Puzhu: This is what Mammootty asked scriptwriter Harshad after he pitched the star a negative role in the film

The movie, directed by Ratheena, is set to release on Sony LIV on May 13

Harshad and Mammootty | Credit: Rohith K Suresh

Director Ratheena’s Puzhu, which has Mammootty in the lead role, marks a lot of firsts for the megastar. It’s the first time he is teaming up with a female filmmaker and the movie, which is set to stream on Sony LIV on May 13, also marks his OTT debut. More importantly, what has got the fans even more excited is that it will see him in a negative role after decades.

The movie’s co-scriptwriter Harshad recently took to social media to inform how the movie took shape and about Mammootty’s reaction after he first pitched the megastar the role.

Harshad said he asked the star if he would do a full-length negative role on the sets of Unda. Mammootty’s reaction was a question, asking if the character has his justifications for being that way. The scriptwriter replied that it can be explained through the script.

“The entire film will be in the perspective of a negative character,” Harshad had added, to which Mammootty had replied, “In that case, it would have a lot of scope for performance, right?” After Harshad’s affirmative reply, the megastar asked him to begin writing the script.

In his post, Harshad also clarified that the initial script he was supposed to write for Ratheena was a road movie, which would have been tough to pull off under the pandemic circumstances. That’s how he roped in Suhas and Sharfu, and rewrote the script of Puzhu, which he says is a small film.

The movie, which is co-produced by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films, also has Parvathy Thiruvothu in the lead. Puzhu marks Mammootty’s first direct OTT venture and the megastar is expected to have many more films in the digital space this year.

In an earlier interview with OTTplay, Dulquer said, ““Not everything we do will be for the wide audience. As actors, both of us want to experiment, we want to do different roles and be part of all kinds of cinema. I think he understood that with Puzhu.”

Also read: Indrajith Sukumaran: Pathaam Vaalavu has me playing my most intense cop role in recent times

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