Govind Padmasoorya in lead role of Aussie-based entrepreneur in Manorajyam

Govind Padmasoorya is back in Malayalam, playing the title role of Manu in Rasheed Parakkal’s Manorajyam, a “light-hearted romcom”. “I am excited to be doing the lead role in Malayalam again, after my Telugu break in Allu Arjun’s Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo,” says the peppy actor.

The film, bankrolled by an Australian banner and shot largely Down Under, seems the ideal fit for Govind. “It has a very sweet, innocent mood. I play the role of Manu Keraleeyan,” says Govind. “It is a film that gives a feel good ambience of Malayali culture, with Manu as an entrepreneur, trying to bring the flavours of Kerala there.”

Ranjitha Menon, of Saajan Bakery fame, plays the female lead. The film also features Gokulan Goku, Navaz Vallikunnu and some Australian actors. Music is by Yunuseo and BGM is by Sudeep Palanad.

The team shot in Melbourne for nearly two months and Govind says it was an amazing experience and it was clear why it features in global polls as one of the top three best cities to live in in the world. “But like a dialogue we have in the film, comparing the mind and Melbourne climate, the latter was very unpredictable. So, we might wake up to a sunny morning, have a rainy afternoon and have a bright sunny evening at 7 pm; it was very strange for me and the camera crew struggled to cut out the sun at night. Once, I started shoot on a sunny afternoon in a linen shirt, but midway through I just couldn’t continue, because there was a chilly wind,” the actor tells us.

Apparently though, the Australian crowd was very excited to have a Malayalam film crew there. Permissions to shoot are usually difficult to obtain and this film could now open the door to more Aussie productions and easier shoots, Govind points out.