Shooting of a movie ‘Thanichalla Njan,' based on the heart-rending true story of a septuagenarian Namboodiri woman in Central Kerala, Chellamma Antharjanam, and a Muslim local body member, Raziya Beevi, who became friends 10 years ago, began on Sunday with the backwaters at Veliyanad near Kidangara providing a backdrop for the film.
The movie tells the story of Ms. Antharjanam who was rescued from the railway track at Ambalappuzha by Ms. Beevi a decade ago, and the social problems faced by the latter in the years that followed.
Award-winning director Babu Thiruvalla is directing the movie, produced by Bobby Avagama of Avagama de Thai Productions. Mr. Avagama said the script had been meticulously drafted after a series of interaction with the two friends.
K.N. Rajeev, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Thiruvalla, gave the ‘clap' for the muhurat shot. Abdul Wahab, Deputy Superintendent of Police (rtd.), performed the ‘switch-on' of the shoot at a function held at Veliyanad.
Sajini Chacko, Veliyanad grama panchayat president, Betty Sibichan, member, and M.P. Gopalakrishnan, Thiruvalla Red Cross Society president, were among those who attended the function.
KPAC Lalitha dons the role of Ms. Antharjanam and Kalpana gives life to Ms. Beevi in the movie. Jagathy Sreekumar, Ashokan, Sivaji Guruvayur, and Sathar are the other leading artistes in the movie, Babu said. M.J. Radhakrishnan is the cameraman. The shooting will be completed in Thiruvalla and Kidangara in the next 45 days, Mr. Avagama said.