Exclusive! Ann Augustine to play lead in Harikumar's Autorickshawkarante Bharya opposite Suraj Venjaramoodu

Elsamma Enna Aankutty actress Ann Augustine will be making her feature film comeback by playing the lead in Suraj Venjaramoodu's upcoming movie Autorickshawkarante Bharya, which is directed by veteran filmmaker Harikumar.

The movie, which is based on M Mukundan's eponymous novel, will also be scripted by the award-winning writer, whose literary works include Mayyazhipuzhayude Theerangalil, Delhi and Daivathinte Vikrithikal.

Talking to OTTplay, Harikumar says, "The movie will have Ann playing the lead character of Radhika, who is the wife of an indolent and irresponsible autorickshaw driver essayed by Suraj. How she revitalises his life and shows him the error in his ways is what the movie, which is told from woman's perspective, is about."

Earlier, there were reports of the makers planning to rope in Manju Warrier to play the lead character. On getting Ann onboard, the filmmaker, who has helmed movies such as Sukrutham and Clint, says, "A lot of the contemporary actors didn't suit the role and that's when Ann had announced her comeback. So, I called and told her about the character. She agreed and that's how she came onboard. Since then a lot of producers and directors have been approaching her with characters."

While Autorickshawkarante Bharya will mark her comeback as the lead in a full-length movie, Ann is also part of Rathish Ambat's segment Kadalkaattu in the Netflix anthology, based on MT Vasudevan Nair's stories. Indrajith Sukumaran and Aparna Balamurali are also part of the short film, which completed its shoot recently.

Meanwhile, Swasika Vijay will also be seen in an important role in Harikumar's directorial, which has composer Ouseppachan and cinematographer Azhagappan as part of the crew. "The story is set in Mahe and Swasika plays the role of a teacher in a French school," says the director, who is currently in Mahe as part of the final recce before filming begins on December 10.