A stroke of kindness has touched the coastal town of Thalassery, where a creative film crew has gone beyond the boundaries of storytelling to script an extraordinary chapter in the life of a local underprivileged family. In what could be seen as a beautiful confluence of art imitating life and vice versa, a film set for the Malayalam movie “Anbodu Kanmani” has transcended its temporary façade to become a permanent, habitable home.
Shot amidst the rustic charm of Thalassery, “Anbodu Kanmani,” a film that promises to tug the heartstrings of its audience, inadvertently became the architect of fate for a less fortunate family. Instead of striking the set down as the closing credits rolled, the compassionate team, led by producer Vipin Pavithran from Creative Fish, chose to renovate the structure and offer it as a gift of hope and stability.
The set, which portrays the run-down house pivotal to the movie’s plot, found its reality in a humble, dilapidated dwelling that sat in neglect in Chokli, not far from where the crew was filming. This discovery set the wheels in motion for what would later become a life-changing gesture. Pavithran shared his unique vision, saying, “Our aim was to disrupt the norm by not just building an ordinary set, but by constructing a home that would last beyond the production, thereby creating something of enduring value.”
This act of philanthropy reflects a new trend in the Malayalam cinema industry, blending the art of filmmaking with social responsibility. Eyeing sustainability, the film crew embarked on an extensive renovation process, meticulously shaping the once-forgotten house into a three-bedroom sanctuary for the family. It now boasts a living room, a dining area, a kitchen to nurture warm meals, a bathroom, and accompanying amenities to foster a comfortable lifestyle.
Line producer Raneesh Kakkadavath was at the forefront of this transformation, supervising the metamorphosis of the set into a full-fledged abode. This transition was more than just construction; it was the building of a dream, a sanctuary from the hardships the family had known.
Under Liju Thomas’s direction, marking his debut, and with Arjun Ashokan leading the cast ensemble that includes Anagha Narayanan, Johny Antony, Altaf, Unni Raja, Navaz Vallikkunu, Mala Parvathy, and director Mridul Nair, “Anbodu Kanmani” is set to carve its niche not only in the annals of cinema but also in the realms of generous giving.
The heart of this story climaxed when former Member of Parliament and famed actor Suresh Gopi presented the keys of this newly-renovated house to the family, symbolically unlocking the doors to their new life. It was a poignant moment, emblematic of the cinematic world bridging into reality, bestowing not just the magic of cinema but the concrete foundation of a home upon a family in need.
The gesture has sparked a conversation around corporate social responsibility within the entertainment industry and whether film sets—a temporary fixture in the making of cinematic tales—could serve a higher purpose once the director’s ‘cut’ has been called.
The story of “Anbodu Kanmani” is one that now resonates with the beats of real-life; it’s about a film set that was destined for dismantlement, now standing proudly as a testament to human kindness. As the movie gears up for its release, the house stands ready to nurture its new inhabitants. This isn’t just a structure of walls and roofs—it’s a homestead of dreams where life will imitate art in the most beautiful of ways, scene by scene, day by day.
