The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has announced the list of films that will be screened at the prestigious International Film Festival of India in Goa this year. With five Malayalam films, four Tamil films and one film each from Telugu and Tulu, the festival is set to screen a host of films from the southern states.
According to a statement by the ministry, the Feature Film jury of 13 members was headed by director and screenwriter Rahul Rawail. Malayalam film Olu, directed by Shaji N Karun, will be the opening feature film of the Indian Panorama 2018.
The jury comprised actor and filmmaker Major Ravi; director Agathiyan; director, producer and screenwriter Ujjwal Chatterjee; director Imo Singh; filmmaker Utpal Datta; director Sekhar Das; director and writer Mahendra Teredesai; actor and screenwriter Haidar Ali; journalist and columnist KG Suresh, director, producer and screenwriter Chandra Siddarth; cinematographer and director Adeep Tandon; and film critic and journalist S Viswanath.
Malayalam
Olu: Directed by national awarding-winning filmmaker and cinematographer Shaji N Karun, the film is said to revolve around the life of an artiste who is smitten by an underwater fantasy character. Actors Shane Nigam and Esther Anil play the leading roles in this flick which is bankrolled by Dr AV Anoop under his home banner AVA Productions.
Bhayanakam: Directed by filmmaker Jayaraj, this film has already won three National Awards: for Best Direction (Jayaraj), Best Adapted Screenplay (Jayaraj) and Best Cinematography (Nikhil S Praveen). The World War II era film is based on Malayalam author Thakazhi Sivashankara Pillai’s epic Kayar.
Makkana: Directed by Raheem Khader, the film features actors Indrans, Sajitha Madathil, Santhosh Keezhattoor and Kulappulli Leela.
Poomaram: The critically acclaimed film, featuring debutante Kalidas Jayaram, is directed by Abrid Shine. The film revolves around the Mahatma Gandhi youth festival in Kerala with Kalidas at its centre – a student who is interested in politics and has an artistic bent of mind.
Sudani From Nigeria: Directed by filmmaker Zakariya, the well-reviewed film revolves around a footballer, played by young Nigerian actor Samuel Abiola Robinson. Savithri Sreedharan and Sarasa Balussery play important roles in the film.
Ee Maa Yau: Written by PF Mathews and directed by Mollywood's experimental director Lijo Jose Pellissery, the film stars Vinayakan, Chemban Vinod Jose and Dileesh Pothan in lead roles. The film is a satire set in a coastal village in Kerala.
Tamil
To Let: This critically-acclaimed film won the Best Feature Film in Tamil at the 65th National Film Awards this year. Directed by filmmaker Chezhiyan, the film revolves around a family that has to vacate their house within a 30-day notice period.
Baaram: This is a 90-minute feature, directed by Mumbai-based Priya Krishnaswamy, revolves around thalaikoothal, the practice in some parts of Tamil Nadu of killing the elderly.
Pariyerum Perumal: The film is Mari Selvaraj’s directorial debut starring Kathir, Anandhi and Yogi Babu in the lead. The film, which has received rave reviews for its take on casteism, has been bankrolled by ace director Pa Ranjith.
Peranbu: This film, directed by Ram, stars Malayalam actor Mammootty in the lead. Mammootty plays a family man – the father of a girl – who rediscovers himself. The cast of Peranbu also includes Anjali, Samuthirakani, Anjali Ameer, Vadivukkarasi, Sadhana, Livingston, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Siddique and Aruldoss. Anjali plays Mammootty’s wife, and Sadhana, the daughter. Anjali Ameer, a transgender woman from Kerala, is playing a pivotal role in the film.
Telugu
Mahanati: Director Nag Ashwin’s bilingual project, the biographical period film on yesteryear actress Savithri was a huge hit this year. This explains why the film has been chosen for screening under the mainstream category this year. The film stars Dulquer Salman as Gemini Ganesan, Samantha Akkineni as journalist Madhuravani, Vijay Devarakonda as Vijay Anthony, Shalini Pandey as Susheela, Prakash Raj as Aluri Chakrapani, Mohan Babu as actor SV Ranga Rao and Naga Chaitanya as Akkineni Nageswara Rao.
Tulu
Paddayi: Directed by Abhaya Simha, the film revolves around a newly-wed couple from a fishing community. The film features Mohan Sheni, Bindu Rakshidhi, Chandrahas Ulla, Gopinath Bhat, Avinash Rai, Sadashiv Ninasam, Shrinidhi Achar, Prabhakar Kapikad, Vani Peruvodi, Ravi Bhat, and Mallika.