As the peppy beats from a song become louder, Dulquer Salmaan and Nivin Pauly begin a mock fight with drumsticks and portions of a pumpkin doubling up as swords and shields. As they sway to the beat, a beaming Nazriya Nazim joins the two. Some junior dancers match the steps in the background. The shooting of writer-director Anjali Menon’s Bangalore Days is on in front of a traditional tharavadu at Chottanikkara in Kochi.
“Arjun (Dulquer Salmaan), Kuttan (Nivin Pauly) and Divya (Nazriya) are cousins. The cousins are fooling around, dancing and having fun on the day before Divya’s wedding,” says Anjali, as she watches choreographer Brinda master demonstrating some cool moves to the actors.
“Every Malayali has an image of Bangalore in his/her mind. For some of us, it is not just another city. The city actually prompts you to dream. While in Kerala, you have so many social norms and limitations, once you cross the border you have this feeling that anything is possible, be it in your career, lifestyle or travel. The city can change you, though all may not like the ambience,” she adds.
The story is about the three cousins who are in Bangalore for various reasons. The three get together at a point in time. The cast includes Fahadh Faasil, Nithya Menen, Isha Talwar and Parvathy.
Anjali made her entry into Malayalam with Manjadikkuru , a nostalgic tale of homecoming. In Bangalore Days she is narrating the joy of stepping out of Kerala. In between the shots, the three lead actors are busy chatting. “It is great fun shooting for this film. It is a young story and the vibes are all positive,” say the trio.
Dulquer, sporting a neat hair cut and beard, says: “My character is rebellious. I am not really loud in real life, and I loved exploring that side of me through this movie.”
Nivin, who is clad in a kurta and munda, plays Kuttan. “Kuttan loves Kerala. Although he prefers Kerala to Karnataka, he ends up in Bangalore,” says Nivin, who is riding high after 1983 and Ohm Shanthi Oshaana .
Nazriya, dressed in a light green attire, describes her character as “bubbly and responsible.” It was while shooting for Bangalore Days that her engagement to Fahadh Faasil was announced.
“I have always admired Fahadh's acting skills. After the announcement, I am enjoying the attention we are getting,” says Nazriya.
Bangalore Days is produced by Anwar Rasheed Entertainments and Weekend Blockbusters. Sameer Thahir is the cinematographer. Lyrics by Rafeeq Ahmad and Santhosh Varma have been composed by Gopi Sundar. Stills are by Vishnu Thandassery.
