Four popular Malayalam directors are coming together to make a film that will showcase the versatility of Indian talent to a global audience. Actor-producer Mohan, the man behind the venture, gives the details

Indian cinema is a cauldron of regional films in as many languages as possible. While Bollywood rules the movie scene with big-budget films and mega stars, many regional films, particularly Bengali, Malayalam and Tamil, continue to make an impact across the world.

Malayalam cinema has always prided itself on the fact that it has created realistic films with mass appeal and experimental cinema with box-office success. It is to highlight the creators of such classics that have transcended language barriers that Civic Cinema brings together four popular Malayalam directors to commemorate the centenary year of Indian cinema. Actor first, and producer in recent years, Mohan, through Civic Cinema, has roped in four directors who will work with four top actors to make four short films with the objective of showcasing the versatility of Indian talent to a global audience.

Says Mohan: “Civic Cinema has managed to rope in a combination of directors and actors for four films that will hit the screens before March 31, 2013. The four shorts are being specially produced to commemorate the centenary of Indian cinema next year.”

Director Padmakumar ( Shikar) will team up with Malayalam superstar Mammootty, while director Rajesh Pillai ( Traffic) will work with Kunchacko Boban and Srinivasan. Salim Ahamed, director of Adaminte Makan Abu, will work with Fahad Fazil and Salim Kumar, while Shajoon Kariyal ( Vadakkumnadhan) will team up with Biju Menon. Says Mohan: “The others involved with the project are ace cinematographers Madhu Ambat and Shyju Khalid, sound designer and Oscar-winner Rasool Pookutty and script-writers Sachi ( Run Baby Run), Sanjay and Bobby ( Traffic, Diamond Necklace). Plans are afoot to include other well-known names.”

“Titled 1234, the four shorts presented as a 4-in-1 feature film will carry a single censor certificate. The formal announcement about the initiative will be made in Kochi this month end. The shooting of the four films will start simultaneously in December and we intend completing them before March 31. Thereafter, 1234 will be sent to most of the international film festivals and released in the theatre circuit, too. Each of the four films will be in the style and genre of the respective filmmaker and actor involved. The idea is to showcase each person’s strengths and capabilities in filmmaking,” concludes Mohan.