Pattanathil Bootham : Mammootty as Genie

Johny Antony is an above average commercial director Malayalam has produced. He has given us major comedy hits like CID Moosa, Thuruppugulan and hits with dileep like Kochi Raajavu, also not to forget the flop Inspector Garud.

With his new film Pattanathil Bootham he is giving more expectation than ever before. Megastar Mammootty act as a ghost which helps children and fight against social injustice. Mammootty's last film Love in Singapore was a flop. Fans are hoping he will do a comeback with this Johny Antony film.



Mammootty plays the role of Jimmy, an adventurous bike rider in circus who gets supernatural powers. Mammootty will attempt some daredevil bike racing acts in this film.

After her marriage Pattanathil Bhootham will be the first film Kavya Madhavan appears on screen. She has appeared in six films with Mammootty, but not as his heroine. This will be the first film in which Kavya dons the heroine role opposite Mammootty. Will this be her last film is the question fans are thinking about.

The actress was recently seen as heroine to superstar Mohanlal in the hit film 'Madambi'.

Pattanathil Bhootham is a fantasy-filled roller coaster adventure, aiming at kids who love Superman and Spiderman.

Innocent, Jagathy Sreekumar, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Salim Kumar are also acting in this film.

Its shooting was postponed to December because it needed a lot of set works and pre-production activities.

The film has plenty of graphics and special effects which hallmark Johny Antony's style.

Pattanathil bhootham is written by the most sought after and highest paid writers in Malayalam film industry Sibi K. Thomas and Udayakrishnan. The film is produced by Benjamin under the banner of High Bright Movie Makers. Cinematography is done by Sanjeev Shankar and art by Saloo K. George.

This film is expected to bring kids and family back to theatres. Johny Antony knows how to make the movie enjoyable for all. Pattanathil bhootham will no doubt will entertain the masses and will be remembered long.

Pattanathil Bhootham will hit theatres during Vishnu 2009.

Sagar eElias Jackie - Reloded

Malayalam Superstar Mohanlal has confirmed that he is going to do a sequel to his 1987 blockbuster Irupatham Noottandu. The sequel will be directed by Amal Neerad and produced by Antony Perumbavoor under the banner of Ashirvad films.

Irupatham Nootandu was made at a cost of Rs. 16 lakhs and went on to make a whooping profit of Rs. 1.60 crore those days for its producer Aroma Mani. It also paved the way for Mohanlal’s stardom.

The original version, written by S.N. Swamy, was a racy entertainer about Sagar alias Jackie (Mohanlal), a smuggler who runs a clandestine gold smuggling business for State Chief Minister’s son Shekharankutty (Suresh Gopi).

S.N. Swamy has written a new script for the sequel named Sagar Elias Jackie, in which after shooting dead the Chief Minister’s son, Jackie escapes from India and arrives in Dubai where he slowly becomes a don. New international problems crop up for Jackie, who still controls Kerala politics sitting in Dubai.

Mohanlal confirmed that he is starting the film from January 1, 2009. The others in the cast are being worked out. Says Antony Perumbavoor, the producer of the film: ” It will be a very stylish movie, with lots of spectacular action scenes. We are planning to shoot the film in Dubai, and I’m sure Amal Neerad will make it racy and entertaining. The film will be Lal sir’s Vishu 2009 release.”

Twenty:20 completes 100 days

Malayalam's biggest ever multi-starrer Twenty:20, directed by veteran Joshi and produced by actor Dileep's Grand Production on behalf of AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) as part of a fund-raising drive, will complete its 100 day run this week. Released on November 5, 2008 with approximately 25 prints, including 4 prints in the USA, 11 prints in the UAE, and 7 prints in Tamil Nadu, the film is still running successfully in more than ten centres in the state.

According to reports, Twenty:20, referred to as “the mother of all multi-starrers of Malayalam cinema”, has already made around 20 crores from its 13 week run. The film broke the collection record in the first day with Rs. 2.6 crores gross and collected over 10 crores in the first week itself.

The first week's distributors' share of collecgtins was Rs. 5.72 crores, making it the highest grossing Malayalam film in the opening week. The film managed to secure third position in the Top 5 list of Tamil Nadu box office in the opening week, a rare feat for a Malayalam film.

Twenty:20 has an elaborate line up of 65 stars that includes Madhu, Mammootty, Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Jayaram, Dileep, Prithviraj, Mukesh, Manoj K. Jayan, Balachandra Menon, Kalabhavan Mani, Indrajith, Jayasuriya, Jagathy, Innocent, Harisri Asokhan, Salim Kumar, Cochin Haneefa, Manian Pillai Raju, Indrans, Captain Raju, Rahman, Siddique, Lal, Sai Kumar, Biju Menon, Kaviyoor Ponamma, Sukumari, Meera Jasmine, Kavya Madhavan, Navya Nair, Padmapriya, Bhavana, Samvrutha, Vimala Raman and Kalpana.

Dileep is the body guard of Nayantara

A year ago, Mammootty had made a notable performance on screen for the movie ‘Big B' playing a Mumbai based bodyguard of biggies.

After a year from this film, Dileep is likely to repeat the act in a new film. Of course with Dileep, the tone of the movie will definitely differ, from the best of the thrillers to a hilarious comic ride.

Dileep is playing the central character in the new film directed by ace director Siddhique, titled 'Body Guard'. This is the first time Dileep is teaming up with Siddhique who is rightly considered as the king of quality comedies.

To be produced by Johnny Sagariga, this movie will have its pooja this week at Ernakulam.

The shoot of ‘Body Guard’ is planned from the midst of August and the movie will be a November release.

To Harihar Nagar on March 26

Actor-producer Lal of director duo Siddique-Lal debuts as an independent director with his upcoming To Harihar Nagar (Malayalam), a sequel to yesteryear blockbuster In Harihar Nagar (1990). According to sources, To Harihar Nagar, which started rolling in Kochi last month, is almost complete and is getting ready for release on March 26, 2009.

Produced by Lal Creations and PNV Associates, To Harihar Nagar will be an out-and-out comedy entertainer, depicting the story of four intimate friends Mahadevan (Mukesh), Govindan Kutty (Siddique), Appukuttan (Jagadeesh), and Thomas Kutty (Asokan) who all live in different places after their marriages. Coincidentally, they all are back in Harihar Nagar after some years.

The plot picks up when heroine Lakshmi Rai comes to stay in Harihar Nagar. The film revolves around the never-abandoned mischievous behaviour of the four heroes even after marriage. Rohini dons the role of an engineer (Mukesh's wife), Lena plays a financial adviser in Dubai (Siddique's wife), Fabi plays a doctor (Jagadeesh's wife) and Rakhi plays a housewife (Asokan's wife).

"Though they have become older, their basic instincts and characters remain the same. In the sequel, the four-member gang runs into trouble when they try to woo their beautiful neighbour,” said director Lal, who also handles the script. Cinematography is by Venu and music by Alex Paul. To Harihar Nagar is expected to be a huge money-spinner in 2009.

Mammootty In Kannada?

Noted Kannada director Abhay Simha, who had made his debut with much-acclaimed offbeat film Gubbachchigalu (Sparrows), will have Malayalam superstar Mammootty in the lead role in his second venture Shikari. Mammootty is said to be greatly impressed by the script, penned by the director himself. If this happens, Shikari will be Mammootty's debut film in Kannada.

Another rumour is that top Bollywood actress Konkona Sen Sharma is being considered as the lead lady of this Kannada film and she is likely to accept the offer, her first role in a Kannada film. However, official confirmation on the participation of Mammootty and Konkona Sen Sharma is awaited.

Shikari, which deals with the pre- and post-independence conditions in India, will feature music by Anmol Bhave and cinematography by Vikram Shrivastava. Produced by N.R. Shetty, the maker of the Shivadhwaj starrer Shubham, Shikari is going on the floors in March this year. Shikari will possibly be dubbed in Malayalam.

Meanwhile, some sources indicated that Mammootty has agreed to act in a Malayalam film to be directed by Oscar-nominated Kerala sound technician Resul Pookutty. This untitled film, which marks the directorial debut of Pookutty, is based on literary giant Anand's famous novel "Govardhanante Yathrakal", which won the prestigious Odakkuzhal award in 1996.

Arya - Mohanlal team in Casanova

Popular Tamil actor Arya (a Malayalee from Kasargod) is now pinning his hopes on the much-anticipated Tamil magnum opus Naan Kadavul (I am God) by director Bala. He is also to make his first appearance in Malayalam in Casanova, a Rosshan Andrews film with superstar Mohanlal in the lead.

The pooja of Casanova took place on Saturday (January 24) at Confidante Cascade, Bangalore, a resort run by the producer Dr. Roy C.J. It was attended by Jagathy Sreekumar, Lalu Alex, Lakshmi Rai, Priyanka, Priyadarshan, Joshy, Sibi Malayil, producers Suresh Kumar, P.V Gangadharan and Antony Perumbavoor.

Rosshan Andrews, maker of super hits Udayananu Tharam (remade in Tamil as Vellithira) and Notebook, has been working on this script for the last two years along with its writers Sanjay and Bobby. "After reading the script, Arya was very eager to do the film with Mohanlal. This action, romantic thriller revolves around a Casanova (Mohanlal) who believes that love can cure crime," Rosshan Andrews was quoted as saying. Arya has given 40 days call sheet to shoot the film in April and May.

The film has five heroines including Lakshmi Rai. Major portions will be shot in Vienna and other European locations from April 10. R. Divakaran wields the camera while Alex Paul sets music. The action scenes will be choreographed by Hollywood's stunt coordinator Franz Spilhaus of Flight in Phoneix, King Soloman's Mines, Avenger, Singh is Kinng and Drona fame. Produced under the banner of Confident Entertainment (India) Ltd. with a budjetof Rs. 10 crore, Casanova will be Mohanlal's big 2009 Onam release on September 2.

2008 Saw An Unhealthy SIgn Of Tollywood Making Inroad Into Mollywood

Malayalam film industry seems to be taking enough steps to ensure that dubbed movies don’t overtake the straight cinema. But still, the number of releases of the dubbed films at 23, is around 25% of the total movies released in Malayalam. If you are thinking that commerce dictates… then you are in for a surprise.


Actually, out of all the dubbed flicks that got released in 2008, only a handful of them made any profits to the producers and even then the distributors have bore the brunt of losses due to high acquisition prices. And the talk of high profits era seems to have gone away. But there is some good news for the Telugu film industry, as those that made some money at the Mollywood box office were the dubbed films from Telugu like Thulasi, Anasuya & Krishna. Even Dubai Seenu was relatively successful. While most of the Telugu producers realized the market of their movies in Malayalam, they have hiked the distribution prices which have resulted in losses for most of the distributors who had taken the Kerala rights. Khadar Hassan, a leading distributor of dubbed movies in the state, has seen profits in Thulasi & Krishna, but was extremely unlucky with American Halwa, Chandhu & Ghadolkachan. The only other movie that got any attention is Thampuraatti (Tamil).

Kaniha Bags Another Malayam Film opposite Jayaram

KANIHA has bagged yet another Malayalam film. SATHYAN ANTHIKAD has chosen the her to be the female lead for his upcoming JAYARAM film. The acute shortage of heroines in Malayalam is reflected by ace director Sathyan Anthikad’s decision to pick Kaniha, who debuted in director SUSI GANESAN’S Tamil film FIVE STAR but never managed to make it to the top. The actress is also doing HARIHARAN’S epic film PAZHASSI RAJA, in which she is paired opposite MAMMOOTTY. The shoot of the film will start on February 1 at Allapuzha as Sathyan is giving finishing touches to his script, which revolves around a Christian family residing in Kuttanad area. Sathyan Anthikad has to his credit the discoveries of current day sensations like ASIN & NAYANATHARA. Kaniha has been recently married to an NRI… but as she decided to continue with her film career… will luck favour her this time?

MALAYALAM film industry’s experiment might just be the model to emulate for many ailing film industries in India. Most of the leading film industries like Bollywood (Mumbai), Tollywood (Hyderabad), Kollywood (Chennai), Mollywood (Thiruvananthapuram) are reeling under the heavy weight of the A list stars. Mostly, it would be the remunerations of these stars which is back breaking for any producer and to top that… most of their films tend to become hyper budgeted which would leave the producers crippled altogether.

So, coming to the current news of a novel experiment to find an alternative to Big-Star-Big-Budget films… 6 low budgeted movies would be made by the Producers Association of Mollywood with prominent directors and writers between 2009-10. All the movies would be budgeted just around Rs 1.5 Crore.

Explaining the current film industry’s scenario and the current experiment… the office bearer of Producer forums G SURESH KUMAR said that depending solely on the Super-Star films doesn’t yield profits anymore as even their movies are biting the dust at the box office. To put the matter in to perspective, he said that only 4 out of the 54 films which came up in the year 2008 ended up as profit makers.

The details of the experiment are as follows…

Ace writer M T VASUDEVAN NAIR will script the 1st movie in the project list, which will be directed by popular director LAL JOSE. Director KAMAL will script and direct the 2nd of the projects while A K SAJAN will once again script for director SHAJI KAILAS for the 3rd venture. Scriptwriter-director RENJITH will be in charge of the 4th movie while the 5th project will be directed by RAFI McCARTIN for MHM productions. Producer SABU CHERIAN and director B UNNIKRISHNAN will unite for the 6th project of the series. Most of the directors who has agreed to do the projects will work on reduced remunerations while most of the movies will feature fresh faces in their cast lists.

INDIAN FILMDOM wishes them good luck and also encourages other film industries to emulate such novel ideas.

Gopika is Back

Here is the most exciting news for all the fans of pretty Gopika fans! Rumoured to have said goodbye to tinsel town after her marriage with Dr. Ajilesh on July 17, Gopika is returning to films very shortly!

She was recently in Thiruvananthapuram to receive the Best Actress award in Asianet Film Awards 2009 for her performance in Veruthe Oru Bharya and made it clear that she is ready to take up new projects, if she can complete her portions in 15-20 days. While speaking to media at her home in Ollur, Kerala, she said that she does not plan to retire from cinema. Now settled in Ireland with her husband, Gopika is still keeping in touch with the developments in the film industry.

During her career of six years, Gopika was immensely successful with a string of hits in all four South Indian languages. Her famous hit films include Autograph (2004), For The People (2004), Thotti Jaya (2005), Kana Kanden (2006), Mayavi (2006), Velli Thirai (2008), Annan Thampi (2008), Kanasina Loka (Kannada).

Her last, super hit Veruthe Oru Bharya, a comeback film by Jayaram, recently celebrated its 125h day at the box office and is still running successfully in the state. In Veruthe Oru Bharya, the young actress played the role of Bindhu with a child aged 14. Her last release was with Mammootty in AMMA’s multistarrer Twenty:20.

Mammootty is a Loud Speaker!

18 years after that breezy musical entertainer Johnny Walker director Jayaraj and Mammootty are together again in their new film titled Loud Speaker based on a script written by Ranjit.

The Lagaan heroine Gracy Singh is going to be cast opposite Mammootty in the film. It is said to be a humorous musical comedy entertainer. The film is all about a farmer who is popularly known as 'Mike' Gopalan, as he speaks loudly!

The others in the cast are Nedumudi Venu, Innocent, Jagathy Sreekumar, Salim Kumar, Suraaj Venjaramoodu and Cochin Haneefa.

The music director is Bijibal who will set to tune will set to tune songs penned by Anil Panachooran, while K.U. Mohanan, the noted cinematographer who did the Bollywood film Don will be the cameraman.

The Kochi based Time Ad Release who distributed Dasavatharam in Kerala are the producers of the film. The 'pooja' of the film will be held in the first week of February.

'Alexander the great' for Onam 2009

For the next Onam, Mohanlal will be Alexander, the great, for Malayees. Definitely not a historical on the great emperor, the character of the movie that the superstar of Mollywood is going to play for the next big festival season is named after the greatest emperor.

The movie also titled as 'Alexander The Great' will be directed by Murali Nagavally, one of the old friends of Lal. The director is also famous for his debut feature 'Wanted' which also featured Mohanlal in a guest role.

The project which is planned to kick off by the fifteenth of May will be scripted by C Balachandran. Planned to be shot at Dubai and Mumbai, the movie will also feature Siddhique, Jagathy, Innocnet, Saikumar and Ganesh in the key roles. V B K Menon will produce this 'Alexander the great' under his home banner Anugraha Cine Arts.