Soorya Krishnamoorthy is the founder-director of the Soorya Stage and Film Society that promotes Indian arts and culture. The light and sound shows directed by him have won him many national awards.

Malayalam film Melvilasom (Address) that released last month was based on one of his plays. Directed by debutant director Madhav Ramadasan, it was touted as one of the best Malayalam films made in recent times.

Melvilasom depicts an army court martial and has only one set -- the court room -- and only a handful of people. There are no songs, no dances and no women; a very courageous attempt by a debutant.

In this interview with Shobha Warrier, Soorya Krishnamoorthy talks about his play and the film based on it.

What is the inspiration behind your play based on which the film Melvilasom is made?

Till I staged Melvilasom, I had staged only open air light and sound shows. The inspiration is my guru, Gopi Poojappura, an ex-army personnel. He ran away from the army but escaped court martial. He used to tell me lots of stories about the army, the hardships he had to undergo.

After his death, I wanted to pay a tribute to him. He had told me about a book written in Marathi and the similarities between the incidents in his life and what he read in the book. I read the book later and took some characters from it, created some of my own, and that is how Melvilasom was born.

It is the story of Gopi Poojappura and whatever he has seen and undergone in the army. The old Remington type writer sound in the film is him as he was doing the same work in the army.

What about the technical correctness of the court martial? Did you take the advice of any army personnel?

That is why I have written in the beginning of the film that I have taken some artistic liberties. Like allowing a little girl to enter the room. In reality, no outsider will be allowed inside. Also, a senior officer saluting a junior will not happen. I have taken such liberties here to have a dramatic impact.

I had discussions with a Major to know the technicalities involved in a court martial. I had no knowledge of how it was done in the army. But I didn't show the script to anybody once it was written.

How was the response when the play was presented?

The first presentation was in the House of Soviet culture four years ago. That was the time Malayalam drama had become so obscure that the audience was running away from it.  

I knew that only realistic plays would stay in the minds of people and not absurd plays. Why is it that the plays written in the beginning of the Communist movement are still performed? Can anyone forget Ningalenne Communistakki (You made me a Communist)? Not only the communist party, but various organisations have grown through communist plays.

Melvilasom clicked in such a way that in the first two years, we had 400 shows all over the world. It has done more than 700 shows so far. I strongly believe it was not my ability but the great blessing of God and my guru that the play clicked. I had written two-three more plays after this but they were not as successful as Melvilasom.