Dulquer Salman has found an interesting way to say thanks to Srinath Rajendran, the director of his debut film ‘Second Show.’
He has lent his deep voice to the theatrical trailer of Srinath’s second film ‘Koothara,’ which is set to release next week. Following the trailer release, Dulquer tweeted, “just happy to be a part of the gang! #koothara.”
The trailer has stirred up some interest in the film, partly owing to the wild look that Mohanlal sports in it. With long locks and an equally long beard, he mouths a few lines that contribute to the mystery of the character. But his role is said to be just an ‘extended cameo,’ though the ‘extent’ is not specified.
The film apparently gets its name from the names of the lead characters Koobrin (played by Bharath), Tharun (Tovino Thomas of ‘ABCD’ fame), and Ram (Sunny Wayne).
It is said to be a campus story.
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Though allegations of ‘casting couch’ abound in the film industry, there has been literally nothing to prove its existence. Two days ago, a popular television anchor posted screenshots of a chat with a man who claimed to be a ‘film producer.’
The man started off by complimenting her on her anchoring skills, and offering her a chance to act in a big venture, which could be the ‘turning point’ in her career. When she asked for more details of the cast and the crew, the man dropped a few names but became evasive when she said that she was familiar with the actors mentioned.
He later asked whether she would be ‘ready for adjustments,’ at which point she put an end to the conversation and posted a screenshot of it online.
Within a few hours, the producer’s profile disappeared from Facebook. The anchor said she posted it to let people know of the existence of such elements, and not to generalise the industry people.
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Sourpusses may call it a coterie or caucus. But for the leading lights of Mollywood, it goes by the sobriquet ‘friendship groups’.
Whatever that might be, they are ruling the roost in the industry with seven out of 10 movies hitting the cinemas being made or distributed by these ‘like-minded people’.
Mohanlal is seen mostly in movies produced by Antony Perumbavur and released by Maxlab Entertainments, their own distribution house.
The ‘friendship’ doesn’t stop there, with the satellite rights of many of the actor’s movies going to a particular television channel headed by someone who also happens to be among the partners of Maxlab Entertainments.
Mammootty is no different. The veteran actor is most comfortable working with his close knit group, including Anto Joseph, a production controller-turned-producer.
The actor also owns Playhouse, a distribution company.
The group had a new entrant recently when Mammootty’s personal make-up man George turned producer with the Lal Jose movie Emmanuel . Not to mention, the movie had Mamootty in the lead.
Dileep, who turned into production and distribution early in his acting career, is surrounded by a group made up of his brother Anoop and scriptwriters duo Udayakrishna-Sibi K. Thomas.
Not to be left behind, the young crop of actors are also forming their own friendship groups.
Actor Prithviraj has teamed up with ace cinematographer Santosh Sivan to form August Cinemas, which is into production and distribution.
(Contribution by S.R. Praveen in Thiruvananthapuram and G. Krishnakumar in Kochi)
