It's been a year since Kishkindha Kaandam arrived and blew many minds. Would it surprise you to know that director Dinjith Ayyathan and writer Bahul Ramesh have not only completed their next, titled Eko, but are also in the middle of post-production? In fact, the film is looking at a release later this month, the official date to be announced soon.
The teaser trailer of Eko is expectedly cryptic, promising another never-before-seen adventure, to an inviting terrain comprising mountains, forests, dogs, mysterious characters, and possibly a crime... Since it comes from the imagination of Bahul Ramesh, who also impressed audiences with his work in the second season of Kerala Crime Files (on JioHotstar), it goes without saying that one should be prepared for anything.
Interestingly, Eko, led by actor Sandeep Pradeep, is being promoted as the third part of a trilogy that encompasses Kishkindha Kaandam and Kerala Crime Files: Season 2. The association is more thematic than story-related. "The three share some common themes," says Ayyathan, who feels that fans of the other two properties will be naturally inclined to watch Eko.
As for casting Sandeep, Ayyathan sees in him a versatile actor with immense potential. "Kishkindha Kaandam's arrival coincided with Sandeep’s, in the form of consecutive successes like Falimy, Padakkalam, and Alappuzha Gymkhana. In fact, our radars spotted him way before Family, when we saw him in Vipin Das' Antakshari," recalls the filmmaker, who feels Sandeep is the kind of actor suitable for all roles.
Ayyathan feels that the success of Kishkindha Kaandam gave them the confidence to cast any actor of their choice, even if it happens to be a relative newcomer.
"Its success was, frankly, unexpected," says Ayyathan, who didn't look at the Asif Ali-starrer as a commercial entertainer. "After all, it's a very dark film that explores death, grief, and trauma. But we presented it in a different way — the positive direction in which we eventually took the story was accepted warmly by audiences. The film gave us a lot of leverage, really."
Eko’s principal cast includes Biana Momin, Sim Zhi Fei, Vineeth, Narain, Ashokan, Binu Pappu, Renjit Shekhar, and Saheer Muhammed.
The film also reunites Ayyathan and Ramesh with Kishkindha Kaandam editor Sooraj E S. and composer Mujeeb Majeed. It is bankrolled by MRK Jhayaram under the banner Aaradyaa Studios.