Vellam: The Essential Drink, the upcoming Malayalam film starring Jayasurya, is “based on a common man and meant for the common man” which should be watched on the big screen, said Prajesh Sen G, the film’s director, in a conversation with Silverscreen India.
Vellam: The Essential Drink, the first Malayalam film to see a theatrical release since cinema halls reopened in Kerala after nine months of Covid-19-related lockdown, will release on January 22.
In the film, Jayasurya plays the role of an alcoholic, named Murali, hailing from Kannur in Kerala.
The film’s trailer will release later in the day on Friday.
“The film is based on a true story. I met a man, his name is Murali, I was inspired from his life and decided to make this film,” Sen told Silverscreen India. The film has been shot in different parts of Kannur, the director said.
Although shooting was completed in 2019 and the film was slated to release in February 2020, the raging pandemic forced the makers to delay the film’s release. While Sen got several offers to release it on OTT platforms, he said: “Considering it’s a common man’s film, it will be apt to release it in theatres.”
The film will release on OTT platforms and television channels only after the theatrical release, Sen said.
Talking about the sync sound method used in the film, Sen said the technique was rarely used in Malayalam films and thus makes it necessary to be released in theatres.
“I experienced and studied about the sync-sound method while co-directing R Madhavan‘s film Rocketry: The Nambi Effect and finally implemented it in my upcoming film,” said Sen.
Sync sound is a synchronised sound recording method, in which the sound is recorded during filming, thereby requiring minimal dubbing.
Vellam marks Sen’s second collaboration with Jayasurya, after Sen’s directorial debut Captain (2018). Talking about Jayasurya, Sen said that he knows the actor’s strengths and weaknesses as well as his style of working.
The journalist-turned-director said he has been passionate about writing, especially human-interest stories, and was working on film scripts when he got the opportunity to work with Malayalam actor-producer-director Siddique, whom he considers as his “mentor”. Sen said he learnt “some tips to make films” from Siddique, which he incorporated while making Captain.
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Elaborating on his future projects, Sen said he was planning to remake Vellam: The Essential Drink in Tamil. His other project, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, which is also eyeing a theatrical release, has been shot in multiple languages. Sen has also wrapped up a Malayalam women-centric film, The Secrets of Women, which is set to release later this year.
Vellam: The Essential Drink also stars Samyukhta Menon, Siddique, Santhosh Keezhattoor, Baiju Santhosh, Sreelakshmi, Johny Antony, Jins Baskar, Nirmal Palazhi, and Zinil Zainudeen.
Josekutty Madathil, Yedu Krishna and Ranjith Manambrakkat have produced the film under the banner of Friendly Productions, while Roby Varghese Raj is in charge of cinematography.