KOCHI: “Kochi pazhaya Kochi allayirikkam, pakeshe Bilal pazhaya Bilal thanne”... the hit one-liner by Mammootty in the movie Big B (2007) is a clear indicator that the city has changed a lot in the last two decades.
Big B was an action thriller set in the backdrop of Kochi, to be specific West Kochi. The movie was released along with Mohanlal-starrer Chotta Mumbai, another movie set in Kochi which had the Cochin carnival in its climax. The success of both movies prompted many other directors to weave movies with Kochi-centric themes.
The twist: More than 90 films was shot in the city in 2013-14. As per official data, as many as 70 Malayalam films were shot in the Fort Kochi in 2015.
Some of the big budget movies like Christian Brothers, Mr Fraud, How old Are You, Mumbai Police, Kammath and Kammath, Grand Master, Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal, Sagar Alias Jacky and Honey Bee were shot here. Some like Manglish were typically Kochi-centric which increased not only the popularity of the location but also its culture.
Vasco House, one of the oldest Portuguese residences in Fort Kochi, is the hot choice of many art directors and all this happened post Big B.
Built in the early 16th century, Vasco House sports the typical European glass-paned windows and balcony-cum-verandas, characteristic of those times. The house is now known as ‘Big B House.’
“As far as Fort Kochi is concerned, we don’t have to go searching for a beautiful place. Every other spot is beautiful. The Bastion Bungalow, Calvathy Canal and David Hall are the most sought locations. Earlier if the filmmakers rushed to Chennai or other locations, now they choose Fort Kochi,” said art director Sabu Pravadas who worked in Suresh Gopi-starrer Lelam at Bastion Bungalow and David Hall years ago.
Aspinwall House too is one of the hot locations. From movies like Dileep-starrer Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal, How Old Are You, Koothara, Spanish Masala and Mr Fraud, the ancient building has been a setting for many movies.
The Jew Street in Fort Kochi and the Bazar Road at Mattanchery too plays a major role.
“While making Suresh Gopi-starrer Pathram we could easily convert the Bastion Bungalow to an RDO office. Certain abandoned buildings and godowns are a boon for filmmakers as we can convert the space as per our requirement. Buildings such as Moidus Heritage, buildings near boat jetty and Kalvathy boat jetty are beautifully portrayed in many films,” he said.
Meanwhile, the incessant shooting schedules are a major revenue source to the Corporation.
“The income generated from film shoot has drastically gone up. Last year alone, we could earn around `1 lakh for a single film shoot,” said Antony Kureethara, Fort Kochi Divisional Councillor.