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ObituaryFounder of General Pictures Achani Ravi was drawn to cinema because of his love for the arts, and produced acclaimed Malayalam films such as ‘Thampu’, ‘Esthappan’, ‘Manju’ and ‘Vidheyan’.Courtesy - Fotokannan / Wiki Malayalam/ Cc By-sa 3.0Producer of several acclaimed Malayalam films K Ravindranathan Nair, popularly known as Achani Ravi, died on Sunday, July 8 at his home in Kerala’s Kollam. He had just turned 90 last Monday. Achani Ravi was the producer of movies made by legendary writers and directors such as G Aravindan, P Bhaskaran and Mt Vasudevan Nair. He was the recipient of several National and State Film Awards. Ravi founded General Pictures in the year 1967. The first movie he produced under its banner was Anweshichu Kandethiyilla, made by the late poet and filmmaker P Bhaskaran. He went on to fund two more films made by Bhaskaran — Kattukurangu and Lakshaprabhu. After producing the film Achani in 1973, made by another celebrated director A Vincent,...

ReviewTovino plays the protagonist writer with nuance and restraint, while Rima is charming as Bhargavi. The actors, however, struggle to deliver their lines from a 60-year-old script in a manner that suits modern sensibilities.There is a scene about halfway through Aashiq Abu’s Neelavelicham. The film’s unnamed writer protagonist (Tovino Thomas) is walking towards his rented bungalow, only to suddenly stop in his tracks, his eyes wide, staring spellbound at the vision in front of him. Bathed in a magical blue glow, the house, famously inhabited by a forlorn ghost, is beckoning him to come in and finish writing her story. As he enters the house in awe, transcendent blue hues enveloping him, he thanks his dear ghost, Bhargavi, for giving him this ‘neela velicham’ (blue radiance). It is at this point that Aashiq’s vision as a filmmaker, to remake A Vincent’s 1964 classic Bhargavi Nilayam, truly comes alive.

MollywoodThree songs from the 1964 film ‘Bhargavinilayam’, composed by Ms Baburaj and written by P Bhaskaran, have been reused in the upcoming ‘Neelavelicham’, directed by Aashiq Abu.Two days after receiving a legal notice, the team behind Neelavelicham, an upcoming Malayalam film, released a statement. The notice was regarding three songs used in the film, which were originally from the 1964 movie Bhargavi Nilayam. Aashiq Abu, the director and co-producer of Neelavelicham, said in the statement that the team had received the necessary rights and permission to recreate and reuse the older songs. Both Neelavelicham and Bhargavinilayam are movies based on a story written by legendary writer Vaikom Muhammed Basheer. Three of the original songs in Bhargavi Nilayam, which have been celebrated as masterpieces of the late composer Ms Baburaj, with lyrics penned by the great writer P Bhaskaran, have been reused in Neelavelicham, composed by Bijibal. These are ‘Thamasamenthe Varuvan’, ‘Anuraga...

MollywoodPromos and video songs from Neelavelicham have been creating ripples among those who remember the old settings in Basheer novels, and the music of Baburaj. With a telling tune in the background of a picture of Tovino Thomas, the Neelavelicham team has announced the date of the film’s release. Director Aashiq Abu's newest, based on a short story by the legendary writer Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, Neelavelicham (The Blue Radiance) is slated for worldwide release on April 21. Aashiq has also produced this film along with Rima Kallingal, his partner for the Opm Cinemas banner, as well as the female lead of the movie. Roshan Mathew also plays an important role in the film. Promos and video songs from the film have been creating ripples, with more than a small touch of nostalgia for those who remember the old settings in Basheer novels, and the music of Baburaj. Legendary musician...

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 13: Malayalam actors Unni Mukundan and Lal have been roped in to star in new film "Kaattum Mazhayum", about organ donation, to be directed by Hari Kumar.

Lal and Unni play friends. While the former plays a Muslim, the latter will be seen as Brahmin.

The script of the film is written by Santhosh Echikanam.

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Yesudas to be honoured

Veteran playback singer K.J. Yesudas will receive P. Bhaskaran Puraskar, instituted by P. Bhaskaran Foundation, for his contribution in the field of cinema.

Director-poet-lyricist Sree Kumaran Thampi will present the award in a function to.