Shahi Kabir, a police officer with the Kerala Police, made his debut in Malayalam cinema as a author with the critically-acclaimed Joseph (2018). His second work as author, Nayattu (2021), was a good greater success. Shahi turned director with Elaveezhapoonchira, which is reaching theatres at the moment.
Shahi’s expertise behind the digicam has been as an assistant to Dileesh Pothan in his National Award-winning movie, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum. In 2015, he wrote and directed a brief movie In? Glorious Life with fellow cops working in entrance of and behind the digicam. “This is a dream-come-true moment. I had plans to direct Joseph, but I was not confident about doing it then,” says Shahi, who has taken a five-year break from his job.
Elaveezhapoonchira unfolds within the picturesque Ilaveezhapoonchira in Kottayam district, a vacationer hotspot and one of many highest factors within the district. The story revolves across the police wi-fi station on the hillock and the personnel posted there.
Shahi Kabir
| Photo Credit: Special association
Shahi had labored on the station in 2014, so too the movie’s scenarists Nidheesh G and Shaji Maraad, who are actually posted on the Armed Reserve Camp in Kottayam. “This is a spot where thunder and lightning strikes are frequent. Sometimes it would last for two to three hours. Although, the policemen take precautions, tourists are not aware of this. People have lost lives after being struck by lightning,” Shahi says.
There are a number of myths about how the place bought the title Ilaveezhapoonchira, the literal translation of which is flowery pond the place leaves don’t fall!
Although Nidheesh had revealed a narrative by the title ‘Elaveezhapoonchira’ earlier, the movie shouldn’t be primarily based on that work. “It is a crime thriller and we have used the geography and the landscape of Elaveezhapoonchira for the narrative.”
Soubin Shahir in Elaveezhapoonchira
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Shahi provides that there have been days after they needed to wind up the shoot by afternoon due to the lightning. “There were around 60 of us on the location and we used to take refuge inside the building that houses the station or jeeps..”
Initially, Shahi had approached a number of administrators to direct the movie. “It was just before finalising a director that we three arrived at a different dimension in the story and I decided to direct it.” The first day as director was powerful, he remembers. “We were planning to shoot a scene with a few characters. We had to change the plan and the first scene was shot at the crowded bus stand at Thodupuzha. I felt as if I would get a heart attack!” laughs Shahi.
Soubin Shahir in Elaveezhapoonchira
| Photo Credit: Special association
He mentions that they didn’t need an actor with the “stereotypical hero image” to play Madhu, the protagonist, and that’s the reason Soubin Shahir was solid. “He is a brilliant artiste and he blew us away in some of the scenes. This would be a landmark role in his career.” Sudhhy Koppa and Jude Anthany Joseph play his colleagues, whereas the solid additionally has over a dozen real-life cops.
Police tales
He stresses that though all his movies revolve round police personnel, the similarity stops there. If Joseph was in regards to the emotional upheavals of a retired policeman, Nayattu is about three police personnel who grow to be victims of the corruption throughout the system. “It so happened that the projects I wrote were about police characters. The stories are not the same,” says Shahi, including that his subsequent work, Writer, starring Jayasurya within the lead, additionally has a police character. Aaravam, a undertaking with Tovino Thomas set in opposition to the backdrop of the snake boat race, has been placed on maintain.
Shahi says he’s happy together with his journey in Malayalam cinema. “I tried to bring in something new and I am happy that it worked out to some extent. It is that confidence that keeps me going.” Nayattu was a game-changer for me. I bought calls even from throughout the police power, particularly from top-ranking officers. There had been affords to jot down in different languages as nicely,” he provides. Nayattu is being remade in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil.
Source: www.thehindu.com
