Thiruvananthapuram, July 7 (NationPress) Filmmaker Sanjeev Sivan and his wife, Deepthi Pillay, have officially initiated the development of a feature docu-drama that explores the life of the biscuit mogul Rajan Pillai.

In an interview with IANS, Sanjeev revealed that despite never having met Rajan Pillai personally, the businessman was a significant figure during his youth.

“He represented what many young Malayalis aspired to achieve. His journey was truly inspirational. Like me, he originated from Thiruvananthapuram. My father, filmmaker Sivan, shared a close friendship with Rajan’s father, Janardhan Pillai. Our families maintained a strong connection, a relationship I continue to cherish,” Sanjeev shared.

He characterized Pillai as a man of vision and determination, labeling him an honest entrepreneur known for his innovative concepts.

“Starting as a cashew exporter, he transformed into a pivotal figure at Britannia — a name that instilled pride in every Keralite. He was the first corporate superstar from our region to achieve remarkable global success. Unfortunately, his tendency to trust others too readily ultimately led to his downfall,” he reflected.

Sanjeev hails from a distinguished film lineage. His father, Sivan, was a National Award-winning filmmaker and photographer. His brother, Santosh Sivan, is among India’s most revered cinematographers with numerous National Awards, while his late eldest brother, Sangeeth Sivan, was a prominent director, renowned for the Malayalam hit Yoddha starring Mohanlal.

The concept for the docu-drama, as Sanjeev explained, arose from thorough research conducted by him, Deepthi, and writer-researcher Anirban Bhattacharya on the captivating rise and tragic fall of Rajan Pillai.

“To craft the narrative and guide our research, we have enlisted top-tier international talent, including Zach Sklar, who won an Oscar for the screenplay of Oliver Stone’s JFK,” he stated.

Sanjeev acknowledged that engaging with Rajan’s widow, Nina Pillai, and their sons, Shiva and Krish, posed significant challenges.

“Getting them to agree to meet us was a monumental effort. However, that meeting turned out to be one of the most enlightening and emotional experiences of our journey. It unveiled many untold stories and hidden facets of Rajan Pillai’s life,” he recounted.

“Nina has come to trust us completely — we feel like family. Through her personal narratives, we aim to portray the true essence of Rajan Pillai’s life — a story of misplaced trust, betrayal, and political maneuvering. His narrative is enveloped in enigma, but we are committed to revealing it all,” Sanjeev concluded.

Describing the project as a tribute to an extraordinary individual, he remarked, “This is the least I can do for a man who motivated an entire generation of Keralites to dream ambitiously. His decline is not merely a personal misfortune but a cautionary tale filled with deceit and betrayal from unforeseen sources. This narrative is about a remarkable trailblazer whose legacy deserves to be remembered, discussed, and understood for years to come.”