M-town’s new talent

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The Mollywood industry is turning into a laboratory that happily experiments and filmmakers are always in a mood to innovate — be it in the form of distinctive camera work or non-linear narratives.

The film industry has been open to newcomers too and encouraged them to deliver their best. And now, men who were behind the camera are coming on screen to prove their mettle as actors too!

Ad filmmaker-turned-director V.K. Prakash will be seen on the big screen for the first time in Deepesh’s Pithavinum Puthranum Parishudhathmavinum. He will act as a priest. The director who is a product of the Thrissur Drama School says, “Filmmaking is my passion, I was trained in acting but not in direction.”

“Yes, it is the first time I will be acting in a movie but before that I have been part of several ad films too. If I get good roles, I will surely go for them,” Prakash adds.

Friendship must be sole reason that most of these talented people who are associated behind the camera, are testing the waters. Not one but two filmmakers will be sharing screen space in an M’town flick. Cinematographer-cum-director Rajeev Ravi’s debut film Annayum Rasoolum will see two major directors — Ranjith and Aashiq Abu cast together.

According to a source, director Aashiq Abu will be seen playing the role of big brother to Fahadh Fasil and Ranjith will essay their father’s role in the movie. A source close to director Aashiq Abu says, “Aashiq is not at all keen about acting, it is only because Rajeev is a friend that he has agreed to do the project of which the shoot is currently progressing.”

Writer-director Shankar who played a prominent role as Alexy in Ranjith’s Spirit was delighted to share the screen space with Mohanlal in his debut film. Actor Prakash Raj was initially roped in for Spirit, but when he declined, Shankar agreed to step into the shoes of the actor.

He said yes to Ranjith again to act in Leela only so the project would take off. Shankar will also be seen in V.K. Prakash’s Poppins in the role of a struggling filmmaker. “I know that life. I may even get an Oscar for that, I gave a very true-to-life performance,” he jokes.

For ace filmmaker Ranjith, direction and action goes hand in hand. It was in Jayraj’s Gulmohar that the director donned the role of a school teacher and the list goes on with Thirakkatha, Jawan of Velimala and Annayum Rasoolum.

Director Johny Antony who is eagerly waiting for the release of his Mammootty starrer Thappana will be seen in Lisammayude Veedu essaying the role of a director. He quips, “Babu is a very good friend of mine and so I agreed to take this project. My role in the movie is also of a director so it was an easy task for me.”

While working as an assistant film director Johnny was seen playing cameo roles in a couple of M’town films. “I am more interested in filmmaking, but director Sasikumar is planning to take up a Tamil film and he wants me to be part of it. If that happens I will once again be seen on the big screen, which will indeed be a big entry tool for me,” he adds.