Althaf Rahuman’s début film, Neeli , arrives with a certain weight of expectation. With horror flicks scripting a quasi-successful comeback in Mollywood, the Mamta Mohandas-starrer, touted to be a ‘horror comedy thriller’, explores the relationship between a mother-daughter duo against a backdrop where “both human and evil forces are at work.”
“First up, Neeli is a far cry from the 1979 horror classic Kalliyankaattu Neeli though the setting for my film is a fictional village named Kalliyankaad. The similarities end there,” says Althaf, who hails from Vellayani in Thiruvananthapuram. “ Neeli is unique, in that, the film seamlessly blends shades of horror, comedy and thriller,” the 33-year-old director claims .Neeli , which bears the tagline ‘A Beautiful Mystery’, hits theatres today.
Mamta plays Lekshmi, a speech therapist, who resolves to move back to her village, Kalliyankaad, from Kochi with her six-year-old daughter after the demise of her husband whom she had married against the wishes of her family. “At her village, she comes across a few characters who inevitably alter her destiny for better or for worse. Anoop Menon plays a paranormal investigator and we have two thieves — played by Marimayam Sreekumar and Baburaj — and a fraudulent wildlife photographer. These four characters, otherwise unconnected, unite for a common goal and the rest of the film is about how this chain of events unfold,” explains Althaf. However, he keeps the horror element a surprise, only revealing that connected subplots are woven into the basic story. Child artiste Baby Mia plays Mamta’s daughter.
“The script was developed by Riyas Marath and Muneer Mohammadunni, dialogue writers of Sapthamashree Thaskaraha . I like such films (heist comedies) and always wanted to do a similar one. Through a mutual friend, the duo came up to me with the story (of Neeli ) and I felt quite confident about doing the project,” he says.
The trailer does promise some chills, thrills and spills. The movie features three songs, with the melodious track En Anpe... crooned by Bombay Jayashri gaining notice. “I have always been a huge fan of the singer and it’s truly been an honour to work with her,” says Althaf. Hari Narayanan’s lyrics are set to tune by Sharreth.
Althaf, who previously worked with directors Lijo Jose Pellisery and Joshiy, says he entered the world of filmmaking through his passion for directing plays during college days. His 2013 short film Thorth , which essays a humorous take on “the relationship between thorth (towel) and porotta” and was scripted by himself, was well-noted.
So, as his feature début is all set to hit the screens, does he have butterflies in his stomach? “(Laughs) I think I’ll admit that I do, although I’m quite confident about the finished product. As a director, it’s my first film. I guess it’s only natural,” says Althaf.
Now, it’s time to hold your breath.
