Viji Thampi is one director who has dabbled in a variety of film genres with success. Recently, he gave the Malayalam cinema its much-needed success with Satyameva Jayate . He’s also equally known for doing cameo roles in his films a la Alfred Hitchcock and, closer home, Subash Ghai. He had even done a notable character in his film Samaantharanagal  but prefers to be known more as a director than an actor.

In keeping with today’s trends, he has also made forays into television. His crime thriller on the mini screen Black And White  had been very popular and he has followed it with the daily comedy soap Mahatma Gandhi Colony , currently being shown on Asianet. The serial has prestigious names from the Malayalam industry both in the acting and technical departments.

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What, in your opinion, are the main reasons for the box office success of Satyameva Jayate ? Today’s audience has changed a lot. An average moviegoer today wants to see a film that does not let him take his eyes off the screen even for a second. The film should be slick and technically perfect, without even a minor lag. We kept this in mind while making Satyameva Jayate  and since we could satisfy the audience regarding these aspects, I believe the film did well.

What is the serial Mahatma Gandhi Colony  about?
Mahatma Gandhi Colony  is an attempt at portraying a sort of mini India within the bounds of a residential colony. There are characters from every walk of life, with different natures and different ways of life etc, who live in harmony with each other. I have tried my best to portray the little events that happen in the colony in a hilarious manner. Though it is basically a comedy serial, it also has the right dose of family sentiments.

What is the difference between directing for the big screen and the mini screen?
As a creative artist, it doesn’t matter to me whether I am directing for the big screen or the mini screen. I put in the same amount of work and involvement. However, I feel one has to concentrate more while working for the big screen. A film must be good enough to hold the viewers’ attention for two-and-a-half hours without giving him any scope for distraction. On the other hand, we cannot expect the same amount of involvement or attention from a TV viewer. That is the only difference I see. However, both are independent of each other and go on different tracks.

Have you got any other immediate projects for the mini screen?
Oh, yes. I am making a seven-episode serial for the Director’s Special programme of Malayalam Communication’s new Channel. I also have a serial Annie , written by Alex Kadavil, which would be entirely different from my previous serials.

What is your dream project as a filmmaker?
My dream project is a rather personal sort of film and I feel that the time has not yet come to divulge the details regarding that. Of course I have got something in mind. You may wait and see.

What sort of a film is it likely to be? Or rather, what genre is it going to represent anyway?
Well, I am not sure about that. All I can say now is that it is a personal idea which exists only in my concept. I know that I have no right to impose my films or myself on anybody. But I will make my film, sooner or later.