Malayalam film Artist is an adaptation of Paritosh Uttam’s English novel, Dreams in Prussian Blue.
Directed by Shyamaprasad, this story features Fahad Fazil playing Michael and Ann Augustine as his lover, Gayathri. The story revolves around their live-in relationship and the challenges they face.
Other members of the cast are newcomer Sreeram Ramachandran, Siddhartha Siva, (director of national award winning film 101 Chodiyangal), Srinda Ashab and Vanitha Krishnachandran.
“Transforming this story narrated in words onto the visual medium was certainly a challenge,” said Shyamaprasad, whose debut film, Agnisakshi, won the national award as well as nine Kerala state awards.
“Besides, this film is set in Kerala in 2013, unlike the book, which had its backdrop in Mumbai in 2010.”
For this role, Fahad has undergone physical transformation as Michael loses his vision following an accident.
“He has put his body and mind into this role,” said Shyamaprasad, who did his masters in Media Productions at Hull University on a Commonwealth Scholarship. After working as media researcher and creative contributor for the BBC, Shyamaprasad worked on telefilms and documentaries.
On Augustine’s performance, he said: “She has come up with a mind blowing performance.”
