Shaji Kailas takes over as director of Kaapa, shoot pushed by a few weeks due to Asif Ali’s injury

Prithviraj Sukumaran, Manju Warrier, Asif Ali and Anna Ben-starrer has undergone a major change in its crew. The movie, which was set to be helmed by Carbon and Munnariyippu filmmaker Venu, will be directed by Shaji Kailas.

There were reports that all was not well between Venu and the film’s crew. GR Indugopan is the scriptwriter of the film, which is produced by FEFKA’s writer’s union. However, a source close to the movie’s production team denied these reports.

While the source didn’t cite the exact reason, the person told OTTplay, “Shaji Kailas was the apt person to helm the movie after Venu decided to drop out.” The movie was scheduled to go on floors on the first week of June in Thiruvananthapuram with Asif Ali, Manju Warrier and Anna Ben shooting their portions in the first schedule.

However, this has been pushed due to Asif getting injured on the sets of Nishanth Sattu’s A Ranjith Cinema a few days ago. While Asif has currently been discharged and is advised rest, the actor is expected to resume shooting for A Ranjith Cinema after a week. He also has a few portions to shoot for Jude Anthany Joseph’s movie, which is based on 2018 Kerala floods and also star Tovino Thomas, Kunchacko Boban, Tanvi Ram and Aparna Balamurali.

“Asif is expected to join Kaapa by the third week of June. We are planning to begin the film’s shoot by June 24,” says the source. Prithviraj, who is currently in Jordan, will be back in India by June 11 and shoot the remaining portions of Aadujeevitham till the end of the month. The star, however, is expected to join the sets of Kaapa only in July.

Meanwhile, Prithviraj and Shaji Kailas are awaiting the release of Kaduva, which could hit theatres by June 30. The film, scripted by Jinu V Abraham, is a ‘mass’ action entertainer that also has Vivek Oberoi as part of the cast.

Also read: After Jana Gana Mana’s success, here’s what Prithviraj Sukumaran has to say about his next release Kaduva