As she gets out of the spa and opens the door of a swanky car parked outside, Nalini takes a quick look at Neena sitting on a motorcycle and smoking a cigarette in the company of a few shady looking men.
Film director Lal Jose likes the scene and cans it. The shooting of Lal’s latest film Nee-Na is on in full swing at Panampilly Nagar in Kochi.
“This is, in a sense, an emotional drama involving two women, Nalini (Ann Augustine) and Neena (debutante Deepti Sati), who differ in their nature, outlook and behaviour. The title of the film has been derived by adding portions of their names,” says Lal Jose, as cinematographer Jomon T. John goes for a close-up of Ann, his wife in real life.
In reel life, Nalini is married to Vinay Panicker a.k.a. V.P. (Vijay Babu), creative head of a top advertising company. After working in Mumbai for some years, they relocate to Kochi. That is where Neena, who is working in the same advertising firm as V.P., becomes part of their lives.
In the next shot, Neena is busy chatting with some well-built hunks, one of whom is Chemban Vinod Jose, who is doing a brief role as a local gangster.
“We have been instructed not to reveal any details about our roles,” says Ann and Deepti in chorus, as they take a ‘selfie’ together.
Ann was launched by Lal Jose in his Elsamma Enna Aankutty. Studies had kept her busy for a while after an award-winning role in Shyamprasad’s Artist . This film opens her innings this year. Deepti, a former Miss Kerala pageant winner, is based in Mumbai and is active as a model and theatre artiste.
“I was about to continue with my academics when this offer came. We had started the shooting at St. Petersburg in Russia and it has been a wonderful experience so far,” she says.
Lal Jose says they had searched quite a bit for the right face to play the role of Neena, a bold girl with a carefree attitude. “We had considered Andrea Jeremiah but she couldn’t cut her hair short for the role. Finally we found Deepti and pencilled her in her to do the character,” says Lal.
Lal Jose agrees that the film, scripted by R. Venugopal, the lyricist of his film Spanish Masala , does not belong to the genre that he is usually known for. The filmmaker is quick to add that it is not on the lines of the so-called ‘new generation’ movies.
“This is a love story; it is about emotions but avoids any kind of skin show,” he explains.
The final shot at the location has Nalini’s car being driven out of the frame. Once it has been taken, the crew goes to an old go down near Kaloor, which looks dirty and cramped. It’s the den of the gang led by Chemban’s character.
Nee-Na is being produced under the banner of LJ Films and will hit screens in May. Music has been composed by Nikhil J. Menon. Still photographer is Momi.
