Kollam Ajith Coming up with Pakal Pole

The upcoming movie ‘Pakal Pole written and directed by actor Kollam Ajith will hit the screens in July. He had earlier directed the movie ‘Calling Bell’.
With more than 35 year’s experience in film industry, Kollam Ajith, comes with the movie which conveys a strong message. The central role is played by Kollam Ajith. The film also features Riyaz Khan, Kochupreman, Jaffer Idukki, Kozhikode Vikraman Nair, Bindu Ramakrishnan, Kanakalatha, and Sidharaj.
‘Pakal Pole’ is produced under the banner of Sreehari Productions. Sunil Bhaskar is the music director. Jayaprakash is the cameraman.
Pakal Pole, a small-budget movie, says the story of Muslim community being tagged as terrorists. Kollam Ajith, who plays the main role as Salim conveys how a family has been shattered when a person was branded as a terrorist by the society.
Social issues like dowry and terrorism was also given prominence in the film. The concept of the film was discussed with actor Thilakan, and he agreed to play the role of the father of Salim. Unfortunately, it didn’t materialise due to his demise.
Kollam Ajith who gave life to characters in over 600 films was denied theatre to screen his film. His Pakal Pole spreading an anti-terrorism message also faced negligence from the Censor Board.
Pakal Pole is an effort to spread social awareness based on an international subject of terrorism. The low-budget movie could not attract mainstream theatres, Ajith said.
‘I have no intention to make money from this, but there should be a situation supporting such parallel cinema having good art value. I also suffered a bitter experience of censors indefinitely delaying the certification on flimsy reasons’, says Ajith.
Ajith wants to screen it in college and schools to spread the message. Kollam Ajith, who debuted as a director with Calling Bell, is currently working with his third movie Oru Kadalinum Appuram which deals with the hardships faced by the elderly.
The actor-director says that he screened the movie free of cost on Kozhikode beach, so that the message reaches a wider audience.
Ajith started his career by working as an assistant director with filmmaker Padmarajan in 1981.
However, instead of making him an Assistant Director, Padmarajan saw the acting talent in Ajith and cast him in the cult film ‘Parannu Parannu Parannu’ which proved to be Ajith’s debut venture. He then went on to be a regular actor for Padmarajan’s remaining films while also being part of many other blockbusters.
‘No. 20 Madras Mail’, ‘ Manu Uncle’, ‘ Nadodikattu’, ‘Lal Salaam’, ‘ Nirnayam’, ‘Aaram Thampuran’, ‘Olympian Anthony Adam’ are some of the films that Ajith has acted in.
After long 34 years in the industry as an actor, mainly handling villain roles, he found himself to be a victim of typecasting and switched over to scripting and directing to find a niche in the ever-evolving industry.
He lives in Kakkanad along with his wife Prameela and children Gayathri and Sreehari.