Cat and mouse game

‘Ideal Couple,' starring Nasser and Usha Uthup as husband and wife, promises to be fun.

June 09, 2011 07:30 pm | Updated 07:30 pm IST

Nasser and Usha Uthup in 'Ideal Couple'

Nasser and Usha Uthup in 'Ideal Couple'

Usha Uthup is in a dilemma. Which ice cream should she finish first…chocolate or mango? After deliberating for a while she homes in on the chocolate flavoured one. As soon as she finishes off both ice-creams, she is handed more of the same. The singer-turned-reality-show-judge-turned-actor looks at these delectable treats and then turns to director Ali Akbar.

He gives her the go ahead to resume tucking into them. Usha has to get the director's approval as it is a scene for Ali's new film ‘Ideal Couple,' starring Usha and Nasser, which is being shot at Sarovaram Bio Park in Kozhikode.

The scene has Usha Uthup ambling around the park, concentrating on the ice-creams, totally unaware that she is being followed by three goons – her prospective kidnappers, played by Vineeth, and newcomers Madhu Anchal and Praveen Prem.

“The three men have been following Usha for quite some time and are waiting for the right opportunity to take her hostage,” explains the director, who has also written the script. He adds: “Usha and Nasser play an elderly, wealthy couple, the winners of a reality show titled ‘Ideal Couple.' The kidnappers, under the leadership of Thilakan, a retired conman, decide to take Usha hostage and demand a huge ransom. But things do not exactly happen the way they had planned.”

Acting and singing

Usha, who has completed her shot with effortless ease, says she is having a great time playing the leading lady in the film. “This is my first film in Malayalam after ‘Pothen Vava,' which gave me a lot of recognition as an actor. From the minute Ali Akbar offered me this role, I was excited. After all it is not every day that you get an opportunity to share screen space with actors such as Thilakan and Nasser,” says the veteran crooner, whose last appearance on the silver screen was in the Bollywood film ‘Saath Khoon Maaf.' “Acting is something I enjoy. And in this film I get to sing a song as well. So I could not have asked for more,” she says.

Ali says he is pleased with the way Usha has performed in front of the camera. “She has justified my faith in her. And I am also glad that I could rope in Vineeth for this film,” says the director.

Vineeth plays Thilakan's hireling. And he is paired opposite Lakshmi Menon (of ‘Raghuvinte Swantham Razia' fame). “It is a fun film and I am sure the audience will enjoy it,” says Vineeth.

‘Ideal Couple' is being produced by John Bosco under the banner of Vaz Entertainment. Binoy Jose cranks the camera. Lyrics by Sudhir Amabalapatt have been set to tune by Aleena Ali. Stills are by Haneefa Fashion. ‘Ideal Couple' will arrive in cinemas in July.

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