Listin Stephen On Fahadh Faasil's Salary In 2011: 'Not Sure If We Can Afford Him Now'
Regarded as one of the films that changed the trajectory of both the star’s career as well as Malayalam cinema, 2011 film 'Chaappa Kurishu' is known for its many firsts.
Malayalam producer Listin Stephen recently revealed the remuneration of Fahadh Faasil for his 2011 film Chaappa Kurishu. "Fahadh acted more than anyone sets, including junior artistes (in Chaappa Kurishu), and he was a part of every single department of the film, right from writing, directing, to acting. After I saw him work, I asked him how much I should pay him as salary, and he said he was paid ₹65,000 for Tournament (2010), the film he had done just before," Listen said in a recent convocation ceremony of the South Indian Film Academy (SIFA) in Kochi.
Talking about Faasil's efforts, Listin continued, “Finally, the salary I paid him was ₹1,00,000. Now I’m not sure if we can afford him even if we agree to pay him 100 times or even 500 times that amount. That’s how much he has grown.”
In his reply, Faasil thanked Listin for the faith and the opportunity he had given him during Chaappa Kurishu, despite all those who had advised him not to cast him.
The trailer of Fahadh Faasil and Kalyani Priyadarshan’s Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira too was released this weekend, and it promises a wild comedy about marriage. It is being directed by Altaf Salim. Fahadh was last seen in the Tamil comedy-drama Maareesan. In an interview with THR India, he said, “It's very difficult to be funny in another language, because I think in Malayalam. So even if I have to improvise, I think in Malayalam and then I ask, 'So how do you say this in Tamil?'" The actor credited Vadivelu and writer V Krishna Moorthy for helping him with the translation.
Faasil will next be seen in Mahesh Narayanan's Patriot. Patriot marks Mohanlal and Mammootty’s reunion in key roles after a gap of 17 years since Twenty:20 (2008). The shoot for the film began late last year.