Latest news with #ReelWorldEntertainment
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
'Felt like one of our own': Dubai filmmaker on casting Khalid Al Ameri in 'Chatha Pacha'
The Malayalam WWE-inspired action-comedy Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies has been generating quite the buzz lately, thanks to the unexpected guest appearance by Emirati social media favourite Khalid Al Ameri. But for Dubai-based filmmaker Shihan Shoukath, who is helming the big-ticket production under his banner Reel World Entertainment, the decision felt like a no-brainer. 'I often joke with [Khalid] that he's an adopted Malayali. The love Malayalis — especially in the Gulf — have for Khalid is something else. So when he walked onto set, it felt like one of our own showing up,' Shihan tells Khaleej Times. 'He brings this really warm, grounded, and humorous energy to everything he does, and that totally fed into the way we built his character. It was a fun mix of who he is, plus a twist to fit the tone of our crazy, chaotic world,' he adds. And with 30 days of filming now wrapped, Chatha Pacha is already turning heads, not just for the surprise cameo, but also for its star-studded cast, throwback WWE energy, and highly-anticipated soundtrack, marking Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's Malayalam film debut. Wrestling, rain and rowdies On paper, Chatha Pacha sounds like a fever dream: a Malayalam film set in Fort Kochi, where three estranged brothers come together to start their own WWE-style wrestling club. But in Shihan's hands, it's become a love letter to childhood obsessions, familial chaos, and the raw conflict of growing up in a place where dreams don't come easy. 'When the story came to me, I was instantly hit with this childhood memory of watching WWE with my brother and even my grandmother crammed into one living room, screaming every time someone did a chokeslam,' Shihan recalls. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies (@chathapachathefilm) 'That mix of chaos, brotherhood, and obsession with wrestling was so unique to our growing up. And I thought, what if we captured that energy, but rooted it in a very entertaining, local story? That's how Chatha Pacha was born. A total mad fusion of nostalgic WWE fandom and emotional Malayalam storytelling.' Star-studded cast and more With a star-studded cast including Roshan Mathew, Arjun Ashokan, Vishak Nair, and Ishan Shoukath (Dubai-based actor and Shihan's younger brother, last seen in a breakout performance in Marco), the energy on set has been anything but ordinary. 'It's been wild. Pure madness in the best way possible," says Shihan. "We were shooting in the rain, in real locations, with extras who are actual wrestling fans,' he adds. 'There were several moments when our legendary cinematographer, Anend C Chandran, framed our young child actors, and they spontaneously came up with improvised dialogues, wrestling moves, expressions. Everyone just froze. And I remember thinking to our director, Advait: this is connecting in ways we didn't even expect." And for the WWE fans, yes, there will be wrestling. Full-blown, sweat-dripping, bone-crunching wrestling. 'We're not taking wrestling lightly at all,' he adds. 'Our stunt director Kalai Kingson studied WWE's psychology, and even though it's stylised, it's grounded in real physicality. We even cast people with legit fight training. When the punches land, you will feel it.' How you could land a cameo Even before hitting the big screen, Chatha Pacha has been making noise where it counts. The film's GCC and overseas theatrical rights were recently acquired by Dubai-based distributor The Plot Pictures for a landmark sum, cementing it as one of the most valuable overseas deals in Malayalam cinema. Add to that, the music rights snapped up by a major Indian label, driven by the buzz around Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's debut. 'The soundtrack is on another level, honestly,' says Shihan. 'There's one track that's kind of a rebel anthem, which is already stuck in everyone's heads.' Meanwhile, the #ChathaPachaChallenge on social media has taken on a life of its own. Fans from across India and the Gulf are recreating their wildest WWE-style wrestling moves for a chance to score a cameo in the film. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies (@chathapachathefilm) Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies is slated for theatrical release later this year. And if the buzz is anything to go by, then our countdown has already begun!
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
'Felt like a perfect welcome': Khalid Al Ameri on his Malayalam film debut
When you think of Emirati pop culture, very few names capture your imagination quite like Khalid Al Ameri. For years, the content creator has chronicled the quirks and contradictions of life in the Gulf region with humour, heart, and an infectious sense of curiosity. But this weekend, when news broke that he would be making his film debut — of all places, in a Malayalam action-comedy — the Internet was set abuzz. Beyond just an influencer-turned-actor headline, it felt like a cultural crossover we didn't know we needed. Even more intriguing? The film, Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies, is being produced by Dubai-based filmmaker Shihan Shoukath. A Cannes-recognised storyteller, Shihan's debut short film Deadline won Best Original Story at the World Film Festival. Since then, he has co-founded Reel World Entertainment, a production company rooted in cross-cultural storytelling. And with Chatha Pacha, the production house aims to set the tone for a bold new chapter in Malayalam cinema — one that straddles the line between nostalgia, larger-than-life madness, and a deeply rooted emotional core. 'I was having a conversation with Shihan about a crossover film when he suggested I fly over to Kochi and spend a few days on set, just to learn about the industry and how things work,' Khalid tells Khaleej Times. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies (@chathapachathefilm) 'That alone was exciting for me. I love learning more about the industry. But then he surprised me by offering a cameo in Chatha Pacha. I've never done anything like this before, so it felt like the perfect welcome to the industry," he adds. For Khalid, it was also about stepping into a world he'd long admired from afar. 'The South Indian film industry is such a rich, powerful world built on incredible creativity and storytelling. I feel lucky to have experienced even a small part of it.' Surprise collab or long-time brewing? Speaking of the collaboration, Shihan adds, 'Khalid's actually a good friend and we've been in conversation for a while now about doing something together, especially a Malayalam film. The more we spoke, the more it started to feel real. When Chatha Pacha came along, I just knew there was this perfect window where he could come in and make a moment truly memorable.' As for what that role actually looks like? 'Without giving too much away, what I'll say is, audiences are definitely going to get the Khalid they love, but also see him in a way they've never seen before,' he shares. Though brief, Khalid's appearance marks a meaningful cultural crossover — a further nod to the UAE-India artistic bond that continues to grow stronger. "His short cameo isn't just for the sake of it, it actually plays into the mood and the movement of the scene. And yeah, there's definitely going to be a cheer in theatres when he shows up, especially in the UAE!" Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies, starring Roshan Mathew, Arjun Ashokan, Vishak Nair, and Ishan Shoukath (Dubai-based actor last seen in Marco), is slated for theatrical release later this year.
News18
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Roshan Mathew Joins Underground Wrestling Drama In Malayalam Film Chatha Pacha
Last Updated: Roshan Mathew stars in Malayalam wrestling film Chatha Pacha, with music by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy. Set in Fort Kochi, it blends action and emotion. Malayalam cinema is gearing up for a high-octane leap into the world of underground wrestling with Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies, an action-comedy that promises to blend sweat, spectacle, and emotion in equal measure. The film, which officially went on floors this week, is directed by debutant Adhvaith Nayar and produced by Ritesh S Ramakrishnan and Cannes-winning filmmaker Shihan Shoukath under the Reel World Entertainment banner. Leading the pack is an ensemble cast headlined by Roshan Mathew and Arjun Ashokan, joined by Ishan Shoukath and Vishak Nair. Set against the vibrant and gritty backdrop of Fort Kochi, Chatha Pacha dives deep into the chaotic and deeply human world of a secret WWE-style wrestling club, where the ring becomes both battlefield and confessional booth. 'I've never done anything like this before. The world of wrestling entertainment is as intense emotionally as it is physically. I'm thrilled to dive into this space with Chatha Pacha." The film also marks a significant musical crossover, with the legendary composer trio Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy making their debut in Malayalam cinema. The film's background score will be composed by Mujeeb Majeed, known for his atmospheric work in Kishkindha Kaandam. Crafted from an original story by Adhvaith Nayar, with screenplay and dialogues by Sanoop Thykoodam, Chatha Pacha aims to reimagine the traditional action-comedy by injecting it with raw, emotional stakes and grounded storytelling. Behind the camera, the film boasts a strong technical crew including cinematographer Anend C Chandran (Premam, Bheeshma Parvam) and stunt director Kalai Kingson, acclaimed for his work in Marco. Expected to release by the end of 2025, Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies could very well usher in a new genre hybrid for Malayalam cinema—where the emotional depth of the region's storytelling meets the flamboyant drama of wrestling entertainment. First Published: June 13, 2025, 20:16 IST
Hans India
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Arjun Ashokan and Roshan Mathew Starrer 'Chatha Pacha' Goes on Floors; Marks Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy's Malayalam Debut
The upcoming Malayalam film Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies officially began shooting on Tuesday. Touted as a WWE-inspired action-comedy entertainer, the film stars Arjun Ashokan in the lead, alongside Roshan Mathew, Marcoactor Ishan Shoukath, and Vishak Nair in pivotal roles. Set in the gritty, vibrant world of Fort Kochi, Chatha Pacha revolves around the lives of individuals who find themselves immersed in an underground WWE-style wrestling club. The film promises a high-energy narrative laced with action, comedy, and drama, under the direction of debutant filmmaker Adhvaith Nayar. One of the biggest highlights of the project is that it marks the Malayalam debut of the celebrated music composer trio Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, who will be composing the songs. The background score will be handled by Kishkindha Kaandamfame Mujeeb Majeed. The technical team includes cinematographer Anend C Chandran, editor Praveen Prabhakar, and action choreographer Kalai Kingson. Adhvaith Nayar also conceptualises the story, while the screenplay and dialogues are written by Sanoop Thykoodam. According to the makers, the film will also feature well-known actors from other Indian film industries, further enhancing its pan-Indian appeal. Chatha Pacha is being produced by Ritesh S Ramakrishnan and Shihan Shoukath under the Reel World Entertainment banner, with George Sebastian and Sunil Singh (from Mammootty Kampany) onboard as executive and line producers, respectively. Chatha Pacha is slated for release towards the end of the year and is expected to bring a fresh blend of action and humour to Malayalam cinema, set against the unique backdrop of underground wrestling.
Hans India
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Roshan Mathew on Chatha Pacha: Never Done Anything Like This Before!
Chennai: Actor Roshan Mathew, who plays one of the leads in director Adhvaith Nayar's eagerly-awaited action extravaganza Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies, says he has never done anything like this film in his career before. Roshan Mathew, who steps into an entirely new genre with this project, expressed his excitement about the role in this film, the shooting of which began on Tuesday. Sources close to the unit of the film say that the team is currently shooting in Fort Kochi and that the schedule is for 60 days. Says Roshan, "I've never done anything like this before. The world of wrestling entertainment is as intense emotionally as it is physically. I'm thrilled to dive into this space with Chatha Pacha." The film has triggered huge expectations, both among fans and film buffs for a number of reasons. One of them is that the film is being directed by Adhvaith Nayar. Adhvaith, who is making his feature film debut with this film, is the nephew of legendary actor Mohanlal. He has honed his craft under renowned filmmakers like Jeethu Joseph, Rajeev Ravi, and Mohanlal himself. Produced by Ritesh S Ramakrishnan and Cannes-winning filmmaker Shihan Shoukath under the Reel World Entertainment banner, the film has a compelling cast led by Arjun Ashokan and Roshan Mathew, along with Ishan Shoukath, and Vishak Nair in key roles. The film also marks a musical milestone, as acclaimed composer trio Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy make their Malayalam cinema debut with the film's songs. The background score will be composed by Mujeeb Majeed, known for his work in Kishkindha Kaandam. Set in the gritty, vibrant streets of Fort Kochi, the film revolves around a hidden WWE-style wrestling club and the quirky, emotional lives of those drawn into its chaotic universe. Described as a cultural crossover, Chatha Pacha aims to push the boundaries of traditional storytelling with its blend of high drama, physical action, and local flavour. The story has been penned by Adhvaith Nayar, while the screenplay and dialogues have been written by Sanoop Thykoodam. Chatha Pacha has celebrated technicians like Anend C Chandran (Bheeshma Parvam, Premam) as cinematographer and Kalai Kingson, who earned acclaim for Marco, as stunt director. Slated for release towards the end of 2025, the film, sources say, will blend high-energy wrestling sequences, humour, and a gripping underdog story. It will bring together the spectacle of pro-wrestling and the grounded storytelling of Malayalam cinema.
