Meet Mohanlal, the angel

In his new Malayalam film, Mohanlal plays an angel who has taken a human form for a purpose. The film in question is director S L Puram Jayasurya's Angel John.

Also in the lead is Shanthanu Bhagyaraj, son of the yesteryear actor Bhagyaraj. Shantanu made his debut in the Tamil film Sakkarakkatti last year. Mamta Mohandas and Nithya Menon are the heroines.

It is interesting to note that Shantanu's mother Poornima and Mohanlal made their debuts together in Fazil's Manjil Virinja Pookal. Now, Mohanlal is acting as an angel to protect Poornima's son.

According to director Jayasurya, son of well known playwright S L Puram Sadananadan, Angel John is a mix of fantasy and reality. He has earlier directed Speed Track, which was a sports film with Dileep as the hero.

Shanthanu is Maradona, a kind of a spoilt brat who has failed in his degree exams. His parents, played by Lalu Alex and Ambika, have a tough time with his unruly behavior. Lalu Alex is a bank officer in the film.

Frustrated with life, Maradona, one day goes to a light house to end his life. Just before he jumps to death, a stranger appears before him. After listening to the starnger for a while, young Maradona feels some change within him. The two become friends from then on. And, that stranger is Angel John.

The director says, "We all have experienced the effect total strangers have on our lives at certain points. After making an impact in our thoughts or helping us at some crucial juncture in life, those strange people vanish forever.

"Here, Angel John is such a stranger. He is an angel who has taken the human form. He is one of a kind -- if the boy is good, the angel is also good and if the boy is bad, the angel behaves that way."

Shanthanu says that it is indeed a privilege for him to share the screen with such huge talents so early in his career.

"My family's connection with Malayalam is really strong. My mom's [Poornima] first film here was with Mohanlal sir and my sister's first film in Malayalam was also with him. The language, of course, is a barrier and I am working hard to face the challenge. Still, I want to make it clear that I am happy to do more films in Malayalam in the future," he added.

Shanthanu is currently doing films in Tamil and Telugu as well.

Nithya Menon, who has earlier done films like Akashagopuram and Vellathooval, plays Sophie. She is Maradona's neighbour and loves him but he often ignores her.

Mamta is Stella, a student in Delhi.

Ajayan Vincent, who made a comeback to Malayalam after a while with Bhramaram, is the cinematographer. 

Ouseppachan, who has just won the National Award for his music in Ore Kadal, has composed the music for Angel John. The shooting of the film is currently going on in Pondicherry.