‘Pazhassi Raja’ will be an event in film history: Mammootty

KOCHI - Malayalam superstar Mammootty says his forthcoming magnum opus “Pazhassi Raja”, said to be the costliest Malayalam film to date, will be an “event in the history of films”.

There are huge expectations from “Pazhassi Raja”, which sees Mammooty, eminent writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair and director Hariharan coming together for a film after 20 long years.

The actor maintains he is not nervous before the release, scheduled for Friday.

“Is there any use if I’m under pressure now? That time is over and this film is going to be an event in the history of films,” Mammootty told IANS.

The film has been made at a budget of over Rs.25 crore and will be dubbed in Hindi, Telegu and Tamil.

The film is set in the 18th century and is about Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja of the Kottayam royal family. Irked by the revenue policy of East India Company in Malabar, Pazhassi Raja’s was one of the first voices to be raised against British rule in India, though not many people are aware of him outside Kerala.

Vasudevan Nair, Hariharan and Mammootty last teamed up for “Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha” and created magic on celluloid. The film fetched the actor a National Award.

“Pazhassi Raja” has music by Illayaraja and the sound effects have been looked after by Oscar winner Resul Pookutty.

The film’s release had been delayed and Mammootty is relieved that it will hit theatres soon.

“It has certainly been a very long wait and of course I am relieved that it is finally going to be released,” the actor said.