Noted Bengali film-maker Buddhadeb Dasgupta is getting to direct a film in Malayalam bases on a social theme.
Mr. Buddhadeb Dasgupta himself will do the script of the film, based on the story line by politician-cum-producer Aryadan Shaukat, whose earlier films focussing on problems under development, terrorism and religious orthodoxies have been well received.
“It will be a complete Malayalam film with a social message. The story, set in the background of a Kerala village, will explore some of the maladies that afflict the Kerala society,” Mr. Shaukat told PTI.
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He, however, said Mr. Dasgupta wanted the story of the film to be kept a secret till the shooting begins in February next.
“We have decided to start the shooting after the director completing the Bengali movie now he is working on,” Mr. Shaukat, son of senior Congress leader Aryadan Muhammad and now chairman of Nilambur Municipality in Malappuram district, said.
Bringing Mr. Dasgupta, who has won national awards for directing films like Uttara, into Malayalam was a long-cherished dream, Mr. Shaukat said.
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A fan of Malayalam movies and Kerala culture and literature, Mr. Dasgutpa has always shown keen interest in making a film in Malayalam film. I broached the idea when I met him at the Goa International film festival last year. I narrated the storyline and he Okayed it then itself”, he said.
“We are in constant touch with each other. The star cast and other details of the film will be finalised in the next two months”, he said.
The films produced by Mr. Shaukat earlier included ‘Padam Onnu Oru Vilapam”, the problems of women among the Muslim community in the Malabar region. Another of his award winning movie was “Daiva Namathil”, which explores the theme of educated youths turning terrorists.
Mr. Shaukat has also been a prime mover of a campaign to make his village totally free from the practice of giving or accepting dowry, which has attracted national attention.