Kerala government company to produce films, upgrade theatres

The Kerala Financial Corporation (KFC), a state-owned financier, Friday announced that it would grant funds to produce films, revamping of theatres and construction of new multiplexes.

Finance Minister K.M. Mani announced the scheme that is expected to usher in fresh activity in the cash strapped Malayalam film industry. Under the scheme, filmmakers can avail a loans up to Rs.2 crore for films, documentaries and television serials.

Mani handed over a cheque of Rs.75 lakh to Sandhya Rajendran and Rajendran, producers of the upcoming film "Hide & Seek", being made under the banner of Kalidasan International at the function.

The second scheme will focus on modernisation, upgradation and expansion of existing theatres and for building new multiplexes. The body offers loans upto Rs.20 crore on easy terms with a provision for routing part of daily collections at these centres to the loan account.

Court drama features divorced Manoj K Jayan and Urvashi

It was not a scene out of a Malayalam film but real life drama as divorced star couple Manoj K. Jayan and actress Urvasi Friday came face-to-face in a Kerala court here over the custody of their child.

Their 10-year-old daughter Kunjatta also was present and she refused to accompany her mother, which forced the family court to ask Jayan to take her back to his home.

The two stars decided to separate in 2008, after eight years of marriage. 

Jayan came to the court in the morning to hand over Kunjatta to Urvasi till evening, as part of a court-ordered arrangement.

The case of custody of the stars' daughter is also being heard in the Kerala High Court. The family court is likely to give the high court a report on the developments.

Jayan told reporters that Urvasi was addicted to liquor and that he would now move the court for complete custody of his daughter.

"I don't know why that man (Jayan) is behaving like this and saying such things about me," said Urvasi, after emerging from the court.

While Urvasi continues to remain single, Jayan has re-married.

Sanjeev Sivan's next on couple's fight for dead son's semen

You may have heard people fighting legal battles for property or family rights, but have you ever heard of a couple fighting a case to get hold of their dead son's semen? Weird as it may sound, but this is a true story being brought to screen by filmmaker Sanjeev Sivan.

He will present the story through two films.

"I read the travails of the couple who lost their son and after a legal battle got their son's semen, which is now kept in a private hospital. I went and met them and expressed my interest in making two separate films and they agreed," Sanjeev told IANS.

Sanjeev is not new to filmdom. He comes from the celebrated 'Sivan' family - his two brothers Sangeeth and Santosh are already established names and his father Sivan is an award winning filmmaker.

The two films that Sanjeev has planned will be in two formats - one will be an out and out documentary, in which the parents act, while another will be a full length feature film with a star studded cast.

"The documentary has been titled 'In Search Of A Womb' and the shoot will start this month. We will begin shooting for yet-to-be-named feature film towards the end of the year and National Award winning actor Salim Kumar has agreed (to work in it). We are now trying for Seema Biswas and I also wish to rope in superstar Mammootty to do a cameo," said Sanjeev who directed suspense thriller "Aparichithan" in 2004.

The script is being penned by well-known scribe T.A. Razak.

The film is based on the story of Ravi Kumar, 59, a casual labourer, and his 58-year-old wife Karthiyayani from Thrissur. Their son, a sound engineering in a Bangalore institute, was diagnosed with tumour in his testes and later died. While he was being treated, doctors advised that his semen be collected and stored for further use. And that's what he did. 

Ratheesh died at the age of 28 last year after contracting pneumonia. 

After the son's death, when the elderly couple approached the hospital for the semen, it refused to give it to them.

The couple filed a case against the hospital. In February this year, the Lok Adalat at Kochi directed the hospital to give Ratheesh's semen to his parents. 

" Ratheesh was a brilliant and talented person. I was amazed to see what he has done given his limitation. With this in mind, I spoke to Oscar award winner Resul Pookutty and he has told me to count him in for the project in any capacity," said Sanjeev.

He added that he is now committed to the couple for their needs in building a home and also for their efforts for having a surrogate child.

"Am really excited with the interests numerous people in the country and abroad have shown and are willing to cooperate with me," said Sanjeev, who just finished a short film on the security aspects at the London Olympics.

VKP's 'Poppins' based on a play

V. K. Prakash's 'Poppins' is based on the institution of marriage. The movie explores the emotional stories of four couples played by Anoop Menon - Ann Augustine, Jayasurya - Meghna Raj, Kunchacko Boban - Nitya Menon and Indrajith - Padmapriya. 

'Poppins' is based on a play written and scripted by Jayaprakash Kuloor.

Spirit fame Shanker Ramakrishnan plays the role of a filmmaker (Hari). According to him, "Hari is shooting a film that narrates the stories of these couples." 

Mythili plays Gauri, Hari's wife. 

'Poppins' is produced by Trends Ad Films and music by Ratheesh Vega.

V.M. Vinu to team up with Mammooty again

V.M. Vinu joins hands with Mammooty for the new movie 'Face to Face'.

Manoj Payyannur will pen the script. And the makers planned to start shooting in August first week in Trivandrum areas. More details about cast and crew are awaited.

V. M. Vinu has earlier worked with Mammootty in 'Pallavoor Devanarayanan', 'Vesham' and 'Bus Conductor'. His last movie was 'Penpattanam'.

Fahad to be honored with the Ponthooval Award

Taking into consideration his contributions to Malayalam films, the Chief Minister Sri. Oommen Chandy would present the Ponthooval Award to young actor Fahad Fazil on the 7th of July.

The event has been organized by K C Venugopal, and it should be noted that Fazil, renowned director and Fahad's father would deliver the welcome speech on the occasion.

Fahad would also take part in an Open Forum at the event, where he would interact with students in the tenth and plus two classes. Fahad has been much appreciated recently for the films that he had done this year which include '22 F Kottayam' and 'Diamond Necklace'.