After the last year's biggest movie ‘Twenty: 20’ is arriving another multistarrer, ‘Yugapurushan’- a historical based on the life and teachings of the best known social reformer from Kerala, Sree Narayana guru. Director R. Sukumaran, quite famous for his initial works like ‘Paadamudra’ and ‘Raajashilpi’ is narrating the life and teachings of the saint, Sree Narayana Guru,(1856-1928) through the movie, which will have the support from the entire artists from the industry. The director, who is back to industry after 14 years, is planning to give more emphasis on Guru's thoughts and teachings through the films, than to create another biography. He has already completed eighty percent of the shoot, for the movie at various locations at Ottapalam, Kannur, Thaliparambu.
According to the director, the movie is meant to portray how the impact of Guru's vision changed the history of Kerala society. ''I am not trying to describe the complete life of Guru through the movie, but to make the new generation understand the significance of his worldly vision. After watching the movie, I am sure everyone will realise that Guru stood for the entire society, than for any particular segment of it. This will be a movie that will guide the future generations about how guru initiated social reforms in Kerala without shedding a drop of blood and about his teachings, misread by some.''says R Sukumaran.
The movie will feature Thalaivasal Vijay, one of the finest character artists from Kollywood as Sreenarayana Guru. Earlier Mammootty was planned to be in the title role but the thinking actor skillfully pleaded to keep him out of the thought, as he hardly share any physical resemblances with the saint who was a part of this century. Mammootty, now plays the role of K C Kuttan, a revolutionary firebrand leader who lived for Guru and his teachings, and shared a great camaraderie with the sage, in the same period.
While Super star Mohanlal will appear as Swami Vivekanandan in the movie, Babu Antony will come up as Ayyankali, the Harijan leader from the state. The movie will also present historic personalities and contemporaries of guru like Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindra Nath Tagore, Chattambi Swamikal, Kumaranasan, T K Madhavan, Dr. Palpu, C V Kunjuraman, Sahodaran Ayyappan and Mannathu Padmanabhan. Navya Nair will appear in double roles, the first as a Brahmin lady named Savithry Antharjanam, inspired by Guru's teachings.
‘Yugapurushan’ planned to get completed in four schedules in a budget of 5 crores is produced by A V Anoop. Also in the cast of the movie are Jagathy Sreekumar, Kalabhavan Mani, Saikumar, Siddhique, Devan, Saji Vaakkandu, George Paul, Saijukurup, Shobha Mohan and Sukumaran. Ramachandra Babu handles the camera for the movie which will have a few songs set to music by Mohan Sithara in the lyrics of Kaithapram. The movie will also feature a few poems written by Guru and Mahakavi Kumaran Asan. Art director K Krishnankutty has created some exceptional sets of Sivagiri and Aruvippuram for the movie, which will be one of its highlights.
