Exploring the mind
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‘Shalabham,’ director Suresh Palanchery’s debut movie, has a multi-layered theme that is set against a rural backdrop. P.K. Ajith Kumar
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rustic encounter: ‘Shalabham’ is about life in a remote village, where there are a lot of superstitions.
Meera is troubled by dreams. Her lover – he has no face – often visits in her dreams, but she also has nightmares in which she gets killed. Ramya Nambeesan plays the troubled Meera in ‘Shalabham.’
The film marks the debut of director Suresh Palanchery, who learnt the trade under Kamal, Harikumar and Lohithadas, among others. “The film is based on a story I wrote years ago for a competition in college; the story had fetched me the first prize too,” says the Kozhikode-based director, after canning a scene featuring Ramya and KPAC Lalitha, who plays her mother, at a house at Ramanattukara, near Kozhikode.
Life in a village
“The film is about life in a remote village, where there are a lot of superstitions. Meera’s horoscope is vital to the plot,” elaborates the director.
One of the central themes of ‘Shalabham,’ the screenplay of which is written by Madambu Kunjukuttan, is the mother-daughter relationship.
“Both Ramya and KPAC Lalitha have done exceptionally well,” says Suresh.
Ramya is excited about her role. She says: “This is the most challenging role I have done. I feel lucky that I could get to portray a complex character like this. The film revolves around my character. Very few films are made these days with women in central roles. Moreover, I thought the subject of the film was refreshing, so I didn’t have to think twice before agreeing to do the film. Meera, an introvert and a dreamer, has to face some tough situations in her life. She is a victim of superstition. Some of my best scenes are with KPAC Lalitha.”
KPAC Lalitha says it has been an enjoyable experience for her too. “It is definitely one of the better films I have worked in of late, and one of my better roles too. And it is not every day that you do a film with such a scenic rural backdrop. I am impressed by the director too; he doesn’t look like someone who is making his debut.”
Sudheesh is the hero. He plays a young man who works hard on his way to a Government job. Akhila, a new face, is paired opposite him. He also features in Meera’s dreams, but he comes to know of that only much later.
“It is an interesting character and it feels nice being a hero after a long time. I am glad that I am doing a character who delivers simple, natural yet, powerful dialogues,” says Sudheesh.
Sudheesh, according to the director, was the obvious choice for the role of Hari. “I have always felt that he is an underrated and underused actor in Malayalam cinema. In ‘Shalabham’ he has plenty of scope to emote, and he hasn’t disappointed me,” says Suresh.
The cast includes Mamukoya, Nilambur Ayisha and Kozhikode Sarada.
M.J. Radhakrishnan cranks the camera, while Venugopal edits. The film is produced by Azeez Kadalundi. Kaithapram has tuned the four songs he has written. ‘Shalabham’ will reach cinemas in September.
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