Lohithadas casts new faces in 'Nivedyam'

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 2 (IANS) Malayalam filmmaker Lohithadas is introducing a new set of artistes in his upcoming venture 'Nivedyam'.

College students Bhama, Aparna and Vinu Mohan play the key roles in the film, set around a temple and a traditional Hindu family of yesteryear's Kerala.

'I am extremely delighted that I was able to act in a film directed by Lohithadas. I was called just the previous day to act as the heroine and that was something that I will never forget,' Bhama told reporters here Sunday.

Lohithadas said that the different theme of his film prompted him to cast new actors.

'The real problem plaguing the Malayalam film industry is not the paucity of actors but writers. I have never gone after the normal trends in the industry. I always think differently and that is more than evident in my films,' said the veteran.

This is the 12th film that Lohithadas has directed and the 59th story and script that he has written.

It remains to be seen if Bhama attains the same stardom that Lohithadas's find Meera Jasmine got a few years ago.

'I have got a few inquiries for new films but I have decided I will do only good roles,' said Bhama.

Mohan, the hero of the film brings with him a long family tradition of being involved in the Malayalam film and theatre industry.

He is the grandson of the late actor Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair. His mother Shobha Nair and uncle Saikumar are veterans in the industry while his father Mohan Kumar began his career as a playwright.

'Even though I come from a film family, this is my first chance and I am extremely happy that it happened in this manner,' said Mohan.

Producer Omar Sharif, a Malayali settled in Bangalore is also making a foray into film production with 'Nivedyam'.

'First and foremost, we are all human beings and I don't see anything wrong in a Muslim producing a film which tells the tale of a temple and Hindus. Lohithadas is the best that I could imagine to direct my first film and I am certain to be back producing more Malayalam films,' Sharif said.

The film has been mostly shot in and around Palakkad. Another highlight of the film is the artificial set of a hundred-year-old temple created by art director P. Madhav.

Lohithadas, a well-known scriptwriter has written the script of many successful films like 'Bharatham', 'Kireedam' and 'Thaniavarthanam'. His first directorial venture 'Bhoothakannadi' won him several awards including the national award for best debut film.