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Wedding blues: Indrajith and Gopika play the lead in ‘Malabar Wedding,’ directed by debutants K.G. Rajesh and A.M. Faizal.

The loss of camaraderie, once a familiar feature of life in villages in Kerala, has motivated two youngsters to make a film that examines the reasons for the erosion in values. The film, ‘Malabar Wedding,’ with Indrajit and Gopika in the lead, is the first independent venture of K.G. Rajesh and A.M. Faizal. Both of them were associates of Priyadarsan and Major Ravi.

“People, even in villages, are fast losing their social relations with each other. Until a few years ago, local festivals, marriages, schools and so on provided people with many occasions to meet and interact. Both youngsters and senior citizens were able to work together on many social platforms,” explain Rajesh and Faizal.

Shooting for the film is progressing at a brisk pace at scenic locations in the eastern belt of Palakkad.

As one enters the sets of the film at Kavassery, the crew is busy canning a shot that follows a song sequence that was shot in Pune, Priyadarshan’s favourite location for his Hindi films.

The first song shows the hero dreaming of his love while the second song is for the comic scenes in connection with Suraj Venjaramood’s character, ‘Pookkatta’ Satheeshan’s wedding.

A few retakes are required before the scene featuring Indrajit, Mamukkoya, Suraj Venjaramood, Naveen, Bijukkuttan, and Santhosh Jogi is canned. Finally, cinematographer Velraj is satisfied and the crew moves on to the next shot.

Is there a Priyadarsan touch? “Oh, no please don’t compare us with him. He is a great director. Viewers can expect a style of our own; one that would suit the story line,” replies Faizal.

“My role in this film is something I have been looking forward to for quite some time,” says Indrajit who plays Manukkuttan, a boisterous character who leads a group of youngsters in the village. They enjoy creating embarrassing situations for would-be-brides and grooms.

“There is nothing malicious in this. In Kozhikode there still is a practice called ‘Sorakkallyanam.’ People indulging in such tricks, for instance giving lime juice with salt instead of sugar, would have to expect the same when their turn comes.

“The storyline centres on some unexpected twists in the life of the hero that sees him having an affair with a Calcutta-based Malayali girl Smitha who comes to settle down in Kerala,” explains scriptwriter Ramesh Madhavan, an artist by profession. Gopika plays Smitha.

“While the film is full of comic acts, mine is a serious character,” says Gopika who has worked with Rajesh and Faizal on the sets of ‘Keerthichakra.’ She has also worked with Indrajit in ‘Chandupottu’ and ‘Vesham.’

The film, shooting of which started on November 24, is slated to hit the marquee on April 3.

The film is produced by T. Santhosh Kumar and K.B. Devarajan, under the banner of Minerva Creations. Stills are by Salish Peringottukara. Art director is Gokuldas. Rahul Raj has scored music for lyrics by Jophy Tharakan.

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