The latest updates from the Malayalam film industry.
Director duo Siddique-Lal redefined the concept of comedy in Malayalam cinema with their maiden venture Ramji Rao Speaking.
Some superb films like In Harihar Nagar, Vietnam Colony and Godfather followed and then the two went their separate ways.
While Siddique found tremendous success as a writer-director, even making his mark in Bollywood with Salman Khan’s Bodyguard, Lal became an actor and continued is tryst with producing and directing films
Now, the duo is teaming up once again for Dileep starrer King Liar.
Lal will be directing the film which is scripted by Siddique.
Incidentally, Ouseppachan Valakuzhy, who co-produced Ramji Rao Speaking, is producing King Liar.
Madonna Sebastian, who played Celine in Premam, is the female protagonist.
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After Kunjiramayanam, Basil is back with Godha
After tasting success with his directorial debut Kunjiramayanam, techie-turned-filmmaker Basil Joseph has now announced his next venture Godha.
The film is a sports comedy based on Kushti (Wrestling).
Tovino Thomas and Punjabi actress Wamiqa Gabbi have been roped in for the lead roles.
Renji Panicker and Aju Varghese also feature in the film
Godha is being produced under the banner of E 4 Entertainment.
Rakesh Mantodi, who scripted Thira, is the scenarist. Vishnu Sharma wields the camera, while Shaan Rahman will compose the music.
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Leela to face a ban?
According to some reports, the Producers’ Association in Malayalam is going ahead with their plans to impose an unofficial ban on Ranjith’s forthcoming film, Leela.
Ranjith, who is producing the movie under his own banner Capitol Theatre, had defied the call of the Association to discontinue the shooting of the film during their strike in January.
Initially, Rajeev Ravi had also continued shooting for Kammatti Paadam amidst the strike. But he stopped the shooting after pressure mounted.
Leela, starring Biju Menon and Parvathy Nambiar, is based on writer Unni R’s book of the same title.