MUSCAT : It’s the month of August and it’s raining in Oman (not with rainwater) but with films, stage dramas by noted filmmakers and cultural organisations, are enjoyed by movie buffs with different genres of short films ranging from English to Malayalam on weekends, are screened at high-end eatries and at the auditorium of Indian Embassy. The first movie to be released was on August 2nd Saturday, of noted filmmaker Anirban Ray’s Video Haiku series 5 – The Winner – for a select audience at Pizza Modo in Darsait, Muscat, which was well received by the audience. After two days, Bhavalaya Art & Culture, presented “Paaru” a Malayalam short film acted by Somasundaram and Anita Rajan, was screened only to the invited audience at the spacious auditorium of Indian Embassy, Al Khuwair, Muscat. While, the third – “Kininjen (Trapper) short Malayalam film directed by Sinoj Ambookan, was released on a weekend on August 7th at Golden Tulip, Ruwi. Co-produced by Subhash Krishnan. He also acted in the film as underworld don, with white flowing stylish beard.
Fourth, the much awaited bilingual Musical Drama on Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings – “Kathaparayum Chitrangal” will be showcased in Malayalam and Hindi on August 22nd and 23rd at Al Falaj Hotel, Ruwi. The show directed by Sunil Krishnan Nair, has roped in scores of local artistes from Muscat and also noted celebrities will be coming from Kerala to perform the classic drama. The Screenplay writer and Director Nair, is dedicated with his team of over 60 members, and for the last two months, daily three hour rehearsals has been religiously followed by the team. For first time in Oman, Haiku – a Japanese format of poetry with few lines with different subjects, has been captured visually by Ray, on various subjects. His earlier Video Haikus – ‘Move On’ about the mother-daughter relationship, “The Lift” about a Dementia patient, “Not a Friend” about the misunderstanding between friends. He also successfully experimented on sweet traditional love for the Valentine Day – “Mr. Cupid is Cruel”. The role of Mr. Cupid was played by a medico Dr. Subhashish Sircar, with the traditional red-colured long flowing gown, armed with Bow and arrow, was a prize catch as an actor. The costumes of Mr. Cupid was designed and created by Azra Aleem, a well kwnon make-up artiste and an actor.
The young couple played by Riddesh Mistry and Nandhini Joshi, with catchy numbers sung by talented singers, is still fresh in the minds of the audience. The film is available on You Tube on Anirban Ray channel. This is the link. The recent one – “The Winner” is about a boxer Ali played by Sumesh Hariharan, inspite of financial problems at home, he is dedicated with passion towards his passion. He has big hope to bag the prize money, so that he can keep his family content. On the D-day, he is all set to win the fight in the boxing round, but his heart melts when he sees the little girl (Khiyara Pawani) praying for her father, who was at the receiving end in the ring, his heart melts and forgets his own misery and lets off his opponent Vikram, who bags the coveted prize. The little girl realize that Ali is a good man, though he is a loser, she goes to him and whispers in his ears, you are “The Winner”.
“Paaru” is about the agony of a middle-class couple from the Gulf region, facing the trauma of their only college going son, who goes wayward in wrong direction with young friends on drugs. The 37-minute Malayalam Short film directed by Kabeer Yousuf, showcase the couple’s day-to-day hardship. The mother’s role played by Anita Rajan, is unable to bear the trauma with the loss of her son and she goes mentally unstable. While, her husband played by noted Malayalam actor and anchor, Somasundaram, take cares of her by feeding, bathing and at the same time handling the abuses from his office. Somasundaram’s plights show his helplessness towards Paaru, who is mentally affected. While, Anita Rajan played well with emotions, but was looking scary and one of the scene, she spitting the morsel on the face of her husband, though it could be realistic, but for the viewers it was unbearable to watch. The song rendered by Archana Vijaykumar, was soul stirring.
The film is not yet released on Social Media platforms, as the filmmakers are planning to hold some more private screening of selected audiences. “The Trapper” Kininjen, is the first venture of Director Sinoj Ambookan, is about to trap gullible people who are unable to fulfil their families wishes. The story is about Vanaja a housemaid played by Indu Baburaj, working with the family of a Omani national in the in interiors of Oman. The lush green background surrounded rows of Palm date trees, is a pleasant treat to watch amidst the blaring music. The housemaid, is worried to get a mobile for her arrogant son back home. Here comes Pappen (Kabeer Yousuf), the Man Friday, who has solutions for every issues. Hearing the maids plight, he immediately, contacts the bad guys and tells about the trap, who will carry their contraband stuff back home to Kerala. The God-fearing women, helplessly trusts him as she wanted to give mobile to her son and carries the stuff trusting Pappen, but, she doesn’t know that she has been trapped. It’s well executed by Sinoj and team with an energetic music. All preparations are going on a war-foot to showcase on the August 22nd and 23rd deadline of “KathaParayum Chitrangal” in Malayalam and “Bolthi Tasveere” in Hindi at Al Falaj Hotel auditorium, with rehearsals, dubbing, costumes, music amongst all.