Popular radio guy pens movie script

Until now Shabu Kilithattil was only a well-known voice for listeners of the Malayalam radio channel Hit 96.7.

And now he could also be famous as the scriptwriter of a hit Malayalam film.

Kilithattil, who is the News Editor at the Arab Media Group's Malayalam FM channel, Hit 96.7, looks set to break into Malayalam film industry with a love story he wrote, which has been adapted for a movie by famous South Indian film director Major AK Ravindran, better known as Major Ravi.

Ravi, a retired commando of the Indian Armed Forces, has created popular films based on the Indian military.

Kilithattil's story, which is based on what has come to be known in India as "love jihad", has been selected by Ravi for a big budget movie to be shot in Bangalore and other parts of South India.

The theme of the proposed film, love jihad, has been discussed a lot in India following alleged use of religion and faith to woo girls into love affairs and, ultimately, marriage and conversion into rival faiths.

Speaking to Emirates Business, Kilithattil said: "Even though I am a news presenter, I have been a regular writer. This is the first time that my script has been accepted for a big budget movie. The story is based on the contemporary socio-political situation in India, especially Kerala, where the issue of alleged "love jihad" has been widely debated in the media.

Major Ravi was part of the Indian army commando forces that participated in operations against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) militants who killed former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

He has produced quite a few Malayalam blockbusters such as Kuruskhetra, Mission 90 and others on war and combat operations such as the Kargill conflict.

Major Ravi led the mission codenamed Operation One-eyed Jack to capture the suspects killers of Rajiv Gandhi, the experiences inspired him to direct Mission 90.

After working for around 20 years for the Indian Army, he became a "military consultant" for Indian films.

Later, he made the blockbuster, Kurukshethra, which was about the Kargill conflict and featured Malayalam superstar Mohan Lal.

Another film of his on military combat, Keerthi Chakra, was also a major hit.

Major Ravi, who was in Dubai to discuss the details of the film project with the scriptwriter and the film's financer Vizakh Films, owned by a Dubai-based Indian businessman, said the movie will star newcomers.

He said other details are being worked out.

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