What happens when Diana (a golden retriever) and Toby (a St Bernard) bump into each other? Not only do the two canines take a fancy to each other, they also end up playing Cupid in their owners’ lives.
Diana’s master, Prince, a dog trainer, supplies animals for film shoots. Toby is a guide dog for visually challenged Kavita, living in the same neighbourhood, in this weekend’s Malayalam film Ring Master.
Directed by Raffi (going solo after working with Mecartin on more than 20 screenplays and 10 films, including blockbusters Punjabi House and Puthukkottayile Puthumanavlan), this Vishu comedy is targeted at a family audience.
Dileep plays the lead as Prince; Keerthy Suresh, who debuted last year with Geethanjali, is paired opposite him.
“Besides humour, there are several moments in the story that will touch a chord with viewers, particularly dog lovers,” says Raffi, the nephew of noted Malayalam film-maker Siddique, whom Raffi calls “my role model”. Like his uncle, Raffi started his career as a mimicry artist, where he met Mecartin.
Playing a prominent role in this dog saga is Honey Rose, whose character Diana, an actress, shares the same name as Prince’s dog, lending ample scope for confusion and laughter.
“Since Honey’s character has negative shades, the role was declined by some actresses I approached. Honey took it up as a challenge. Her performance is remarkable,” said Raffi.
Another surprise awaits the audience with the return of actress Ranjini of Chithram fame.
Shot in Kochi, Pollachi, Ooty and Kollimala, Ring Master stretched beyond its planned schedule of 65-80 days owing to the ‘dog moods’ on the sets.
“There were days when we would be ready for a scene with a dog and it just refused to bark,” Raffi recalled.
Professionals managed around 15 trained dogs on the set. Check out a song sequence featuring Dileep with his canines matching him in dance moves on YouTube.
Raffi has also played a role in the film, that of a film director.
“When the dogs arrived on sets the first day, everyone stayed away from them. But after shooting, it was with a heavy heart the team bid them goodbye.”
Praising Dileep for his dedication to the role, Raffi addsed: “Dileep had to interact with several dogs and that was not easy. Some were aggressive, but he went that extra mile to win their affection. After a while, even without the trainer’s help, Dileep had them going.”
A news report on television fuelled the idea for Raffi’s script. It was about a man who refused to save himself when a rescue team did not allow his dog on board during a flood evacuation. The man and the dog eventually swam together to safety.
“That got me thinking about this relationship. I wanted to make a serious film initially but during the scripting stage, it blossomed into a comedy.”
Produced by Vaisakh Rajan, Ring Master releases in the UAE on Thursday. Gopi Sundar has scored music. Cinematography is by Shaji.
