Mani in a dual role
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VIJAY GEORGE sees an action-packed scene being shot on the sets of `Ben Johnson.'
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Kalabhavan Mani plays Amarakkadan Pathrose and also his son, A.P. Johnson.
CALL IT bad timing. On a sunny afternoon, a few of them get roughed up by the new sub-inspector, Ben Johnson, who has just taken charge in Muthangakkuzhy. The inspector had requested for this posting as he had grown up there and knew all of the seamy characters well. The thrilling fight sequence that is being shot in a market at Eloor, is for director Anil C. Menon's film, `Ben Johnson.'
Kalabhavan Mani does a double role in the film. He plays a goonda named Amarakkadan Pathrose and also, his son, A.P. Johnson, who is nicknamed `Ben' Johnson, owing to his prowess as an athlete. After `Matsaram,' which won critical acclaim but failed to click at the box office, the troika of Kalabhavan Mani, Anil and T.A. Shahid, writer, come together for `Ben Johnson.'
Wholesome entertainer
Anil says that they are making a wholesome entertainer, which will draw in the family crowd as well as youngsters.
"Once a person is labelled as a goonda, there is no way he can remove the tag. Johnson has had to bear the brunt of being a criminal's son. The police had not spared him, even as a kid, during their efforts to nail his father. Everyone had expected him to become a criminal like his father. Instead, he becomes a sub-inspector," narrates Anil.
The script by T.A. Shahid, who is now one of the most sought-after writers, is the highlight of the film.
With offers from virtually every South Indian language, it's "busy days" for Kalabhavan Mani.
Realistic themes
"But I make sure that my presence is felt in Malayalam films, as the realistic themes here make you satisfied as an actor. I am quite excited about my role in this film as I was good in sports during my school days," says Mani, during a break after `fighting' `Bheeman' Raghu and Abu Salem.
Fight master Arasu explains the next shot to the actors. Cinematographer P. Sukumar too joins them and the group discuss camera angles.
Indraja, the heroine of the movie, watches the proceedings along with Sukumari.
"I am Gowri in the film. Gowri has to be bold and tough to survive in a place like Muthangakkuzhy," she says.
Deepak Dev, the music director of the film, drops in. He is riding high after the success of `Udayananu Tharam.'
Producer Milan Jaleel is also on the sets. What is it that attracts him to a project? "The script and the stars. I believe that star-studded films have a strong market. Such projects generate an instant attraction for the audience. In `Ben Johnson,' there are reputed artists and top-notch technicians."
The cast includes Madhu, Siddique, Vijayaraghavan, Innocent, Harisree Asokan and Cochin Haneefa. `Ben Johnson'will hit the theatres in May.
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