Top Malayalam actors, 2010

It is a man's world, at least in the Malayalam film industry. Gone are the days when actresses performed magically on the screen, and the overall quality of films has been appalling of late. It's also become routine for every film to focos solely on the hero.

Still, there have been some nice performances in Malayalam films in 2010. Here, we take a look at some of the industry's top actors and how they've fared this year.

Before we begin, a few honourable mentions, for actors like Thalivasal Vijay (Yugapurushan), Kunchacko Boban (Elsamma Enna Aankutty) and Suresh Krishna (Kutty Sranku). While these actors were brilliant in their roles, they just barely missed the list.

Mammootty

He thrilled the masses with films like Pokkiri Raja, but 2010 was the year Mammootty proved, with his performances in Shaji N Karun's Kutty Sranku and Ranjith's Pranchiyettan & The Saint, why he is regarded among the best actors in the country. While the character of the Sranku(boat driver) required subtlety, the other had him with a rather humorous Thrissur slang. He also experimented with his looks to suit the character.

(source - Rediff movies)

Best Actor Review

Best Actor is a Super Hit!! 

Debutant director Martin Prakkat’s Best Actor is about a school teacher, who wants to become a film actor.
He has to go through hardships and some shameful treatments, just like any other wannabe actor, but things really go out of hand when he joins a goonda gang to earn some ‘original experience’. Well, it is a nice and simple story but the problem here is that it too predictable and lacks the fizz to a great extent. 

Mohan (Mammootty) teaches in a school, but dreams about getting into films. He approaches several filmmakers for a role, without any success. His wife Savitri (Sruthi Ramakrishna) and their son, is confident about his credentials and always support him, in his attempts to get a break. 

There is an inherent sincerity about the film, which is to be appreciated. Mammootty has given his heart and soul to his character, of a person who is never a conventional ‘macho-hero’. It is amazing that an actor of his experience and stature could handle the role in such an understated manner. But the film takes too much time in its narration and things often get painfully slow at several occasions. 

Lal, Nedumudi Venu, Salim Kumar and Vinayakan are part of a criminal gang and the story gets some pace with their entry. The four make the whole atmosphere quite lively with their mannerisms and the peculiar ‘Kochi slang’. They pep up the scenes with some witty one-liners initially, but soon after some of those dialogues get unacceptably vulgar.

The story often moves ahead without a definite direction right from the beginning and the lack of an interesting script is evident mostly. The highly conventional way that the film unfurls also tends to be a letdown. Some of the scenes and even dialogues have been inspired from yesteryear films in the genre. 

The visuals are good and the music is just about okay. Sreenivasan has a brief role as a film director and some of the mainstream filmmakers from Malayalam like Lal Jose, Ranjith and Blessy among others also appear in the film which gives some kind of believability to the storyline. The rest of the cast, including Kannada actor Sruthi Ramakrishna, has performed pretty fine

However, Best actor is in full swing and it is sure that it will become a Megahit of Megastar Mammootty.

Mammootty's Best Actor censored

Megastar Mammooty's Martin Prakkat directed  Best Actor has got a clean U certificate from the Thiruvananthapuram censors.

A preview of the film was held at AVM  preview theatre in Chennai.

Those who saw the preview say that "it is a light hearted comedy entertainer and Mammootty rocks".

The film is releasing on Thursday (Dec 9) in 80 screens in Kerala. It will be the first of the big Christmas releases.

Pranchiyetten ' heading for hundred days

Mammootty will be celebrating the hundred days of his new movie 'Pranchiyetten and The Saint' in a couple of weeks. The movie which has become the biggest family hit in the recent times now shows possibilities of ending up as the Superhit of the year after 'Pokkiri Raja'.
 
The movie which continues in more than five centers in its 90th day, is still registering good collections. In the metros, the movie is rock stable in its collections.And if the collections continue as such; this will be one of the rarest movies that will celebrate a full show hundred days in Ernakulam-one of the biggest metros of the state where there is scarcity in number of release theatres.
  
The movie has already collected around near five and half crores gross in its eighty days run.

Mammootty to launch Best Actor audio

The audio of Mammootty's Best Actor will be released by the mega star himself in Kozhikode.

Mammootty is coming directly from Mysore, from the location of his Kannada flick Shikkar, and the function will be taking place at Kadavu Resort. 

The road show conducted by Best Actorteam for the promotion will also reach Kozhikode on the same day.
 
The unique promo show has already become the talk of the town. 

The show had completed the first round through all the major towns in Kerala. Mammootty flagged off the road show two weeks back in Trivandrum.

Calicut University confered D.Litt. on Mammootty

The University of Calicut will confer honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) degrees on film actor Mammootty, freedom fighter Captain Lakshmi Sahgal, and historian Irfan Habib at a special convocation to be held on the campus on Thursday.

Governor R.S. Gavai, who is Chancellor of the university, will confer the degrees. Mr. Mammootty will accept the honour in person when Mr. Habib and Ms. Sahgal will be represented by their deputies.

Apart from these three, Calicut University Syndicate had decided to confer honorary D.Litt. on Malayalam novelist Kovilan also. But his death in June this year deprived him of the topmost degree of the university as the statutes of the university do not permit conferring of a degree posthumously.

The convocation will be held at a specially raised stage in front of the C.H. Mohammed Koya Memorial Central Library. Minister for Education M.A. Baby, who is Pro-Chancellor of the university, will attend the function.

Academic procession

The Senate will meet at a temporary senate house at the venue at 11.40 a.m. and ratify the conferral of D.Litt. degrees. The Chancellor will reach the senate house at 12 noon, and will join an academic procession to the convocation venue.

Members of the Syndicate and Senate will lead the procession, followed by members of the Academic Council, Registrar, Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor, and Chancellor in order.

The convocation is scheduled to begin at 12.05 p.m. and conclude by 1 p.m. It will be a holiday for the university on Thursday.

The Governor reached university campus on Wednesday afternoon. Security on the campus has been stepped up. Only invitees will be allowed to attend the convocation, said university authorities.

Previous awardees

So far, the university conferred honorary D.Litt. degrees on 12 persons. They were M.M. Ghani, educationalist and first Vice-Chancellor of Calicut University; K.P. Kesava Menon, freedom fighter and founder of ‘Matrubhumi' newspaper; S.K. Pottekkad, writer; Vaikom Mohammed Basheer, writer; N.V. Krishna Warrier, writer and editor; V.R. Krishna Iyer, jurist; Aryavaidyan P.K. Warrier, chief physician and managing trustee of Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala; M.T. Vasudevan Nair, writer; M.F. Husain, artist; Arun Nigavekar, educationalist and former chairman of the University Grants Commission; Amrik Singh, educationalist; and Kamala Suraiyya, writer.

Mammootty shoots in Bengaluru for Shikari

Megastar Mammootty was in Bengaluru on Friday and Saturday, shooting a stunt scene for his first Kannada-Malayalam bilingual Shikari. He had a very jovial and pleasure-filled afternoon at the Sapota Garden in Bangalore Palace with the Kannada film media, who were thrilled at his simplicity. Mammootty's actions surprised all. Why? They resembled those of Dr. Vishnuvardhan, who used to be similar in his attitude with media persons. Dr. Vishnuvardhan always came close to media after his formal address and interacted with them in a friendly manner; so did Mammootty.

Mammootty was very keen in explaining his intense role in the film. He plays a software techie who gets deeply involved in a novel he reads and later becomes one of the characters in the same novel.

Director Abhay Simha, who is directing Shikari, said that history has the answers for present problems. The award winning director ofGubbachchigalu also spared a few moments for the media. Abhay Simha has already shot Shikari for 47 days, in which the major schedule was at Thirthahalli in Shimoga running for 27 days. The action director of Singamand Naan Mahan Alla was capturing the stunt scenes in Bengaluru.

Producer K. Manju was extremely happy with the way Mammootty handled the film and said Mammootty is a perfectionist. The climax sequence will be shot on December 10th. The film is scheduled for March 2011 release.

Mammootty back with Shyamaprasad

After the path breaking film 'Ore Kadal' which was showered with accolades in international circuits, Megastar Mammootty will once again team up with director Shyamaprasad for a new venture.

This movie will also be produced by Vindhyan, who was with Shyamaprasad for his 'Ore Kadal'. This time the director will himself pen the story and scripts for the new project.

Meanwhile, Shyamaprasad is giving final touches to his latest movie 'Electra' featuring Manisha Koirala, Prakash Raj and Nayantara, which is planned to be on theatres by the third of December.

Pranchiyettan to celebrate 50 days at home

Mammootty's Ranjith directedPranchiyettan and the Saint has turned out to be a path breaking phenomenon of the year. 

The film has been critically acclaimed and at the same time a box-office hit.

Now Ranjith and his team are planning to celebrate it in a big way at Pranchiyettan's home town Thrissur. 

The celebrations would be held in a big way on October 30th evening at the prestigious Lulu Convention Center in Thrissur.  Most of the film was shot in and around Thrissur.

The film is running in full house at  Ramdas in Thrissur but the 50th day celebration will take place at Lulu Centre. 

Mammootty who is busy in the shooting for his Shaji Kailas directed August 15 at Trivandrum will take a break for a day to attend the function.

'August 15' location & Mammootty's Landcruiser stills...

Mammootty's voiceover for Anwar

Mammootty has done the voiceover for Amal Neerad directed Prithviraj's action packed Anwar. 

In fact, Mammootty narrates the story in the beginning and ending of the film. 

This is the first time in his career that Mammootty is lending his voice for another actor's film.

Mammootty agreed to do the dubbing when Director Amal Neerad and Prithviraj requested him.

Remember Amal Neerad's debut movie Big B had Mammootty in the lead role. 

Prithviraj is also maintaining good relationship with the megastar especially after the mega hit Pokkiri Raja.

Mammootty's Best Actor releasing next month

Malayalam film Best Actor, featuring Malayalam megastar Mammootty, has completed its shooting. Mammootty will be seen in two different get ups in this film.


The actor will be seen as a village school teacher in the first half, and then an aspiring actor in the second half. Shruthi Ramakrishnna will play the female lead role in the film.


Best Actor is produced by Noushad under the Big Screen banner and directed by fashion photographer turned director Martin Prakkat. Filmmaker Lal Jose will make a special appearance. The film will also feature actors like Bijukuttan, K P A C Lalitha, Salimkumar and Nedumudi Venu. It is expected to hit the theatres next month.

Mammootty’s Pranchiyettan is a sleeper hit

The Renjith directed Pranchiyettan and the Saint, is turning out to be a sleeper hit.

The film is reported to have taken a distributors share of around Rs 1.60 Crore in two weeks from 60 odd releasing centres. It is very strong in Thrissur, Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram.

In a recent interview, Renjith has clarified that he was forced to go to Goa to shoot the climax of the film, as no church in Kerala was willing to allow shooting on its premises.

Says Renjith: “ I wanted to shoot the entire film in Thrissur itself, but Church authorities refused to provide me with the necessary permission. Mammootty was very keen that I should not compromise and that is how our search began for a beautiful church outside Kerala which was found in old Goa.”

Renjith’s art director made the statue of St Francis and cameraman Venu picturised the scenes so convincingly. After completing the film Renjith donated the statue to the church as a gift.

Pranchiyettan and the Saint is impressive

Once in a while along comes a movie that makes your spirits soar and helps you forget the mediocrity that this medium often serves. That is does it without seeking recourse to any manipulative tools, that we are all too familiar with, makes is even more remarkable. It solely depends on unalloyed storytelling skills. 

Director Ranjith's latest offering Pranchiyettan and the Saint, starring Mammootty, is one such effort where the viewer is drawn into the story to experience the sheer joy of it. This film just tells the story of a rich but uncouth simpleton, C. Francis -- popularly known as Pranchiyettan. As his family has been into rice business, he is also known by a nickname Aripranchi, and this pains him. 

So, he makes serious efforts to get rid of the nickname -- and his efforts include diversifying into other businesses and supporting worthy charitable causes. But, as fate would have it, the nickname that has troubled him since school days, never leaves him.

Even the efforts that he makes are hilarious: one of them is starting a jewellery shop, contesting the elections for the president-ship of an aristocratic cultural club of the city, and even buying a Padmasri award for himself.

The brain behind all these efforts is his friend Vasu Menon (Innocent).

The story takes a turn when he meets  a female artist by the name of Padmasri (Priyamani) who wants Pranchi to inaugurate her painting exhibition, the proceeds of which are to go to charity. His name has been suggested to her by his childhood flame Omana (Kushboo). He had lost Omana to his arch rival Jose (Siddique), who is a reputed doctor now.

What works for the narrative of this film is the simple humour, which is continued till the fag end of the film. Initially Mammootty is ably supported by Innocent and Tini Tom in the comedic portions of the film. In the latter half the responsibility falls on Priyamani to support him.

Another twist that gives some depth to the story is when Pranchi takes the responsibility of a wayward teenager Pauli (Master Ganapathi) to help him clear his tenth class board exams at the behest of his school principal, played by Sivaji Guruvayur.

The film depends heavily on Mammootty's  histrionic skills to be convincing and it works.  It is this effortless and natural performance that gives Pranchiyettan the lifeblood.

Mammootty as an actor has resorted to slapstick comedy to prove his credentials too, but in this film it is quite different -- the middle aged character that he plays here possesses a natural sense of humour and does not require any help in the form of slapstick situations.

Among the  supporting cast, Innocent gives ample support to Mammootty in keeping our attention rivetted to the screen. It has been a long time since he has portrayed such a character, but here he gets a chance to bring back the memories of vintage Innocent that we fondly remember.

Priyamani may not have much screen time for a leading lady but her performance will remain etched in viewers' memory. 

On the whole, the success of Pranchiyettan and the Saint rests on the shoulders of writer director Ranjith who gives a meaty story to actors to dig their teeth into. It is the near flawless script and direction that give  this simple and straight forward narrative multiple dimensions.

Pranchiyettan and The Saint Posters

Mammootty staunchly follows religious rituals

As we all know, it’s the holy month of Ramadan and Muslims fast whole day and spend time in meditation. Malayalam movie superstar Mammootty is also staunchly following the rituals even after having lot of assignments in hand.


Mammootty is one of the busiest actors in Mollywood but he does not miss his religious rituals. The actor was quoted saying that acting is his profession but wouldn't compromise with his religious beliefs. He added that he continues to perform his duty as a Muslim while acting.


Mammootty is now busy shooting for his upcoming movie Best Actor, which is being directed by Martin Prakkat, a fashion photographer-turned-director. In this film, Mammootty will be seen as a school teacher, who aspires to act in films. The movie will be distributed by Mammootty's own firm Play House and is slated for release in October.

This year, as the festival Onam has coincided with Ramadan, the release date of Mammootty starrer Malayalam movie Pranchiyettan and The Saint has been postponed. The film is likely to hit the theaters on September 7, which is also the birthday of the actor.

Pazhassi Raja selected for Fukuoka Film Festival

Noted Malayalam film director Hariharan’s latest release Pazhassi Rajahas been selected for the prestigious Fukuoka Film Festival in Japan. It will be held from September 17 to September 26.


The festival started its journey in 1991, and since then, it has invited actor, actresses and film directors as guests to promote their films by organizing discussions and symposiums.


Pazhassi Raja, the 2009 blockbuster movie, featured megastar Mammootty, Sarath Kumar, Thilakan, Jagathi Sreekumar and Padmapriya in the lead roles. It also has actors like Manoj K Jayan, Kanika Subramaniam, Suresh Krishna, Suman and Linda Arsenio in various vital roles.


On 16th October, 2009, it was released across Kerala with 130 prints. Renowned musician Ilayaraja composed music for the film, which was produced by Gokulam Gopalan. Academy Award winner Resul Pookutty was the sound designer of the movie.

It is the only Indian movie, which has been chosen to be screened in this year’s Fukuoka Film Festival. Director Hariharan is very excited that his film got selected and is more thrilled because the film tells the story of patriotism.

Big Ms in "Arakkallan Mukkakallan"

The hot news smashing now Malayalam film industry is the next join-venture of pillars of Mollywood Mohanlal and Mammootty after blockbuster "Twenty-20". 'Big Ms' are joining hands once again for a movie, which is now tentatively titled as '"Arakkallan Mukkakallan"'. With this new film, the noted script writers Sibi-Udayan's are debuting as the director duos. This film from the banner of Playhouse will grace the theaters as the biggest Onam release in 2011. Megastar Mammootty announced this in Kairali TV, Asianet and Dooradharshan !! Lets wait for more details !!

Vande Mataram for Ramzan

The long-in-the-making Henry produced bi-lingual in Tamil and Malayalam, the multi-starrer Vande Mataram featuring Mammootty, Arjun, Sneha, Kalabhavan Mani, Sharada Arya, Atul Kulkarni and Nassar is atlast ready for release.

The producer of the film Henry says it will now release for Ramzan on September 10. D Aravind is the director of the film which has music by Imman. Mammootty and Arjun play cops in the film which has Sneha as a pilot.

The story of the film is how terrorism is creeping into south India, and how farmers deaths and agriculture failure is being exploited by terrorist organizations having base in neighboring countries.

Mammootty is on top of the world

Mammootty had taken time off his busy Malayalam film shoot in Kerala to attend the “most prestigious film awards in the country”.

After getting the coveted 57th Idea Filmfare Awards 2009 (South) in the Best Actor category for his brilliant dual role in Paleri Manikyam the Malayalam megastar said, “I’m on top of the world, I have entered double figures. Yes it’s my 10th Filmfare award. It feels fantastic to hold the Black Lady.”

The debonair actor, wearing a blue cheque shirt and black pant, was looking as dashing as ever and in fact, was the cynosure of all eyes. “Last year, I got immense satisfaction as an actor doing three very good films — Pazhassi Raja, Paleri Manikam and Loud Speaker. I would take this award as recognition of my work in all the three films,” said a smiling Mammootty.

Mammootty said he is always open to young directors with new ideas and will go the extra mile to do “something different, if the script is exciting.” Concluded Mammootty, “As a star and an actor, I have to take a middle path by doing mass commercial films but at the same time, do films that I feel are different and interesting.

I would love to get more black ladies to adorn my showcase at home.” The big question being asked is whether Mammootty will beat the record set by Kamal Haasan in the number of Filmfare awards.

Mammootty joins Best of Luck!

Megastar Mammooty joined the set's of M.A.Nishad directed Best of Luck, in which he is doing a special appearance.

Mammootty is appearing a superstar in the film and his part will be over with three day's shoot in Kochi.

Remember last time when he appeared as a superstar in Kathaparayumbol, the film turned out to be a super hit. But the last year when he appeared as himself in Prithviraj starrer One Way Ticket it bombed.

However Best of luck team is hoping to repeat the Kathaparayumbol magic. Asif, Rima, Kailesh are the other star's in the film which is scheduled to release in September. 

State Film Awards function held on July 25

State film awards for 2009 and 17th J.C Daniel award were presented by Chief Minister V.S. Achudanandan at a function held at senate hall on Sunday in Thiruvanathapuram. 

Veteran director Sethu Madhavan was given J.C Daniel award. The award includes a cash prize of Rs.one lakh, statuette and a citation. V.S. Achuthanandan exhorted film community to face the issues unitedly and open heart to resolve the issues, which can be settled through dialogue.

Mammootty received the best actor award for the film Paleri Manikyam: Oru Paathira kolapathakathinte katha. Swetha Menon received best actress award and Renjith received best film award for the same film. M.P Sukumaran Nair received second best film award. Best supporting actor award was given to Manoj K. Jayan and Suraj Venjaramoodu received best comedian award.

Roshan Andrews received best entertainment film award for Ividam swargamanu. Baby Niveditha (best child artiste), Sasi Paravur (best story) K.G. Jayan (best cinematographer), Rafeeq Ahmed (best lyricist), Mohan Sithara (best music), Rahulraj (best back ground music), Sarat (best classical music), Sreekar Prasad (best editor), Muthuraj (art director), Natarajan (dress designer), P. Sukumar (best debutant director), Sivan (best children's film), Shobhi Thilakan (best dubbibg artiste) and Ranjith Ambadi and George (Make up man) also received awards in the function.

Culture and Education minister M.A.Baby was among those present at the function. However, awards winners M.T. Vasudevan Nair (screenplay), T. Hariharan (best director) and Jagathy Sreekumar (special jury) didn't make it to the event.

Priyamani joins Pranchiyettan and the Saint

Priyamani who was holidaying in US has now joined the sets of Renjith directed Pranchiyettan and the Saint (PAS). She drove down from her home in Bangalore to the location of the film in Thrissur.

For Priyamani, doing a Malayalam film is coming home of sorts. Remember the actress had won many awards for her outstanding performance as Malavika in Renjith directed Thirakatha.

Says Priyamani: “As an actress it is always a challenge to do a Renjith film. In PAS for the first time I’m doing a film with one of the finest actors in the country, Mammootty sir.”

And her first scene itself was a combo scene with the megastar and another fine actress, the lovely Khushboo. Priya is essaying the role of a modern girl, an interior designer in the film. 

The King & Commissioner

Shaji Kailas and Renji Panikkar were one time the biggest hit director-writer pair in Malayalam commercial cinema.

They have made some of the finest action packed commercial hits like Sthalathe Pradhana Payyan, Thalasthanam, Ekalayavan, Commissioner, The King etc.

Their trademark was their heroes Mammootty or Suresh Gopi always spoke fiery punch line dialogues, and characterization was manly and based on coalition politics of Kerala. The duo split, after Ranji Panikkar turned director and moved on.

Now after 15 years, they are joining hands again with The King & Commissioner . They are actually joining two of their earlier hitsThe King and Commissioner together.

Mammootty who played the firebrand IAS officer Thevalliparambil Joseph Alex in The King will clash with the IPS officer Prithviraj. Suresh Gopi who played the original Commissioner due to commercial reasons has been dropped.

Says Ranji Panikkar: “After 15 long years I’ am doing a film with Shaji Kailas, so it has to be something really big. At the moment, I’m working on the script of the film. Mammootty’s right hand man and leading producer Anto Joseph has brought them together. The shoot of the film will start in January 2011, and it will be a Vishu release through Mammootty’s Play House. 

Kutty Srank audio released

Renowned filmmaker Shaji N Karun's much awaited project Kutty Srank had its audio release at Hotel Joyce Palace in Thrissur. The film is set to release on July 23 in Kerala.

Manorama Music who is distributing the audio made it a grand affair. Megastar Mammootty handed over the first copy of the audio to Father Joseph Valiyaveetil.

Please note after a few years Mamooty has rendered a song for the film under the baton of award winning music director Isaac Thomas Kottukapally. The others present on the occasion were actor Suresh Krishna and Utpal Acharya of Reliance Big Pictures who have produced the film.

Kutty Srank is about a boat driver and the three women in his life played by Padmapriya, Kamalini Mukherji and Meena Kumari. Screenplay and direction is by Shaji N Karun, P.F. Mathews and Harikrishnan. Anjali Shukla is the cinematographer.

Speaking at the function Shaji N Karun said "There is no truth in saying that the entry of corporates into filmmaking is not good for the industry. On the contrary, I could do Kutty Srank only because of the funding and the faith that Reliance Big Pictures had placed on me.”

Vande Mataram to be released in 350 centres

Megastar Mammootty’s film Vande Mataram, also staring Arjun and Sneha in the lead roles will be released in 350 centres in Kerala and Tamil Nadu on July 15.


The action-packed patriotic movie was made over last three years. It took 100 days of shooting and ten schedules to complete the movie. The film is being produced by Pankaj Pictures Henry, who had already given two hit movies Yavanika andMarumalrchi with Mammootty. T. Aravind has directed the movie.


The supporting roles in the movie are played by Malayalam actors Kalabhavan Mani, Jagadish, late Rajan P Dev, Jai Akash and Atul Kulkarni. The music of the film has been composed by D. Immam and Rajesh Yadav has done the camerawork.


The shot taken inside Chennai central jail is the highlight of the movie along with a patriotic song ‘Vande Matharam’, crooned by ten playback singers. Time Ads is distributing the film in Kerala, which will be released in 90 screens.

Mammootty changes priority

Mammootty who had earlier announced that his Martin Prakkat film Best Actor, would be his Ramzan (September 10) release, has now pushed it to October 15.

However the actor will have a Ramzan release and it will be Ranjith’s Pranchiyettan and the Saint.

Ranjith and Mammootty team has always come out with something different. Now after the critically acclaimed Palery Manickyam, the pair is back. Mammootty would play a rice merchant Francis (Pranchiyettan) from Trichur, while Innocent will appear as the Saint.

Ranjith’s Pranchiyettan and the Saint is said to be a film with lot of black humor and a satire. The shoot of the film planned as a “quickie” would start in the first week of July in Trichur and completed in a single schedule.

Mammootty’s Play House is distributing both Pranchiyettan and the Saintreleasing on September 10 and Best Actor scheduled for release on October 15. 

Priyamani is Mammootty’s heroine

National award winning actress Priyamani after her sterling performance as Vikram’s sister in Raavanan, is all set to be Mammootty’s heroine in Ranjith directed Pranchiyettan and the Saint, a Malayalam black comedy.

Ranjith is an off- beat director who has made some of the recent best Malayalam films like Paleri Manickam, Kaioppu,Thirakatha and produced the highly appreciated Kerala Café.

Priyamani almost got her second National Award for her outstanding performance in Ranjith’s Thirakatha, a film based on the life and times of late actress Srividya.

In Ranjith’s new Pranchiyettan and the Saint. she is pitted against another National Award winning actor Mammootty, and has also Innocent a top character playing an important role. The film is a satire and has Mammootty doing the role of an unscrupulous rice merchant based in Thrissur market.

Priyamani has given 18 days call sheet for the film for which shooting starts in the first week of July in Thrissur and will be completed under a month. For Priyamani it is another feather on her cap, and it will be treat to see her competing with Mammootty.

Pazhassi Raja in Blu –Ray

The classic Hariharan directedPazhassi Rajahas become the first film in Malayalam to be available on the Blu-Ray format.

Moserbaer, the market leader in DVD and CD’s have come out with the first Blu Ray in Malayalam and a function was held at Gokulam Park in Cochin on Thursday (June 17) evening.

Mammootty , Sabu Cherian President of Kerala Film Producers Association and G Dhananjayan of Moserbaer were present on the occasion. Due to Kerala’s Gulf connection there are more Blu-Ray players in the state than all the other southern states put together.

Pazhassi Raja on Blu-Ray is going to be hit which will start a craze for Malayalam films in that format.

It is another feather on Mammootty’s cap. Mammookka is a technology freak and has always brought the latest gizmos to Kerala and popularised it among the masses. 

Mammootty becomes ‘Best Actor’

Mammootty is giving breaks to a lot of new directors “who have ideas that can make a hit”. His new director is Martin Prakkat, fashion photographer who does great portfolios for the leading women magazine ‘Vanitha’.

During one of his journalistic assignments he met Mammootty and struck a friendship with the actor which led to him becoming director of a Mammootty film. The star was impressed by his script about a UP school teacher who wants to be a film actor!

So Mammootty asked his right hand man Anto Joseph and Naushad, to produce Martin’s film which has been titled Best Actor. The film is said to be an emotional at the same time rocking comedy entertainer. Kannada actress Sruthi Ramakrishnan is Mammootty heroine in the film.

Along with Mammootty there is strong supporting cast headed by Lal, Nedumudi Venu, Salim Kumar, Vinayagan and a special cameo by the comedy king Suraj Venjaranmoodu!

Old timer Ajay Vincent is the cameraman, Don Max the editor, and Bijibal provides music. The film is produced by Anto Joseph and Naushad under the banner of Big Screen, which last produced the hit Chattambinadu. Best Actorwill be distributed by Play House and will be Mammootty’s Ramzan release.