There is an interesting story behind Vijayaraghavan’s shirt in ‘Ramji Rao Speaking’
Sometimes interesting stories happen on the sets of movies than what we see in the movie. All these are fascinating memories when remembered after years. Such an interesting incident can be told, a shirt worn by Mammootty in the movie ‘Poovin Newly Poontenal’ in 1986 became the shirt of the villain Ramji Rao in ‘Ramji Rao Speaking’ which was released four years later!
Mammootty is one of the most stylish actors in Malayalam cinema. A shining star in any outfit. Therefore, the clothes worn by Mammootty in the movies have also stolen the love of fashion lovers for many times.
Mammootty wears that shirt with double pockets in rust brown color in the movie ‘Poovin Puthya Poonthenal’ directed by Faasil. At the location of the film, there were many people who admired the shirt and the beauty of Mammootty wearing it. One of them was Lal of Siddique Lalmar, who was then working as Fazil’s assistant. Lal wanted to own that shirt that everyone on the set was staring at. After the shoot, Lal presented his wish to Mammootty. Mammootty happily gifted the shirt to Lal.
Babu Shahir, a close friend and production controller of Fazil and Siddique-Lal, remembers that Lal carried the shirt he wanted for a long time. “Lal attended many events wearing that shirt.” Babu Shahir also worked in the movie Poovin Uthya Poonthenal.
Fazil soon decided to make Siddique-Lal, who were working as his assistants, independent directors and he would produce their first film. Fazil assigned his confidant Babu Shahir to look after its production affairs. So the planning of ‘Ramji Rao Speaking’ started.
The costume discussions of the film are going on in full swing. Lal took the entire responsibility of the costume. With the stylish name of Ramji Rao, Siddique-Lal’s decision was that the villain should be a bit different in look and style. Siddique Lalmar wanted his Ramji Rao to have a shirt that would attract attention.
That’s when he remembered that old shirt of Mammootty’s in the film ‘Poovin Udya Poontenal’ that had mesmerized him and the entire crowd on a set. When Siddique agreed that it was enough, there was nothing else to think about. Taking reference to Mammootty’s dress, the costume department also sewed a dress for Ramji Rao in the same color and material. The only difference is that Mammootty wore a half-sleeve shirt in ‘Poovin Newy Poonthenna’, but in ‘Ramji Rao Speaking’ it was re-enacted as full-sleeve.
Anyway, with that, Ramji Rao entered Malayalam cinema as a stylish villain wearing a rust brown shirt.
