Mammootty bounces back with Pathemaari

A lowdown on what's happening in the Malayalam film industry.

Mammootty, who has been the target of critics for his weird choice of roles off late, can heave a sigh of relief.

His latest venture, Salim Ahmad's Pathemaari, is generating rave reviews.

Pathemaari chronicles the life of Pallikkal Narayanan, who goes to the Gulf for employment. He toils for his family and feels that the happiness of his loved ones is the greatest achievement in his life.

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Nivin Pauly prefers new faces

One of the highlights of Premam was that there were many fresh faces in the cast. The film went on to become one of the highest grossers in Malayalam film history, making its hero Nivin Pauly a superstar.

Nivin has opted for not so familiar faces in his forthcoming film Action Hero Biju as well, which he is producing, besides playing the hero.

Anu Emmanuel, who was a child artiste in Swapna Sanchari, is being launched as the heroine in the film.

The trend seems to continue, as the casting call has come for Nivin’s soon to be rolling project, directed by Althaf Salim. The makers of the film are inviting fresh faces to play the film's principal cast.

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Controversy over IFFK 2015 selections

The list of Malayalam films chosen for the International Film Festival of Kerala 2015 is out.

Jayaraj’s Ottal and Santhosh-Sathish Babusenan’s Chayam Poosiya Veedu will be in the competition section.

Sidhartha Siva’s Ain, Dr Biju’s Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal, Salim Ahmad’s Pathemaari, R S Vimal’s Ennu Ninte Moideen, Sanal Kumar Sasidharan’s Ozhivu Divasathe Kali, V K Prakash’s Nirnayakam and Harikumar’s Kaattum Mazhayum will be in the Malayalam Cinema Today category.

There are reports that Ennu Ninte Moideen may back out, as it has not been included in the competition section.

Actor Prakash Bare has stated in his Facebook post: 'It is really sad and perplexing to see the degradation in IFFK selection. Can’t figure out how films like Moideen gets preferred over bold experiments like Kari! This probably was our last opportunity to recognize Shanavas's debut work. Nonetheless congrats to all the winners!”