Maharaja inspires a new-generation love anthology

KOCHI: They have many things in common, the love for cinema and the tag of Maharaja's alumni being the most prominent among them. So when Anwar Rasheed, Amal Neerad, Aashiq Abu, Sameer Thahir and Shyju Khalid decided to promote their upcoming film, Anchu Sundarikal, it was only natural for them to select the same campus.
For the directors of the film, which will have five stories on love, the 'get together' on Tuesday was a flashback to the days when the campus and its activities encouraged their dream of good cinema with mass appeal.Though they studied in different batches, it was their interest in movies that brought them together, and the same inspiration that helped them create this love anthology.
"It is a tribute to the centenary year of Indian cinema by the young directors of the Malayalam film industry," said Aashiq Abu. 'Anchu Sundarikal' will have five short films - 'Sethulakshmi', 'Gauri', 'Aamy','Kullante Bharya' and 'Isha' - with the common thread of love.
Nostalgia brimmed in the words of the five filmmakers as they narrated how they blended each of their stories to create this anthology. "This college has played an important role in shaping our characters and bringing us together for this movie," said Amal.
"We have never worked with so much ease and joy while making a movie," he added. This is the directorial debut for Shyju, whose work as a cinematographer has been well-appreciated in movies like 'Traffic' and 'Salt 'n' Pepper'.
Rajeev Ravi, the celebrated cinematographer-director from the same campus, is also a part of the venture. He is wielding the camera along with Amal Neerad, Shyju Khalid and two newcomers - Alby and Renadiva - for the project.
With a star cast including Fahadh Fazil, Dulquer Salmaan, Biju Menon, Nivin Pauly, Jayasurya, Kavya Madhavan, Isha Sherwani and Honey Rose, this anthology is set to hit theatres by mid-June.