A tale of two prisoners 

If the power-packed trailer is anything to go by, Swathantryam Ardharathriyil, Antony Varghese's next after Angamaly Diaries, is going to be a nail-biting experience. Director Tinu Pappachan, who will make his debut with the film, says it will ride on its thrilling suspense elements.

"This is going to be a thriller. It's about two convicts, played by Antony Varghese and Vinayakan, in a sub-jail and how they manage to break the prison," says the filmmaker. 

The highlight has to be the fact that almost 80 per cent of the film has been shot inside the jail. "The entire drama happens inside the jail, except for a little flashback sequence featuring Jacob, the character played by Antony," says Tinu, adding that the jail sequences in the film aren't stereotypical ones. "I want to clarify that the story happens in a sub-jail, where inmates await trial. Hence, they won't be portrayed as the stereotypical convicts in jail clothes and number tags. These are convicts usually eligible for bail but my story revolves around why the protagonists opt to break jail instead," he says.

The giant sets of jail were erected in Kottayam adjacent to a school building. "Jail is an important character in the film. There is more to it than being a location. The film happens mostly during night hours and the set had to look very authentic. We have invested a lot for erecting such a set and full credit goes to our art director Gokul Das," says Tinu.

Swathantryam Ardharathriyil also stars Chemban Vinod in an important role. The film hits the screens today.