Exclusive! Anna Ben’s Anchu Centum Seleenayum is a feel-good film about a family’s struggle to own a house

After teaming up on screen last year in Sara’s, real-life father and daughter duo Benny P Nayarambalam and Anna Ben will once again be collaborating in director Jexson’s Antony’s Anchu Centum Seleenayum. The movie, which will have Anna essay the titular character, will be the first time Benny has scripted a film with his daughter.

In an exclusive chat with OTTPlay, Benny says, “It’s a female-centric subject and Anna plays the protagonist Seleena in the movie. It’s about a family who move from one rented house to another, and Seleena’s journey and struggles to have her own house.”

On working with Anna, the Chotta Mumbai and Kalyanaraman writer says, “I think it’s the first time a father is writing for a daughter. Both of us had been asked in several interviews when we would be collaborating as actor and scriptwriter for a project. We said that would happen when the right project comes along.”

He attributes it to Oru Second Class Yathra filmmaker Jexson’s efforts. “He would discuss several subjects with Anna in the lead. So, when he bounced off this idea, both Anna and I liked it. Jexson asked me if I could write it, and I thought it’s something that I could. That’s how we developed the story; after Anna also approved, we decided to take it ahead,” says Benny.

The movie also has Srindaa, Shanti Krishna, Mathew Thomas and Suddhy Koppa in pivotal roles. Further on the movie that has begun shooting, the scriptwriter explains, “It’s a feel-good family story. It’s based on ordinary people who live in Vypeen. Seleena’s family includes her mother, her elder and younger sister. So, it’s also a tale of survival of a family that comprises only women. The movie is also relevant because it’s a dream for everyone to own a home.”