Loham

Loham: The Yellow Metal

First look title poster
Directed by Ranjith
Produced by Antony Perumbavoor
Written by Ranjith
Starring Mohanlal
Andrea Jeremiah
Music by Sreevalsan J. Menon
Cinematography Kunjunni S. Kumar
Edited by Manoj Kannoth
Production
company
Distributed by Maxlab Entertainments
Popcorn Entertainments
(Australia, New Zealand)
Release dates
 Eid 2015 (India)
Country India
Language Malayalam

Loham: The Yellow Metal or simply Loham, is a forthcoming 2015 Malayalam thriller film written and directed by Ranjith. It features Mohanlal as Raju and Andrea Jeremiah as Jayanthi in lead roles along with Ajmal Ameer, Siddique, Mythili, Tini Tom, Vijayaraghavan, Renji Panicker and V. K. Prakash in significant roles. The film is produced by Antony Perumbavoor under the banner Aashirvad Cinemas. It deals with gold smuggling into Kerala through airports.[1]

Premise

The movie focuses on Raju (Mohanlal) who works as a taxi driver for "Taxi Nation" and was assigned to pick up Jayanthi (Andrea Jeremiah) from Cochin International Airport, who was arriving from Mumbai. Jayanthi has a certain plan that has to be executed during her trip and how Raju plays a vital role in it forms the crux of the story. The film is narrated through the incidents occurring in the lives of the Raju & Jayanthi with ongoing controversial gold smuggling into Kerala through airports as the main backdrop.

Cast

Production

Development

In 2013, Ranjith announced a project for Aashirvad Cinemas as Manju Warrier’s comeback film, with Mohanlal in lead along with Prithviraj Sukumaran. Despite of the hype n hoola over the casting coup, the project got shelved due to the similarities with Thira (2013). Ranjith planned a film featuring Mohanlal which was tentatively titled as G for Gold. But the project didn't proceed post scripting stage. Ranjith later explained that he is not comfortable writing a script with an actor in mind. Also he didn't find the script good enough to be the next Mohanlal movie after the record blockbuster, Drishyam (2013). Ranjith went onto make Njaan (2014) featuring Dulquer Salman which failed to create impact. He confirmed that he will be scripting a Shaji Kailas project for Aashirvad Cinemas along with Renji Panicker. He later announced a film featuring Jayaram in lead. The film dealt with the mindset and anxieties of a 50 year old father regarding his teenage son. But due to unknown reasons the film got postponed. [2] In January 2015, there were reports that Ranjith and Mohanlal are joining for their next project which starts on February 7, and rumours found their space for Manju and Jayaram to team up with them, after merging with earlier reports of the Jayaram-Ranjith movie and the cancelled Manju Warrier comeback film.[3][4]

Later it was confirmed that Ranjith's next film will have Mohanlal in lead under the banner of Aashirvad Cinemas. This is also the fourth film by Ranjith for Antony Perumbavoor with whom he has a successful association through films like Narasimham (2000), Ravanaprabhu (2001) (which marked his directorial debut) & Spirit (2012). In February 19th, the film was officially titled as Loham which is rumoured to be an action thriller and revised version of the earlier shelved G for Gold. Kunjunni S. Kumar, son of cinematographer S. Kumar marks his debut as cinematographer in the film. Sreevalsan J. Menon will be handling with music department. The films will be shot in Kozhikode, Cochin, New Delhi & Dubai.[5]

Casting

After casting Mohanlal, the rumours claimed that Manju Warrier was going to play the female lead in the movie. But by putting an end to rumours, Andrea Jeremiah was chosen to play the female lead. It is the first time Andrea is teaming up with Mohanlal and her third Malayalam film after Annayum Rasoolum (2013) & London Bridge (2014).[6] Ajmal Ameer officially announced that he will be playing an important role in the film through his facebook page. He will be associating with Mohanlal after Madampi (2008).[7] Director V. K. Prakash plays a pivotal role in the film along with Siddique, who was earlier confirmed for G for Gold. Hareesh Peradi will be acting with Mohanlal after Red Chillies (2009) in which he made his debut. Vijayaraghavan, Renji Panicker, Mohan Jose, Tini Tom, Mythili, Thesni Khan, Muthumani, Gauri Nanda, Joju George, Ashvin Mathew etc forms the rest of the cast. Mythili, who made her acting debut through Ranjith's Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha (2009), apart doing a key role, will be one of the assistant directors.[8] National Award winner Musthafa is also part of the cast and also be assisting Ranjith in Loham. Aju Varghese was later roped in to play a short role.[9]

During the course of shooting, rumours commenced once again regarding Manju Warrier's involvement in the project. Ajmal Ameer claimed through his facebook account on March 23 2015 that Manju Warrier is part of the cast and reports claim that she is playing a guest role in the movie. Srinda Ashab has been roped in for a song sequence along with Manikuttan. Her name was suggested by Mythili who is assisting the director. The dance sequence was conneced to Hindu wedding and was shot at Kozhikode.[10] From April 27, 2015 report came suggesting Prithviraj Sukumaran will essay the role of a police officer in a brief role. His shoot is scheduled for 3 days and it is the first time he will be sharing screen space with Mohanlal.[11]

Filming

The principal photography began on March 8, 2015 at Calicut International Airport with a shot featuring Ashvin Mathew & Hareesh Peradi.[12] Manikuttan, Renji Panicker, Irshad, Abu Salim, Gauri Nanda were part of the Calicut schedule. Mohanlal & Andrea Jeremiah joined the sets on March 16 2015 during the Cochin Schedule along with Mythili.[13] The film has locations in Kochi, Kozhikode and a 2 days schedule in Dubai.[14]

Marketing

The first look of the title font was released on March 10, 2015. The golden fonted title with the tagline, "The Yellow Metal" suggesting that the film is dealing with the gold smuggling to Kerala through airports, which has been creating news for past few months.

References

  1. ↑ "'Loham': Mohanlal Looks Fit and Fab for Upcoming Ranjith Movie". International Business Times. March 18, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Ranjith-Mohanlal film named 'Loham'". Sify.com. February 17, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Mohanlal-Manju Warier in Ranjith film?". Kaumudi. January 19, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Mohanlal to team up with Ranjith?". The Times of India. January 9, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Ranjith-Lal movie Loham". indiaglitz.com. February 18, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Not Manju, it's Andrea for Mohanlal". nowrunning.com. February 4, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  7. ↑ Soman, Deepa (February 17, 2015). "Ajmal Ameer to act with Mohanlal again". The Times of India.
  8. ↑ "Mythili behind Camera". Kaumudi. March 28, 2015.
  9. ↑ Sathyendran, Nita (March 26, 2015). "Being Aju". The Hindu.
  10. ↑ "Srinda to shake a leg in Loham". Kaumudi. 19 April 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  11. ↑ TNN (27 April 2015). "Prithviraj to do a cameo in Mohanlal’s Loham". The Times of India. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  12. ↑ Soman, Deepa. "Loham shooting starts". The Times of India.
  13. ↑ "'Loham' shooting started". The Times of India. March 10, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Loham: Mohanlal to make a comeback as an action hero". Manoramaonline.com. 18 March 2015.

External links