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'.

Releases galore this week!

As many as four Malayalam films would grace the screens this week.Of these, the first would be 'Naughty Professor' that stars Baburaj and Leskhmi Gopalaswami in the lead roles, that has been released today.

'Simhaasanam' that has been directed by Shaji Kailas, and which stars Prithviraj in the lead role would be released on the 6th of July, along with 'Thattathin Marayathu' that has been directed by Vineeth Sreenivasan.

Come the 7th of July, 'Cinema Company' that has been directed by Mamas, that stars a bunch of newcomers will be released. Looks like the theatres are going to be flooded with fresh releases all right!

'Thattathin Marayathu' set for July 6 release

Vineeth Sreenivasan's much anticipated movie 'Thattathin Marayathu' is set for July 6 release. 

The movie is Vineeth Srinivasan's second directorial venture, after the success of his debut with 'Malarvaadi Arts Club'. The tagline of the film goes 'Ummachikuttiye Premicha Nayarude Katha' (the story of a Nair boy who loved a Muslim girl). 

The story is about a Hindu boy Vinod who falls in love with a Muslim girl Aisha. Nivin Pauly and Isha Talwar play the leading roles in the upcoming romance. The supporting cast includes Aju Varghese, Manoj K. Jayan, Sreenivasan, Sunny Wayne, Bhagath Manuel, Manikuttan, Niveda Thomas along with a list of new debutant actors.

The film is produced by Mukesh and Sreenivasan under the banner of Lumiere Film Company. The music is composed by Shaan Rahman, and the cinematography is handled by Jomon T. John. The editing is done by Ranjan Abraham. 

Dileep - Vysakh film to be scripted by Benny P Nayarambalam

Dileep is currently riding high on the success of his latest film 'Mayamohini' that has emerged to be the biggest box office hit of the year, as yet.

The actor has signed Vysakh's new film that has not been titled, and this film would be scripted by Benny P Nayarambalam, who had recently scripted Dileep's film 'Spanish Masala'. 

Vysakh too has had his taste of success this year, with his film 'Mallu Singh' turning out to be a commercial block buster. When Dileep joins hands with Benny and Vysakh for his new film, yet another mega hit seems to be in the offing.

'Ettekaal Second' might be delayed for a while!

'Ettekaal Second' has been in the news for the unique song that the film has, that has been shot entirely underwater. The film was shot in three weeks flat and hence it had us wondering why it hasn't been released as yet.

There have been reports that the post production work of 'Ettekaal Second' has been taking much longer than expected. This was because the film was shot using three cameras simultaneously to gain time.

However this has led to a lot of delay since a whole lot of sifting has to be done to identify and select the best shots from those that have been canned. The film that stars Govind Padmasoorya in the lead role would make it to the theatres soon.

Mammootty's one-eyed act impresses all and sundry

The last time Mammootty had played a man with one eye was for the film 'Rajamanickyam' directed by Anwar Rasheed, and it was one of the biggest hits ever in Malayalam. 

Now, the actor would play a man with eye sight only in one eye in the new film 'Jawan of Vellimala' that is being directed by Anoop Kannan. Mammootty's performance in the film is said to have impressed all and sundry.

The film is being scripted by James Albert, who had quite recently scripted 'Venicile Vyaapari' for the actor. Mammootty has been reported to have been so impressed by the script, that he had even decided to produce it himself. 'Jawan of Vellimala' is an Onam release.

Revathy S. Varma's debut in Malayalam

Revathy S Varma is a well-known ad filmmaker who is debuting in Malayalam movie industry with 'Maad Dad'. She has done almost 150 Ad films in various languages. Malabar Gold, VKC and Happy are some of them. In National level she directed Ad films with Amithab Bachan, Sharukh Khan and some of other Bollywood celebrities.

Tamil movie, 'June R' was her first movie. Surya, Jyothika and Khushbu did the lead. She also directed a Sinhala movie and three Telugu movies. She is on her way to direct a Bollywood movie 'AAP KE LIYE HUM '. R. Madhavan, Jaya Bachan, Ayisha Takia, Raveena Tandon and Midhun Chakraborthy are starring in this film. 

'Maad Dad' deals with the deep relationship between a father and his daughter. Lal and Nazriya play the roles respectively. To a question whether Revathi has adapted her biographic element in this regard, the young director replies to a leading weekly as:

"For me, the relationship between a father and her daughter is the intimacy between me and my grandfather. I wish to portray that sequence, and the relationship is established in the best manner. My grandfather was my best friend. I try to include that experience in the movie".

This brilliant filmmaker gives preference to the mindset of the viewers. In her words, viewers wish to see the best in the movies. Revathi gives a good reason for her late entry in the field of Malayalam movie industry. She says, she would like to present a strong and valid theme to compete among the established young directors of Malayalam Cinema.

Her upcoming project, 'Maad Dad' revolves around an eccentric fellow named Palachuvattil Geevarghese Kuriakose Esso and his family. He is a loving husband and a dad. He has passion for music, but people never considered him a serious musician. Lal plays the role of Kuriakose and Meghna Raj as his wife Anuradha. Nazriya dons the role of their daughter Mariyam. 

Revathi S. Varma has penned the screen play, story and dialogue for 'Maad Dad'. Pradeep Nair will crank the camera. Alex Paul has scored the music for the lyrics penned by Revathi and Santhosh Varma. P.N. Venu Gopal is producing the movie under the banner of P.N.V. Associates. 

Indrajith as rowdy in Mullamottum Munthiricharum

Cochin, July 4 (NR): Indrajith plays Churatta Jose, a rowdy in 'Mullamottum Munthiricharum' , directed by Anish Anwar who was an assistant to directors like Joshi and Bhadran.

Jose's father was died with a snake bite. After that tragic end, Jose becomes a snake killer. Thus he got the name as 'Churatta Jose'. The movie portrays Indrajith as a rowdy, who simply attacks the honeybee nest to get honey, and often engages in local fights. In the gradual development of the story, the responsibilities of two families have to be undertaken by Jose. Jose makes several attempts to escape from the burden. All such actions add to the funny corner of the movie.

Meghna Raj stars opposite Indrajith. Also Thilakan plays an important role along with Ananya, Asokan and Kalabhavan Shajon. Mohan Sitara is the music director and Sujith Vasudev is the cameraman. 

Kaviyoor Ponnamma bags Bharath Murali award

Cochin, July 4 (NR): Noted film actor Kaviyoor Ponnamma has been selected for this year's Bharat Murali Award instituted by Kottarakara Bharat Murali Cultural Centre. . The award is in recognition to her vast achievement in Malayalam cinema.

Kaviyoor Ponnamma has been recognised for her enormous efforts in Malayalam films and hence has been presented with a Bharat Murali film award. The award includes a cash prize of Rs 10,000, a trophy and a citation.

The committee that selected Ponnamma for the award comprised of director Vijaya Krisnan, Maneka, Dr Biju, Bharat Murali and cultural centre chairman Palliseri. Minister KB Ganesh Kumar will present the award to Kaviyoor Ponnamma on August 5 at a remembrance function to be held at Veliyam.

The Bharat Murali award is presented annually to female actors.

Yet another songstress in M’wood

Here’s yet another actor lending her voice in a Mollywood flick. And, it seems M’town stars are keen on exploring their talents beyond acting and want to join the singers’ league.

Actress Nithya Menen, for one. She will croon a song to the tunes of music composer Ratheesh Vega in VK Prakash’s next venture Poppins.

Confirming the news, Ratheesh says, “It is the director’s idea to make Nithya sing in the movie. The song is based on a payasam recipe and the recording will take place only after I am back from Vienna.” This is Nithya’s third outing as a singer after her two Telugu films Ala Modalaindi and Ishq. The bubbly actor had sung two tracks for Ala Modalaindi.

“Although not a trained singer, she loves to sing and used to hum random tunes since her childhood,” adds her mother. Sporting a retro look in Poppins, the actor will croon a peppy number for the movie.

Currently, the shoot is progressing in Bengaluru and the second half will be shot in Thiruvananthapuram.

It’s Chackochan’s time in M’town

With lot of films in his kitty, actor Kunchacko Boban’s career is on an upswing.

The latest news is that the actor will be paired opposite yesteryear actors Sheela and Jayabharathi. Kunchacko will don the role of a strict disciplinarian, the Dewan of Travancore, Sir C P Ramaswamy Iyer.

In director V.K. Prakash’s colourful flick Poppins, the actor will essay the role of Major Prathap Singh opposite Nithya Menen.

In yet another project, Babu Janardhanan’s God For Sale: Bhakthi Prasthanam, the actor will be cast in three different looks of which the first schedule has been completed.

Director Suresh makes a comeback

Director Suresh Unnithan who was last seen in Rishyasringan 14 years back will now be breaking his hiatus with a film Nagabandham.

This will have Lal as the central character with Lekshmi Sharma, Lena, Sukumari, KPAC Lalitha and Innocent in prominent roles.

Suresh sheds light on the story, “This is a period film set in 1957. Lal plays the role of a pulluvan and Lekshmi is his wife.

Lekshmi will be seen in Mollywood after a hiatus. Lal is a man well-versed with the Nagapathu and has certain powers to attract people.

An untoward incident in his life happens which affects his personal life too. This film also touches on the feudal system present at that time.”

The shoot of this film will begin in October and the story, screenplay and dialogues are by Dr Ambady, an IAS officer.

Biju Menon, Kavya Madhavan in Osho

If Mollywood was a math problem and the audience was asked to pick a common denominator in all the latest films, one name would be Biju Menon.

He is a favourite with the directors because of his strong character portrayals of a variety of roles and his immense talent.

Biju Menon has now been signed on for A.K. Sajan’s next film Osho and giving him company is Kavya Madhavan.

Sajan’s earlier venture Asuravithu did not fare well at the box office and he is banking on Osho to reverse the trend.

Sajan says, “I don’t want to reveal too much at this stage but it will be a humorous story and will have Biju as an Osho follower.” The others in the cast include Nedumudi Venu and Jayabharathi.

Shweta Menon’s bold move

Bold and beautiful Shweta Menon is ready to show off her baby bump. Director Blessy plans to take a film based on motherhood and Shweta’s pregnancy and delivery will be captured in this flick.

Swetha Menon has nodded in agreement for the project and is all set to showcase the value of motherhood through this film. Though pregnant, she is active and was seen during the audio launch of K. Gopinathan’s Ithra Mathram in Kochi. The movie will see Swetha Menon and Biju Menon playing the lead roles and the release date of the movie has not been confirmed yet.