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Movie to be shot in UAE about life of Ajman-based Indian social worker

Ashraf Thamarassheri has helped with documentation work for repatriating over 2,000 dead bodies

A Malayalam screenplay writer-turned-film director has started work on a new movie with a UAE background that will tell the tale of an Ajman- based social worker who has helped to send home over 2,000 dead bodies of Indian citizens.

TA Razak, a clerk turned story writer, known for his films with a human touch, is now in Dubai, consulting social workers, film personalities and technicians for his forthcoming film which will be about the life of Ashraf Thamarassheri, an Indian social worker who has been helping expatriate families with documentation work for repatriating dead bodies of their loved ones.

Razak’s movie ‘Perumazhakkalam’ (‘Season of Heavy Rains’) bagged many awards. He turned to direction after scripting screenplays for many Malayalam  movies.

UAE-based Basheer Thikkodi has written a book about Ashraf Thamarassheri,  the central character of the proposed movie, who was recently elected the best social worker by the Malayalam TV channel Media One.

“The shooting of the movie will be fully done in the UAE,” said camera man Anil Vadakkekkara.

“My movie ‘Perumazhakkalam’ was the story of an Indian prisoner in Saudi Arabia who faced death penalty for murdering a compatriot worker. The story was told through two female characters, played by actresses Meera Jasmine and Kavya Madhavan, who are wives of the victim and murderer.  In this movie, the wife of the victim pardons the murderer after coming in contact with his wife.

”It was one of the most touching expatriate stories that I have made into a movie. Impatience is one of the reasons for violence and aggression. In this movie, the wife of a murder victim shows patience towards the family of a murderer,” he said. “The murder case was settled not in court but in the hearts of two women.”

“I heard that they are going to make a movie about my social work. It is a good because it will send the right message to the community and will be an incentive for other social workers in the Gulf. My work will continue irrespective of whether books or cinemas are made about it,” said Ashraf who was first featured as a social worker by Emirates 24|7.

Speaking to Emirates 24|7, film director Razak, who started as a clerk in the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), said he is also writing the screenplay for his 39th movie whose central character is a woman.

“We are in discussions with a UAE-based Indian film producer,” said Razak whose earlier movies tell tales about loan sharks and victims of high-interest loans, social issues and expatriate stories.  ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’ tells the story of an ordinary man who fell into the trap of money lenders.

“There are many touching stories from the Gulf and the movie about Ashraf will be well received,” Razak  said, adding that his latest movie  ‘Moonnam Naal Njayarazhcha’ (‘Third Day is Sunday’), starring Salim Kumar, was a success.

“Through two films ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’ (‘One man among one thousand’) and ‘Parunthu’ (‘Eagle’), I have shown the two sides of the money lending business which is booming in Kerala, causing many problems like family suicides and the growth of the loan mafia. Traditional means of finance for building homes and conducting weddings like chit funds and cooperatives are not to be seen at present. Commercial money lenders have taken over their role, leading to many problems in Kerala’s society,” Razak said.

“The Malayalam film industry owes much to film producers from the UAE. Like all other sectors of Kerala’s economy, the film industry has also gained from non-resident Indian entrepreneurs,” Razak said.