{"id":13561,"date":"2025-12-09T13:24:32","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T07:54:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=13561"},"modified":"2025-12-09T13:24:41","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T07:54:41","slug":"three-eras-one-lamp-a-r-m-brings-its-mythical-world-to-iffi-stage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=13561","title":{"rendered":"Three Eras, One Lamp: A.R.M Brings Its Mythical World to IFFI Stage"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Three Eras, One Lamp: A.R.M Brings Its Mythical World to IFFI Stage<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n


\nJithin Laal, Tovino Thomas and Surabhi Lakshmi unpack the film\u2019s layered storytelling<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cCinema Should Entertain and Still Be Festival-Worthy\u201d: Tovino Thomas on A.R.M\u2019s Vision<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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#IFFIWood, 27 November 2025<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A mythical lamp, a story of three generations, and an ambitious fantasy adventure: \u2018A.R.M\u2019 (Ajayante Randam Moshanam) arrived at IFFI with all the charm of Kerala\u2019s folklore and the cinematic heft of an epic. Director Jithin Laal, actors Tovino Thomas and National Award\u2013winner Surabhi Lakshmi took the stage, weaving an engaging narrative about the film\u2019s long creative journey, its layered writing, and the commitment it demanded from its cast and crew.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIFFI was my film school,\u201d says Jithin Laal<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Jithin opened the session with an unexpectedly emotional throwback. His first IFFI was in 2013, he said, and he returned year after year to learn, absorb and grow. \u201cI haven\u2019t been to a film school. IFFI was my film school,\u201d he shared. \u201cTwelve years later, my film is in the Indian Panorama. It feels like completing a circle.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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He described A.R.M as a fantasy-adventure with layers of metaphors, where even the mythical lamp at the center of the story stands for something deeper. The script, he said, carries subtle commentary, including themes of caste and cultural inheritance, while still engaging audiences who simply want a visual spectacle.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Tovino Thomas on playing three characters: \u201cThis was the biggest challenge of my career\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

If Jithin spoke about the journey, Tovino spoke about the struggle and the thrill. \u201cWhen this came to me in 2017, I wasn\u2019t sure if I could pull it off,\u201d he admitted. Playing Maniyan, Kunjikelu and Ajayan across three different eras required more than superficial changes. \u201cIt\u2019s not about the looks. The body language had to be entirely different for each one.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

He recalled how the film took years to take shape, battling budget concerns, finding the right producer, preparing physically and mentally. \u201cI considered myself a student of cinema at that time. The director and writer were sure of me even when I wasn\u2019t,\u201d he said. Tovino emphasized that a film can be festival-worthy and still be entertaining. \u201cA.R.M proves that both worlds can meet.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Sharing her experience, Surabhi spoke about the intense preparation behind her role. She trained in Kalarippayattu, studied her character deeply, and approached every scene with a determination to be fully present. Acting opposite Tovino, she said, created an \u201cactor-to-actor energy\u201d where the performers vanished and only the characters remained.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Cinema, craft and Kerala\u2019s evolving audience<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The conversation soon expanded to Malayalam cinema\u2019s changing landscape. Tovino was quick to acknowledge the evolving taste of Malayali audiences: \u201cThey watch world cinema. We have to deliver our best.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

He pointed out a crucial industry challenge: only 15% of Kerala\u2019s population watches films in theatres. With a smaller diaspora compared to Hindi or Telugu industries, increasing budgets isn\u2019t easy. \u201cIf only Malayalis watch Malayalam cinema, the budget will stay limited. Non-Malayali audiences should also watch our films like their own.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Yet he also sees a silver lining. \u201cBudget constraints make us more creative. We find new ways to bring our vision to life.\u201d He described how exercises like breathing work, character workshops and Kalari helped him distinguish the physicality of his three characters. \u201cEach character would do Kalari differently, that\u2019s how deep we went.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

By the end of the press meet, it was clear that A.R.M isn\u2019t just a fantasy epic, it\u2019s a result of persistence, cultural pride, and an unyielding desire to push the boundaries of Malayalam cinema. With folklore at its heart, layered writing at its core, and performances shaped by craft and courage, the film\u2019s team left IFFI audiences with one promise: the magic of the lamp is just the beginning.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Trailer:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n