Film making is a dream for many; only a few fulfil the dream overcoming all the constraints. When friends Goutham Soorya and Sudeep Elamon, who worked together for many advertisements and documentaries, decided to direct an independent movie, it turned their fortunes as well. Their movie Sleeplessly Yours has been selected to the Malayalam Cinema Today section of International Film Festival Kerala (IFFK), which is set to begin on Friday.
The movie explores how sleep deprivation causes trouble in the life of an eccentric couple Jessy and Maanu. The movie is written by Goutham and cinematography is handled by Sudeep. This director duo is absolutely thrilled as their movie is all set for the IFFK screening.
“Though our movie is an independent, artistic one, we never expected this selection. It is really a proud feeling. It feels good that our movie is first premiered in our own place and festival”, says Goutham. The movie has Sudev Nair and Devaki Rajendran in the lead.
“Sleeplessly Yours is the story of this unusual couple Jessy and Maanu who decides to get rid of sleep and check how long can they go without sleep.
However, things start getting serious after each day. Their behaviour starts changing and this inflicts lot of issues in their relationship. The movie is a psychological romance drama. It’s a romantic with sleep deprivation as an element in it,” adds Goutham.
The movie narrates the happenings of four days and was shot in 30 days. He says the movie happened due to the immense support of the cast and crew, who compromised on their individual projects and remuneration.
Goutham and Sudeep didn’t look for a producer as they wanted to make the movie with no restrictions. So they produced the movie with the help from their family and friends. “Due to budget constraints, we had limitation in the casting. Devaki is our friend and was already chosen for the female lead role. The confusion was in the case of male lead role. Then we zeroed on Sudev and sent him the script. He liked the concept and agreed to do it with less remuneration.
He was the senior most and experienced person in our team. Since he writes scripts, his presence was helpful in many ways, but he never used to interfere with the artistic side. We learnt a lot from him,” says Goutham. Devaki is a dancer and a theatre artist. The movie’s trailer was released on Saturday by Prithviraj Sukumaran through his Facebook page and has received good responses. Sudeep is currently working as cinematographer for Shanker Ramakrishnan’s Pathinettam Padi. “We have been there at IFFK as delegates for long. Being there as a guest is a different feeling. We are thrilled. Thanks to the entire team of Sleeplessly Yours,” he signs off..
