What drives 10-year-old Ann Mariya to strike a deal with a petty con man, Poombatta Gireesh?
When Ann Mariya crosses swords with her PT (Physical Training) teacher at school, she decides to hire the thug to solve the issue.
This light-hearted entertainer, Ann Mariya Kalippilaanu, directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas has been received well and releases in UAE on September 12.
“I think the film scored with the simplicity of its narrative and the subtle message about the underlying goodness of people,” says Thomas, who debuted as a director with Aadu Oru Bheegara Jeeviyanu last year.
Sara Arjun, who is fondly remembered for her performances in Tamil films Deivamagal and Saivam, plays the title character of Ann Mariya.
Ann is the only child of her parents, who are doctors, played by Saiju Kurup and Leona Lishoy.
Sunny Wayne is Poombatta, a lazy ruffian who has his eyes set on Ann’s iPhone, which she has promised as his fee in return for sorting out her issue with the PT teacher.
“Poombatta Gireesh is a laid-back guy who wants to make quick bucks,” adds Wayne.
This role revealed Wayne’s potential in handling comic situations.
Aju Verghese plays Poombatta’s side-kick. John Kaipallil plays the PT teacher.
Finding a producer for a story with no star cast was the initial challenge for Thomas but once that was resolved, the film progressed smoothly. Thomas wrote the story along with John Manthrichal. A childhood memory sparked the idea behind the script.
“I encountered an issue with my PT master when I was in class six,” recalls Thomas, who has worked in UAE for a few years as a teacher before quitting to follow his heart. Writing the screenplay for the hilarious Malayalam film, Om Shanti Oshana, was the beginning. Thomas took the plunge as a director with Aadu Oru Bheegara Jeeviyanu.
Praising Sara, he says that it was a delight working with her in Ann Mariya Kalippilaanu.
“Despite this being her first Malayalam film, Sara [who is from Mumbai] would be ready with her lines. She became Ann once in front of the camera,” Thomas said.
The supporting cast includes Siddique, Shine Tom Chacko and Sethulakshmi. Look out for Dulquer Salmaan in a cameo role.
An admirer of directors Priyadarshan, I.V. Sasi and Sathyan Anthikaad, Thomas is next planning a sequel to Aadu Oru Bheegara Jeeviyanu. Jayasurya, who played the central character of Shaji Pappan in Aadu, will be playing the same role.
