logo
Urvashi, Joju George join forces for multilingual film ‘Aasha'; shoot begins with traditional pooja

Urvashi, Joju George join forces for multilingual film ‘Aasha'; shoot begins with traditional pooja

Hans India16-07-2025
Malayalam cinema powerhouses Urvashi and Joju George are all set to star in the upcoming multilingual drama Aasha, which officially launched with a traditional pooja ceremony at the historic Thrikkakkara Vamana Moorthy Temple. The film is produced by Vinayaka Ajith under the banner of Ajith Vinayaka Films and marks the directorial debut of Safar Sanal, who also authored the story.
Adding depth to the narrative, the screenplay and dialogues have been collaboratively written by Joju George, Ramesh Girija, and Safar Sanal. The pooja ceremony saw Joju George, director Safar Sanal, and acclaimed cinematographer Madhu Neelakandan lighting the inaugural lamp. Joju also gave the first clap of the shoot, while Madhu handled the ceremonial switch-on, officially kickstarting the production.
Aasha is being mounted on a pan-Indian scale and will be released in five major Indian languages, signalling wide-reaching appeal. Alongside Urvashi and Joju, the film also stars veteran actor Vijayaraghavan, the talented Aishwarya Lekshmi, and Pani movie fame Ramesh Girija in prominent roles.
With a robust technical crew, the film promises high production values. Madhu Neelakandan cranks the camera, Shan Mohammed handles editing, and the music is composed by Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana fame Midhun Mukundan. Ajayan Adat is in charge of sound design and sync sound, Vivek Kalathil oversees production design, and action sequences are choreographed by Dinesh Subbarayan.
The title-look poster released during the launch has already stirred curiosity among cinephiles. With its strong cast, experienced crew, and ambitious multilingual release, Aasha is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated films from Malayalam cinema.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘My content is deeply rooted in my Indian middle-class upbringing,' says ‘Aiyyo' Shraddha
‘My content is deeply rooted in my Indian middle-class upbringing,' says ‘Aiyyo' Shraddha

Indian Express

time3 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

‘My content is deeply rooted in my Indian middle-class upbringing,' says ‘Aiyyo' Shraddha

Stand-up comedy is no longer just a road that offers escape from the draining realities around us for a fixed time. Nor is it just about 'having a good laugh' and moving on. Besides being a part of the large tapestry of performing arts, stand-up comedy is almost as popular and cherished as cinema in India today, albeit not comparable in terms of financial investment or returns. The popularity it received over the past few years has been galvanising. In fact, it's so in vogue at the moment that a stand-up set or special can land the comic on the trending list of ticketing platforms or prime-time news channels. Among the many artistes who have risen to fame in the past few years is Shraddha Jain, popularly known as 'Aiyyo' Shraddha. An engineer and former radio jockey (RJ) turned content creator, Shraddha is currently on a tour with her first stand-up special, So Mini Things. After covering over 45 cities across three continents, she's set to wrap up the journey with the set. And where better for her to organise the last leg than India? With closing shows scheduled in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru, she is totally satisfied and elated by the responses the special received everywhere she performed so far. In an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, Shraddha opens up about So Mini Things, the experience performing her first stand-up special, her transition from an RJ to a comic, her process, politics and more. Edited excerpts: You've previously said that you owe much of what you've learned about content and storytelling to your time working in radio and your years as an RJ. But let me ask you something more specific: do you remember the first time you realised that you were funny and that people genuinely enjoy listening to you? I just wanted to make my father chuckle and laugh. Before I knew it, the videos in my native Tulu language had travelled six times around the earth. So I discovered my humour when I saw people enjoying listening to me, not just politely nodding, especially when those videos started flying across WhatsApp and inboxes abroad. What was your childhood like? Has that phase of your life shaped you as a comic in any way? My content is deeply rooted in my Indian middle-class upbringing and summers in my ancestral Karkala, where I soaked in village life. I come from the largest common denominator, which is the Indian middle class, and that's how I am able to find common ground with my audience. I spent holidays in Karkala, observing locals, and those very experiences became characters like Malathi akka and Genius Janaki. A post shared by Shraddha (@aiyyoshraddha) How similar or different are your real-life parents from the parent characters you portray in your comedy videos? In my first Tulu video that went viral, my father's reaction to pasta that had no gravy resonated instantly. That was the very first video that went viral, where I made Aglio e Olio pasta with parmesan… and my father wondered why it was dry… and he settled for eating it with sambar. My dad is my first critic, and his laughter — or sometimes his silence — truly influences my comedic tone. From doing comedy skits on social media to performing in front of a live audience, how has that transition been? I attribute my writing style to my RJ days — the discipline of radio shaped my content. And on stage, the shift was big at first. At the start, my radio jockey kicked in. I would not pause enough, and I would talk very fast. It took some time, but now I have settled into the set. Now I am comfortable with hecklers, improvisation, and the live energy. A post shared by Shraddha (@aiyyoshraddha) Let's say you have a show at 6 pm one day, and you arrived in the city the previous evening and checked into your hotel. What are the hours leading up to the show usually like for you? What do you spend that time doing? I go for walks! I really enjoy exploring new places on foot. In Melbourne, Sydney and London, I watched local stand-up shows and many musicals. I have spent whole days in art museums in Cleveland and Chicago! Right before you go on stage to perform, what's the last thing you do or make sure of? ⁠I think of my parents and I say to myself, 'Every single person in the audience is my own'. And I am ready. It's often said that 'the personal is political'. Since your set comprises mini stories, anecdotes and observational humour, let me ask, are you a political person? If so, how would you describe your politics? I'm not someone who enjoys the theatre of politics — the slogans, the mudslinging, or the relentless jockeying for power. If anything, my ideal version of politics would be very little politics; minimalist, pragmatic and focused. I believe governance should be like good plumbing: quietly efficient, not constantly in your face. In a country like India — diverse, complex, and emotionally charged — politics often gets tangled up in things it has no business meddling with. For me, the real business of governance is quite straightforward: ensure quality education, sanitation and public health, public safety, and create employment opportunities. Do you think artistes — comics in particular, given the massive legacy and impact many have had on people — should have a sense of responsibility towards society, and that their art should reflect that? Yes. As an artiste, I ask myself, 'What is my motive behind this piece that I want people to see? What do I want them to feel?' This has always given me clarity and weeded out my material. What would you say is your biggest strength, and your biggest weakness? Preparation. That is my biggest strength. The time I take to prepare is my big weakness! It takes forever to believe I am ready! And finally, the worst request anyone can ever make to a comedian: tell us a joke, Aiyyo Shraddha… How can you be sure Artificial Intelligence is a South Indian? 'Cos it's Anandu Suresh is a Senior sub-editor at Indian Express Online. He specialises in Malayalam cinema, but doesn't limit himself to it and explores various aspects of the art form. He also pens a column titled Cinema Anatomy, where he delves extensively into the diverse layers and dimensions of cinema, aiming to uncover deeper meanings and foster continuous discourse. Anandu previously worked with The New Indian Express' news desk in Hyderabad, Telangana. You can follow him on Twitter @anandu_suresh_ and write (or send movie recommendations) to him at ... Read More

Oscar-Nominated Cinematographer Máté Herbai Joins Amit Rai For Dharma Starring Pankaj Tripathi
Oscar-Nominated Cinematographer Máté Herbai Joins Amit Rai For Dharma Starring Pankaj Tripathi

News18

time10 minutes ago

  • News18

Oscar-Nominated Cinematographer Máté Herbai Joins Amit Rai For Dharma Starring Pankaj Tripathi

Máté Herbai collaborates with OMG 2 director Amit Rai for Dharma starring Pankaj Tripathi. The film explores morality and nature through visual poetry. Celebrated Hungarian cinematographer Máté Herbai, known globally for his hauntingly lyrical work on the Oscar-nominated and Berlinale Golden Bear-winning On Body and Soul, has collaborated with Indian filmmaker Amit Rai for Dharma, an emotionally charged drama that recently wrapped shooting in Bihar. Headlined by the ever-versatile Pankaj Tripathi, the film marks Rai's directorial return after the massive critical and commercial success of OMG 2 in 2023. An original tale rooted in environmental consciousness and moral inquiry, Dharma brings together an eclectic ensemble cast including Pawan Malhotra, Geeta Agrawal, Rajesh Kumar, and several actors from the Bhojpuri film industry. But what truly elevates the cinematic promise of Dharma is the visual craftsmanship of Máté Herbai, whose work is renowned for its sensitivity, poetic realism, and atmospheric depth. Speaking about how the collaboration came to be, Herbai shared, 'Arindra, the producer, had reached out to me with a few scripts before, but we never managed to match my schedule with the shoot. This time, there was a slight delay, but it finally worked out — and I was happy to say yes, especially because I really liked the script. And maybe most importantly, as a cinematographer, I found Amit (the director) super interesting just from our initial talks." That early instinct proved right. Herbai and Amit Rai struck a creative rapport quickly once filming began. 'Working with Amit was great — we clicked right away. He's full of creative ideas, and his directing style, the way he guides scenes and works with actors, is often actually fun. That's something I really appreciate — he doesn't take everything too seriously, which brings a good vibe to the scenes. Also, as a cinematographer, it's a huge plus when the director thinks in visuals — and Amit definitely does," he added. Having worked across a range of international productions in countries including the UK, Turkey, Japan, and the US, Herbai also praised the Indian crew for their professionalism and spirit. 'I had everything I'm used to, maybe even more. Here, the 1st AD takes on way more than usual, which really lightens the load for the DP. And our crew was fantastic — just a bunch of awesome people and top-notch pros. Couldn't have asked for better!" he said with enthusiasm. There was, however, one cultural curveball: 'Honestly, the only challenge was the spicy food — but even with that, the production really tried to help me out," Herbai quipped. As anticipation builds for Dharma, which promises to be as thought-provoking as it is visually rich, a release date is expected to be announced soon. With Amit Rai's storytelling prowess, Pankaj Tripathi's gravitas, and Máté Herbai's lens weaving visual poetry, Dharma is poised to be one of the most compelling Indian films of the year. First Published: July 25, 2025, 19:13 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Vasu Raina Makes His Warner Music India Debut with 'Farebi', A Bold Sequel To His Role In Maharani
Vasu Raina Makes His Warner Music India Debut with 'Farebi', A Bold Sequel To His Role In Maharani

News18

time13 minutes ago

  • News18

Vasu Raina Makes His Warner Music India Debut with 'Farebi', A Bold Sequel To His Role In Maharani

Vasu Raina debuts with 'Farebi' under Warner Music India, blending satire, heartbreak, and drama in a sequel to his viral Maharani appearance. Watch now. Actor-musician Vasu Raina steps into the spotlight with his major label debut, 'Farebi", released in collaboration with Warner Music India. Equal parts poignant and playful, the track is a tender reflection on love, deception, and the grey area where heartbreak and humour coexist. Described by Raina as a 'tongue-in-cheek meditation on love," Farebi is more than just a breakup song — it's a narrative continuation of the visual universe that began with his on-screen role in the viral track Maharani. While Raina didn't lend his voice to Maharani, his magnetic presence in the video left a lasting impression. Farebi picks up the emotional thread right where Maharani left off, this time with Raina not just acting, but also taking creative charge of the music. The music video for Farebi opens in a chaotic hospital, setting the tone with a surreal scene where a human heart is mistakenly swapped with a tiffin box full of samosas. What unfolds is a visual spiral of satire and symbolism — heartbreak framed through absurdity. With its rich cinematic palette and sharp humour, the video turns emotional wreckage into a bizarrely celebratory spectacle. 'Farebi came from a quiet, passing thought — a gentle check-in with the heart that grew into something playful, theatrical, and deeply human," says Raina. 'From the quirky idea of a samosa-filled heart to its raw, conversational lyrics, I wanted it to carry heartbreak with a wink. Working with Warner Music India allowed me to stay true to that voice, blending drama, absurdity, and honesty into something that's both personal and a little bit mad." The video also marks the return of Karun and Lambo Drive, Raina's co-stars from Maharani. Their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie lend the sequel both narrative continuity and emotional depth. Directed by Khopcha Films, the video is a testament to what's possible when a group of young, fearless creatives come together with a shared vision. With its genre-blurring aesthetic and emotionally complex storytelling, Farebi signals the arrival of a bold new voice in Indian pop — one unafraid to mix satire with sincerity, and spectacle with soul. In a musical landscape where visuals matter as much as verses, Vasu Raina's Farebi stands out not just for its sonic appeal, but for the story it dares to tell. First Published: July 25, 2025, 19:08 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store