After controversies, 'Dam 999" heads to Dubai


"Dam 999", a $10-million-film project boasting of an Indian and Hollywood cast, had its share of bad publicity while shooting in Kerala. But with the initial India leg of its shoot over, the crew is all set to head to Dubai and Hong Kong.

The film tells the tale of a cracking dam built during colonial rule and revolves around nine characters and their emotions. And the lives of all the nine characters revolve around the central edifice - the pressure-mounted dam.

The film's spokesperson said they would start shooting in Dubai, which would be the best location for capturing maritime activities as it is a big maritime hub.

"After Dubai, the unit then moves to Hong Kong and then returns to Kerala before winding up at Hyderabad, where the climax would be filmed. The film would be released worldwide this year itself," the spokesperson told IANS.

The film is produced by Middle East-based Marine BizTV and directed by Sohan Roy, CEO of Aries Telecasting Ltd, the parent company of Marine BizTV in Dubai. "Dam 999" will be released in both English and Malayalam.

The cast includes National Award-winning actor Rajit Kapur, Ashish Vidyarthi, Linda Arsenio, Joshua Fredric Smith, Jaala Pickering, Megha Burman, Vimala Raman, Vinay Rai and Jineet Rath.

Roy, a naval architect by profession, said the film is an emotional thriller inspired by many real-life incidents.

"One cannot go on for long without expressing one's feelings. Like a pressure-mounted dam, concealed emotions will explode at some point of time. Words are not enough to convey the aftermath of this outburst. The audience will relate to the symbolic representation of a dam to the mind," said Roy.

By the time the film's shooting in the state was completed last month, it had overcome two roadblocks. First, thespian Malayalam actor Thilakan, who was set to play the lead role, was dropped.

The actor was dropped after stiff opposition to his being part of the project by the Association of Malayalam Movies Artistes (AMMA) and the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), a body of technicians comprising 19 different organisations. Thilakan was replaced by Rajit Kapur.

As the shooting began, actress Tulip Joshi walked out of the sets due to differences with the unit. She later decided to come back, but members of FEFKA refused to work with her. She was replaced by Megha Burman.

The crew includes Ajayan Vincent (director of photography), Sreekar Prasad (editor), Thotta Tharani (production designer), Ouseppachan (music) and singers K.S. Chithra and P. Jayachandran among others.

The Hollywood names associated with the project include Eric Sherman, the project consultant who is a direction and production consultant to Universal Studios and Paramount Pictures besides Rob Tobin, who is the movie's script doctor.