Aswathy, Fazil's new heroine

Director Fazil, who was on the lookout for a new girl for his current film, has finalized Aswathy, a final year student at St. Theresa's College, Ernakulam. Aswathy will play the character of Nandana opposite Dilip in this untitled film which has started shooting in Vaikkom. Produced by Johnny Sagarika, it is expected to grace theatres for Christmas.

Fazil, well-known in Malayalam films as a patron of family-oriented films, has introduced numerous stars into Malayalam cinema, including superstar Mohanlal through Manjil Virinja Pookal (which also introduced Shankar and Poornima) and his own son through Kaiyethum Doorathu. Other popular actors that Fazil has introduced are Shalini, Kunchako Boban and Nadiya Moidu. It was through his film Manichithrathazhu that Shobhana won her first National Award (Best Actress). Although his earlier films were super hits, Fazil is not finding much success in the box office for the past few years.