Minister Suresh Gopi Gets Back To Acting With Ottakkomban Next Schedule
After a brief hiatus due to ministerial duties, Union Minister and veteran actor Suresh Gopi is set to resume filming for his landmark 250th film, Ottakkomban, post-Vishu on April 15th. The production, under the banner of Sree Gokulam Movies, had initially scheduled shooting dates starting from April 7th. However, unforeseen official commitments necessitated adjustments to the timeline.
On April 8th, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assigned Suresh Gopi the responsibility of receiving the Crown Prince of Dubai. The following day, he was directed to travel to Nagaland for the Prime Minister’s Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) programme, according to a statement released by the makers of the movie. Additionally, the Petroleum Ministry’s brainstorming session in Rishikesh on April 10th and 11th required his indispensable presence. Considering these obligations and the significance of Vishu, the Malayalam New Year, the production team decided to commence shooting after the festivities, allowing everyone to celebrate the occasion with their families.
Producer Gokulam Gopalan expressed unwavering commitment to delivering quality cinema, stating that Ottakkomban will reach audiences in its best possible form and scale.
Directed by debutant Mathews Thomas and scripted by Shibin Francis, Ottakkomban features an ensemble cast including Indrajith Sukumaran, Vijayaraghavan, Lalu Alex, Chemban Vinod, Johny Antony, Biju Pappu, Meghna Raj, and Suchithra Nair. The film also introduces over seventy newcomers, adding fresh talent to the industry. Suresh Gopi portrays the lead character, Kaduvakunnel Kuruvachan, a fiery figure from Pala, reportedly inspired by a real-life individual. The narrative delves into Kuruvachan’s journey, highlighting his challenges and deep-rooted familial values.
The technical crew boasts notable names: cinematography by Shaji Kumar, music composed by Harshavardhan Rameshwar, editing by Vivek Harshan, art direction by Gokul Das, makeup by Ronex Xavier, and costume design by Aneesh Thodupuzha. The film is set to be shot across various locations, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Pala, Erattupetta, Kochi, and even Hong Kong, indicating a production of grand scale.
Ottakkomban faced initial delays due to controversies over alleged similarities to another film, Kaduva, and Suresh Gopi’s political commitments. However, with these challenges addressed and the actor receiving approval from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership to return to acting, the project is back on track. Suresh Gopi had earlier expressed the necessity to resume acting to support various initiatives he has undertaken.
Suresh Gopi’s previous film, Garudan, received positive reviews for its gripping narrative and performances. As the team of Ottakkomban gears up to resume shooting, expectations are high for this action-packed drama to make a significant impact in Malayalam cinema.
