Malayalam actor Prithviraj, director Blessy and the crew of their ongoing project Aadujeevitham have reportedly written to the Kerala Film Chamber and the Centre seeking help to return home from Jordan where they are stranded amid the lockdown. The film chamber has forwarded the request to the Kerala state government.
The 58-member crew was stuck in Jordan where they were shooting for the film. With Jordan imposing lockdown due to the global coronavirus pandemic, the crew could not travel out and decided to continue shooting. The initial plan was to continue in the region till April 10.
However, now with Prithiviraj’s co-actor and translator being quarantined, the crew is forced to return. Dr Thalib Al Balushi, the Omani actor who essays a pivotal role in Aadujeevitham, was quarantined in Jordan along with his translator and another actor from UAE, Onmanorama reported.
Prithviraj’s wife Supriya Menon had earlier informed fans and well-wishers that the actor is doing fine.
Earlier this week, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan directed the NORKA principal secretary to notify the Indian embassy at Jordan about the situation. The embassy had contacted the filmmakers and enquired about the well-being of the crew. While staying in Jordan Prithviraj had posted a note on his Facebook page describing the need of the hour to contain COVID-19. He asked everyone to act together and stay away from each other and said that 'social distancing and self-hygiene is the only way we can contain this pandemic.' Through the post, he thanked all those who messaged him and expressed concern for his safety.
The actor had undergone major physical transformation—shedding almost 30kg and growing a long beard—to essay the role of the protagonist in the film. The photos of his new look had gone viral on social media.
Aadujeevitham is based on Benyamin’s book by the same name.
