Despite awards, 'Adayalangal' finds few distributors

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 6 (IANS) Malayalam film 'Adayalangal', which has won several state awards, released Friday, but its director M.G. Sasi says it was a huge problem getting distributors.

The film is based on the life and works of noted Malayalam writer P.C. Gopalan (1926-1974), popularly known as Nandanar, whose novels and stories depicted life in the army camps and battlefields during the 1940s and 50s.

Though it got critical acclaim and walked away with the best film, director and photography awards in the recent Kerala State Film Awards, getting it commercially released was an uphill task.

'We had initial problems for getting the film released in theatres and it was after some hiccups that we managed it. Due to a financial crunch, we could make just three prints and in 24 other theatres we used the satellite prints,' Sasi told reporters here Saturday after a special screening of the film.

Apart from being Sasi's first film, 'Adayalangal' is also the debut vehicle of actor Govind Padmasurya and producer Aravind Venugopal.

Sasi can take pride that his film won the state awards, edging out acclaimed director Adoor Gopalakrishnan's 'Naalu Pennungal'.

The movie is a socio-political take on the futility of war and the experience of the youth during the time of the Second World War.

'I am delighted that the film is still relevant because it brings out the emotions of a soldier, Gopi (Padmasurya). It also delves into the relationship between his mother and his lady love played by Jyothirmayee,' said Sasi.

Padmasurya said he had no regrets making his debut with parallel cinema.

'I feel this is the best beginning I could have made in the film industry. It was a hugely satisfying experience because I had to work a lot and I don't think I could have made a better beginning in an out-and-out commercial film,' said Padmasurya.

The cast also includes Sathi Premji, T.G. Ravi, Manikandan, T.V. Chandran and V.K. Sreeraman.