THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Nearly three decades ago, the perennially exasperated parents of Kerala found a new companion in their efforts to get recalcitrant offspring toe the line - the wicked on-screen sorcerer played by Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair in ‘My Dear Kuttichathan.’ Not that the kids really minded. They, of course, always had the Kuttichathan to aid them. This Onam, those very same naughty kids - now responsible, law-abiding grown-ups - will be taking their own naughty offspring to the cinema for the digital version of ‘My Dear Kuttichathan,’ the latest offering from Navodaya Appachan.
‘’We have added 25 minutes to the film. The additional footage has the original child actors, now grown up, acting. The new version will immortalise the cast and the plot of the film,’’ Navodaya Appachan said, announcing the digitised version at a press conference here.
India’s first 3D film, ‘My Dear Kuttichathan’, was released to much fanfare in 1984. A big hit among the younger generation, the use of 3D spectacle to view the film added to the charm. The film, directed by Jijo Punnoose, had all the spicy ingredients to draw the young crowd: a young cast, and loads of the supernatural elements, including black magic and sorcerers.
In 1997, Navodaya Appachan returned with the film. This time, with some minor additions and some new cast. The charm had not faded, going by the response at the box office. The mid-eighties hit still had the capability to lure children and their parents back to the theatres. Appachan’s return with the movie for a third time is sure to create excitement. Many of the youngsters who watched the original awe-struck are sure to take their children to the theatre. The makers of the film are banking on the box office value of nostalgia.
‘’We are using more sophisticated 3D technology this time,’’ he said. Appachan also has plans to bring out the film in more Indian languages. The Hindi version of the film, ‘Chota Chetan’, was well-received by the North Indian audience, who usually shows disdain for films from the South. The special preview of the film for the Members of the Legislative Assembly was held on Tuesday at Sree Theatre here. The new version of the film will be distributed by Universal Movie Makers.