Mammootty shoots in Kolkata!

The south superstar began filming for Pramod Payyannur���s Balyakalasakhi on Friday; 18-day schedule at various places including Victoria Memorial Bashing the goons black and blue and turning red at the sight of his ladylove are all in a day���s work for Mammootty. But the city, which has so far caught the actor only on regional channels and pirated DVDs, can see him live in action. On Friday, the superstar began shooting for Malayalam movie Balyakalasakhiat Jimmy Laha���s residence in Kolkata. Based on Vaikom Mohammed Basheer���s novel of the same name, the story revolves around childhood sweethearts Majeed and Suhra. Born to rich parents, Majeed falls in love with his not-so-affluent neighbour Suhra. After her father���s death, when Suhra struggles to make both ends meet, Majeed pleads with his father to sponsor her education. Refused, he wanders off to distant lands. The novel was earlier adapted by Sasikumar in 1967. While Mammootty has a double role in the film ��� both as Majeed and his father ��� Suhra���s character is essayed by Isha Talwar. The film is directed and scripted by Pramod Payyannur. The team, which began shooting on August 5 at Perumbalam island near Vaikom, will be camped in Kolkata for the next 18 days. Says Banti Das from the unit, ���We plan to shoot on the Chhote Lal ghat, in front of Town Hall and Victoria Memorial, among other places.��� Seema Biswas is part of the film, which promises to launch many new faces. Incidentally, Parambrata Chatterjee was offered a major role in the film, but he couldn���t be part of it due to date issues. The actor, who is currently shooting with Paoli for Yara Sili Sili in Mumbai, says, ���I was offered the film a couple of months back, but had to turn it down as my dates were blocked for other films.���