PremiumExclusive! Indrajith, Suraj Venjaramoodu compete with each other as performers in Pathaam Valavu: Abhilash Pillai
The family thriller, directed by M Padmakumar, is slated for a March 2022 release
Last Updated: 10.42 AM, Feb 08, 2022
The first teaser of director M Padmakumar’s Pathaam Valavu, which has Indrajith Sukumaran and Suraj Venjaramoodu in the lead, promises a thriller that rivals the filmmaker’s previous superhit Joseph. The upcoming film is currently set for a March 2022 release and its scriptwriter Abhilash Pillai reveals more about the challenges of shooting the film during the pandemic.
Talking to OTTplay, the scriptwriter, who has also penned the script for Amala Paul’s Cadaver in Tamil, tells us, “The film is also an emotional family thriller that has characters we can relate to. It’s also a fictionalized take on a true incident that happened in the State. The movie is told in a non-linear way; it keeps shuttling between the present and flashback portions.”
Due to the mode of storytelling that also had to account for the various looks of Suraj’s character, the movie was planned in three schedules – which were shot in Thodupuzha, Wagamon and Kattapana.
“The first two schedules were also risky because we were shooting it when the COVID-19 cases were at its peak. Though we had crowds, we ensured that all protocols were followed. We didn’t have to halt the shoot due to anyone turning COVID-19 positive,” he says.
The titular road in the movie also has an importance. “It’s almost like a character,” says Abhilash. “The biggest challenge was that we had erected an expensive set at the place called Pathaam Valavu. When there was just four days of shoot left, the government had declared a total lockdown last year and so, we had to halt filming. Almost a month later, it was monsoon season and there was a risk of the sets being washed away. So, we got special permission from the authorities and wrapped up the shoot with minimal crew.”
The third schedule in Kattapana and Thodupuzha with a few portions in Kochi was comparatively easier, says the scriptwriter, who has also played a role in the film.
The earlier posters had revealed that Suraj will be playing a convict in the film while Indrajith will be essaying the role of a police officer. “Surajettan as an actor is currently scaling great heights and that’s why we needed an actor who could go toe-to-toe with him in terms of performance. Both Surajettan and Indraettan are performers and it’s also the first time they are teaming up for a film in this genre,” says Abhilash, adding that the movie also has “three good songs” by Ranjin Raj, who will be teaming up with M Padmakumar after Joseph.