‘God does not exist’ says actor Thilakan

COLUMN: SPIRITUAL MATTERS

By Shevlin Sebastian

From the time he was a youngster, actor Thilakan had been skeptical about God. “I don’t think He exists,” he says. “Poet Vayalar Rama Varma said that man invented God.”

As a result, Thilakan never visited temples, except when he had to perform in a play. “It is not god which is all-powerful, but our mind,” he says. “My left hip is in bad shape. I find it painful to walk, but I continue to lead a normal life, because of my will power.”

Having extolled the mind, Thilakan also admits that when good acting takes place, there is a sense of mystery in it. “Sometimes, I am amazed when I see myself on screen. I wonder how did I act like that?” he says. “Definitely, a power has come into me.”

He remembers the time when he flew to Chennai with the singer K.J. Yesudas. During the conversation, Thilakan said, “You speak with a Fort Kochi accent, but when you sing, you use Carnatic phrases and religious shlokas in such a beautiful manner. How does this happen?”

Yesudas laughed and said, “When I sing, somebody enters my throat and does something.”

Thilakan says that Yesudas might describe it as a spiritual power. “Most people will say it is God, but I say it is mental power,” he says. “I may be wrong in my conclusions. At the same time, those who say that it is God can also be making a mistake. Who knows the truth?”

He gives an example. “Is your house on the left or the right?” he says. “It depends on where you are standing. At certain spots, your house may be on the left or on the right. The same is the case with God. You can say He exists, but at the same time He might not be there.”

Thilakan might wish He is there, because he is at the centre of a controversy for saying that he was denied a chance to act in the film, ‘Christian Brothers’. It forced AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes) to ask for an explanation.
So, should he pray to God during these stressful times?

Thilakan laughs loudly and says, “Not at all. I am glad the public is hearing some truths about the film industry. When people attack me, I relish the battle. I am not afraid at all.”

He pauses, sips a cup of tea at director Vinayan’s palatial home at Kochi, and says, “The people who are attacking me are all believers in God. In their homes, they have several images of God. In the morning, after their bath they will pray in front of all these Gods. Then they will come to the film set and say, “This Thilakan, he is getting too big for his boots. How can we do a ‘para’ on him?”

The thespian smiles and says, “As an atheist, I feel I am better off than the believers. At least I act and speak according to my conscience.”

(The New Indian Express, Kerala)