Mohanlal's Bhagavan sets new record

Debutant director Prasanth Mambulli's ongoing venture Bhagavan, starring superstar Mohanlal in the lead as a gynecologist, has set a new record in the history of commercial cinema by completing the entire shooting in just 12 hours using nine camera units! The shooting began at 9 a.m. and ended at 9 p.m. on Monday at Kunnamkulam near Thrissur.

"Bhagavan is a tribute to the National Security Guard (NSG) commandos who saved the lives of hundreds when terror shook India's commercial capital," producer Vijesh Mani said. The film has chilling scenes of commandos being airdropped atop a hospital to free the Home Minister taken hostage by terrorists. Mohanlal plays a gynecologist in the hospital who fights the terrorists along with the commandos.

Mohanlal said that he was very excited when he heard the theme of the film. A day before the shooting, there was a dress rehearsal for the 12-hour shooting by the technicians at the hospital. Cameras began to roll at exactly 9 a.m. and came to a halt a few minutes before 9 p.m. Nine cameras were used to shoot a majority of the scenes from different angles to ensure continuity and save time in this experiment. To be completed at an estimated cost of Rs.20 million, the film has 150 artistes including the National Award winner Priyamani, Laxmi Gopalaswamy, Pakashraj and Nasser.

"It was my dream to complete a commercial film within the shortest span of time. It took the shortest time to conceive the idea and script and Mohanlal was very keen when he heard the idea. I'm sure it's a world record," director Prasanth Mambulli said. Bhagawan presents five lyricists and five debutant music directors. Produced by Vijesh Mani under the banner of Anaswara Cinemas, Bhagavan is set to release on January 23, 2009.