Real world on show
Vijay George
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The latest Kalabhavan Mani starrer `Andavan' has him playing a thief who robs the rich to help the poor.
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Eloor market near Ernakulam has been converted into a slum, with tiny huts lined up amidst shops and the remnants of a concrete wall. A small group of kids lip sync to lines from a loud speaker. A few junior artistes walk around. The director duo Akbar-Jose is in the process of filming `Aandavan,' which has Kalabhavan Mani in the lead.
According to Mani, "the real world is being shown on reel. I can easily relate to the surroundings depicted here, where the so-called common population lives."
In the film, he is Murugan, a `thief' on the lines of Robin Hood. He robs one particular person - the wealthy Panikkar who has made his life miserable right from childhood. However, for those who live in the slums, Murugan is God incarnate, they call him `Aandavan.'
Akbar and Jose, who were assistants to director Kamal before teaming up, feel that their film has lot of action, emotions and comedy. "Mani is one actor who can tickle the funny bone while portraying the tough hero," says K. Gireeshkumar, who has written the screenplay and dialogues for `Aandavan.' His earlier films include `Amrutham' and `Alice in Wonderland.' The story of `Aandavan' is by Rajesh Jayaraman.
Murugan lives on the first floor of a house and things take an interesting turn when the heroine, Sindhu Menon, who is a sub-inspector in the film, comes to live in the ground floor.
Interesting moments
"Although the lady cop's hunt for the thief leads to several interesting moments, the film won't have the hero and the heroine romancing as seen usually," explains Gireesh.
The cast includes Jagathy Sreekumar, Salimkumar and Anand.
Mani has sung the song for the sequence that is being shot. How special is it to match the steps to his voice?
"Of course, it gives one a high. But I feel the excitement is more when someone else dances to the lines sung by me," says Mani. Will he play only the lead from now on?
"No. I am trying to strike a balance between supporting and lead roles. Like, the role of the blind Chemban who took on the deadly Digambaran in Santosh Sivan's `Ananthabhadram.'"
During the break, he finds time for a quick nap inside one of the huts. Hefty junior artistes, who will probably team up with the baddies for the fight scenes, join the kids who are playing cricket. Cinematographer Vipin Mohan strolls around, perhaps trying to find the best angle for his shots. `Aandavan' has been shot mainly in Kochi. `Aandavan,' produced under the banner of Cinema Company, has music by Alex Paul. The film will hit the theatres in March.
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