‘Thuramukham’ releasing on 10 March, Nivin Pauly reveals reasons for postponement

“It is a small film and not something made with a budget of ₹40-50 crores. It is a dream project of director Rajeev Ravi. The producers should have taken responsibility while committing to the project rather than making it an issue afterwards,” he said.

‘Listin Stephen came to our rescue’

The actor alleged that the producers knew that the movie won’t be released. But they involved the cast and crew in promotional events and wasted the time of the media.

Nivin Pauly also informed that he offered to release the film, at a point, after realising that the producers are in a financial crisis. But they reportedly asked him to take the financial responsibilities of Thuramukham which he couldn’t do because of his monetary issues.

“It was at this time that Listin Stephen came to our rescue. A ‘thank you’ would not be enough for what Listin did for the team,” he added.

Great learning experience

Nivin Pauly, who plays Mattancherry Moidu in Thuramukham, said that acting in Rajeev Ravi’s movie was a different experience.

“Rajeev Ravi gave us full freedom to perform, for he believes that an actor is meant to perform wisely without failing,” he said.

The cast and crew of ‘Thuramukham’ at the press meet. (Supplied)

Producer Listin Stephen asserted that all legal hurdles came to an end. “Only last-minute formalities are left and the movie will release on 10 March.”

He stated that Nivin Pauly was in Dubai shooting for his new movie but attended the promotion after his insistence. “The entire crew supported me by adjusting their remuneration. The quality of the movie made me take this risk,” Listen Stephen added.

Actor Poornima Indrajith said she learnt a lot from Rajeev Ravi. “An actor must enact the character according to his/her surroundings described in the script. There is no framework for how one should act the director ensured it,” she added.

Based on Mattancherry’s shooting

Thuramukam is based on a drama of the same title penned by KN Chidambaram. Rajeev Ravi decided to make a movie after watching the drama based on the Mattancherry shooting incident that happened in 1953.

Chidambaram’s son Gopan Chidambaram penned the script with cinematic elements for a movie.

Actors who performed in the drama were roped in for the movie, too. But their characters were changed.

Poornima said that it was a surreal feeling to do characters from two different eras. “Two of my co-actors explained to me the shooting incident at Mattancherry and also the social condition in the area during the 1950s and later years which Thuramukham showcases.”

Medium-paced film

Thuramukham beautifully portrays the relationships among the people in Mattancherry and the changes that occurred over the years. It has all elements of a commercial film but is not fast-paced. It is visually appealing and the sound output came out well, said Nivin.

Also Read: Lyricist Kasarla Shyam on his songs in ‘Balagam’

The movie showcases the erstwhile ‘Chappa’ system, which was a part of the feudal practice, under which copper coins were thrown at workers. Those who get hold of the coin were given work by the feudal lords. The practice resulted in a lot of protests that ended up in violence.

The film also casts Joju George, Indrajith, Sudev Nair, Arjun Ashokan, Nimisha Sajayan, Poornima Indrajith, and Darshana Rajendran. A new teaser was released on 8 March.