Asif Ali, Jis Joy talks about ‘Innale Vare’ as it gears up for OTT release

Malayalam movie ‘Innale Vare’ helmed by Jis Joy and starring Asif Ali in the lead role would be streaming on OTT platform Sony Liv from 9 June onwards. The director-actor duo who had delivered many blockbusters in the past speaks to Manorama about their new film.

Asif Ali is currently recovering from a leg injury and is mostly on wheel chair. Jis, meanwhile, is the good friend who drove from his home in Vazhakala in Kochi to Asif’s flat in Kadavanthra to pick the latter up for this interview that has been scheduled at the Crowne Plaza hotel.

“While filming a sequence for the new movie, my fellow actor slipped and fell onto me. I too lost balance and fell. It gave me a ligament injury on my left ankle. The doctors have advised rest for two weeks. So, I have lots of time. I was home for my daughter Haya’s birthday. I came home ‘surprising’ my family,” says Asif with a smile.

What about the latest outing from Asif – Jis combo?

Asif: We met after coming into the movies. Soon, we became friends and now we are like family. Jis has seen all my faces. Many films would seem different when the makers narrate it to me. But, I would openly ask them to change things if it isn’t good enough.

Jis: This is our fifth movie together. Asif came here to talk about the movie, with an injured leg. This shows his commitment. That is what sets him apart.

What is ‘Innale Vare’ all about?

Jis: ‘Innale Vare’ is a thriller. It wasn’t like I would only do feel good movies, even though I have focused on that genre for some time. Kunchacko Boban had called me once and told me an incident. I saw a scope for a movie in it and then told it to screenwriters Bobby – Sanjay. Soon, Asif, Antony Varghese and Nimisha became part of the project.

Asif: All of us improvised a lot as the filming progressed. Antony Varghese was someone who has been doing films of a particular genre. In this film, his character has been moulded in a way that suits his personality. The same could be said about Nimisha’s character too. Antony doesn’t have any fight scenes in this movie. Instead, I and Nimisha are the ones who fight. There aren’t any songs either. ‘Innale Vare’ is a proper thriller.

New projects

Asif: I will resume the shooting of the movie that was stalled due to my injury. Besides, there is another movie called ‘Kaapa’.

Jis: The scripting of my next movie is done. It is written by two other writers. I can’t announce it yet. All I can say is that Asif will be there in the movie. Besides, another actor whom we love a lot too would be playing a major role.