I was sure that the audience wouldn’t let down Take Off: Mekha Rajesh Pillai

Editor Mahesh Narayanan’s directorial debut Take Off has successfully entered it’s third week of theatrical run. The movie continues to get good occupancy rates at all the major centres.

Take Off, written by Mahesh Narayanan and PV Shaji Kumar is inspired from real life incidents where a group of Malayali nurses were trapped in the Tikrit region in Iraq during the ISIS attacks in 2014. Parvathy Menon, Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban and Asif Ali played the major roles.

The movie was made as a tribute to late filmmaker Rajesh Pillai. It was funded by Anto Joseph and Shebin Becker in association with Rajesh Pillai Films. Rajesh Pillai’s wife Mekha Rajesh Pillai was the executive producer.

In a recent interview, Mekha opened up about how Take Off actually happened. After the director’s sudden demise, his friends from the industry- writer Sanjay, Mahesh Narayanan and some others came together to make a movie under Rajesh Pillai Films. Mekha was initially hesitant about production as she doubted her abilities but their constant support inspired her to go forward. But after watching the movie, she was certain that the audience wouldn’t let this movie down. She knew that genuinely good movies have always found takers in Malayalam. She sees this success as a recognition to the dedication and hardwork of Rajesh Pillai’s friends.

Take Off was opened to extraordinary reviews from the critics. The movie was appreciated by many leading stars including Mohanlal, Mammootty, Kamal Haasan and Suriya. Critics have rated it as one of the best Malayalam movies in recent years.