The makers of the super hit Malayalam movie 'Manjummel Boys', directed and written by Chidambaram, have recently released a behind-the-scenes video focusing on the production design. Titled 'Behind the Production Design', the video showcases the efforts taken by the makers to recreate 'Guna Cave' in the film.

Chidambaram and production designer Ajayan Chalissery take the audience through the film’s production process, detailing the challenges faced while shooting in the remote and challenging location of Guna Cave.

"The film’s key location is Kodaikanal, a place to which I have a personal connection and have visited multiple times. However, I had never seen Guna Cave before. Initially, I thought I would be able to see the cave, but when I arrived, it was locked, and I couldn’t get in. After some effort, I managed to get a small permission from a forest guard. Before the tourists arrived, we were able to enter and explore the place," Chidambaram said.

He added, "I, along with producer Shaun, cinematographer Shiju Khalid, and production designer Ajayan Chalissery, went inside, and that’s when I saw the deep pit. The first thing I saw was a monkey skull, and death seemed to welcome us there. The smell was intense. The rocks, untouched by sunlight for centuries, and the smells from inside the cave made it clear that shooting here was impossible."

Reflecting on the challenges of filming with modern technology, Chidambaram acknowledged the difficulties faced by the team, saying, “With today’s lightweight cameras and advanced technology, it was still a huge challenge. I have great respect for the crew.”

The set for Guna Cave was meticulously constructed by moulding the natural rocks from various locations in Kodaikanal, creating a cave-like environment. Air conditioning was installed inside the cave to maintain temperature consistency, and many air conditioners were cleverly hidden in the set. Additionally, to create the dramatic visuals of a cavernous drop, a series of 50-foot deep pits were constructed, combining to form a 150-foot drop.

"When we talk about Guna Cave’s recreation, the team had to ensure everything was meticulously designed. The challenge was to create a place where the actors, like Saubin, could realistically hang 40 feet off the ground, as seen in the final shot," Ajayan Chalissery recalled.