ARM: Kerala's Epic Fantasy Journey Unveiled at IFFI

At the Indian Panorama showcase during IFFI, the Malayalam fantasy epic 'A.R.M' (Ajayante Randam Moshanam) drew significant attention. Director Jithin Laal recounted his personal connection with IFFI, which served as his filmmaking education, culminating in his film's feature. He elaborated on 'A.R.M' as a visually grand adventure delving into themes of caste, inheritance, and generational shifts, symbolized by a mythical lamp central to the narrative.

Actor Tovino Thomas discussed the immense challenge of portraying three distinct characters across different eras in 'A.R.M', emphasizing the need for entirely different body language for each role. He noted the film's evolution since 2017, overcoming budget constraints and long preparation periods, asserting that festival films can indeed bridge commercial and artistic appeal. Surabhi Lakshmi detailed her intensive preparation, including Kalarippayattu training and deep character study for her role.

The discussion also touched upon the evolving landscape of Malayalam cinema and audience expectations, with Thomas advocating for broader appeal beyond regional audiences to support large-scale productions. He stressed that creative limitations can spur innovation, as demonstrated by the detailed character workshops and physical training involved in defining the film's distinct personalities.