Sesham Mikeil Fathima: Kalyani Priyadarshan has dubbed well in Malabar slang, says Manu C Kumar

Before the release of Thallumaala, Kalyani Priyadarshan had opened up to us about one of her fears – the audience not liking her Malabar slang in the film. Those fears were unfounded with the actress’ role being lauded by the viewers. Her upcoming movie Sesham Mikeil Fathima will have go one step further by playing a full-length role as a football announcer from Malappuram.

The makers had recently released the first track from the film – Tatta Tattara, a peppy number sung by Anirudh Ravichander and composed by Hesham Abdul Wahab – that has also served to increase its hype. In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, debutant director Manu C Kumar tells us about what to expect from the movie.

Also read: Kalyani Priyadarshan: I am terrified that people might not like my Malabar slang in Thallumaala 

“We are trying to showcase an inspirational journey of a woman through Sesham Mikeil Fathima, but it’s not through a typical template,” says Manu, who has also scripted the movie. The film is set in Malappuram where Sevens football, a variation of the game played with seven players on each side and on a smaller ground, is popular. “That said, it's not a football movie where the games have an extensive screen time. It’s just one aspect of the film, which is more about the protagonist’s journey,” says Manu, who had transitioned from a journalist to a filmmaker.

Also read: Kalyani Priyadarshan on Prithviraj and Vineeth: They are both polar opposites in the way they work 

Ask him about roping in Kalyani for the lead role and he says, “We had bounced off the thread to Kalyani after Varane Avashyamund. She’s a hard-working actress. She’s dubbed herself for the film, which has her character speaking in local Malabar slang throughout the movie. The dubbing has come out really well.”

Manu further explains that the movie entirely focuses on Kalyani’s character. “Usually, even when you say it’s a female-driven film, there would be a hero, who would help the character in her journey. In this movie, there’s no such male character. It's entirely centres on the protagonist,” says Manu, who has also written scripts for two movies that are currently in the pre-production stage.

Apart from Kalyani, the film also has Femina George of Minnal Murali fame, Shaheen Siddique, Aneesh G Menon, Sudeesh and Sabumon Abdusamad. Meanwhile, Kalyani is also part of Joshiy’s upcoming movie titled Antony, co-starring Joju George, Chemban Vinod Jose and Nyla Usha.