Alphonse Kannanthanam on silver screen
A politician debuting as a film actor is no longer�news nowadays, especially in Kerala! CPI leader Pannian Ravindran MP was recently cast as a social activist in Daivathinte Vall (God's sword), directed by Madhu Parthasarathy. Another example is Congress leader and former KPCC General Secretary Rajmohan Unnithan, who debuted with Suresh Gopi starrer Tiger directed by Shaji Kailas in 2005. Unnithan�has acted in seven films so far, including Balram vs. Tharadas, Jubilee and Kausthabham.
Now, it’s the turn of bureaucrat-turned-politician K.J. Alphonse Kannanthanam M.L.A. who is all set to mark his film debut with�Koodaram directed by B. Anas. He plays the role of an upright and forthright chief minister of Kerala. Popular villain-turned-character artist Lalu Alex plays a central role in this film, which revolves around some current affairs in the state.
"The film's shooting has already begun and my shooting is to take place soon. Another highlight of my role is that I have told the director I will pen my own dialogues and he has agreed," Alphonse excitedly said.
The film is produced by V. Somanathan under the banner of V.S. Productions. The script is written by the director himself. R.H. Ashok and Faisal Khalid crank the camera, while P.C. Mohan does the editing. Also in the cast are Tony, Prajeesh, Krishna, Nitheesh, Charmila, Sona Nair, Kanakalatha and Kulappulli Leela among others.
Alphonse�shot to fame in 1992-97 as the Commissioner of Delhi Development Authority, bulldozing numerous illegal constructions in the Indian capital without caring a hoot about who the owners of the buildings were, and what political connections they had. In 2006, he quit the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) after 27 years to join politics. In the same year, he won the Kanjirapally assembly seat from Kottayam district as an independent candidate backed by the Left Democratic Front and became a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).
