An Undreamed Dream

It was never Dulquer Salmaan’s plan to pursue a career in the film industry. Nevertheless, around 20 million people follow the shooting star of Indian cinema on social media, and even more know his movies. We get together with him at his home in Kochi, the “Queen of the Arabian Sea,” on the Malabar Coast along the southwestern edge of the subcontinent.

The “Queen of the Arabian Sea” feels much like a ghost town. The tropical heat is oppressive, with temperatures rising well above 30 degrees Celsius in Kochi, India, this time of year. Though the rainy season is just around the corner, the pitter-patter of heavy rain is nothing more than a distant memory today. To escape the midday heat, those who can seek refuge indoors where it’s cooler. But we still have some time – and don’t let the weather stop us from exploring the coastal city in the far southwest. With the emptiness, the heat, and the quiet, there’s something almost magical about the atmosphere. With around 1.425 billion inhabitants, India officially became the world’s most populous country in April 2023. However, we look in vain for the expected hustle and bustle. It almost feels like we’re on a movie set – a fitting image, as the purpose of our visit is to get together with 40-year-old Dulquer Salmaan this afternoon, an actor and, in India, an absolute superstar.

Salmaan was born in Kochi. When he was just seven years old, his family moved to Chennai on the eastern coast, but his hometown left a lasting mark – and he returned. Today, he’ll frequently indulge in childhood memories, often reminiscing about the many festivals in the Mattancherry neighborhood and the candy store Ashanti Laal Mithaiwala, a 30-minute walk from Mahatma Gandhi Beach. He’ll discuss his movies “Vikramadithyan”, “Charlie”, and “Solo”, which were filmed here and allowed him to rediscover Kochi time and again. His hometown is a symbol of India’s rich history.

We stroll along the promenade in the picturesque Fort Kochi district, marvel at the long line of Chinese fishing nets, whose wooden structures resemble sculptures, and visit Mattancherry, an area of cultural diversity. Churches, palaces, temples, mosques, and synagogues tower high above. We explore the narrow streets of Jew Town and the basilica on the island of Vallarpadam, which Vasco da Gama of Portugal himself visited. It was he who discovered the southern sea route to India via the Cape of Good Hope in 1498. Da Gama died in Kochi on one of his subsequent visits in 1524. To this day, remnants of his original grave can still be found in the local Franciscan church, the first European church in India. The further you delve into the city, the more you can feel its history.

As is the case for many, it all began with a distant childhood memory. “We were in Oman,” Salmaan recalls. “One of my father's friends bought a Porsche 944. I couldn’t take my eyes off the car and tried to pronounce the company name correctly. And then we went for a drive in the dark – that’s how it all began.” Even his father, Mammootty, long dreamed of having a Porsche for the entire family. “That’s what I like about the Panamera,” says Salmaan junior. “It has tons of space.” In the mid 1990s, his father chose not to purchase a 911 because of the two children, a bitter disappointment for son Dulquer at that time. His father, too, only acquired a few models later on in life. And the two of them have something else in common: Mammootty is also an acting legend in India, having filmed nearly 400 movies in around 50 years. No one had ever expected Dulquer Salmaan to follow in his father’s footsteps.

“Early on, I didn’t have much to do with creative people beyond my family,” he says. After school, he studied economics and worked as a manager at various companies. “But I wasn’t happy anywhere and I never had the feeling that my efforts were rewarded.” But then some of his friends began producing short films – and Salmaan got involved. He enjoyed the shoots more and more, worked up to 18 hours a day, and discovered what it was like to pursue his passion. “I was impressed by the creative process,” says the actor. “I gradually grew up and realized that I could overcome my fears by facing them. It makes you happier and allows you to achieve inner peace.” It was a moment that would take Salmaan’s life in a different direction.

Salmaan points overhead to a painting by Sri Lankan artist Senaka Senanayake. He has always been fascinated by art. “I think that’s why my tastes and my perception continue to improve, even when it comes to movies,” he says. “There were always paintings, sculptures, and music in the houses I lived in as a child. That helps me to choose movies that correspond with my aesthetic tastes.” There’s a new work of art in every room in Salmaan’s house. He’s impressed by the Indian artists Bhavna Sonawane and Gunda Anjaneyulu. But he also has a collection of old Indian maps from the era of the British Raj.

And then he returns to the topic of Kochi, his anchor. Kochi-Muziris Biennale, India’s first exhibition of this kind, was held here recently. “The event can compete internationally with the best events in the art industry,” says Salmaan. Launched in 2012, the Biennale is now the country’s most important art exhibition and the largest festival for contemporary art in Asia. When it opened its doors eleven years ago, Salmaan was able to enjoy the works of art produced by the region’s young, up-and-coming artists without a care in the world. With more than 20 million followers on social media, it’s a little more difficult today.