When Surabhi Lakshmy was chosen the best actress by the national film awards jury for her role in Minnaminungu , it was a moment that Anil Thomas, the director of the movie, was waiting for. “She deserved it. When the award was announced, more than surprise, we all felt happy. The award comes to Kerala after 14 years. We were disappointed about the movie being sidelined by the Kerala State film awards jury. Except for Surabhi getting a special mention for her performance, the movie was not considered in its totality. So a national honour for her was the best we could ask for,” says Anil, who has also co-produced the movie.
Anil, who has a diploma in screen-writing and direction, has been into production and distribution for a while. He produced the national award-winning Saphalam in 2003 and directed his first movie, Crime Story , in 2012.
Anil Thomas, director and co-producer of Minnaminungu
Minnaminungu tells the story of a widow taking care of her ailing father and running from pillar to post to raise ₹ six lakh for her daughter Charu’s higher studies in Canada.
Eventually, the mother gets the shock of her life when she learns that her daughter was moving to Canada to be with her partner.
Money matters
The storyline was inspired by what Anil saw and heard on the sets of a television show Deal or No Deal on Surya TV. He is the executive producer of the game show. “People from economically disadvantaged families, mostly women, take part in the show to try their luck and tide over their financial problems. One realises that money dictates our lives and there are umpteen examples before us. That was around the time I discussed the possibility of a story with Manoj Ramsingh who has written the screenplay and dialogues of the movie,” Anil explains. Manoj is the writer and producer of Money Back Policy .
Several other actors were considered for the role before Surabhi was finalised.
Anil saw her stills from Lal Jose’s Ayalum Njaanum Thammil and that’s how she came on board.
“When Surabhi read the script she said that she could relate with the character. All that we asked her to do was to give up her Kozhikode slang,” says the director.
The movie also stars Rebecca Santhosh, Prem Prakash and Krishnan Balakrishnan. Ousephachan has scored the background music. The movie is expected to reach theatres next month.
