The film on conflicts of interest in new channels, starring Tovino Thomas and Anna Ben, reaches theaters March 3
The film on conflicts of interest in new channels, starring Tovino Thomas and Anna Ben, reaches theaters March 3
Idealists, ethical editors, greedy media bosses, puppets of politicians and corporates, crusade editors, daring, daring investigative reporters, scoundrels and laid-back writers… The audience of Malayalam cinema has seen a group of journalists, mostly unrealistic and exaggerated, on screen. .
Blockbusters starring A-listers and starring mainstream directors like Joshi, IV Sasi, Shaji Kailas, Blessy, and so on have taken the media center stage. However, most films were not always about the media or its work. At times, movies turned into investigative or political thrillers.
ensemble
All eyes are now on Aashiq Abu heartburn, releasing on March 3. With an ensemble cast led by Tovino Thomas and Anna Ben, and written by Unni R, the film discusses the behind-the-scenes work of newsrooms and news channels. Apart from this, the cast includes Indran, Renji Panicker, Sharafuddin, Joy Mathew, Balachandran Chullikad, Vijayaraghavan, Kunchan, Rajesh Madhavan and Navas Vallikunnu.
how different it would be heartburn Be from similar media-based movies in the past? Aashiq replied, “I want the audience to respond to this. For example, P. political and social conditions prevailing at the time of atram (1999) no longer exists. TV channels were not so widespread and popular. The dynamics of news and the way it was handled and disseminated was different. No Aradan DThe visual media dwarfs the ethical issues and internal and external conflicts affecting journalists. No I wishAbout the universe of television journalists. ,
He jokingly admits that expectations bother him and that’s why he doesn’t make any claims about the film.
Aashiq says that for some time now, he has been witnessing the cut throat competition among news channels and the pressure being put on journalists.
(From left) Unnar R, Aashiq Abu and Tovino Thomas on the sets of ‘Nardan’. photo credit: special arrangement
Aashiq says: “I have seen the pressure on my friends in the media from live news channels round the clock and what effect it has had on their lives. Some of them, like Unni, moved to other regions. I wanted to discuss all of that in a film. ,
Aashiq Abu with ‘Nardan’ director and filmmaker Unni R. photo credit: special arrangement
When Unni and Aashiq were working ranI, one of the films in the compilation anam penum, he explored the idea of a film on new-age journalism and journalists. He felt that Unni would be the best person to narrate the story of Chandraprakash, a television journalist and talk show host, with his vast experience in a news channel from its early stages, which was enacted by Tovino.
The director says that he could only think of Tovino to play the role of Chandraprakash. “Tovino is an interesting actor who can’t be predicted. He gets better with every film.”
current affairs
Although the film does not begin with a single specific incident, several contemporary events shape the story. heartburnAashiq says.
with his last feature film virus Based on real events surrounding the prevention of Nipah virus outbreak in Kozhikode, he is familiar with the process of transferring a set of real events to the screen.
with heartburnHe feels that the challenge as a director was to know what happens behind the camera of a news channel, decides the content of the news, etc.
“I approached heartburn As an ordinary citizen, the consumer watching the news unfolds the news on the television screen. Television journalists perform for the audience. That’s what we see.”
“I wanted to portray the pressures – internal and external – faced by a person in visual media. It had to be authentic. I didn’t want to make a film based on misconceptions…
He says that journalists working in new channels face more obstacles from within their organization and their fraternity as compared to print.
Anna, appearing as Shakira Mohammed, is the only woman featured in the poster and trailer. Has he missed out on the many women working in news channels? He said, ‘The answer to this question has to be given only after the release of the film. I cannot disclose it right now,” Aashiq says with a laugh.
He points out that not all journalists can be classified as immoral, corrupt and biased. “What we are showing is a situation where there is a conflict between old school journalism and competition, there are two parts to it. We have tried to discuss both halves.”
He points out that many of us know principled journalists and also those who are morally grounded in the rat race and the pursuit of power.
“I don’t want to tell who should be a perfect journalist because I am not an expert. In the post-truth era, there are a lot of pitfalls. Many of us have fallen prey to at least some gray areas where It is extremely difficult to understand fact and fiction. I think only time and technology will solve these issues.”
Shooting of ‘Neelavelicham’
While Nardan is still playing in theatres, Aashiq will start shooting nilavelicham In Kannur from the second week of April.
, Bhargavi Nilayamwhich was based on Bashir’s Neelavelicham, One of the classics of Malayalam cinema, it was the only screenplay written by Basheer. We go back to the original text and interpret it in a contemporary setting.”