'Asif Ali plays a reluctant lawyer in Kakshi: Amminippilla'

Asif Ali will be playing a lawyer for the first time in a new film called OP 160/18 Kakshi: Amminippilla directed by debutant Dinjith Ayyathan. The film's shoot, which commenced last month, is currently progressing at Thalassery, which is where the story is set.

"Asif plays a not-so-successful lawyer who, despite his passion and profession being diametrically opposite, has to stick to his profession owing to certain circumstances. He is involved in politics, and has a family comprising a wife, mother, and brother. One day, a civil case falls into his lap and he sees in this an opportunity for redemption. The film traces the development of this case," says scriptwriter Sanilesh.

The film will have a realistic courtroom setting as its backdrop. Vijayaraghavan plays a rival lawyer who is engaged in a battle of wits with Asif's character. Sanilesh says the film will explore facets of a court that other courtroom dramas haven't touched upon before. He also adds that it will have a slightly satirical bent. "We are going for a realistic to semi-realistic approach. We have sought the help of actual litigators and some of them are even part of the cast."

Apart from Asif and Vijayaraghavan, the film will feature Aswathy Manohar of Swathandriyam Ardharathriyil fame as the female lead, and also Mammukoya, Sreekanth Murali, Basil Joseph, Hareesh Kanaran, Sudhi Paravoor, Sarassa Balussery, Nirmal Palazhi, Ahmed Sidhique, and Sudeesh. 

When asked why the story was set in Thalassery, Sanilesh, who worked as an assistant to Take Off director Mahesh Narayanan, says it was to bring a novelty factor. "We wanted to use a language that doesn't sound cinematic. The Thalassery-dialect has a special beauty to it. You can do a lot of fun things with it. Plus, some well-known politicians from that area have an LLB degree. Since Asif's character is a lawyer involved in politics, I felt that it was the best place to set the story in." 

Kakshi:Amminippilla is produced by Riju Rajan under the banner Zarah Films. Bahul Ramesh, who is making his debut with Asif's upcoming release, Mandharam, is the cinematographer. Bijibal and Arun Muraleedharan are handling the music, while Sooraj ES is the editor, Thyagu the art director, and Kumar Edapal the costume designer. A release date hasn't been fixed yet.