PALAKKAD: The shooting of the Malayalam film ‘Neelathamara’ , which had hit the headlines for being planned to be remade after 30 years, began at the Vadakath Tharavadu at Aanakara near here on Friday.
It was in 1979 that ‘Neelathamara’ was released. The story, screen play and dialogue of the film was done by M T Vasudevan Nair. The new version of the film is also written by M T with minor changes to the original story.
Lal Jose is directing the new version of the film. The original film was directed by lyricist Yusuf Ali Kecheri who made his directorial debut with the film.
The film will be shoot for 41 days among various places near the Malamalkavu temple and Thavannur Mana. The film is being produced by Menaka Suresh Kumar under the banner Revathy Kalamandir.
Debutantes Kailas and Archana are playing the lead role in the film. Kailas will essay the role of Ravikumar and Delhi-based girl Archana will slip into the role of Ambika who was the heroine in the old version portraying the character of the hapless girl, Kunjimalu.
The choreography is by Vijay Ulaganathan and music has been scored by Vidyasagar.(The 1979 version had haunting music by the noted music director Devarajan). The singers in the new version are V Sreekumar, Balram and Shreya Ghosh.
The Vadakath Tharavadu is the house of noted freedom fighter A V Kuttimallu Amma, Captain Lakshmi (who had served in the Indian National Army of Subash Chandra Bose), Mrinalini Sarabhai, Mallika Sarabhai and Subashini Ali. Freedom fighter G Susheela Amma, a relative of Captain Lakshmi, resides at this house.
The crew at the unit says M T was very particular that the backdrop for the film should be a traditional tharavadu with wooden stairs, temples and ponds.
It is only a coincidence that M T also hails from this area.