Ahead of the release of Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham, the makers shared a video byte of late actor Nedumudi Venu speaking about the film. The National Award-winning actor will be seen in the role of a Zamorin king in the Mohanlal-starrer, which is set to release in theatres on December 2.
In the video, Venu says he is happy to be part of this historic film. “Themes like love, romance, revenge that are adopted for work of arts like cinema, theatre poetry and stories, are accepted across the world. Patriotism or love for the motherland is one such theme that is accepted on par with or even one step higher than those. Kunjali Marakkar’s story from Kerala is a mix of history, myth and imagination. And Aashirvad Cinemas and director Priyadarshan have taken up the challenge to make this film for cinema-lovers across the world,” he adds.
He further reveals that he plays the role of Kozhikode Samoothiri (aka Zamorin), the hereditary monarch of the kingdom of Kozhikode. He says he got to essay a king in Marakkar after previously doing so in films like His Highness Abdullah (1990) and Daya (1998). On his character in the upcoming film, he explains that Zamorin was a humble king who was caught between family tiffs and foreign forces.
The 73-year-old actor who predominantly worked in the Malayalam film industry passed away on October 11 at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Recommended
Venu was rushed to the hospital a day before his death as he had developed uneasiness. The actor who had recovered from the coronavirus, later developed post-Covid-19 complications. Besides this, he was also undergoing treatment for some stomach related ailments for a long time.
His funeral was held on October 12 at Santhikavadam in Thiruvananthapuram with police honours.
Venu acted in over 500 films in his five-decade-long career. Just before his demise, the actor wrapped up shooting for the upcoming Malayalam film Puzhu. Besides Marakkar and Puzhu, he will also be seen in other upcoming films like Aaraattu and Bheeshma Parvam.