The focus is on Amala Paul’s expressive, make-up free eyes. The actor is sitting in a tiny ophthalmologist’s clinic, inside a spectacle shop in Thiruvananthapuram, her chin resting on an ophthalmoscope, while the camera zooms in on her eyes, one after the other. It’s the day’s location for Traffic -fame Rajesh Pillai’s new movie Mili , starring Amala and Nivin Pauly in the lead, which is being shot in and around Thiruvananthapuram.
Rajesh, who is sitting just outside the door of the clinic, closely watching the action unfold on a monitor, is not happy with the take. He wants Amala to close and then open her eyes slowly as if “Mili is in pain.” The actor pulls off the suggestion without batting an eyelid, injecting just the right amount of teary pain into the expression. Rajesh seems satisfied with the take but insists on a few more before he finally calls the shot. Afterwards, Amala has to say a couple of lines, presumably in response to what the doctor is asking her. The scene ends when the consultation comes to an end.
“ Mili is the story of an introvert who is down on her luck. She has reached the nadir of her existence. But she believes in herself, in her talent and rises from the ashes of her life like a phoenix. That strength to rise above all challenges is there in all of us. People will get motivated to do something with their lives when they see the film,” says Rajesh.
Editor Mahesh Narayanan debuts as a scriptwriter with the film. “When Mahesh narrated the script to me, the first actor we thought of for Mili was Amala. She was equally excited to do it but didn’t have the dates then. Then everything fell into place. We all knew we were destined to make the movie,” adds Rajesh.
The crew, led by cameraman Aneesh Lal, have now set the scene from the opposite side, for the point of view of the ophthalmologist. Tamil actor Kasturi, who is returning to filmdom after a two-year gap and to Mollywood after a starring role in Aniyan Bava Chettan Bava back in 1995, plays the ophthalmologist. “Her character, Nancy, is the exact opposite of Mili. Where Mili is in a dark place, Nancy is full of energy and positivity. She is sort of a mentor to Mili and helps her out of her troubles,” explains Rajesh.
Later in the afternoon, Nivin arrives at the location and suddenly the atmosphere inside and outside the store perks up. Nivin plays the role of Naveen, a soft skills trainer who befriends Mili and who turns out to be a tower of strength for her. Actually, it’s quite funny to observe how passers by do a double take when they see the star standing at the entrance of the store, which is situated on busy M.G. Road. The ever-gracious Nivin takes it all in his stride, acknowledging the fans with a quiet smile and the occasional wave.
Rajesh is impatient to complete filming a combination scene with Nivin and Amala before the light fades. The crew quickly go in for a take. All Nivin has to do is walk into the store, accompanied by a little girl, where they encounter Mili sitting morosely by herself. It proves to be more difficult than expected. First the director thought that their entry was a little too quick. Then he thought the child actor appeared a little too surprised to see Mili sitting there. Then, there were too many outsiders in the frame, looking at Nivin. The assistant directors had a tough time controlling the crowd. It took about eight takes before Rajesh was satisfied with the shot.
After the shot, Nivin, who is riding high on the success of both 1983 and Ohm Shanti Oshaana , says: “I have a small but great role in Mili . Amala too has a great role, a career-defining role in the film. It can be anyone’s story, really, irrespective of gender. I told Rajesh to change the script in my character’s favour and name the film ‘Milan’!” says the actor with a laugh.
Mili is being produced by Sateesh B. Sateesh under the banner of Ordinary films. Gopi Sundar and Shaan Rahman have composed the music. The second schedule of the film will go on the floors after Amala’s upcoming nuptials and the film will be released later in the year. Still photographer is Sinat Savier.
