What happens when an untrained loner is thrown in the middle of aboisterous drama company? The scene gets more intriguing when the manis supposed to put on the greasepaint for Jesus Christ. DebutantMarthandan’s ‘Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus’ definitely has a promisingbackdrop. And, the film starring Mammootty in the title role comeswith every ingredient to appease the festival audience. “This one willbe a total entertainer,” says Benny P Nayarambalam, scenarist of thefilm.The film is woven around the members of a drama troupe and a stranger who suddenly enters their life. “This is no ordinary company, but more like a theatre family as all members are stage performers. The troupe has hit a rough patch and the members are struggling to raise money for their new play. It’s then they are approached by the churchto stage a play,” Benny explains the basic story premise. They plan to do a light and sound show based on Mishiha Charitharm depicting the life and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. But they cannot find an actor who has the physique and facial features of Christ.“It’s then they stumble upon Cleetus with his long flowing hair and soft eyes and end up dragging him to the rehearsal camp,” he says.Cleetus has no clue about theatre, but joins the troupe as the lead actor. “How this unexpected tryst with an art form and a handful of strangers change his life forms the rest of the film,” says the scenarist.Benny says despite the humourous thread the film is not a hardcore comedy. “There is a jovial flavour, but the film shows how an art form can transform an individual. Cleetus is a character with a tinge of mystery as nobody knows anything about him,” he says.Another highlight of the film is that it draws parallels between present day situations and incidents cited in Bible. “Though not straight out of the holy book, there are instances and characters with Biblical shades. For example the role played by Honey Rose will remind you of Mary Magdalene,” he says. The actress appears on screen as Lakshmy, a widow who runs a tailor shop. She is a single mother and society looks at her with suspicion and disapproval. Since she is the one in charge of the costumes of the troupe, she is acquainted with all the members of it.The film also has a romantic track led by Rejith Menon and Sanam Shetty. “Rejith plays Alex, the son of a police officer who joins the troupe so that he can be near his ladylove,” says Benny. P Balachandran appears as Vadakkumthala Raphael, the aging drama troupe owner caught in difficult times. Th e s n i Kh a n p l a y s Kumbalangi Maria, a stage artist while Siddique, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Kailash and Aju Varghese are also part of the cast.The film produced by Faisal Latheef hits the screens today.
