Dubai talents shine in Malayalam horror-comedy Kinavalli

The movie opens up doors to film career opportunities for several UAE-based talented youngsters

This year has certainly been a fascinating time for Malayalam cinema. Movie buffs and critics admit that the new generation Malayalam film movement that developed in early 2011 has not lost its momentum, and 2018 releases the likes of Koode, Bhayanakam, Hey Jude, and Aami are witness to this fact. 
Characterised by fresh, unusual themes and exciting narrative techniques, Mollywood (as Malayalam cinema is popularly referred to) has finally steered away from conventional themes and the tendency to bank on industry superstars like Mohanlal and Mammootty.
Most Malayalam movies today showcase an honest portrayal of ordinary men and women. While Bollywood struggles with nepotism issues and Tamil and Telugu cinemas bank on bigwigs, a legion of fresh faces continue to sneak into Malayalam cinema, narrating tales of challenges, hopes and dreams of the global Malayalee diaspora.
The recently released Kinavalli, directed by Sugeeth of Ordinary fame, is proof that fresh faces can do very well in the box office. The movie released to packed movie halls across Kerala, India, on July 27. The GCC premiere took place on Thursday, September 20.
Based on a fake story
Featuring six new actors, several of the movie's leading cast and crew are Dubai -based. A fast-paced movie that dabbles with multiple genres, including horror, thriller and comedy, Sugeeth makes no qualms in admitting the movie is based on 'a fake story'.
"We have all heard and read fairy tales, have we not? At some point in our lives, all of us have huddled around campfires and shared illogical horror stories that we heard from someone else, and we found interesting. That is the essence of Kinavalli. It is an absolute fake story. Our writers added a little bit of horror, fantasy, and a love story, and thankfully, it seems to be doing well," said Sugeeth, in a candid interview.
The movie's script has been penned by Syam Seethal and Vishnu Ramachandran and produced by Manesh Thomas under the banner Kannamthanam films. Rated PG 15 by the UAE censor, the movie opened to packed halls in cinemas across the UAE on Thursday.
The story revolves around newly-married couple Vivek (Ajmal Zayn) and Ann (Surabhi Santosh), who live in the scenic, yet secluded location atop a hill station. To celebrate their wedding anniversary, Ann decides to surprise her husband by inviting his close friends Gopan (Sujth Raj), Ajith (Vijay Johnny), Swati (Sowmya Menon), and Sudheesh (Vijay Johny) home. The friends experience paranormal activities in the house, and events that follow form the crux of the story.
A few of the lead actors, the director of photography, and three music directors are UAE based. Comedy actor Hareesh Kanaran also makes an appearance in the second-half of the movie, playing the titular role of Appu Shanti. City Times caught up with some of the Dubai-based cast and crew members of Kinavalli to know more.
"The era of stalwarts is no more. The industry is now open to innovative scripts and ideas. If the story is good, and it is well-made, movie stars do not matter," said Sugeeth, who firmly believes that casting new faces will inspire new ideas.
The director added that the casting process worked out due to the efforts by the director of photography  (DOP) Vivek Menon, who has worked with Sugeeth on several projects earlier, including Madhura Naranga.
"We cast actor Sujith Raj, and worked with music directors Mangal Suvarnan, Shashwath Paliath, and Sreesai Surendran through Vivek," he added.
Kinavalli is Dubai-based Menon's first movie as a DOP. "The movie was shot in Kuttikanam and Peerumedu. Climate played a huge role in the shoot as we wanted a cool, misty backdrop to reproduce an eerie feeling, which we were fortunate to have," Menon said.
He also told us that several unexplained events took place during the shoot, adding a layer of mystery to the experience.
"We faced bizarre technical failures, crew member injuries, and the energy of the house we shot in, made the experience of shooting a horror film creepier." 
About 30 per cent of film's post-production uses VFX and CGI. "The remaining 100 per cent is camera work."
Dubai music directors score big
A student of SAE Institute, Dubai, and member of the band Raaga Factory, Shashwath Paliath, produced four out of the seven tracks in the movie. The songs are Raa Mazahyo, Panimalarum, Kalla Kadhakkarane, and Aaro Thaniye.
"The music scene in Malayalam cinema is rapidly changing. There is a lot of experimental compositions from established composers in movies now. Genres such as rap, hip-hop, electronic, rock jazz and Sufi are a rage these days. The industry is opening up, and directors are keen to experiment. What makes it possible is audience support. Though there continues to be elements of traditional music (in compostions), there is a fusion of sorts which makes it exciting for producers like us."
Producer, multi-instrumentalist, DJ, and vocalist Mangal Suvarnan has several records and is signed to leading labels such as Def Jam, Armada Music, and Enhanced Music. Kinavalli is his second foray into Malayalam cinema. He has composed the title track Raveguru for Kinavalli.
"One of the film's actors Sujith has rendered the vocals for the track, and I was nervous during release, to be honest. I first began work on the song in 2014. It is popular among listeners in Bangalore and Kerala. The song has got all the elements that the Malayalee listeners are comfortable listening to, i.e.Carnatic vocals and a bansuri (flute)."
Sreesai Surendran, an SAE Audio Engineering and Production graduate, has produced two tracks - En Kinavil and Aararum Kaanathe - for the movie.
"The song Aararum Kaanathe, sung by Reshma Menon, was very well received in Kerala. It is fascinating since a lot of us are from Dubai, and this opportunity has opened doors for many of us. It is great that moviemakers are looking at talent from Dubai."
Dubai-based actors put up their best act
After a whirlwind of promotional activities in locations across Kerala and Dubai since July, the six lead actors of Kinavalli are finally settling down to catch their breath. 
Sujith Raj Kochukonju, a former marketing professional, plays the role of Gopan in in the movie. Of the lot, Sujith is one of the most versatile talents to enter Malayalam cinema in recent times. He is a dancer, a multi-instrumentalist, and a singer who dreamed of becoming an actor at age six. He rendered vocals for the movie's title track Raveguru. He plays the role of a Dubai-based engineer in the movie.
Providing comic relief to the movie, Sujith was recognised after his slapstick comedy, and Vine videos went viral.
"This project is a dream come true. I was elated on the first day of the shoot. Honestly, only once you have begun acting you realise how challenging it is. It is like buying an IKEA cupboard. It looks straightforward, but building it from scratch is mind-boggling," said Sujith.
"I would like if people remember us for being actors with great potential. We have worked very hard for the movie, and the response has been wonderful," he added.
Ajmal Zayn plays the character of Vivek in the flm. 
"Kinavalli is a turning point and debut for 26 people who worked on the set. For the six actors, including the other 20 technicians and me, it is a dream come true," said Ajmal.
A cinephile, Ajmal entered the industry thinking he knows a lot about it.
"My first film taught me many things I did not know. Now I feel confident. I also believe every movie is a learning opportunity."
Meanwhile, the female leads Surabhi Santosh and Sowmya Menon said it was unnerving to act with a mostly male cast, but the rest of the cast and crew kept the team very comfortable.
Santosh said, "For me, success is essential but secondary. I want our audiences to have a good time. During the process of the shoot, we became good friends and the men were very respectful of our space."
Working in a horror movie was a huge challenge for Sowmya.
For Krish Menon, the actor who played the role of Ajith, Kinavalli is his first Malayalam movie and second acting experience.
"My first time in front of the camera was in Yennai Arindhaal (Tamil in 2015), directed by the legendary Gautham Menon. This movie has been a dream come true, and the crew were very supportive. When I started, I used to be very scared of re-takes. Now, not as much." 
Vijay Johnny, who plays the character Sudheesh, is the second comic relief in Kinavalli. He said, "I am ecstatic about landing my first lead role in such a big project. The  filmmaking process from start to this very moment has been a huge learning experience."
Playing the horror role was particularly challenging for Johnny.  "I had to work extra hard in the scenes building up to the climax. It was physically and emotionally exhausting," he said.
 
Dhanusha Gokulan
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com