Suresh Gopi and Haneef Adeni to team up for a cop-thriller?
Buzz is that Suresh Gopi is planning to team up with Haneef Adeni for a cop-investigative thriller. Anto Joseph is likely to produce the film but nothing has been confirmed yet. Suresh Gopi already has ‘Kaaval’, ‘Paappan’, ‘Ottakomban’ and an untitled film with ‘Jeem Boom Bhaa’ fame Rahul Ramachandran lined up. If news about his collaboration with Haneef Adeni turns out to be true, fans can certainly expect a stylishly shot mass entertainer.
Haneef Adeni shot to fame in 2017 by directing the hit Mammootty film ‘The Great Father’. He then followed it up by scripting ‘Abrahaminte Santhathikal’, which was also a box office success. However, after his third film ‘Mikhael’ tanked, the youngster has been maintaining a low profile. Though it was announced that he would be scripting Mammootty’s ‘Ameer’ and Antony Varghese’s ‘Dev Fakir’, both these projects got delayed due to the pandemic. Their current status is unknown.
Mohanlal’s next with Shaji Kailas to be an investigative thriller
As reported recently, Mohanlal and director Shaji Kailas are joining hands after over a decade-long-gap. Their new film produced by Aashirvad Cinemas went on floors last day. It is learnt to be a small-scale investigative thriller that will be shot within a month’s time following all the Covid protocols.
This yet-to-be-titled film is scripted Rajesh Jayaraman, who has previously penned films like ‘Time’, ‘Bangkok Summer’, and ‘Sound of Boot’. Casting and other pre-production works are underway as the makers plan to start shooting by the first week of October.
Mohanlal and Shaji Kailas have previously worked together in ‘Aaram Thamburan’, ‘Narasimham’, ‘Natturajavu’, ‘Baba Kalyani’ and ‘Alibhai’. Incidentally, their last film together ‘Red Chillies’ was also an investigative thriller.
Mohanlal, meanwhile, is busy with the final leg of shoot for ’12th Man’ directed by Jeethu Joseph. He had recently completed shooting for ‘Bro Daddy’, a fun entertainer, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran.
Sunny Review: Jayasurya and Madhu Neelakantan try hard to deliver a decent output
Sunny’s narrative begins with the protagonist returning back to Kerala from Dubai. He checks in for the mandatory government-adviced quarantine at a luxurious suite in Grand Hyatt hotel, which is where the remaining of the film unfolds. We soon learn that Sunny is a broken man who has suffered losses both in his personal and professional life. He is highly depressed and finds his solace in alcohol. But deep inside him is a talented musician, who could not make it big.
The film spans over the 7 days he spends at the hotel room as part of his quarantine. Though it is largely a single-character film, it also has many established actors voice acting crucial roles. Actors like Siddique, Mamta Mohandas, Sshivada, Aju Varghese, Innocent and Vijay Babu make their presence felt through their voices.
‘Sunny’ is mostly anchored by Jayasurya’s earnest performance but the film has an evident hangover of some of his previous outings. Of late, the actor has been more into doing such depressed, brooding roles and Sunny is just an extension of it. However, you still got to give it to him for trying to make each role as convincing as possible.
Ranjith Sankar’s screenplay lacks the depth as it largely deals with superficial issues. During his stay at the hotel, Sunny goes through an array of emotions. Though the film had the potential to be a great character study, it is reduced to an average experience mainly because of the shallow writing. While the interactions between Sunny and Innocent’s doctor character sound too simplistic, the track between Sunny and the woman living upstairs work really well.
The best thing about ‘Sunny’, along with Jayasurya, is Madhu Neelakandan’s cinematography. He never gives the impression that the film has been shot in a restricted space. The suite is lit up depending upon the mood of each scene and makes it a pleasant watch to the eyes. Sankar Sharma’s music also works to a large extent.
Overall, Sunny could have been much better if the writing was more nuanced and coherent. For what it is, it makes for a pretty decent one-time watch.
Dilieep to team up with B Unnikrishnan and Udhayakrishna
Dilieep is reportedly in talks with director B Unnikrishnan and scriptwriter Udhayakrishna for a new film. The trio is expected to team up for a complete commercial entertainer. An official announcement regarding the project is expected to be made soon.
Dilieep has previously worked with B Unnikrishnan in ‘Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakeel’. The actor has also collaborated with Udhayakrishna multiple times in his career. He had co-written some of the biggest hits in Dilieep’s career along with his former partner Sibi K Thomas.
Meanwhile, Dilieep had recently announced a new film titled ‘Voice of Sathyanathan’. Written and directed by Raffi, the film promises to be a fun entertainer. It is produced by Dilieep along with Badusha NM, Prijin JP and Shinoy Mathew.
Dilieep’s next release will be ‘Keshu Ee Veedinte Nathan’. It is a family drama directed by Nadhirshah. Sajeev Pazhoor, who won the National award for ‘Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum’, has scripted the film. Though the makers have not announced the release plans, they are keen on getting it to theatres.
Recently, it was announced that Shaji Kailas would be reuniting with superstar Mohanlal for a film produced by Aashirvad Cinemas. It is scripted Rajesh Jayaraman, who has previously penned films like ‘Time’, ‘Bangkok Summer’, and ‘Sound of Boot’. Since the Mohanlal-Shaji Kailas collaboration comes after 12 long years, expectations have been high right from the time of its announcement.
The film, which is the 30th production of Aashirvad Cinemas, got launched today with a customary pooja ceremony. More details regarding the film’s cast and crew are awaited. It also remains to be seen when the makers are planning to begin the full-fledged shoot.
Mohanlal, meanwhile, is busy shooting for ’12th Man’ directed by Jeethu Joseph. He had recently completed shooting for ‘Bro Daddy’ directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran.
Shaji Kailas, on the other hand, is yet to complete the shoot of ‘Kaduva’ starring Prithviraj. It has been put on hold for now due to the pandemic situation. The veteran director is expected to begin Mohanlal’s film only after the completion of ‘Kaduva’.
Makers of Jayasurya’s Kathanar aim to employ never-before-used technology in Indian cinema
Last year, it was announced that Jayasurya would be starring in a film titled ‘Kathanar’. It is directed by Rojin Thomas of ‘Home’ fame and produced by Sree Gokulam Movies. The film’s preproduction works have begun and the makers are planning it on a massive scale with the state of the art technology.
‘Kathanar’ employs Virtual production technology aided by sophisticated workflows like Tech-Viz, Stunt-Viz & Post-Viz. Asset creation process like full body 3D scans using 200DSLR camera photogrammetry rig and Vicon based infrared biped motion capture have already been initiated.
As per the makers, Hollywood films, ‘Jungle Book’ and ‘Lion King’ were the pioneers in using these technologies. Kathanar is planned as a global cinema that will integrate the technocrats across the country. The team is eyeing to complete the shoot in a year’s time and release it in multiple languages.
ഇന്ത്യൻ സിനിമാ ചരിത്രത്തിൽ ആദ്യമായി ജംഗിൾ ബുക്ക്, ലയൺ കിങ് തുടങ്ങിയ വിദേശ സിനിമകളിൽ ഉപയോഗിച്ച സാങ്കേതിക വിദ്യയായ വിർച്യുൽ പ്രൊഡക്ഷൻ ഉപയോഗിച്ചുകൊണ്ട് ചിത്രീകരിക്കുന്ന 'കത്തനാർ' പ്രീപ്രൊഡകഷൻ ജോലികൾ ആരംഭിച്ചു.. pic.twitter.com/13gnVDSghW
Kadamattath Kathanar is an 8th century priest from Kerala who is believed to have possessed supernatural powers. R Ramanand is said to have scripted the film after years of research works. Reportedly, Jayasurya will be going through a complete transformation for the character.
The technical crew comprises of DOP Neil D Cunha, music director Rahul Subramanian and CGI supervisor Vishnu Raj. Senthil Nathan is the virtual production head and Vishnu Raj heads the CGI department.
When Ottu team dropped in at the sets of Dulquer Salmaan-Balki film
Team ‘Ottu’, including Kunchacko Boban and Arvind Swamy, are currently shooting for the film in Mumbai. Directed by Fellini TP of ‘Theevandi’ fame, it is a Tamil-Malayalam bilingual. The Tamil version is titled ‘Rendagam’.
Recently, Kunchacko Boban and Arvind Swamy visited the sets of Dulquer Salmaan’s new Hindi film, which is being shot nearby. Balki is directing the yet-to-be-titled film. Kunchacko Boban has shared a selfie from their visit. He along with Arvind Swamy, Dulquer Salmaan and Balki are seen it.
More recently, Anurag Kashyap also paid a visit to ‘Ottu’ sets and had a casual interaction with Kunchacko Boban, Fellini and the film’s lead actress Eesha Rebba.
The film scripted by S Sanjeev is said to be a thriller. ‘Rendagam’, the Tamil version, has Sasikumaran as the co-writer and director. Telugu actress Eesha Rebba has been signed as the female lead. She is noted for her roles in films like ‘Awe’ and ‘Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava’.
The film has music by AH Kaashif, nephew of maestro AR Rahman. Vijay is the cinematographer and edits are handled by Appu N Bhattathiri. It is produced by Tamil star Arya’s banner Arya’s The Show People and August Cinema headed by Shaji Nadesan.
Aanaparambile World Cup: Teaser of Antony Varghese’s new film out!
Antony Varghese is starring in a football based film titled ‘Aanaparambile World Cup’. Its new teaser got released online last evening. The teaser has multiple shots of young kids playing football. Antony Varghese seems to be playing their coach. Balu Varghese are Lukman are also seen with him. Indian football legend IM Vijayan also makes an appearance in the teaser. The film has many newcomers who have a flair in playing football. They were all picked up through auditions. A 9-year-old plays one of the lead roles.
‘Aanaparambile World Cup’ is written and directed by debutant Nikhil Premraj. Faizal Latheef and Stanley C S are jointy producing it under the banner of Achappu Movie Magic and Mass Media Productions.
On the technical front, ‘Operation Java’ fame Faiz Siddik has cranked the camera and Jakes Bejoy is in charge of the music department. The film is edited jointly by Noufal Abdullah and Jith Joshie.
Doctor trailer: Sivakarthikeyan’s next looks stylish and different!
The trailer of Sivakarthikeyan’s long-awaited film ‘Doctor’ dropped in last day. Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, the film’s overall look is stylish and in total contrast to the star’s usual films. From the trailer, we can make out that the film deals with organ trafficking. Sivakarthikeyan seems to be playing the head of an organ theft racket who later undergoes redemption. The film has shades of ‘Gang Leader’ and Nelson’s directorial debut ‘Kolamavu Kokila’.
‘Docctor’ has Priyanka Arul Mohan as the female lead. Vinay will be seen as the prime antagonist. Milind Soman, Yogi Babu, Ilavarasu, Archana and many others are part of the cast. Vijay Karthik Kannan of ‘Aadai’ fame is the cinematographer and music is by Anirudh.
‘Doctor’ was supposed to hit screens last year itself but shoot got delayed due to the pandemic. Though they had tried to release it earlier this year, the second wave played spoilsport. The film is now confirmed to have its theatrical release on October 9.
Vikram team shares location still featuring Vijay Sethupathi and Fahadh Faasil
Shoot for the hugely hyped Tamil film ‘Vikram’ is currently progressing at a brisk pace. The film has a star-studded cast lead by Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi and Fahadh Faasil. Lokesh Kanagaraj of ‘Kaithi’ and ‘Master’ fame is directing the film.
Last day, he shared a location still from the film featuring Vijay Sethupathi and Fahadh Faasil. However, details regarding their characters have not yet been revealed. Though the two stars had previously worked together in Thiagaraja Kumararaja’s ‘Super Deluxe’, they hardly had any combination scene in it.
Vikram team shares location still featuring Vijay Sethupathi and Fahadh Faasil
‘Vikram’ promises to be an action-packed mass flick. Besides the aforementioned three, the film also stars Kalidas Jayaram, Narain, Megha Akash, Shivani Narayanan and Arjun Das. Its technical side comprises of National award-winning cinematographer Girish Gangadharan, editor Philomin Raj and music director Anirudh Ravichander.
Kamal Haasan’s own banner Raaj Kamal Film International (RKFI) is producing the film. Though ‘Vikram’ was rumoured to be a a sequel to Kamal’s 1986 film of the same name, the makers are yet to confirm it.
