Aug 18, 2008

Entertainment - Malayalam films sets for change

New Delhi (PTI): With release of Mohanlal-starrer Malayalam flick 'Akashagopuram', Kerala's film industry seems poised for a change in treatment of subject, language and a whole new way of marketing films, all aimed at its large non-resident community.

Following the footsteps of Telgu or Tamil industry, the film which is being billed as the 'costliest' Malayalam film will see a simultaneous release in theatres worldwide, something that is unheard of in Kerala's film industry.

"The film is a classic and needed realistic background to support the script. When you compare the budget of this film with Tamil or Telgu film, it is still much smaller," says director K P Kumaran.

With an international crew comprising Emmy Award winning musician John Altman and other technicians from Hollywood, the film based on Norwegian playwright Ibsen's play 'Master Builder' is also an effort to break away from conventional storylines that are usually set in Kerala's villages or fast-paced action flicks.

"In our industry, it is the first time that so much money have been invested on shooting, locales and international artists. This is also the first south Indian film entirely was shot in UK," says lead actor Mohanlal.

Subtitled in English, the film is slated for simultaneous releases in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Coimbatore on August 22. "There is also talk of releasing in Dubai and North America," says Kumaran.

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