Ahmed is your regular boy-next-door, affable, jovial, spirited and love-struck. Like any other Malappuram guy, he is in love with football and life. “You easily identify with him, the rustic, normal college-goer who loves life and hanging out with his pals,” says Unni Mukundan about his next onscreen character.
Ahmed is the protagonist in KL-10 Pathu, the romantic comedy, directed by debutant Muhsin Parari that will hit theatres this Friday.
An eloquent Unni says KL-10 Pathu is a simple tale. “It may be a breezy tale and has a earthy tang to it with its authentic Malappuram slang. But, I promise that it has also a certain feel-good quality to it that makes you smile. As much as it is a love story, it is about friendship too,” says the actor. The teaser and songs of KL-10 Pathu released recently - thanks to its quirky music and picturesque shots - has generated ripples online and Unni says that he hopes the movie does the same.
“I really hope it does well as it is my solo-hero project and there is a whole lot of talented people like Aju Varghese, Neeraj Madhav and Saiju Kurup, who has put in some great effort. Then, there is a personal side to this because I had to make a great sacrifice for this movie, my beefed-up body,” says the actor who was seen sporting a muscular torso in Lal Jose’s Vikramadithyan.
This, Unni thinks, was imperative for the movie. “You can’t expect a normal college-goer from North Kerala to sport a six-pack. That would be too unbelievable. So, the director Muhsin suggested I shed it. So, I had to undo all the effort I put in, which is same amount of work I did to gain it,” says Unni. He got trained in soccer too.
“Football is a rage in Malappuram. People really need to believe that I can play. So, I trained a lot. At first, it was hard as I couldn’t even handle the ball, but now I think I can pass off as a player,” laughs Unni.
But, Unni says KL-10 Pathu would have remained a dream, if not for director Lal Jose. The movie is being distributed by LJ Films, a bankable banner. Unni says the association has helped the movie a lot. “The mere name Lal Jose lends an authenticity to our project. And, the great director that he is, his association with a project of youngsters itself was a blessing. In fact, he was the one who took up the production of the movie in initial stages before Alexander Mathew and Satheesh Kolam stepped in,” says Unni, who adds that Lal Jose is someone who he respects and look upon in the industry. “If not for him, I would have quit the industry,” says the actor.
On his association with Muhsin, Unni says they are more of friends. “He is a great story-teller. We met when he associated with a movie that I was part of. We get on well and I really think he will be an asset to the industry,” says Unni.
Home coming
For director, Muhsin Parari, Malappuram is not just his home town but a place that moulded the individual and film maker in him. “Having grown up in the place where football is a craze, I always wanted to make a movie that would be an ode to the beautiful land and it is no surprise that my first movie is a tribute to my home land,” says Muhsin who is nose-deep in last-minute work.
“The trailer and teasers were well-received and I really hope the crowd enjoys my work,” says Muhsin.