Friends in deed
Looks like classmates Shyamaprasad and Vindhyan have formed a twosome, with one acting as the producer for the other’s creative ventures on screen. Vindhyan says he will be producing Shymaprasad’s next two films as well. “I don’t go only by the economics of it but I see it as something that appeals to my heart. Shyam has got two magnificent scripts and we have almost decided the actors too,” says Vindhyan. Joshua Newtonn, who had written the story of the lyrical 'Ritu', will be scripting one of the stories. Malayalam cinema has always benefitted from such symbiotic tie-ups between producer and directors. The duo’s last film was the much acclaimed and much awarded ‘Ore Kadal.’ So here is wishing them luck in their future ventures too.
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However not all directors are so lucky. Ace filmmaker Shaji N. Karun’s films have always been the talk of the town. But they have all been produced by non-Malayalis. His latest film, 'Gatha', starring Mohanlal promises to be a musical extravaganza. Ilayaraja will be composing the music for the film. However, Shaji says he has not finalised who would be playing the keyrole of the female playback singer. Juhi Chawla and Vidya Balan have been shortlisted but the director says he is also open to a new face playing the lead. Now, will the director get his wish of ‘Gatha’ being directed by a producer from Kerala?
Power girls
We have seen the rise of several star sons in Mollywood. And now here comes the daughters. Yesteryear actor Radha’s daughter Karthika plays the lead in 'Makara Manju', Lenin Rajendran’s film on Ravi Varma. Lal Jose has cast actor Augustine’s daughter Ann as the heroine in his film 'Elsa Enna Aaankutty'. This pretty debutante has been cast opposite Kunchacko Boban. All of Lal’s heroine’s have gone on to make a mark in filmdom. Anna should be no exception.
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Meera’s going places
Another youngster who has bagged an interesting role is Paleri girl Mythili who will be seen in Aji John’s Nallavan opposite Jayasurya. Sadly, many of these heroines seem to lack staying power as they get relegated to playing sister roles soon after their debut. Meera Nandan is one of the lucky stars who has escaped the 'sisterhood'. The five-film old heroine of Malayalam films has bagged films in Tamil as well. Here is wishing Mythili too many more roles in the days to come.