Akasahagopuram - A day at the sets

Reading newspaper is good. But what happens when reading lot of newspapers. Probably you will get a different view point of the same things. Sometimes you might find something that will interest you. This happened to me. Browsing Kaumudi online I noticed that My College mate's dad is in London directing a film. I decided my Luck in trying to trace them. Since Leaving Cognizant Technology Solutions my burnt out initiatives are back. I called up the reporter for Kerala Kaumudi to know the where about of the Film unit from Kerala. He gave me the contact number of a well of Mallu Business man in London who provided me the details of the hotel where the crew was staying. I contacted the hotel looking for MR K.P. Kumaran, but there was no one in that name booked in the hotel. What is the next option ask for MohanLal (Mallu Superstar).That clicked. Mohan Lal gave the phone number of my friend Manu. The other major incident's happening in the world were England well placed against Pakistan at Lords, Middle East back to crisis. Talking to right people is the best way to get results.

After speaking to Manu it was decided that Saturday 22nd July is the best day to meet him.
Shooting was well into middle stages, so no roles for me. The North circular road is traffic
nightmare. Crawling through North Circular road myself, my wife and Vinoo reached the film shooting location. The location is beautiful and famous with the house, river and now us. We have advertised a lot about our visit.
It was drizzling a bit; the shooting was on hold. Walking straight to Mohanlal I introduced myself to him. You know my sound and name; I am the person who called up you for the director's contact details. That is my style (probably an aggressive way). He told me; Yeah, I know you. I was about to call you after getting your message. But you called me before that. Mohanlal finally had a chance to meet me. I introduced my wife and Vinoo to Mohanlal.
Vinoo was in a shock seeing the rich and famous from Malluwood. Dazed Vinoo was finally ready for taking photos. Starting with hero we gradually met the Cast of the film. Manoj K Jayan, Shweta Menon, Geetu Mohandas and Nithya Menon.
I was so pleased to see Manu's father K.P. Kumaran well after 15 years. With age catching up, he is bit lean now. I was told that MR Manu (happened to be the producer) will be there only after an hour. Manu’s mother will be coming in half an hour's time. We wandered around the location. The place is a lovely big house acres of space, tennis court, basket ball court and river Thames running behind the house. What else more you need, except the owner a nagging guy. But it is his house. The director gave a small briefing about the film, how the scenes were being shot. Many technical aspects of the film making were explained to us. Sound recording and photography fascinated me a lot. I wanted to a peep through the camera, but that did not happen. Finally we had a Mallu chaya (tea) bringing in the taste and touch of Kerala.
Back to where the cast is. I was talking to Manoj K Jayan, Shweta and Geetu Mohandas about how they felt about London. Did they go off to see the landmarks and all? We were talking a lot about Trivandrum, Poojapura with Mohanlal and whole lot of Stuff.
Manu’s Mother joined us now. Meeting her after a long time, there are many things to update. Provided a short version of what I was doing for the last 15 years etc.
A crew member was making models for indoor shooting. He used Thermocol and plaster of Paris for making it. He is so good in making it made me wonder of the effort people have to put in to make a film. You just pay 10 pounds or 100 rupees to watch a film. Few people become stars few people don't. The Technical staffs who are the part of the film making never gets recognized. I met Pattanam Rashid. He is the make up guy. He makes everyone look good. He is in the film industry for the last 25 years. I have seen his name on the screen X^n number of times. Finally I was able to associate the face with the name.
All of a sudden I find Bharth Gopi sitting there. A one time star of Mallu Movies a talented actor. He was stuck by paralysis. After years of rehabilitation he is back to what he does the best acting. I spend some time chatting with him. I also got a rare opportunity of taking a snap of Bharth Gopi and KP Kumaran (The only snap available in the world of them together).The heroine of the film Nithya Menon also joined in. Spoke with her for some time and some photos as well.
Director invited us for Dinner. I my wife and Vinoo joined the Dinner with the cast. Shweta Menon serving you, for a change it is good. I entered into a small conversation with Geetu Mohandas. She was telling me how she is missing idili dosa etc. They have been to East Ham and felt like Kerala. Mallu's as usual running around stopping her for taking pictures with. Dinner Got over,
Finally Manu arrived. I was Shocked seeing him. May be we can use him as Sightscreen (In cricket). Manu and I did a lot of catching up from College days to present. How 2 civil engineers ended up in two different fields. We gossiped about the old college days, the college elections, the fights cricket and old batch mates. Mohanlal joined us telling us how he was responsible for making us meet.
As the sun set, the crew was given orders to pack up, the tired cast and the crew got ready to leave. We also decided to leave to know what is happening in the world. It was a memorable day. I was getting confused with the names Manu and Vinoo for a while.