Varaal: Anoop Menon, Prakash Raj’s political drama goes on floors in Kochi

Director Kannan Thamarakkulam’s Varaal, which has Anoop Menon and Prakash Raj in the lead, began shooting after a pooja function held at Fort Kochi today. The movie, which is also scripted by Anoop Menon, is a political drama that has an ensemble cast. 

The movie, which will be shot on a big canvas, according to the makers, also has Sunny Wayne, Renji Panicker, Honey Rose, Suresh Krishna, Shankar Ramakrishnan, Gowri Nandha and Kollam Thulasi in pivotal roles. 

In an earlier interview with OTTplay, its director Kannan had told us, “It’s an out-and-out political film, which is based on the current socio-political scenario.” Comparing it with his previous ventures, Vidhi and Pattabhiraman, the filmmaker said, “In Vidhi, the politics we have presented is from a different angle through corruption et al. Similarly, Pattabhiraman dealt with a subject that affects the people. Varaal revolves around politicians and their politics.”

Apart from Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram and Peermade will be the other locations of the movie. Cinematographer Ravi K Chandran cranks the camera for the movie. Prakash Raj had last month concluded shooting for Kunchacko Boban’s Pada, which had him playing a character inspired by IAS officer WR Reddy. 

Anoop and Kannan had earlier collaborated for Maradu 357 that has been retitled as Vidhi. The movie revolved around the Maradu flat demolition last year. Anoop, meanwhile, has directed King Fish and Padma. Both movies are yet to be released. While King Fish has Durga Krishna in the lead, Surabhi Lakshmi plays the titular character in the latter.