Mammootty vs Mammootty released

Mammootty, playing an angry, bad-mouthing Inspector Balram in I V Sasi's Aavanazhi in the 80s was such a huge hit that Sasi made another film on the same character -- Inspector Balram.

Even today, though decades have passed, people of Kerala remember Mammootty's Inspector Balram. That could be why Sasi, a super hit filmmaker of yesteryears, has decided to make a third film on the character.

Another memorable character played by Mammootty in that era was that of an underworld don Tharadas, in Athirathram.

So ingenious is I V Sasi that he has decided to make a film with Mammootty enacting both these unforgettable characters -- Inspector Balram and Tharadas -- in a new film. It is possibly the first time a filmmaker has clubbed together two characters from two different films.

Balram vs Tharadas tells the story of a clash between an upright police officer (Yes, Inspector Balram has now become Dy. S.P.) and a criminal with international connections. So, the story of Tharadas, the don, was shot in Dubai, London, etc.

There is no story if the underworld don has no film connection. So, Tharadas is linked with a beautiful actress, and her name is Supriya, played by Katrina Kaif -- her first appearance in a Malayalam film.

The film is said to be one of the costliest made in Malayalam, and is eagerly awaited. After all, it is a double treat for Mammootty fans.

Mohanlal to fight in Kashmir

Mohanlal will be in Kashmir by the end of this month for 20 days to shoot a film titled Keerthi Chakra, a Malayalam and Tamil bilingual.

In the film, the superstar plays the role of Major Javed Hussein, who fights terrorism in Kashmir. The film is directed by a former army officer, Major Ravi, who won the President's Gallantry Award in 1991 and 1992 for his contribution in fighting terrorism in Punjab and Kashmir.

Major Ravi was also a part of the group of officers who worked to capture Sivarasan, the prime suspect in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. Major Ravi was the first officer to burst into the house where Sivarasan was hiding. Major Ravi had earlier directed a film titled Punarjani with Mohanlal's son Pranav as the protagonist. Pranav bagged Kerala State Award's Best Child Artist prize for the film.

'Mahasamudhram' in July

Mohanlal had starred in the biggest hit this Vishu. His 'Rasatantram' with director Sathyan Andhikaat has proved that their combined chemistry is as good now as it was 12 years ago.

Mohanlal's next release is most likely going to be 'Mahasamudhram'. S Janaardhanan, the film's director, had completed two schedules. Before he could begin the third schedule, Mohanlal joined the 'Keerthichakra' crew in Kashmir. 'Mahasamudhram' will have to wait until Mohanlal returns from Kashmir.

The third schedule will begin in the month of June. The director is trying to release the film in July this year. Suresh Kumar is producing the film for Revathy Kalamandir.

Why do we get a feeling that this film will run into legal troubles due to the producer's financial liabilities?

Jackie Shroff in Athishayan

Director Vinayan is always in the news, because every time he comes up with something new and different. This time the hit maker is busy with the making of a science thriller, titled Athishayan, shooting for which is in progress in and around Kochi.

Produced by Gokulam Gopalan under the banner of Sree Gokulam Movies, Athishayan tells the story of a young orphan boy, who is one among the orphans brought up by Maya, a television reporter. And when Maya unveils some controversial scams involving some powerful politicians, she is kidnapped. And then the six-year-old boy sets out to rescue Maya. And in the process, he reaches the laboratory of a noted scientist and happens to drink a potion prepared by him which makes him invisible. And then he sets out to save Maya. He succeeds in his mission, but something untoward happens after that. The effect of the potion cannot be reversed. What all happens eventually forms the plot of Athishayan, in which debutante Master Devdas, who is the son of popular actor Ramu, plays the lead role.

A main attraction of the film is that it has noted Hindi filmstar Jackie Shroff playing a central character, appearing in a Malayalam film for the first time. He plays the role of an eminent scientist named RC Shekhar, who has based himself in the US. He comes to Kerala in connection with the research and develop ment of a drug that could make human beings invisible. A widower, Shekhar’s wife was from Kerala and that is what brings him here. He has a daughter too. He succeeds in discovering the drug, but just then he has to fly back to the US. The medicine, however, is taken in by the hero of the film, a young orphan boy, who eventually becomes invisible. This forms the plot of the film and the character played by Jackie Shroff is no doubt pivotal to the theme.

It is heard that so impressed was Jackie Shroff with the character that he agreed to act in a Malayalam film. Anyhow, this is going to be a really big thing for Malayalam film viewers, for Jackie Shroff has alwas been having admirers all across the state of Kerala.

Others in the cast are Kavya Madhavan who plays the young television reporter Maya alongwith Mukesh, Harisri Ashokan, Rajan P Dev, Thilakan, Jagadeesh, Mala Aravindan, Devan, Augustine, Bheeman Reghu, Ramu, Usha and Karthika. Jayasurya also appears in a cameo role.

While the story and screenplay for Athishayan is by Vinayan himself, the dialogue are penned by Sunil K Anand. Lyrics by Vayalar Sharath Chandra Verma and Prabha Verma are set to tune by Alphonse. Rajarathinam, who has been an associate of noted cinematographer Ravi K Chandran and who has recently made his debut as an independent cinematographer in Malayalam with Chinthamani Kolacase, does the cinematography for Athishayan, which also features art-direction by Shaji Pattanam and editing by G Murali. The film, which is currently being shot in Kochi, will later shift on to Thiruvananthapuram. Athishayan will be brought to the theatres by Swargachithra Release.

Prithviraj again in a Padmakumar film

Prithviraj will play the lead in the next film directed by the most promising young director M. Padmakumar. The film tentatively titled as 'Vaasthavam' will be produced by Srichakra films. This film which will be scripted by Babu Janardhanan will also cast Murali, Jagathy Sreekumar, Salimkumar, Jagadeesh, Samvrutha, Sunil and Sindhumenon.

Prithviraj was the hero in the earlier projects of Padmakumar like 'Ammakilikoodu' and 'Vargam' which met with limited success in the box office. Better luck, this time.