Lijo Jose Pellissery to collaborate with 'Scam 1992' maker Hansal Mehta

Malayalam filmmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery is expanding his horizons. The man behind celebrated Malayalam classics such as Amen, Ee. Ma. Yau, and Angamaly Diaries, is gearing up to make a romance drama. 

A report in The Hollywood Reporter India states filmmaker Hansal Mehta is on board as co-producer, under his banner True Story Films, along with Lijo's Amen Movie Monastery. AR Rahman will write the score and compose the songs.

Karan Vyas, who worked as a writer on Mehta's shows like Scam 1992 and Scoop, is co-writing the project with Lijo.

The story aims to be a "lyrical exploration of love, longing, and the fragile complexities of human connection."

In an official statement to THR India, Sahil Saigal, producing partner at True Story Films, said: "To bring together Lijo Jose Pellissery and AR Rahman for this film feels nothing short of momentous. We look forward to beginning production later this year and sharing the magic that Lijo and ARR, along with a stellar team, will bring to audiences.”

For Rahman, Lijo is a "revelation to cinema," adding that he is "eager to see what the three of us create together."

Lijo, whose last film was Mohanlal-starrer Malaikottai Valibhan, made his directorial debut in 2010 with Nayakan, starring Indrajith Sukumaran. Also an actor, Lijo has appeared in brief roles in films made by other directors.

Meanwhile, Mehta has completed a multi-episode biopic on Mahatma Gandhi, titled Gandhi, headlined by actor Pratik Gandhi, with whom he worked on Scam 1992. 

Based on the books "Gandhi Before India" and "Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World", by acclaimed historian and author Ramachandra Guha, the series will span three seasons, chronicling Gandhi's life from 1888 to 1947. The first season will cover 1888 to 1915; the second, 1915 to 1932; and the third, 1932 to 1947. The makers are aiming for a December streaming launch.

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