"Raastha," the inaugural Malayalam international film entirely shot in Oman, is set to grace cinema screens on January 5.
The film's narrative unfolds against the vast expanse of the Rub Al Khali desert, a landscape ten times the size of the southern Indian state of Kerala. It narrates a poignant tale of a girl's journey to the Gulf in search of her mother, featuring the participation of numerous Omani citizens.
Directed by Aneesh Anwar, the much-anticipated survival thriller "Raastha" boasts a stellar cast including Sarjano Khalid, Anagha Narayanan, Aaradhya Ann, Sudheesh, Irshad Ali, T.G. Ravi, and Anish Anwar.
The film is produced by Linu Sreenivas under the ALU Entertainments banner.
During a press conference at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the film crew shared their enriching experience of shooting in Oman and unveiled the story inspired by real incidents.
Faisal bin Abdullah Al Rawas, Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed deep satisfaction at the movie being entirely filmed in Oman, applauding the director, Aneesh Anwar, and the crew for capturing the beauty of the country.
He acknowledged the challenges of filming in the desert and anticipated that the next movie might explore urban settings. Encouraging everyone to watch the film, he announced his intention to view it with his family.
Humaid Al Amri, Chairman of the Oman Film Society, conveyed that "Raastha" would elevate Oman's entertainment industry, inspiring more filmmakers to choose Oman as a shooting location.
Abdul Latheef Uppala, owner of ALU Entertainments and board member of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted the movie's role in promoting Oman's entertainment and tourism industries.
He emphasised his responsibility to contribute to this promotion.
Director Aneesh Anwar shared his positive experience of filming in Oman and recommended it as a desirable destination for Indian filmmakers.
The film's screenplay by Shahul and Faiz promises an enthralling cinematic experience, complemented by cinematography from Vishnu Narayanan and a musical score by Avin Mohan Sithara.
"Raastha" features outstanding songs sung by Vineeth Srinivasan, Alphonse Joseph, Suraj Santhosh, and Avin Mohan Sithara.
The film is further enriched by the artistic direction of Venu Thopil and a talented behind-the-scenes team.
With suspense, survival, and storytelling at its core, "Raastha" is set to deliver an immersive cinematic experience.