Blessy has gone through almost 25 years of hibernation for Pranayam. He says: "For so many years I have been carrying the subject in me as a writer, journeying with it as visuals and words. I have now transferred that to the characters. It's like letting go of something that was your own till now. And that is painful." Blessy had discussed the storyline with writer-director Lohithadas, during the making of his Joker, in which he was the associate director. Lohithadas had told Blessy about how he had envisaged Mathews. After Bhramaram, Blessy had starting writing a story based on a few youngsters but didn't feel excited about it after a while as lots of similar stories were flooding theatres. Suddenly the story of Pranayam came back into his mind. About the scripting, Blessy says: "The interesting thing about this script is that even before I started writing it, what I had in my mind was its last frame. So I started developing the journey back from the last frame and completed it."
P. K. Sajeev and Anne Sajeev are the producers of the film under the banner of Fragrant Nature Film Creations. Aneesh Jacob is the executive producer. The film's first schedule of shooting started on 16 February 2011 at Cheranallur in Kerala. Mohanlal joined the set from 23 February. The second schedule started on June first week in Kochi. The film was shot from various locations including Ernakulam, Fort Kochi, Valinokkam, Kullu Manali and Rewari.Satheesh Kurup wielded camera for the film. "There is an invisible spark that flashes just seeing the look or a smile of a person and when the beauty within him is revealed to you. You don't need to see a bio-data or wade through his past work. You just connect with him," explains Blessy on his decision to hand over the camera to a novice like Satheesh Kurup.
The film released on a credit as Mohanlal's 300th film. It is the third time Blessy and Mohanlal signing a bond together after Thanmathra and Bhramaram. The film will have credit of reuniting
Beautiful:
An year that started off with 'Karayilekku Oru Kadal Dooram', and that finally draws to a close with 'Vellaripravinte Changathy' – that is Malayalam Cinema in 2011 for you. Around seventy five films made it to the screens this year, of which merely a few left an impact. This was yet another uneventful year for Malayalam cinema, and here are ten films (in no particular order) that stood out from the rest.
Beautiful: V K Prakash and Anoop Menon joined hands as director and writer for this Beautiful film that left critics and the audience enthralled. There were even protests against the film not being granted a much deserved run at the theatres. Starring Jayasurya, Anoop Menon and Meghna Raj, this was intelligent cinema indeed.
Traffic:
Salt 'n Pepper:
We thought this was gonna be a film for foodies, and weren't we surprised when Aashiq Abu and team gave us a feast on a platter that had us begging for more? Clearly one of the biggest surprise hits of the year, this film scripted by newcomers Syam Pushkaran and Dileesh Nair, was one that had its heart right in place.
Melvilasom
Madhav Ramadasan shot to instant fame with his film that adred to take quite a few risks in its making. This was a court martial drama that the director was dabbling with, and with limited outdoor shots, the script had to be real taut for the film to succeed. It was, and Melvilasom turned out to be a surprise shocker
Adaminte Makan Abu:
Chappa Kurish:
Sameer Thahair ventured into direction with this modern age drama that chronicled changing lives in these days of technological boom. Testing out fresh strategies in content as well as its portrayal, Chappa Kurish offered an unsullied experience, despite allegations of it being inspired by a Koren film.
