Mammootty's 'Loud Speaker' is a hit

Malayalam Megastar Mammootty seems to be on a roll with his latest release "Loud Speaker" hitting the jackpot at the box office. The actor says he is "delighted" to hear positive reports about the comedy.

"Of course, I am delighted to hear such reports because this film is unlike my usual films where I play the lead," Mammootty told IANS over telephone from his residence in Kochi. A devout Muslim, the actor has taken a rare day off on account of Eid.

Directed by Jayaraj, the film sees Mammootty as a simpleton who helps an NRI in finding his roots. Bollywood actress Gracy Singh plays the female lead.



It seems to be a favourable year for the three time National Award winning actor. His Independence Day release "Daddy Cool" too has been a box office hit and is still running to packed houses.



His next venture is the much-talked about period movie "Pazhassi Raja", which is releasing Oct 2.

"Yes, 'Pazhassi Raja' is another one and I have high hopes from it because it is one film that has been in the waiting list for a long time. Yesterday (Sunday), the music of the film was released," said the 56-year-old.



Mammootty's "Kutty Shrank", directed by award winning director Shaji M. Karunand, is also complete.

"Yes, that is also ready for release and it may hit theatres by the end of next month. As always I have done my best and rest I leave on the audience," said Mammootty.



He added that his "Paleri Manickam", which is being directed by Renjith, will be completed soon and release towards the end of the year.



" 'Chattambi Nadu' is presently being shot. All in all, I am happy," added the superstar, who has acted in more than 300 Malayalam films besides Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and English in a nearly three-decade long career.

Ramzan brings cheer to Mollywood!

The Ramzan weekend has brought some cheer to the beleaguered Malayalam film industry reeling under an avalanche of flops.

Among the Ramzan releases Mammootty’s Jayaraj directed Loudspeaker, opened to lukewarm crowds on Sunday noon show but picked up by evening as the word of mouth was good on the film. It is said to be Mammootty’s best film in recent times.

MA Nishad’s Vairam featuring Tamil actor Pasupathy, Suresh Gopi, Samvrutha Sunil and others is getting rave reviews and is being appreciated by the family audiences. It is a slow starter at the box-office but has chance to pick up in the coming days.

Even Suraj Venjaranmoodu’s Duplicate is getting the audiences. The film considering its budget (Rs 1.25 Crore), will not only cover its cost but also will do better in B and C.

Pazhassi Raja: From the pages of history

More than half-a-century before the 1857 Mutiny, a ruler deep down in the South — Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja of Malabar —rose in protest against the British. Joining him in liberating the land was a motley bunch of devoted soldiers, tribes, and locals. He battled the British till his death in 1805.
And then, the legendary hero got lost in the pages of history. He was resurrected on celluloid three decades ago, in a Malayalam film. Now, a team with an illustrious cinematic background has got together to make the warrior come alive again on celluloid, and in five languages — Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and English. The Rs. 30-crore film has been produced by Sree Gokulam movies and is slated for an October 2 release.
Illustrious team:
The film is directed by Hariharan, the script by feted wordsmith M.T. Vasudevan Nair, music by maestro Ilaiyaraja and sound by Oscar winner Resul Pookutty. And then, there are a galaxy of stars — Mammooty, Sarath Kumar, Suman, Jagathy Sreekumar, Thilakan, Nedumudi Venu, Manoj K. Jayan, Suresh Krishna and the like.
Talking about the film, three-time National awardee Mammooty says: "This will be a one-of-its-kind movie. We've stuck to history, but there are certain gaps. History is from one date to another. What happened in between? We've tried to fill those gaps plausibly. And, there are many versions of how Pazhassi met his end. We've given him a heroic death."
Since the team was particular about authenticity, importance has been given to people, characters and nativity. In fact, half the film is said to be in English. Ask the actor, known for his intense portrayals, how he worked on the role, and Mammooty says: "I could take certain liberties with this historical character. But, I drew a character sketch, and worked within it. And, it helped that the director created the relevant ambience."
Mammootty says the film, which took two-and-a-half years to make, is a tribute to the nation and a call to stir patriotism in people. "We are unaware of so many people who have struggled for our freedom. What a strong will they had!"
This film marks the debut of Sarath Kumar, who has star status in the Tamil industry, in Malayalam. "I guess it is divine destiny that Mammooty and I star in each other's debut in a different language," laughs Sarath. The two first worked together in Mammooty's Tamil debut "Mounam Sammadam".
"It has been wonderful working with him," says the actor, even as Mammooty interrupts, only to say with rare candour, "This is one of Sarath's best roles. Naan guarantee. You did a great job, Sarath."
Working better A smiling Sarath mulls a while before admitting that working in a different language probably brings out the best in him. "There is more homework to do when you work in another language. You concentrate more, and prepare better for the character." Sarath plays Pazhassi's lieutenant Edachena Kungan. And his gait and build suited the role to a T. "After all, the thalapathy should look believable, right?" he laughs. "And, it was a great learning experience," he says, recalling how the tribals who were part of the movie, taught him how to wield a bow and arrow. There is an easy camaraderie between the lead actors. That, says Mammooty, is because of the time they spent together on the sets. "It was like living a bachelor's life. We were very jovial and had a good time. We would eat together…" "And, that shows on screen," adds Sarath. Sarath feels such a film is important at a time when we are forgetting history. "It is vital to know about our lesser-known heroes. And, as an actor, it has given me immense satisfaction." Working better A smiling Sarath mulls a while before admitting that working in a different language probably brings out the best in him. "There is more homework to do when you work in another language. You concentrate more, and prepare better for the character." Sarath plays Pazhassi's lieutenant Edachena Kungan. And his gait and build suited the role to a T. "After all, the thalapathy should look believable, right?" he laughs. "And, it was a great learning experience," he says, recalling how the tribals who were part of the movie, taught him how to wield a bow and arrow. There is an easy camaraderie between the lead actors. That, says Mammooty, is because of the time they spent together on the sets. "It was like living a bachelor's life. We were very jovial and had a good time. We would eat together…" "And, that shows on screen," adds Sarath. Sarath feels such a film is important at a time when we are forgetting history. "It is vital to know about our lesser-known heroes. And, as an actor, it has given me immense satisfaction."

55th National Award Winners List

The 55th National Film Awards (for year 2007) were announced in New Delhi on Monday. The award was dominated Priyadarshan directed Kanchivaram which bagged the Best Film Award and earned Prakash Raj the Best Actor Award. Umashree won the Best Actress award for Gulabi Talkies while Adoor Gopalakrishnan won the best director award for the seventh time.

Best Actor Award : Prakash Raj for the film 'Kanchivaram'.
Best Actress Award : Umashree for the film 'Gulabi Talkies '.
Best Screenplay award : Feroz Abbas
Best Supporting Actor : Darshan Zariwala for film "Gandhi my Father."
Best Supporting Actress: Shefali Shah for the film “The Last Lear”
Best Lyrics : Prasoon Joshi for the song 'Ma..' of 'Taare Zameen Par'.
Best Film of the year : Kanchivaram

Best Director : Adoor Gopalakrishnan for film ‘Naalu Pennungal’ ( 7th time)

Best Film of the year : Kanchivaram
Best film for overall Entertainer : Chak De India
Best Family Welfare Award : Aamir Khan's 'Taare Zameen Par'
Best Film award for national integrity : Dharam

Best Playback singer : Shankar Mahadevan for the Song 'Ma' ('Taare Zameen Par').
Best Screenplay : Feroz Abbas Khan for "Gandhi my Father".
Best Music Composer : Ouseppachan for 'Ore Kadal'.
Best English Film: The Last Lear

The list of winners in some of the other categories are:

Best Film on Social Issues: Antardwandwa (Hindi)
Best Children’s Film: Foto (Hindi)
Best Animation Film :Inimey Naangathan (Tamil)
Best Supporting Actress: Shefali Shah (The Last Lear ; English)
Best Child Artist: Sharad Goekar (Tingya; Marathi)
Best Female Playback Singer: Shreya Ghoshal (Jab We Met; Hindi)
Best Cinematography: Shankar Raman (Frozen, English)
Best Editing: B Ajith Kumar (Naalu Penugal; Malayalam)
Best Art Direction : Sabu Cyril (Om Shanti Om; Hindi)
Best Costume Designer: Ruma Sengupta (Krishnakanter Will, Bengali)
Best Make-up Artist :Pattanam Rasheed (Paradesi, Malayalam)
Best Special Effects :M/S Indian Artists (Shivaji, Tamil)
Best Choroegraphy :Yeh Ishq Hai, Baithayi Bithaye (Jab We Met)
Best Book on Cinema : From Raj To Swaraj: The Non-fiction film in India
Best Film Critic :V K Joseph (Malayalam)