Dileep & Kamal return with Aagathan

Dileep is teaming up with director Kamal under whom he has worked as an assistant once, after the highly forgettable Pachakkuthira, in Aagathan. 

The Malayalam film also marks the return of Charmy to Malayalam, after her rather unsuccessful stint in Vinayan's Kattuchembakam.

Tamil actor Sathyaraj also makes his entry into Malayalam, playing a retired soldier. Zareena Wahab plays an important role in the film.

Kamal, who has made some brilliant films in the past including Unnikale oru kadha parayam, Kakkothikkavile Appooppanthadikal, Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal, Ulladakkam, Thoovalsparsham, Mazhayethum Munpe, Megha Malhar and Karutha Pakshikal among others, is going through a rough patch now and is desperate to have a hit.

Kamal says of the film, "Aagathan is a serious story that is different from the usual youngsters' stuff that is associated with me these days. It is also different from the light hearted entertainers that Dileep is associated with as well."

Dileep plays a software engineer named Gautham Menon, who has spent his childhood in Kashmir with his parents and his sister. His father worked in a bank there. But when his family gets killed in a terrorist attack, he leaves for Bangalore where he meets Shreya, played by Charmy, a management student. Though they hate each other in the beginning, they soon become friends. She takes him to her parents, who are living in their farmhouse in Ooty.

When Gautham meets Shreya's dad, General Hareendranatha Varma, old memories awaken and the story takes a dramatic twist from then on.

Varma had earlier worked in Kashmir, during his stint in the army.

"There is a suspense element involved so I can't reveal more about the story," says Kamal.

Sathyaraj and Zareena Wahab play Charmy's parents in the movie. Yesteryear heartthrob of Malayalam movies (films like Madanolsavam, Chamaram, Shara varsham, Enthino pookkunna pookal, Palangal and Punnaram Cholli Cholli), Zareena Wahab had made her comeback after more than two decades to Malayalam with Calendar, early this year.

Lal, who is now busy directing the third part of the In Harihar Nagar series titled In Ghost House Inn, plays Major George Joseph, who has been Varma's friend since his army days.

The cast also includes Biju Menon, Innocent, Shilpa Bala and Reena Basheer.

Dileep is looking forward to Siddique's Bodyguard and Aagathan, both slated for a December release.

Aagathan has been produced by Via Media Entertainment. Cinematography is by Ajayan Vincent and the music director is Ouseppachan.

The shooting of the film has been going on at various locations including Ooty, Kambam, Pollachi and Bangalore. The next schedule will be in Kashmir.