| ‘Annan Thampi’ is the cynosure of all eyes as Anwar Rasheed and Mammootty team up again after the stupendous success of ‘Rajamanikyam.’ |
Every character, regardless of its varying shades, is dear to the actor.
New image: Mammootty and Anwar Rasheed say that ‘Annan Thampi’ will be a family entertainer.
After creating a new image and a smashing hit for superstar Mammootty, Anwar Rasheed, director of ‘Rajamanikyam,’ has now come up with a double helping of Mammootty to celebrate Vishu.
Anwar’s ‘Annan Thampi’ has Mammootty playing the roles of Achu and Appu. “While Achu is vocally challenged, Appu is a tough character,” says Mammootty.
“It was the search for a character that Mammoootty has not enacted before that helped us select this theme,” says Anwar Rasheed, whose profile boasts two high profile films – ‘Rajamanikyam’ and ‘Chotta Mumbai.’
Scenarist Benny Nayarambalam adds that it was Mammootty himself who first suggested the possibility of such a character. Although, the film was initially set in an urban theme, later on it was decided to narrate the story against a rural backdrop.
Sibling rivalry“The twins never liked each other even as toddlers and the sibling rivalry worsened as they grew up. Achu’s speech problem accentuated the rivalry. Finally, the twins are separated; Appu is sent to relatives in Tamil Nadu while Achu stays back with his parents. Mayhem ensues whenever they meet but eventually, the two realise the strength of their ties,” narrates Benny.
Mammootty says that it was a challenge to play Achu. “He has a speech disability but still manages to express himself. I am always on the lookout for such challenging roles. The other character that I enact in the film, Appu, is a habitual troublemaker,” says the star.
Shades of the tough but genial Rajamanikyam seem to have coloured Appu’s character. But Anwar does not seem to be bogged down by great expectations of another ‘Rajamanikyam.’
Different theme“Such comparisons or expectations do not bother me. And if viewers are expecting another ‘Rajamanikyam,’ well, I am all set to break that myth with an entirely different theme,” says Anwar.
His films usually revolve around the hero and do not have much space for heroines. “It was not done deliberately. Things are different in ‘Annan Thampi’ and the film has two heroines, Gopika and Lakshmi Rai, and they play key roles in the story.
“‘Annan Thampi’ is a family entertainer; it is different from my other films. I believe that the filmmaking process for each project should evolve according to the director’s and scenarist’s mindset and not attempt to pander to popular demand or blindly follow a trend,” says Anwar.
Which is Mammootty’s favourite among the two roles that he portrays in ‘Annan Thampi’?
“I can’t choose. May be the audience or every one else involved in its making can choose one as their favourite, but as an actor, I can’t be prejudiced. Every character, regardless of its varying shades, is dear to the actor,” he avers.
‘Annan Thampi’ is being produced by Marikar Films। “Seven films have come out of the banner since last April and this is our fourth film with Mammootty as the hero,” says Anto Joseph, one of the producers.
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