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VIJAY GEORGE
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Mammootty changes into Sulthanveettil Zakkir Hussain, affectionately called `Kunjakka,' on the sets of `Bus Conductor.'
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IN A NEW GARB: Mammootty in and as `Bus Conductor,' his latest film.
There is a sense of anticipation and suppressed excitement at the location of V.M. Vinu's `Bus Conductor.' The quiet environs of a large house in Ottapalam are abuzz with hectic activity as the unit makes the preparations for the shooting.
The location has just been shifted from a nearby roadside to a huge old house. The director is immersed in the script as he gulps down lemon tea. Cinematographer Sanjeev Sankar takes a walk around, listening to some Hindi golden oldies on his mobile. The number of onlookers is increasing by the minute.
Almost an hour later, the unit is all set for the shoot. Mammootty, the film's hero, sports a day's stubble as he walks into the set. He has again created magic at the box office with `Rajamanikyam.' In his new avatar as Sulthanveettil Zakkir Hussain, affectionately called `Kunjakka,' he is the conductor of a bus that he owns.
"This film narrates the touching life of Kunjakka who has to shoulder a lot of responsibilities. Social issues have also been dealt with in this family drama," says Vinu, who is again teaming up with script writer T.A. Razack and Mammootty after the success of `Vesham.'
Says Mammotty, "Kunjakka is almost an introvert who keeps all his worries to himself. He has seen many ups and downs and he lives for his family."
Innocent plays his brother-in-law, "who is bent up on making more money." The whole household is in attendance as Innocent's son Najeeb, played by Jayasurya, is leaving for the Gulf. The reel family members pose for a group photo.
Jayasurya, has just completed `Kilukkam, Kilukilukkam' with Mohanlal. He is thrilled to be back on the sets after a few months in hibernation.
Mamta Mohandas, who acted in `Mayookham,' enacts Kunjakka's sister who suffers from a heart ailment. "My character in the film is that of an educated Muslim girl who is very close to her brother," says Mamta. Kunjakka's happiness knows no bounds when an engineer agrees to marry her. Niyas, the hero of `Kshanakkathu,' which is best remembered for its melodious songs, dons the role of the engineer. Nikitha, heroine of `Kaiyethum Doorathu,' and Bhavana, also have plum roles in the film.
A different story
"The film is about the emotional turmoil of a man who is burdened by his responsibilities," says Razack. The problems of bus employees seldom get a compassionate hearing and that has also been dealt with in the movie. The bus, aptly named `Mythri,' considering the film's thrust on society, is almost another character in the movie, he explains.
After his jaunty ride as Rajamanikyam and the, now famous, Thiruvananthapuram dialect, was it difficult for Mammootty to become Kunjakka who speaks with a typical North Kerala drawl?
"Experience and a person's innate talent help one to adjust," quips Mammootty. `Bus Conductor' is being produced under the banner of Vaisakha movies. Lyrics by Gireesh Puthanchery have been set to music by M. Jayachandran. `Bus Conductor' will hit the cinema halls this Christmas.
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