The New Zealand cast and crew of the Malayalam movie Pappa received positive reviews in their preview screenings in Ernakulam and Trivandrum.
“Pappa is the first Malayalam film (subtitled in English) by Vin Win Entertainment and Golden Age Films, shot primarily in New Zealand and boasts mainly of New Zealand cast and crew,“ said Vinosh Kumar Maheswaran, the producer of the film, in an exclusive interview with Indian Newslink.
The plot
“Pappa” portrays the narrative of an Indian family who has moved to New Zealand. The film depicts the painful experience that a nucleus family of father, mother, and child goes through when some unsettling incidents shatter their previously serene family life. The narrative begins in the present and moves into the past of one of the parents, in the aftermath of their daughter’s disappearance.
Through this film, the filmmakers hope to shed some light on some important societal challenges confronting New Zealand society.
The making of the film
Describing themselves as a passionate group of friends who have had experience working in the Malayalam film sector, Vinosh said that they were initially unclear about the processes of curating a film in New Zealand but decided that they have to emabrk on this journey. The team conceptualised the film in 2020 but Covid put a halt on their plans. “People laughed at us when we said we wanted to make a movie in New Zealand. And it was no easy feat as all involved had other full-time jobs and were from different parts of New Zealand. Bringing them together at a time when all were available was a big challenge,” said Vinosh.
There were many other challenges that this passionate group faced. Vinosh cited how he had to replace his female protagonist thrice: “The other big challenge was that because the film took two years to make in-between the halts of the pandemic, the initial heroine, from Australia got pregnant and we had to replace her with another. Then came another long lockdown during which the replacement heroine also got pregnant. Sharol Sunny is our third heroine for this movie, but we are very happy that she came on board as she has performed really well” said Vinosh.
Funding for the project
Vinosh, who works full-time at Middlemore Hospital, set aside a substantial portion of his monthly pay to make the film. He also had to pool resources from friends to see the project through to its completion. “I am married and have a one-year-old child and any wife would have thought that this is a crazy venture, but my wife supported my decision to pursue my passion,” said Vinosh. Vinosh’s wife is a dancer who aspires to set up a dance school in New Zealand.
Cast and Crew
Pappa is a film written, directed, and filmed by Shibu Andrews. Shibhu Andrews is the recipient of the Kerala State Critics Award for his short film Karayunnengil Enthinnu.
Anil Anto is the protagonist of the film. Anil Anto is most known for his work in the Malayalam-language film Second Show (2012), directed by Srinath Rajendran and starring Dulquer Salman and Sunny Wayne, as well as for his role in the Mammootty-Fahad Faasil-Lal Jose film Immanuel. As of 2021, Anil had appeared in about 20 short films. He has received numerous Best Actor awards including the Port Blair International Film Festival and the Kalaburagi International Film awards.
There are three songs in the movie with the music scored by Jayesh Stephen and rendered by playback singers of India, Naresh Iyer (National Award winner, 2006), Sithara Krishnakumar (Kerala State Award winner: 2012, 2017, 2021), and New Zealand’s own Nyga Sanu.
Premier Shows in New Zealand
The international premiere of “Pappa” will take place in Auckland on December 1, 2022. The film will be shown at Hoyts and Event cinemas. The film premieres in Hamilton on December 2nd, followed by other cities around New Zealand the following week. The cast and crew invite the wider New Zealand community to support the film and watch it in the theatres.
The New Zealand Film Commission provides financing and investment opportunities to New Zealand filmmakers in order to assist them in creating and producing feature films and short films. Those interested in curating films may learn more at the New Zealand Film Commission’s website.
Malini Yugendran is an Indian Newslink correspondent based in Auckland.
