Did Manju Warrier, Indrajith Sukumaran turn down 2018? Jude Anthany Joseph clarifies

Director Jude Anthany Joseph’s latest movie 2018 has broken all box-office records in Malayalam and has done business worth Rs 200 crore, as per its makers. It’s a massive feat for a film, which had to be halted just months into production back in 2019 due to the pandemic.

The movie was first announced by the makers with a different title – 2403 ft, the maximum storage capacity of the Idukki dam. Several reports also suggested that leading actors from Malayalam including Manju Warrier and Indrajith Sukumaran will be part of the cast. However, both these actors weren’t present in 2018.

Also read: 2018 director Jude Anthany Joseph: I think I achieved my aim of being one of the top directors in India 5 years too late 

Though the crew of the film had undergone several changes, especially the cinematographer, the cast was relatively unchanged, reveals Jude, in an exclusive chat with OTTplay. “This was the cast that we had initially considered too. The only change was that we had considered someone else to play Indrans chettan’s character and the latter for Sudheesh ettan’s role. Apart from that, there was no change. We haven’t even discussed with Indrajith Sukumaran for a character,” says Jude.

Also read: When Pulimurugan released, theatre owners cancelled all shows of my film: 2018 director Jude Anthany Joseph 

On how Manju’s name might have cropped up, the director explains, “We had shot the film in Kalady High School and on the sets, I called the actors by their character’s names. Tanvi’s character’s name is Manju, and so someone would have thought that Manju Warrier was part of the movie, every time I called out her name on the mike.”

Incidentally, in an earlier interview, Jude had revealed that while writing the script of the film, he also had created a character for Nivin Pauly. This was as the bus driver of the ‘Rocket Bus’, which is mentioned twice in the movie – during the conversation between Tovino Thomas and Indrans’ characters at the latter’s shop and also shown when Anoop calls Manju from the camp. However, the director said he decided to drop the idea, as it was too massy for a realistic thriller.

That said, Jude is expected to team up with Nivin for his upcoming movie, which could also have Vijay Sethupathi and Rashmika Mandanna as part of the cast. “It’s not confirmed yet. Apart from Nivin, I don’t think the other two actors have a clue about this. It’s my wish to cast them in the film. I haven’t approached them yet, but I want to,” he concludes.