It would seem the season when experienced actors in the Malayalam film industry are turning filmmakers. Recently, Prithviraj Sukumaran made his directorial debut, and then Mohanlal announced his decision to make a film, as did actor Kalabhavan Shajohn who is already shooting his first feature. That’s when a report came that actor Jayaram too would be directing a Malayalam movie, one that will not be a commercial entertainer but something movie lovers would like to watch. The actor has however clarified that he is no hurry to venture into filmmaking, and would first finish his acting assignments.
In an interview to The Times of India, Jayaram said, “I did express an interest in direction but right now I am busy with my acting projects. Maybe when I am done with the commitments, I would look at direction. But there’s no project planned as of now.”
Jayaram is currently busy acting in My Great Grandfather and Marconi Mathai besides a host of other projects. In Marconi Mathai, which is directed by Sanil Kalathil, Jayaram is playing an ex-army man working as a security in a bank. In My Great Grandfather, directed by Aneesh Anwar, the actor apparently plays a grandfather, who is getting married to a woman his daughter’s age.
Prithviraj has recently tasted success with his debut directorial Lucifer, in which Mohanlal played the lead. It was a political thriller which has actors Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas, Vivek Oberoi, Indrajith Sukumaran, among others, playing pivotal roles.
And then came the announcement from superstar Mohanlal that he would be donning the director’s robes for the first time. The project has been titled Barroz and it is expected to go on the floor in October this year. Jijo Punnoose, who introduced 3D to the Indian film audiences with the iconic My Dear Kuttichanthan is penning the story for Barroz. And as expected, it will be a 3D film! The latest update about this film is that Mohanlal has roped in the acclaimed cinematographer KU Mohanan to crank the camera.
Meanwhile, Kalabhavan Shajohn’s Brother’s Day with Prithviraj in the lead, is also proceeding, with Tamil actor Prasanna roped in to play an important role.
(Content provided by Digital Native)