Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
Beats of friendship
N. GANESH
|
Mohanlal plays a musician in Ranjith’s ‘Rock N Roll.’
|
Rocking: Ranjith’s ‘Rock N Roll’ is an entertainer that tunes in to the world of music.
Walk on to the sets of Mani Mahal, an ancient building at Egmore in Chennai, and it’s hard to miss the deep bright colours around you. ‘Rock N Roll,’ with Mohanlal and Lakshmi Rai in the lead, is shaping up well here and is nearing
its final schedule.
The prolific and powerful scriptwriter-turned-filmmaker Ranjith takes a U-turn after a simple but serious attempt, ‘Kayyoppu,’ and goes for music, hue and humour in abundance in his eighth film as director.
If the title of his earlier movies served as pointers to tradition or myth, Ranjith treads a different path with ‘Rock N Roll.’ The title and tone of ‘Rock N Roll’ reminds you of ‘Summer in Bethlehem’ – a festival release written by Ranjith and directed by Sibi Malayil – “but the similarity ends there,” says the director.
“It’s the story of Chandramouli, a composer and drummer, who has made it big in the world of music. He takes a break from his busy international schedule and returns to Chennai to be with old friends, who are members of various music troupes.”
The movie is about the happenings in a two-week span in Chennai, where Chandramouli stays back to compose a song for a movie. Lakshmi Rai, the Bangalore-based actor, makes her debut in Malayalam and plays the role of a Mumbai-based playback singer.
An entertainer
“Music is the theme, and it’s an out-and-out entertainer. The dialogues are that of metro-based Keralites, polished and flowery. Humour has been added in large doses and there is little violence,” says Ranjith.
Ranjith, his chief associate M. Padamakumar and guest cameraman Amal Neerad, were busy picturising a rhythmic song sequence with Mohan Lal, Jagathy Sreekumar, Manoj K. Jayan, Harisree Asokan and Suraj Venjarammoodu practising the steps taught by choreographers Dinesh and Johny.
Manoj Pillay wields the camera. The lensman, who underlined his credentials with his deft touch in ‘Kayyoppu’ and ‘Arabikatha,’ however, had to go for a totally different colour treatment for ‘Rock N Roll.’ The director says Manoj has risen to the challenge.
“Yes, it needs a different approach altogether, but the training he gained under Santhosh (Sivan) comes in handy for him. Manoj had assisted him in bigger but similar movies like these, and it wasn’t much of a problem,” adds Ranjith.
After ‘Chandrotsavam,’ Vidyasagar scores music again for a Ranjith film, which has five songs penned by Girish Puthenchery. Jayachandran, Sujatha, Madhu Balakrishnan, Tipu, Vijay Yesudas and Pradeed Palluruthy form the playback-singing team.
The change of looks of the actors in the movie too makes one curious.
Mohan Lal, the drummer, wearing cargos and designer shirts, and sporting a round cap, reminds you of Sivamani. Jagathi’s Khader Bhai, a millionaire ready to spend for ‘Team Chandamouli,’ sports a French beard and wears a silk gown. Manoj K. Jayan’s Saidapet Giri, a close confidante of Chandramouli, is a singer- turned-goonda! He seems to be fond of chunky ornaments if the character’s looks are anything to go by.
Others in the cast include Mukesh, Siddique, Rahman, Lal and Swetha Menon. Director Lal Jose too makes an appearance in the movie.
‘Rock N Roll’ is produced by debutant P.N. Venugopal, under the banner of PNV Associates. Ranjan Abraham is the editor.
Ranjith, one of the best scriptwriters of Malayalam cinema, who has impressed viewers with his command over the language and the medium, gets ready to serve us something different. It was fun watching ‘Peruvannapurathe Viseshangal’ and ‘Summer inBethlehem.’‘Rock N Roll,’ will hit the screens this Deepavali. “Have fun again,” says Ranjith.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
|
