May 8th 2003 

Pattaalam narrates the happenings in a peaceful little village Ponnaaramangalam where people live in harmony. But with the village getting caught in the mire of communal strife, the picture changes entirely. And when the army steps into this village to restore peace and communal harmony, certain very notable things begin to happen. The fanatics and politicians are rather uncomfortable about the army's presence and go about with their shrewd plotting and contrivances.

Captain Pattabhiraman, who leads the peace force, had to work really hard. It is against this backdrop that the plot of Pattaalam is constructed. Though the plot of the film has a communal riot torn village as the backdrop, there would, of course, be an undercurrent of comedy, filmed, perhaps, in typical Lal Jose style. Besides Mammootty, will star Biju Menon, Jagathy Sreekumar, Kalabhavan Mani, Innocent, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Indrans, Mala Aravindan, Mamookoya, Jyothirmayi, Zeenath, Sukumari and Ambika Mohan.

Source - Chithram.net

March 8th 2003

Mammootty has become busy again in Malayalam. He is currently shooting in Cochin for the Siddique film 'CHRONIC BACHELOR', and is getting ready for the much-awaited Lal Jose film 'PATTALAM'. The Pooja and recording of the film took place in Chennai Vidyasagar studios. PATTALAM begins its shooting schedule in Pollaachi by the second week of March. Mammootty has been discussing the script and other aspects of the film with Lal Jose.

The heroine of the film is not yet decided. But Jyothirmayi is surely getting a big role in PATTALAM. She was there in the dance sequence in 'MEESA MADHAVAN, and was instrumental in the success of the film.

Mammootty is trim in his uniform for the film, which tells the story of a village where a communal conflict took place and a unit of Rapid action force was deployed. Mammootty leads the RAF unit in the riot-ridden village. The incidents in three weeks followed by the communal violence are the core subject of the film. The role gives Mammootty a good chance of come back. The film has Biju Menon, Jagathy, Innocent, Kalabhavan Mani, Salim Kunmar, Mamukkoya, Captain Raju, Sukumari, and Abika Mohan in its cast. Reji Nair writes the script and cinematography is by S Kumar.

The shooting will take place in two more locations in Kerala and in Masinagudi in Karnataka.
 

Source: Indiainfo

March 7, 2003

March 7, 2003

After the stupendous success of Meesa Madhavan, director Lal Jose has started work on his new project titled Pattalam with Mammootty in the lead.

This time Lal Jose is handling a sensitive issue of how the army takes over a small village in Kerala after a communal riot. The village was a peace loving heaven before politicians and fanatics divided it into Hindu and Muslim area. Mammootty plays the role of an army officer Captain Pattabhiram, who brings back peace and harmony to the small village, Pannaripalam.

Lal Jose had worked with Mammootty in Oru Maravathoor Kanavu and this time he is making a film where there will be an undercurrent of comedy against the backdrop of a communal riot. Lal Jose is introducing a new scriptwriter Reji Nair with the film, which will be shot mainly around Pollachi.

The cast also has Biju Menon, Jagathy, Innocent, Kalabhavan mani, Jyothirmayi and Ambika Rao. Girish Puthencherry has written the lyrics for the songs, which will be tuned by Vidyasagar.

Source: Sify

March 6, 2003

Mammootty has at last started shooting for a Malayalam film Chronic Bachelor at Kochi after a gap of nearly eight months!

Hats off to director Siddique for persisting with the project after his mentor and moneybag Swargachitra Appachen backed out questioning the film's commercial viability. Liberty Basheer who has a theatre complex in Tellicherry is now backing Siddique.

But now new problems have cropped up, as the younger lot of heroines are not willing to act opposite the ex-superstar. So the Kollywood rejects like Gauthami, Meena and Laila were contacted and the latest rumour is that Laila has been signed for the role.

Chronic Bachelor?s problems continue at the trade front too, as theatres are not very keen to advance money for a Mammootty film.

Source : Sify

When Lee Falk created the cartoon hero Phantom he called his character ?the ghost who walks?. But Biju Varkey, the director of the Mammootty starrer Phantom Pailey has found to his shock, that his hero is now ?ghost directing? the film.

It all started when Mammootty told Biju Varkey that the make up and the looks of Pailey should change. Earlier Pailey wore a cowboy hat, long overcoat and had a French beard. But now Pailee?s looks have changed into that of a trendy and hep one, similar to a ?Salman look?. More trouble was waiting for Varkey, when Mammootty started cutting the lengthy dialogues written by Dennis Joseph and even shouting at debutant cameraman Biju Viswanathan that his camera angles were not right. The cameraman left the set in a huff and the shooting was cancelled for the day.

The superstar then started advising veteran actor Lalu Alex on how to emote better and improve his dialogue delivery. Lalu blew his fuse and shouted in front of the unit that he has been acting for the last 20 years and nobody need teach him how to act. The whole unit was happy that somebody had the guts to give it back to the star.

Source: Sify

 March 1, 2003

Mammotty has once again proved that he is a marketing genius. He took up an afternoon soap on Trivandrum Doordarshan, when there were no takers for the slot and marketed it well. His serial Jwalayay went on to garner the highest TRP rating in the history of Malayalam Television. Now the actor, after last year?s disasters like Dubai is making a come back of sorts.

When all distributors shied away from financing his Phantom Pailey he has managed to rope in Swargachitra Appachen, the leading distributor in Kerala to take over the project. It is a major coup, as Appachen is not only the leading distributor but has tremendous hold on all theatres in Kerala. He was the man who had successfully marketed Mohanlal and created the ?superstar? image for him, but has off late fallen out with the star.

Appachen has made it clear that he will pay only Rs 60 lakhs as advance and the film will have to be completed by the producer. Later when the film is ready for a Vishu (April14) release Appachen would further spent another Rs 40 lakhs towards print and publicity. It is the best deal that Mammootty can ever get at a time when there were no takers for his films. Added to that Appachen would also be backing his Siddique directed Onam film, Chronic Bachelor

Mammootty has kick started his career once again. All the best Mammookka!