The makers of the upcoming Malayalam film 'Athiradi' released its official trailer on Tuesday evening, providing audiences with a glimpse into a lively blend of action, comedy, romance, and campus chaos. The film is headlined by Tovino Thomas, Basil Joseph, and Vineeth Sreenivasan, and marks the directorial debut of Arun Anirudhan. Interestingly, Arun previously co-wrote the superhero blockbuster 'Minnal Murali', which featured Tovino in the lead and was directed by Basil Joseph. With 'Athiradi', Tovino and Basil reunite once again, this time sharing screen space as actors.
Trailer Highlights
The trailer hints at a vibrant campus entertainer centered around Basil Joseph's character Samkutty, a college student determined to revive a long-discontinued college festival. His motive, however, appears to go beyond college spirit, as he takes up the challenge to impress Riya Shibu's character. But things take an unexpected turn when Samkutty locks horns with Tovino Thomas' rough-and-tough rowdy character. Promotional interviews featuring Basil suggest that the tension between the two characters grows from a personal ego clash, eventually escalating into larger confrontations. The actor also revealed that he underwent a noticeable physical transformation to convincingly portray a college-going youngster in the film.
Pop Culture References
One of the major highlights of the trailer is its numerous references to iconic Malayalam films and pop culture moments. There are visible nods to the Mohanlal classic 'Aaram Thampuran', particularly the portions revolving around the revival of the famous Kanimangalam Pooram festival. The trailer also surprises viewers with references to Marvel's Thor, adding a quirky layer to the film's humor. In one over-the-top sequence, Tovino's character is even seen battling a gigantic robot, hinting at the film's larger-than-life treatment.
Cast and Crew
Apart from the lead trio, the cast includes Zarin Shihab, social media personality Shelvin James, and filmmaker-actor Santhivila Dinesh in important roles. The visuals for 'Athiradi' have been shot by cinematographer Samuel Henry, while the music has been composed by Vishnu Vijay. Editing duties are handled by Chaman Chakko. The action portions are choreographed by stunt masters Action Sandhosh and Phoenix Prabu. The film is jointly produced by Dr Ananthu S and Basil Joseph under their respective production banners, while Tovino Thomas and Sameer Thahir are attached as co-producers.
Release Date and Paid Premieres
'Athiradi' is set for a worldwide theatrical release on May 14. Ahead of the official release, the makers have also planned special paid premiere shows on Wednesday evening, building excitement among fans eager to watch the film on the big screen.
