Shankar turns director with Keralotsavam 2009

Malayal Actor Shankar Panickar, who hit the limelight with the mega hit Manjil Virinja Pookkal, turns director with Keralotsavam 2009, starring Vinu Mohan and Vishnupriya in the lead. The shooting is progressing at various locations including an old bungalow at Althara junction near Guruvayur.

"My experience in cinema during the past three decades helps me as a director. I turned to direction in the 90s, when I became less active as an actor and made a few documentaries some time later. Keralotsavam 2009 is an entertainer-cum-suspense thriller," Shankar said.

The story goes thus: Padmanabhan Embranthiri (Nedumudi Venu) has retired from Kerala Kalamandalam and is in the process of starting a cultural group called Kalanikethan and organizing a cultural festival. His daughter Ganga (Vishnupriya), a dancer, helps him. Sandeep Subramaniam (Vinu Mohan), a Kalarippayattu exponent, joins the troupe.
However, the troupe members suspect Sandeep has an ulterior motive in joining the troupe. Sandeep is caught in a quandary when a strong bond blossoms between Ganga and him. Kalabhavan Mani plays a RAW officer who is in charge of an investigation.

Keralotsavam 2009 is produced under the banner of Grace International. Shyam Dharman is the music director. Lyrics are by Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma. Screenplay and dialogues have been written by Vinu Narayanan. Others in the cast are Salim Kumar, Kishore Sathya, Sivaji Guruvayur, Prakash and Abhirami Suresh.