Exclusive! Asif Ali: Kotthu showcases the emotional ramifications of political murders that not many are aware of

Director Sibi Malayali is back after a hiatus with the political drama-thriller Kotthu. The film also marks his fourth collaboration with Asif Ali, who tells OTTplay that this film is the closest to a proper Sibi Malayali movie that he has done.

The movie, which also has Roshan Mathew and Nikhila Vimal, has Asif essaying the role of a political party member and the actor exclusively reveals to us the reason its subject appealed to him.

“The kind of politics that it says struck a chord with me,” he says. “I watch the news every day. So, I have always contemplated about the emotional side of the politics in Kannur and the political murders. When I visit my wife’s hometown in Kannur, a lot of friends and even college students say that their fathers were hacked to death or that they don’t know how many members of the family would be left. A lot of us haven’t understood that side of things and Kotthu explains that.”

On the movie that is set to hit theatres on September 16, Asif says, “It's about the loss of a friend and the consequent revenge-filled journey. It’s a movie that I am most excited about because it has come out really well.”

Asif and director Sibi Malayil had previously worked together in films such as Violin, Apoorvaragam and Unnam almost a decade ago. What makes Kotthu different from their previous projects? “I think the reason Sibi sir took a break was because he couldn’t find a script that appealed to him. Prior to that, he might have done several films just for the sake of it,” says Asif. “When it came to Kotthu, right after we finished shooting the first half of the movie, I was delighted because it was a Sibi Malayil movie that reflects the emotions of a Kireedam. I am not saying it’s a heart-breaking movie but it has emotions that would move the audience.”