I V Sasi's Vellathooval starts rolling

The shooting of Vellathooval, directed by veteran I.V. Sasi, has begun at the locations of Munnar, Thodupuzha, Vagaman and Kochi. Scriptwriter John Paul and director I.V. Sasi are teaming up after a long time with this film which has Ranjith Menon (Goal fame) and Nithya in the lead roles.

Also in the cast are Lalu Alex, Jagathy, Ganeesh, Revathy, Seema and Swetha Menon. To be produced by C.M. Raji under the banner of Anugraha Films, Vellathooval is presented by V.B.K. Menon. Ananda Kuttan wields the camera. Girish Puthenchery-Johnson team deals with the music. Editing is by P.C. Mohanan.

Starting his film career as an art director, I.V. Sasi debuted as director with Ulsavam (1975) and shot to fame after Avalude Ravukal (1978), which is considered as a classic in modern Malayalam cinema. Later dubbed into many other Indian languages including Hindi, Avalude Ravukal was the first film in Malayalam to be rated as "Adults only" even though it was a family drama.

His other famous films include Itha Oru Manushyan (1978), Njan Njan Mathram (1978), Anubhavangale Nandhi (1979), Karimbana (1980), Orikkal Koodi (1981), Adiyozhukkukal (1984), Avanazhi (1986), Adimakal Udamakal (1987), Nalkavala (1987), Aksharathettu (1989), Mrigaya (1989), Inspector Balram (1991), Devasuram (1993) and Varnapakittu (1997). His last film was Balram vs. Tharadas (2006), a big budget film, starring superstar Mammootty and Bollywood sensation Katrina Kaif in the lead. I.V. Sasi holds the record for having directed the most movies in Malayalam (nearly 150).