Asif Ali will star in director Arun Kumar Aravind’s upcoming movie Underworld. The duo have previously worked on the critically appreciated movie Kaatu.
Talking about the film, Asif Ali told ToI, “After the release of Kaattu, Arun chettan called and said he was happy with my performance. And three months later, he called again and said we had to make a full-on commercial film that could use our combination to the best effect.”
“Underworld has been planned that way, and it’s one of my films I am most excited about. We wanted to make a movie that was a 180 degree turn from Kaattu. It’s a mass film about a common man trying to exact revenge,” he said.
The actor is building up his body for the role; something he has not done for a film till now. “I will have to build my physique for the role, and so will have to follow a strict diet and fitness regime. I am hoping to stick to that till the end of filming.”
The movie features Theevandi fame Samyuktha Menon in the lead role. It also marks the acting debut of Jean Paul Lal. He is the son of actor Lal, and has directed movies like the Honey Bee series and Hi I’m Tony.
Fahadh Faasil’s brother Farhaan Faasil is also part of the cast. The film is written by Shibin Francis, who wrote the screenplay for Amal Neerad’s CIA, starring Dulquer Salmaan. According to Shibin, the movie is an ‘action crime drama thriller’.
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Talking to TNIE, he said, “It’s something that both Arun Kumar and Asif haven’t done before. It’s not a typical hero-villain story. These are not characters with grey shades. It’s a mass action film intended for all kinds of audiences, something that promises a good theatre experience.”
The shooting locations include Kochi, Coimbatore, Goa and Mangalore. The makers plan to release the movie during Christmas.