Political satires have always been Mollywood’s personal favourite for their quick wittedness and thought-provoking subjects. Though not an out-and-out political story, debut director Jibu Jacob’s Vellimoonga narrates the story of a rural politician and his ideologies humourously wrapped in a family entertainer package. “The film revolves around Mamachen, whose family has migrated to Kannur from Kanjirappally. He is the Yuvajana Vibhagham - a national political party’s secretary from Kerala,” says cinematographer-turned-director Jibu Jacob.
Biju Menon dons the role of 41-year-old Mamachen tied in familial tussles and remains a bachelor. His father was a freedom fighter and a true blood social activist, who during his last days gifts his family huge debts. “Mamachen’s father destroys the family property and leaves Mamachen with the responsibility of taking care of his mother and two sisters. Mamachen enters into politics only because of an unforeseen incident that occurs in his life,” explains Jibu who has penned the story along with Joji Thomas, the scriptwriter of the film.
Ask the director about the title Vellimoonga, he says, “Biju Menon’s character, like every politician in the state, is dressed only in white and he is every bit like a barn owl (vellimoonga). We don’t see ‘vellimoonga’ very often, they are a rare species to spot, likewise our social leader Mamachen too is seen among the public once in a while. So the villagers nicknamed him ‘Vellimoonga’.”
Interestingly, Biju Menon will be speaking in Kanjirappally dialect in Vellimoonga.
“The film revolves around the simple and innocent people residing in Shanthipuram village, a settlement in Kannur region. Most people in those regions speak in Kanjirappally dialect and not the usual Kannur slang and Mamachen is no different and he has a strong influence of that region,” says the director.
Nikki Galrani of 1983 fame is the lead lady in the movie. She essays the role of a Malayali nurse based in Delhi. “Mamachen meets the girl as part of his marriage proposal. Her family is a newcomer to Shantipuram, from the same old Kanjirappally as Mamachen’s,” says Jibu.
Actors Siddique and Lena don the role of Nikki’s parents in the movie. The rest of the film deals with Mamachen’s marriage and his political life.
Another important character in the movie is Aju Varghese. “Aju is Mamachen’s partner in crime and is the only follower of Yuvajana Vibhagam,” he says.
KPAC Lalitha essays the role of Mamachen’s mother and Tini Tom comes in another strong role. Sunil Sugatha, Kalabhavan Shajon, Sashi Kalinga and comedian Pashanam Shaji also don prominent roles in the film.
The film has three songs composed by Bijibal, penned by Santhosh Varma and Rajeev Nair and crooned by Vijay Yesudhas, Najim Arshad, Tamanna and Lola. The film produced by Sasidharan Ullattil under the banner of Bhavana Media Vision will hit screens on September 25.