Lal Jose doesn’t hold back when he reveals the plot of his latest film meow, which hits the screens on December 24. It’s refreshingly different from most other filmmakers today, who are afraid to give too much. He is equally candid about why the team chose the theatrical release, “OTT platforms like a particular type of film, actors and pay accordingly, we didn’t think we met the criteria … Clearly, for these reasons we did not pursue that course of action,” he confesses.
meow His colleague Dr. Iqbal Kuttippuram has written on three films – Arabikatha, Diamond Garland, And Vikramaditya:, Like Arabikatha And Diamond Garland, the film is also located in West Asia. “Iqbal is based there, so his stories are located there too. These are the people he meets during his practice as a homeopath. He is empathetic and they tell him about their lives, these are the lives Those he has watched up close,” says Jose. The crux of the films lies in these real-life stories.
The film is a ‘family drama’, a genre of cinema not seen much in Malayalam.
Shobin Shahir and Mamta Mohandas are the main cast, which includes Salim Kumar and Harishree Yusuf. “The story is about Soubin’s character, his life in Ras al-Khaimah, West Asia. He is from Aluva, but he has been living there for 18 years and has gone through a lot in life, including facing an accident, losing his job and canceling his marriage. Later he married Sulekha [Mamta] And the story develops from there, ”says the director. The film is about how he changes and how the people around him perceive that change.
This is the first time that Lal Jose has worked with Soubin or Mamta.
“I was deeply impressed by Soubin’s work” Kumbalangi Nights – It was outstanding. I want my actors to go with my story. Soubin is a perfect choice as Dasthakir, he has effortlessly portrayed the change in character over 18 years. In Soubin’s hands it feels natural. I haven’t worked with Mamta before because my previous films didn’t need someone who is as beautiful. But this story needs it… to show the dynamics of marriage, their relationship and their lives with their three children. Salim Kumar and Harishree Yusuf also appear in lead roles; Music is by Justin Varghese and lyrics are by Suhail Koya.
Contrary to film stereotype, Soubin’s character does not doubt his wife nor treats her differently because she looks good. “So what difference will it make?” [the film] from others?”
The film was shot in Ras Al Khaimah, just before the second wave of COVID-19 in West Asia. “We filmed in a rural area near the border between Ras al-Khaimah and Oman. So there was comparatively comfort there. However, we got out prematurely, otherwise we would have been stuck there.”
Lal Jose has memories of a United Arab Emirates citizen who helped with the shooting and the shooting. “We wanted him to watch the film, but unfortunately, he succumbed to cancer. It casts a dark shadow on the joy of our film’s release.”
It’s been two years since one of his films was in theaters. [41, 2019]”I’m curious about the welcome [to the film], and how will people take the film,” he revealed.
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