Acclaimed filmmaker Mahesh Narayanan and popular actor-producer Kunchacko Boban are re-teaming for “Ariyippu” (“Declaration”), the first Indian film in Locarno’s international competition in 17 years.
The Malayalam-language film follows Hareesh (Boban) and Reshmi (Divya Prabha), an immigrant couple from Kerala working in a medical gloves factory near Delhi, who aspire to go abroad for a better life. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, when an old video resurfaces among the factory workers, it opens up a Pandora’s box that threatens the couple’s jobs and marriage.
Narayanan got the germ of the film’s idea from a newspaper article about a female bank employee who had approached the Mumbai high court demanding a “declaration” clarifying that a video which had been circulated in her bank was a look alike and not her. That idea travelled with Narayanan for a while until he hit upon the premise about a migrant couple working in a gloves factory.
This is Narayanan’s fourth film as director and though seemingly thematically different from each other, they are always based on personal struggle.
Narayanan is one of the renaissance men of Indian cinema. Besides writing and directing, he debuted as a cinematographer with “Malayankunju” and is also a veteran editor with more than 60 film credits, many of which starred Boban. Narayanan’s directorial debut “Take Off” featured Boban in a pivotal role. For “Ariyippu,” Boban also serves as producer via his Kunchako Boban Productions, the first one under the banner. Producers also include Boban’s famed family studio Udaya Pictures, Narayanan’s Moving Narratives and Shebin Backer, who co-produced “Take Off.”
Next up for Boban as a producer and actor is “Nna Thaan Case Kodu” (“Sue Me”), directed by Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval; a political thriller directed by Tinu Pappachan; “Padmini” by Senna Hegde; and a project that will reunite him with his “Anjaam Pathiraa” director Midhun Manuel Thomas.
Narayanan has “Phantom Hospital,” based on the research of Indian journalist Josy Joseph on a medical scam, in development.
“To showcase my film in a premiere festival before its release was always an ambition for me. That finally happened in ‘Ariyippu.’ I am really happy that the Locarno selection committee picked this film, understanding its relevance and values,” says Narayanan.
“This is absolutely huge for us. To get such a launching pad for our film has also resulted us in getting invitations to many other festivals across the world,” adds Boban. “We are extremely happy, proud and honestly even relieved that the efforts that we’ve put in with a great deal of passion and commitment, is bringing in such good results. It is mind-blowing and so surreal, I’m just really grateful for it all.”
“Ariyippu” premieres Aug. 4.
