We have to admit that behind the glitz and glam of Tamil industry, there are lurkers who seem to be outcasts, geniuses who are penning their next masterpiece. A very prominent member of the group of ‘dark lords’ is director Mysskin. 

More than asking who is Mysskin, don’t say you haven’t wondered what his name means. Get ready to be enlightened- Mysskin is the lead protagonist of Dostoevsky’s popular novel ‘The Idiot’. From here, Mysskin’s leanings toward literature must be a no-brainer. And this is where the director differentiates himself from the rest. 

His films are not only entertaining but at a deeper level, they are emotionally charged as well. Sometimes there is disgust, sometimes there is gore- but on the whole, you can be sure that his is always an emotionally charged art. There are also many instances where his messages have been subtle and surreal as well. 

One of the recurring motifs in his films is to startle you with the inconceivable. How could a man aspiring to be a straight cop become a criminal thug? How can a thug get a sudden moral resurrection after becoming a cop? How can there be a strong bond/friendship between a boy and a mentally challenged man who escaped from an asylum? How is it possible for a demon to nurture its love for a man? How a temperamental gangster change into a forgiving man at the drop of a hat? A medical student helping a criminal flee?

And this might be what hooks audiences to his eccentric stories. It throws light on our darker shades. A darker shade within the moral bounds of an upright man or the goodwill within a gangster. Mysskin is able to tap into that realm and make you realize how vague the limits are for good and evil. 

Since Mysskin relies heavily on the power of raw storytelling, usually the camera works and superficial effects are almost neglected, if not minimalistic. After several movies from the director, a movie buff would be able to tell by just looking at a scene/frame/camera angle and movement, if it’s a Mysskin film. Low disturbing angles, wide shots, movement along with the subject for an unusual duration- these factors not only make his style peculiar but prove themselves to help us not get distracted in a powerful story. 

We’re sure that as an efficient writer and director, Mysskin will give us movies which will continue to revolutionize Tamil movies. His next movie is titled as ‘Psycho’, we can’t help be reminded of Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic movie. 

Here’s Indiaglitz wishing many more happy returns of the day to the director!