A band of acclaimed filmmakers, prominent actors and an ever-intriguing subject. Crossroad, the portmanteau film helmed by 11 different directors, will explore the various aspects of womanhood. An initiative of Forum for Better Films chaired by renowned director Lenin Rajendran, the film has an assortment of female actors playing the leads. “Each episode will focus on a woman and her trails and tribulations. The film clocking nearly two-and-a-half-hours will hit the marquee in January,” says Lenin. While the project has a volley of well-known and prominent directors, it will also mark the debut of Nayana Sooryan.
Lenin Rajendran’s film titled Pimbe Nadappaval has Parvathy stepping into the lead. While Madhupal’s Oru Ratriyude Kooli stars Padmapriya, it’s Mamtha Mohandas who plays the lead in Asok R Nath’s Badar. Another films included in the anthology are Lake House by Sashi Paravoor, Kaaval by Nemom Pushparaj, Maya by Albert, Quotation by Pradeep Nair, Maunam by Babu Thiruvalla, Cherivu by Avira Rebecca and Pakshikalude Manam by Nayana Sooriyan. Rajeev Ravi, who is currently busy with a couple of films, will be soon joining the list. The title and the cast of his film are expected to be announced soon.
Playing the leads in various films are Isha Talwar, Priyanka, Richa Panai, Srinda, Shruti Menon and Manasa. Punnassery Kanchan, the veteran actress who made a comeback to the screen after 40 years with Olappeeppi, will be playing the lead in Pradeep Nair’s Quotation. “It’s a real honour to be part of the project where all its segments are dedicated to women,” says Priyanka who plays the lead in Kaval.
Dream Debut
The film is also the launchpad of newbie Nayana Sooryan whose
Pakshikalude Manam stars Kismat actress Shruti Menon in the lead. “Whether it's a war or natural calamity, the most-affected souls are women. So from the very beginning the whole project was conceived with focus on women,” she says. Though the title reminds you of Kamala Das's famous short story, Nayana says her film has no connection with it. “Shruti plays an ornithologist who goes in search of an extinct bird. Hence the title Pakshikalude Manam.” Nayana, who has assisted a handful of prominent filmmakers including Lenin Rajendran, Dr Bju, Kamal and Jeethu Joseph, says she is quite thrilled to be part of Crossroad. “All others are known names in national and international film circuits. I am extremely proud to make my debut along them,” she adds.