Writer Shahi Kabir on turning director with ‘Elaveezhapoonchira’

The crime thriller has Soubin Shahir in the lead

Shahi Kabir, a police officer with the Kerala Police, made his debut in Malayalam cinema as a writer with the critically-acclaimed Joseph (2018). His second work as writer, Nayattu (2021), was an even bigger success. Shahi turned director with Elaveezhapoonchira, which is reaching theatres today.

Shahi’s experience behind the camera has been as an assistant to Dileesh Pothan in his National Award-winning film, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum. In 2015, he wrote and directed a short film In? Glorious Life with fellow police officers working in front of and behind the camera. “This is a dream-come-true moment. I had plans to direct Joseph, but I was not confident about doing it then,” says Shahi, who has taken a five-year break from his job.

Elaveezhapoonchira unfolds in the picturesque Ilaveezhapoonchira in Kottayam district, a tourist hotspot and one of the highest points in the district. The story revolves around the police wireless station on the hillock and the personnel posted there.

Shahi had worked at the station in 2014, so too the film’s scenarists Nidheesh G and Shaji Maraad, who are now posted at the Armed Reserve Camp in Kottayam. “This is a spot where thunder and lightning strikes are frequent. Sometimes it would last for two to three hours. Although, the policemen take precautions, tourists are not aware of this. People have lost lives after being struck by lightning,” Shahi says.

There are several myths about how the place got the name Ilaveezhapoonchira, the literal translation of which is flowery pond where leaves do not fall!

Although Nidheesh had published a story by the name ‘Elaveezhapoonchira’ earlier, the film is not based on that work. “It is a crime thriller and we have used the geography and the landscape of Elaveezhapoonchira for the narrative.”

Shahi adds that there have been days when they had to wind up the shoot by afternoon because of the lightning. “There were around 60 of us on the location and we used to take refuge inside the building that houses the station or jeeps..”