‘Kerala Crime Files’ writer Ashiq Aimar wants do a mass film with women

Scriptwriting was a challenge

Ashiq Aimar with Aju Varghese. (Supplied)

After Madhuram, Ashiq Aimar and Ahammed Khabheer planned to do a humour-based police story and even visited the Central Police Station in Kochi.

The writer said, “We went there to know about a long-pending case. But after the policeman briefed us about an incident, we switched to this subject. It was interesting but lacked a backstory for a theatrical watch.”

Just then, they got an offer from Disney+ Hotstar for a web series and they pitched the storyline. The OTT team was quite impressed.

The writer revealed that they didn’t have a script when they briefed Disney+ Hotstar. But he penned the script in just 15 days, a challenging task in itself.

Ashiq Aimar briefing a scene to Aju Varghese. (Supplied)

“We only had a basic thread. We had to design characters and conceptuatlise everything to make it an engaging watch, especially since Kerala Crime Files would be the first web series in Malayalam.”

Ashiq Aimar further added: “Our major challenge was to reach out to the majority audience who have only seen series like Karikku (comedy series). We didn’t want to make it too dark as people might not accept it.”

According to the scriptwriter, the team decided to make the episodes within 30 minutes. It was again a challenge for him since he had to write it in a way that gives the story a structure, the subplots are highlighted and everything is conveyed to the point in each episode.

Well, their hard work paid off as the crime web series is being lauded by the viewers for its gripping content and presentation. “Kerala Crime Files is like a curtain raiser for the Malayalam audience,” the writer was all smiles.

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Characters of Kerala Crime Files

Ashiq Aimar on the sets. (Supplied)

When asked why they didn’t rope in star actors from the industry, Ashiq Aimar clarified that the content of the web series didn’t need a star.

“A star actor means huge expectations and there would be a feeling that the criminal case being discussed in the web series is nothing new. Also, Disney+ Hotstar team didn’t insist on big stars,” he said.

However, Ashiq Aimar added, “It was the director’s call that Aju Varghese would do the role of Sub Inspector. He was confident that the actor would pull off the role which he did.”

Actor Lal was also convinced with the way his character of Circle Inspector was crafted, the scriptwriter noted.

Casting director Sanoop Padaveedan coordinated with the rest of the cast. But Sreejith (Shiju), the main character in Kerala Crime Files, was referred to by director Ananthapadmanabhan.

Finally, The Man of the SERIES !!!
Our captain #AK @ahammed_khabeer

His vision, His dream, His focus, His mentoring and His efforts took our teams journey here. #foreverindebted #lifelong #kcf #disneyhotstar #keralacrimefiles pic.twitter.com/a6D9QXcVH9

— Aju Varghese (@AjuVarghesee) July 2, 2023

New projects

‘Kerala Crime Files’ streaming on Disney Plus Hotstar. (DisneyPlus Hotstar)

Ashiq Aimar is now busy with a new movie to be directed by Praveen Chandu, an associate of Kurup (2021).

Ashiq Aimar did a handful of short films which drew appreciation. Also, he wrote the script for Insha Allah which is yet to be filmed.

A feel-good film made for children, it also deals with the politics in the Malabar region. But it didn’t materialise due to the Covid lockdowns.

A poster of ‘Madhuram’. (SonyLiv/Twitter)

Now that Ashiq Aimar’s two major projects have been screened via OTT platforms, he wants to do his next for the theatre audience.

The writer also likes to experiment with all genres. “I would like to work in dark genres and big films. I also aspire to be a director in future,” he revealed.

When asked about how to increase footfalls in cinema halls, the writer remarked: “After watching a trailer, people should feel that the movie is best watched in theatres and that film-watching is like celebrating festivals which apparently is missing nowadays.”

‘Kerala Crime Files’ – Shiju, Parayil Veedu, Neendakara’ trailer is out now. Streaming from June 23rd in Malayalam in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali & Marathi#KeralaCrimeFiles #ShijuParayilVeeduNeendakara #HotstarSpecials #DisneyPlusHotstar #AjuVarghese #Lal pic.twitter.com/c8DEX4DDHg

— Disney+ Hotstar Telugu (@DisneyPlusHSTel) June 8, 2023

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Woman-oriented films

‘Kerala Crime Files’. (DisneyPlus Hotstar)

“I want to write a mass film for theatrical release. But it won’t be the usual mass-masala flick. I will change its format, heroism and other factors to make the audience clap. It would be genuine,” he asserted.

When pointed out that only heroes draw whistles and applause in theatres, Ashiq Aimar avowed that people would clap for the women characters in his next movie.

“It’s true that stardom is rare for women in the Malayalam film industry; Manju Warrier is the only exception. But it’s not an impossible feat to achieve and I will try to get that for my female characters in my next,” he said, confidently.

Speaking about political correctness in a film, Ashiq Aimar noted that scriptwriters write a story according to the characters and it has nothing to do with the writer’s personal opinion.

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‘Relationships are important’

The writer also thanked director Zakaria of Sudani from Nigeria (2018) fame, his neighbour, for introducing him to Iranian cinema.

Ashiq Aimar is a fan of international filmmakers such as Asghar Farhad and Fatih Haqin. He said he watches all kinds of films.

For him, relationships have an important role while penning the stories.

“I like to do stories that portray strong relationships. It is evident in Kerala Crime Files and Madhuram. Veteran Malayalam director KG George underlined relationships even in his crime dramas. I believe they are more important than culture and place,” he signed off.