If Antony Varghese played a local thug in his debut movie Angamaly Diaries, he will play a Kottayam guy in his next titled Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil.
According to director Tinu Pappachan, Antony’s character will have no resemblance to Vincent Peppe of Angamaly Diaries. “Antony plays Jacob, a guy who works in a private firm. In fact, the story is rooted in his perspective. This is a thriller with some high-voltage action scenes,” says the director.
Besides Antony, Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil will also have Vinayakan and Chemban Vinod in lead roles. Though the director is tight-lipped about Vinayakan’s character, he says Chemban will play a funny guy. “Both are lead roles, just like Antony’s character Jacob. Chemban will have the typical Kottayam slang too,” he says.
Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil is about how Jacob's life changes overnight. “Jacob is an ordinary guy. His life gets mired in certain circumstances. He may not be a hero, but some incidents force him to turn into one,” he says.
The movie, which will have a new heroine, also features a few faces from Angamaly Diaries, like Tito Wilson. “Yes, it is a kind of a Angamaly Diaries reunion. Lijo Jose Pellissery and Chemban Vinod are the co-producer, then cinematographer Gireesh Gangadharan will crank the camera. Shameer Mohammed will be the editor. The movie will be shot at Kottayam and Mangalapuram,” he adds.
Tinu may have been an assistant to Lijo from his City of God days, but he says his movie-making pattern will be different. “I am very inspired by Lijo chettan’s working style. I think he is a great filmmaker. But, Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil will not follow his style,” says Tinu.
The movie will be produced by director B Unnikrishnan and Joshy. The yet-to-be-titled film is scripted by Dileep Kurian and will go on the floors in October.