Lakshmi Menon is a doctor, and Yogi Babu, a quack, in this drama

Lakshmi Menon and Yogi Babu will be sharing screen space in

Malai

, a feel-good rural drama that talks about humanity and nature, directed by debutant IP Murugesh. The director says, “The story is inspired by a couple of characters in real-life and events that happened in the landscape — the foothills of Kurangani — where the film is set.”

Lakshmi Menon plays a doctor who goes to this village from the city. Yogi Babu’s character is that of a quack who resides in this place. “They start off as professional rivals, but the experiences that Lakshmi Menon’s character has due to Yogi Babu’s character changes her understanding of life, human beings, the possibilities and impossibilities,” he informs, and adds, “I’ve titled the film Malai because the mountain not only forms the backdrop for the story, but is also a character in it. The film also talks about nature, how the events that affect it also affect us and how the life of the native people of the area is blended with it.”

While Lakshmi Menon and Yogi Babu are not paired opposite each other in the film, the director says that they will have great chemistry in the scenes in which they appear together. "We instantly think of Yogi Babu as a comedian, but he is also a fantastic actor who can do any kind of role. He showed this even in films like Karnan and Mandela. His will be a role that has a mix of fun, mischief and emotions. Lakshmi Menon has an aura of positivity around her, both in real life and also in the roles she has done. Plus, she is also a good performer," he states.

Kaali Venkat plays the antagonist in the film, a first for the actor. "He will be seen as a local thug who is boastful and greedy. Singampuli and Ramachandran of Aramm fame also have key roles. We have also got about 100 people from the region to act in the film as well," reveals Murugesh, who has previously worked with Susienthiran and Seenu Ramasamy.

The team has finished shooting 70 per cent of the film, and will be beginning the final schedule soon, he adds. "We had shot the first schedule in December 2021, and there were landslides in this region because of heavy rains. Our producer Ganesh Murthy Soundarya, for whom this happens to be his first production, was so supportive and organised a lot of jeeps to transport the crew to the shooting locations during this time," he says.

The technical team includes cinematographer Theni Eswar, composer

D Imman

and editor Mu Kasi Viswanathan. "Theni Eswar has been a friend of mine for 15 years. Since he is well-versed in this landscape and life, I got him onboard for this film. Imman is also a good friend. He has already recorded one song and composed two more. We will be recording them in the next few days. Yugabharathi is writing the lyrics for all the songs," says the director.