Acclaimed filmmaker and actor Jeo Baby is set to take on the lead role in an upcoming Malayalam film inspired by the late Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon’s celebrated poem Krishnashtami. Titled Krishnashtami – The Book of Dry Leaves, it is written and directed by Dr Abhilash Babu, who previously helmed films like Maayunnu, Maarivarayunnu, Nisvaasangalil / Dust Art Redrawn in Respiration (2024) and Aalokam: Ranges of Vision (2023).
Vyloppilli (1911–1985) was a renowned Malayalam poet, best known for his works such as Kudiyozhikkal, Kannikkoythu, and Mambazham. He was the founder president of the Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham and received the Sahitya Akademi Award and Vayalar Award.
Besides Jeo Baby, Krishnashtami – The Book of Dry Leaves will feature a bunch of newcomers. The film’s cinematography will be handled by Jithin Mathew, while Anu George will take care of editing and sound design. Renowned composer Ouseppachan will be in charge of the music, which will have verses taken directly from the poems of Vyloppilli, alongside lyrics by Abhilash. Principal photography for Krishnashtami – The Book of Dry Leaves is scheduled to commence later this month.
As an actor, Jeo Baby was last seen in the SonyLIV web series Jai Mahendran (2024). His previous directorial venture was the Mammootty-Jyothika starrer Kaathal – The Core (2023). The Great Indian Kitchen (2021) director recently presented the Tamil film Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai, written and directed by Jayaprakash Radhakrishnan and headlined by Lijomol Jose.