June set to evoke high school nostalgia in UAE moviegoers

Starring Joju George and Rajisha Vijayan as a father-daughter duo, the coming-of-age movie is helmed by a debutant director

Debutant director Ahmed Khabeer's June has been touted as an honest, coming of age rendition of the movie's protagonist - June.
Khabeer's four-year-long dream come true, enhanced with film producer and actor Vijay Babu's (Angamaly Diaries, Aadu) magic touch, the film is set to evoke high school nostalgia, fond memories of Kerala's first monsoon showers, and perhaps even long-lost love for moviegoers in UAE. The movie has been making impressive collections back home since its release on February 15. June is set to release in UAE theatres today.
'Script is King'
The film follows central character June, her friends', and her family's perspective from youth to adulthood. June Sarah Joy, is played by Malayalam cinema's most promising female lead, Rajisha Vijayan who is the only child of her parents (Joju George and Aswathy). The family lives in an old house by the riverside, and the story begins as she gets ready to start Grade 11.
Like most teenagers her age, June wants to look chic, checks relationship compatibility with her male classmate Noel Varghese (Sarjano Khalid) using FLAMES, and has a braces-laden smile. Also featuring Arjun Ashokan, the movie also portrays a doting father (Joju) who shares an easy going,  liberal relationship with his daughter.
The movie marks the debut of 16 fresh faces as well and for producer Vijay Babu, gone is the time when Malayalam cinema was made based on the shoot timings of mainstream stars. "A good script is the need of the hour," said Babu. Speaking to City Times ahead of the movie's release, Babu revealed why a film like June works well for cinema-goers of all generations.
Breaking norms
Co-founder of the film production company, Friday Film House, Babu's magic touch has had newcomers thriving in a cinema industry that still heavily relies on stalwarts. He said it was a vision, hard work, and sincere dedication to the art form that has reaped results in June. 
"Whenever we do a movie, we put in 100 per cent. Take Angamaly Diaries, for example; it enjoyed excellent success in the box office. So, when we ventured out to do June, the expectations were very high. We had a new director, a new director of photography, a new music director. It sets newer, recent films on a different pedestal."
He added, "We are running a risk, of course. However, success is even sweeter. When you see a good script, you should take the risk because there is immense potential for stories like these. When I heard the script, I knew I had to do it."
Director Ahmed Khabeer had taken the script to 17 other producers before Babu decided to take it on.
The producer also believes cinema from Kerala is witnessing a coming of age, with due respect to cinemas of the 80s or 90s- the golden age of Malayalam cinema.
"Malayalam will see good stories. People are getting into the theatre looking at our brand. The movie itself worked. We had no big names or heroes, and for marketing purposes, we showed only 40 per cent of the content," added Babu. 
Commenting on the story, Babu said, "The movie is a coming of age story of a girl. We start the journey from when she is 16 to 26 - from her teen years to her marriage."
He stated that the movie is portrayed from a girl's perspective as she grows into a woman and figures herself out. "Girls can have an infatuation. There is a social norm that such feelings are limited to men - Why is that? We break that norm. The movie is about infatuation, love, and marriage."
Why newcomers work
The casting team spent days auditioning for actors who fit the bill. "We had clear character sketches, and we selected actors to fit the roles. Auditioning is a tedious process. We know the look of the character, and sometimes finding the right person is difficult."
After finding the right actors, Babu conducted a rigorous one-month training for the cast. "On set, we call all actors by their character names - not by their real names. In this way, they immerse into the character they are playing."
Sarjano Khalid, a newcomer, selected through audition to play the role of Noel, said starring in June had been an incredible opportunity for the debut actor. The 20-year-old plays June's first love interest. Getting into the shoes of a shy character, Sarjano said he could relate to Noel's personality because, at some point in his growing up years, he too went through character transformations.
He said, "Noel is a Malayalee settled in Mumbai. He moved to Kerala when he graduated to Grade 11. A family is everything to him, and he is very interested in the film industry. All this made Noel relatable. Growing up, I've studied in several schools. I'm very close to my family. There is something in the movie that people of all age groups can relate to."
"Also, with our training, playing the character became relatively easier." The youngster added, "There is a freshness in the story as well, and with the support of my co-stars, especially Rajisha, I could slip into the role easily. She was an incredible co-star. She is dedicated and has made many sacrifices for movies, and I learnt a lot from her as well." 
Speaking about his decision to get into acting, Sarjano said, "I've always wanted to explore the world of cinema. Earlier, I was not very confident about it, and I have much learning. After college, I'd auditioned for a couple of movies, and June happened."
Joju plays a doting father
Actor Joju George plays June's father in the movie. A veteran who has been in the movie industry since 1995, George said he is elated over the movie's success and says all fathers with young daughters must watch the film.
"When I heard the character sketch, I realised I was made for this movie. June's father is someone who had a child at a very young age. It was exciting, and I have never done something like this," said George. He also praised the director's vision and clarity in the script. "It's a director's movie. I am very proud of having the opportunity to work with someone like this. He's very young and smart- there were no challenges at all."
George said Malayalam cinema is making a grand comeback. "There are so many so many new directors and producers who are in the scene right now, and they have immense respect for the old- school directors. Malayalam cinema is gaining worldwide popularity, and the actors are immensely talented. I get nervous as there is immense competition. The first timers are doing a great job."
June will inspire producers to make cinema from a woman's perspective: Rajisha Vijayan
Basking in the success of a spate of hits, including the 2017 film Anuraga Karikkin Vellam, for which she won the Kerala State Film Awards, Rajisha Vijayan has no plans of slowing down. The lead star of June said there is immense potential among Malayalam actresses, and it is essential to make and promote movies that have a strong female point of view. 
Being the central character of the movie, Rajisha shoulders the film on her shoulders. However, she called June a 'director's movie.' "It was scary to have such a responsibility. Also, it is a rare opportunity for an actress to close such roles. When it becomes a commercial success, it feels amazing. It is only witness to the fact that there is great scope for movies with this theme," she said. 
"Also, I was going with the way he (Ahmed Khabeer) was leading me," said Rajisha. The actor believes June is not a 'female-centric' movie. "The narration is done from a female point of view. It's not just about June; it's about a lot of people who are continuously present in her life." According to Rajisha, cinema with a woman's perspective is essential in Malayalam as they are always a hit regardless of who stars in it.
"It is important to promote a film like this. Changes do keep on happening in the industry, and recently, we have had solid female leads. The industry has been creating great characters as we have such amazingly talented actresses who are craving to do strong roles. It's already happening. We can smell the change," she said.
The actress had to undergo a few physical changes to fit into her role. "There was a lot of workout and diet. I was working out for four hours every day, and I was on a rigorous diet. It was horrible. I had to chop off my hair, and for the school phase of June's life, she wore braces," laughed Rajisha.
Being in the movie reminded the young actor of her time in school. "I felt very nostalgic, and it reminded me of my school days, especially the assembly shoots. I had the best time of my life in school." Rajisha added, "June is named June for many reasons. The movie is about love, rain, and family. It will surely resonate with people. The feeling you get as you meet your friends after a long time. It would make you go back, and think about your friends."
The movie will strike a chord with Malayalees who have settled down in this country for work. "It's a family entertainer, and such movies are not made all the time. We have not seen many movies from a girl's perspective. I am hoping another producer will have the strength to make a film like this," she said.
 
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com 

• South Stars