Finally, 'Veettilekkulla Vazhi’ finds its way home

One and a half years since its completion and an acclaimed run in the festival circuit worldwide, Prithviraj-starrer ‘Veettilekulla Vazhi’ (The Way Home) has finally hit theatres in Kerala.
The national award-winning movie, which was set to be released last year in the state, ran into troubled waters after film distributors and theatres refused to screen it due to its “non-commercial nature.” It got its limited release only on Friday.
Actor Prithviraj plays a doctor on a quest to keep his promise of uniting his patient’s son with the child’s father. He says distributors and theatre owners cannot be blamed because they feel audience would not want to see non-commercial movies.
“Their inhibitions will only change if people start coming to the theatres and give these movies a decent run,” he explains.
Actor Indrajith, who plays a Jihad supporter in the film, says, “The movie explores a different subject in a way that has never been done before.” The film is a cross between an emotional drama and a travelogue, shot in Kashmir, Rajasthan, Delhi and Kerala.
He says the issues, which delayed the release, reflect the state of Malayalam cinema. “The atmosphere here is not supportive of reality-based movies, and this has to change,” he observes.
‘Veettilekulla Vazhi,’ which explores the bond between a father (Prithviraj) who has lost his son and a son (Govardhan) who has lost his father due to terrorism, has been critically acclaimed at several international film fests including the New York Indian Film Festival and the Imagine India Film Festival in Spain.
Dr Biju, the director of the movie, will again work with Indrajith and Prithviraj in ‘Aakashathinte Nirangal’ with Indrajith in the lead. The film, about four people stranded on an island, is scheduled to begin filming in the Andaman Islands in October.