as a star. This was my priority. I worked hard for it. So, when people say that my last 15-odd movies show a drastic change in my acting, it is something I hoped and wished for. And that makes me more responsible about what I do going forward.”

Unmadham is set to release in theatres on July 31

Published - July 29, 2026 10:27 am IST