Dubai businessman’s life inspires film makers

A Dubai-based Asian businessman is the talk of the town now, after a movie about his family has become a box-office hit.

‘Jacob’s Kingdom of Heaven’ is a movie based on the real-life story of Jacob Zakharia who ran successful business in Dubai until 2008, when he began facing financial difficulties after he was allegedly cheated by his partner. Soon his businesses collapsed leaving him in huge debts.

The movie details how Zakharia’s son and wife re-build the empire from the scratch when he is forced to lead a fugitive’s life.

Written and directed by Vineeth Srinivasan, this Malayalam movie stars the current heart-throb of youngsters Nivin Pauley as the son who grows out of the shadows of his dad – played by  Renji Panicker - and finds a firm footing in life.

Speaking to Emirates 24|7 Sreenivasan said, “Eighty per cent of the movie was shot in Dubai and Sharjah, with several characters played by local talents.”

Meanwhile, Jerry – the real-life hero, said: “My father had problems in business and had huge debts. When he was stranded in Liberia, we were under pressure from creditors. I freelanced streel trading business. My car was my office. Thanks to my mother’s support, we could successfully repay most of the loans. Now we are doing well and we are happy to see our family story made into a block-buster movie.”

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