It is a lovely Sunday morning in Kozhikode. The sky is blue, the weather is warm, and there is no sign of rain, at least for a while. Director Ranjith looks pleased with the world as he gets ready to begin the day's shoot for his new film ‘Indian Rupee.'
The location is Valiyangadi. Usually one of the busiest markets in Kozhikode, it wears a deserted look today, as Sunday is a holiday. The action is happening inside an old-fashioned two-storied building, which is one of the several wholesale rice shops on this street.
“This is Surendran's shop in the film. He is a rice merchant and Jayaprakash comes here to meet him, seeking some financial help,” explains Ranjith.
Prithviraj plays Jayaprakash, a young man who dreams of making it big as a real-estate broker. Surendran (Lalu Alex) is an elderly friend of his.
“Surendran's siblings are well-educated, high-flying professionals, but he is happy with his life as a small-time businessman. His younger sister Beena (Rima Kallingal) is in love with Jayaprakash. Unlike others in the family, he approves of the relationship,” Ranjith adds.
The scene has Prithviraj and Lalu, both dressed in white dhotis and shirts, talking inside the shop. Jayaprakash is in dire need of money but Surendran is not in a position to help him. A little later, Beena, looking demure and pretty in a black cotton salwar with hair neatly clipped behind, joins them, and she too puts in a word for her beau.
After a few rehearsals and a couple of takes Ranjith is satisfied with the scene. He goes up to cinematographer S. Kumar to discuss the next shot, which is an extension of the current scene.
Huge expectations
Ranjith knows that expectations are high about ‘Indian Rupee,' coming as it does after the critical and box office success of the brilliantly-crafted satire ‘Pranchiyettan & the Saint.'
Says the director: “‘Indian Rupee' is all about money. Everyone wants to make easy money and become rich overnight. Jayaprakash too dreams of becoming a rich man, and he believes he could do that by being a real-estate agent. I have met several young men like him here in Kozhikode. But as he pursues his dream he realises that life is not just all about money.”
Prithviraj is excited about essaying the role of Jayaprakash.
“When I heard the script, I wanted to produce the film myself, along with Santosh Sivan and Shaji Natesan, under our banner August Cinema,” says the young actor who was introduced to Malayalam cinema by Ranjith in his film ‘Nandanam.'
“Working with Ranjith is like coming home. I was absolutely raw when he cast me in ‘Nandanam.' But after all these years I find that I've still got a lot to learn and unlearn from him. I am glad that Ranjith has been making different kinds of films for the last few years. I am confident ‘Indian Rupee' will be a worthy follow-up to ‘Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha' and ‘Pranchiyettan…'”
Debuting in a Ranjith film
Gushing about ‘Pranchiyettan…,' Rima adds: “I never laughed as much as I did while watching it at a theatre in my hometown of Thrissur. I am delighted that I am doing a Ranjith film. It is a dream come true. Beena, my character in the movie, is a doctor working in the government service. Although she belongs to a rich family, she prefers to live modestly.”
Lalu too is working with Ranjith for the first time. “I have always wanted to do a film with him, but the opportunity never arose. I am happy that he chose me for Surendran's role. Surendran is a man of character,” says the veteran actor.
Thilakan, Jagathy Sreekumar, Shweta Menon, Sreelatha, Mamukoya, Tini Tom, Mallika (of ‘Autograph' fame) and Babu Namboothiri, also play major roles in the film.
Lyrics for ‘Indian Rupee' have been written by Mullanezhi and V.R. Santhosh, and set to tune by Shahabaz Aman. Still photographer is Paul Bathery.
‘Indian Rupee' will hit theatres in October.
