Inside a plush bungalow at Kakkanad, Kochi, writer-director Siddique is shooting his latest film, Ladies and Gentleman , with Mohanlal in the lead. Two decades after they made the hit film Vietnam Colony , the two are teaming up again in this film.
“ Ladies and Gentleman is essentially about the generation gap. Often, the older generation is set in their ways while the new generation is eager to believe that they are always right. Young achievers of today are mostly self-made and have a different attitude to life,” says Siddique.
Mohanlal enacts Chandrabose, a mysterious character who comes to Kochi. Chandrabose likes to keep a low profile and lives a rather carefree life. When he meets Sarath, the laidback Chandrabose finds that he has some important lessons on life to teach the youngster. Krish J. Sathar, son of actors Sathar and Jayabharathi, makes his entry into movies as Sarath. It is through the youngster that Chandrabose meets four women – Jyothi (Padmapriya), Anu (Mamta Mohandas), Achu (Meera Jasmine) and Chinnu (Mithra Kurien).
“Chandrabose is a positive influence on the four women. In the scene being shot, he has come to this house built by siblings Sarath and Jyothi. Sarath is a techie, while Jyothi is an air hostess,” explains Siddique.
Mohanlal completes his scenes without a glitch and leaves the location after a while. Next to be canned is the interaction between Sarath and Jyothi. Director Siddique seems impressed by Krish’s performance. He says that he had seen Krish’s photo a while ago and it was “his face that came to mind while he was searching for the right face for this character. He is talented.”
Krish, meanwhile, is gung ho about his debut. He says: “I am aware about the expectations that I will have to live up to. It’s definitely an advantage being born into a filmy family, but it comes with lots of pressure as well. So, hopefully, viewers will judge me just like any other newcomer, at least for the time being.” He can’t stop talking about growing up with his mother. “She would check my school diary before committing her dates for a new film. She wanted me to complete my education and I am an engineer with a master’s degree in management as well. I worked for a while and when this offer came, she was all for it,” says the actor.
Ladies and Gentleman is being produced under the banner of Ashirwad Cinema and will hit the screens during Vishu. Cinematographer is Satheesh Kurup. Lyrics by Rafeeq Ahmad have been composed by Ratheesh Vegha. Still photographer is Shajil Obscura.
