Mollywood has witnessed plenty of hit movies in the past that were based on drama troupes and theatrical art forms. Films like 'Yavanika' and Ramji Rao speaking to the latest blockbuster `Annan Thampi' has the interesting backdrops of theatrical arts. Following this trend in creating interesting movies is Shaji and Shyju, the debutante directors who are planning their movie 'Shakesphere M A Malayalam' in the backdrop of a professional drama troupe. Produced by Kamalam films, the movie present another rare storyline to Mollywood.
The entire world is a stage And all the men and women merely players - Following this Shakespherian quote in its fullest is Pavithran, the writer of Jayabharathi theatres. He is a playwright, who writes on people around him and about those he knows personally. Pavithran's habit of borrowing plots from real life influences the people in real life to such an extent that very often he and his troupe lands in troubles. Once he even convinces a gangster to turn to good, through the play written on him. This habit of representing real-life characters on stage earned him the nickname 'Shakespeare Pavithran.' Kottayan Gopalan, the lead actor and owner of Jayabharathi theatres was struggling for a footing in the industry, when Pavithran joined the troupe. Within less time, the troupe started to gain limelight through the characters and story lines etched from reality.
Once when Pavithran was passing through a creative block, with little time to spare for setting up their drama for the new season, Gopalan convinces Pavithran go to a remote village of Kakkathuruthu. Gopalan's intension was to make Pavithran pen a play, based on the life of the village folk there. While Pavithran waits for the promising themes, he comes across Alli, a young country girl who is the prototype of rural innocence. That very day he scribbles in the writing pad 'Prakasham Parathunna Penkutty' (The girl who spreads light).
Gopalan misunderstands it as the title of their new drama and immediately announce it. And now Pavithran has got no other options than to write a play, based on Alli.
Alli impresses him as a gullible character who can be interestingly transformed to the stage .But when Pavithran tries to know more about her story, he lands in more drama that his life has never ever witnessed. The movie based on a story by Rajesh K Raman, is scripted by the director duo Shaiju -Shaji with support from Jiju Ashok .
Kalabhavan Mani after a long time plays a humorous lead as theatre owner Kottayam Gopalan who is even ready to appear in female roles when such situation demands in his dramas. Jayasurya plays the title character while Roma for the first time act as a village girl, playing the lead role of Alli.
Others in the cast include Jagathy Sreekumar, Innocent, Rajan P. Dev, Salim Kumar, T G Ravi, Biju Kuttan and Suraj Venjaramoodu. Writer-director Lohitadas is also doing a cameo role in the film. Jibu Jacob cranks the camera while V Sajan does the editing. The songs in the movie are composed by Mohan Sithara in the lyrics by Anil Panachooran and Chandrasekharan.
Shyju and Shaji, started their career in theater before they came together to assist Anil C. Menon, Akbar Jose, Priyanandanan and T.K. Rajeev Kumar in their films.
''Our experience with theatres have definitely helped us to perfect a movie that is made in the backdrop of a drama troupe ``says the director duo who are at present giving finishing touches to the movie
'Shakesphere, M A Malayalam' is expected to grace the theatres this May.
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