It was like a homecoming for the bunch of young directors when they gathered at Maharaja’s College Auditorium on Tuesday. The same old auditorium that first showcased their acting finesse and story-telling genius, became the platform for the upcoming Malayalam movie ‘5 Sundarikal’. The film which is the byproduct of the two-decade-old friendship that began at the doorsteps of Maharaja’s College is a romantic anthology helmed by Amal Neerad, Anwar Rasheed, Aashiq Abu, Sameer Thahir and Shyju Khalid. The five alumni of Maharaja’s were overwhelmed to be back together for the first look of the movie. “We studied almost during the same era in the college. We share some similarities and it in this college auditorium that we spent many sleepless nights discussing everything under the sun. So opting Maharaja’s for the first look of the film was the best bet,” said Amal Neerad.
“The film is a venture of friendship that continued even after college. Amal, Anwar, Sameer, Shyju and cinematographer Rajeev Ravi are all associated with films. Last year Amal approached me to do an anthology of small films woven together in a single film,” said Aashiq Abu.
As Indian cinema is celebrating the centenary this year, ‘5 Sundarikal’ is their tribute to cinema. “We saw Bollywood’s anthology consisting of four short films but it talks mainly about cinema,” said Amal.
Shyju Khalid who is known for his cinematography for ‘Traffic’, ‘Salt N’ Pepper’ and ‘22 Female Kottayam’ is debuting as a director in the film. Asked about the challenge, Shyju said, “I wasn’t afraid as the other four directors are my college day buddies.” Amal said, “It was fun working in ‘5 Sundarikal’. I thank Rajeev Ravi who taking time out from his busy schedule in Bollywood associated in one of the films as cinematographer and the star line up of the film,” added Amal who is also the producer of the film.
In directors’ own words, the film is a collective realisation of sheer brotherhood and camaraderie between them and a celebration of their long friendship.