Forest Department Denies Shooting Permission for Mohanlal–Tharun Moorthy Film ‘Athimanoharam’ at Sannidhanam; Filming Allowed at Nilakkal and Pamba
Ernakulam: The Forest Department has denied permission to shoot at Sabarimala Sannidhanam for ‘Athimanoharam’, the upcoming Mohanlal-starrer directed by Tharun Moorthy. The department said filming cannot be conducted at Sannidhanam and its surrounding areas as the locations fall within the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR).
However, filming has been permitted at Nilakkal, Pamba and other suitable locations under the Ranni Forest Division, according to the Ranni Divisional Forest Officer (DFO). The High Court has approved the arrangement.
The film’s makers had planned to shoot major portions of ‘Athimanoharam’ in Sabarimala and Pamba and had approached the Kerala High Court and the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) seeking permission. The TDB had granted permission subject to strict conditions.
However, the Ranni DFO informed the High Court that shooting could not be permitted at Sannidhanam and the surrounding areas because they come under the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Following this, permission for filming at Sannidhanam was officially denied.
The Forest Department has not imposed a similar restriction on filming at Pamba and other suitable locations within the Ranni Forest Division.
The film’s first-look poster, released earlier, featured Mohanlal in a police uniform among Ayyappa devotees travelling towards Sabarimala.
Mohanlal plays a police sub-inspector named T.S. Laulajan in the film. The first-look poster of the movie had already generated considerable attention. The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on December 24 as a Christmas release.
‘Athimanoharam’ follows events in the professional and personal life of Laulajan, an ordinary police sub-inspector, with the story unfolding through tense and dramatic moments. The film also marks the reunion of Mohanlal and Meera Jasmine after a gap.
Produced by Aashiq Usman under the banner of Aashiq Usman Productions, the film has a screenplay by Ratheesh Ravi. Shaji Kumar is the cinematographer, while Jakes Bejoy handles the music. Binu Pappu is the co-director.
The film marks Mohanlal and Tharun Moorthy’s reunion after the success of ‘Thudarum’. It features a large ensemble cast, including Lalu Alex, Manoj K. Jayan, Jagadish, Irshad, Sudheesh, Pramod Veliyanad, Sajeevan, Sreenath Babu, Kiran Peethambaran, Viji Viswanath, Bhama Arun and Prarthana.
‘Athimanoharam’ is Tharun Moorthy’s fourth directorial venture after ‘Operation Java’, ‘Saudi Vellakka’ and ‘Thudarum’.