Comedy icon Roderick Paulate makes his big-screen comeback in CreaZion Studios’ “Mudrasta” — a heartwarming film that marks his return to his signature genre.
Directed by Julius R. Alfonso of “Deadma Walking” fame, “Mudrasta” features Roderick in a role he describes as personal and long overdue. At a recent press conference, the actor revealed what he truly felt about accepting the comeback project.
“May mga offers pero hindi talaga swak. Parang ang feeling ko kasi, kahit na sabihin nila na pelikula mo ito, pero ang nangyayari lang dun, basta makagawa na lang ng comeback film, maibalik lang,” Roderick started.
“Very particular ako with the story, kung papaano rin gawin. Maganda ang premise [‘ng Mudrasta’]. … Nung pinresent ito sa’kin, sabi ko, ‘challenging na agad.’ Ang dami kong tanong. ‘Paano kung hindi ako mudrasta dito?’ Binigay nila ‘yung storyline. Then after that, sabi ko, ‘Sige, payag akong gawin ito. Pero gusto ko pa rin makita ‘yung script.’ Kasi pwede namang maganda ang storyline, pero hindi maganda ang pagkasulat ng script. Doon na nagsimula ‘yung proseso — meetings with Direk Julius, with writer Joni Son Fontanos. Talagang bawat sequence pinag-usapan.
“In fact, involved ako per sequence. Lumalabas kami ni Direk para talagang tapusin nang maayos ang pelikula. Kaya sabi ko, ‘Ito talaga ang gusto kong gawin.’ Na-excite ako. Na-challenge ako. At hindi ako nagkamali.”
“Mudrasta” follows the story of Victor “Beki” Labrador (Roderick), the flamboyant ex-lover of Enrique (Tonton) who finds himself back in his former flame’s life after inheriting half of his estate and being forced to live with the family he left behind.
It was a no-brainer for Roderick to pick Tonton as leading man because of the rapport they’ve built over the years. Their chemistry has been well-documented, particularly in their award-winning “Maalaala Mo Kaya” episode “Wrist Watch,” which earned Roderick one of his two Asian Television Awards for Best Actor.
On why he chose Tonton Gutierrez as his leading man, Roderick said, “Unang-una, kalimutan muna natin ‘yung pagiging magkaibigan. Sa comedy, hindi lang basta patawa. May lalim. Si Tonton Gutierrez ‘yun. Makikita mo talaga sa pelikula,” he emphasized. “Very sincere. Talagang umiyak ako sa eksena namin.”
Tonton, for his part, felt nothing but gratitude.
“Honestly, sabi ko nga makasama ko lang si Kuya Dick in a movie — kasi television lang kami dati — ang saya,” he said. “This is something I can show to my grandkids someday. Kasama ko si Roderick Paulate, ang hari ng komedya.
“Maraming salamat sa pagpili sa akin. It’s an honor,” he added.
Director Julius Alfonso also praised the duo’s onscreen rapport, saying: “Innate at hindi awkward — ‘yun ‘yung chemistry nila. Natural. Hindi mo na kailangang i-direct masyado. Magkatinginan lang, may magic na agad.”
Roderick is very thankful to be back to doing what he does best with “Mudrasta.”
“I’m very thankful. I’m very grateful,” he said. “Ito ‘yung gusto ko. Comedy — pero may puso.”
“Mudrasta” opens in theaters on August 20.
