Actor Tovino Thomas has, for the first time, offered insight into the basic premise of his much-anticipated period action entertainer ‘Pallichattambi’. The actor made it clear that the film’s central message revolves around humanity, rather than political ideology.

“I was very excited when I listened to the script. But the thing is, I don’t think I should give away much about the storyline and all. Because it might affect the audience’s movie-going experience,” Tovino said.

The actor went on to provide a limited glimpse into the setting of the film. According to him, the story unfolds during the years 1957 to 1958, a time when Kerala witnessed significant socio-political changes.

“What I can tell about the movie is, this movie is set in 1957-58, a time period when the socio-political scenario in Kerala was very different. New reformations came into existence. There were resistances against that. So, that is the premise, not the story. So, in this premise, there is a story happening and this story is completely fictional,” he explained.

Fiction inspired by real events

Tovino Thomas highlighted that although the film draws inspiration from real-life events of that era, it does not attempt to recreate them directly.

Pointing out that the makers have only borrowed elements from historical contexts, he clarified that the narrative remains fictional.

“But we have tried to make our fiction as believable as possible. And the inspiration from the real-life scenarios that happened at that point of time has helped a lot,” he said.

Speaking about his role, the actor revealed that his character enters the story from elsewhere and arrives in the village as a ‘PalliChettambi’.

“My character is someone who comes from a different place to this place where the story is happening. And he comes as a Palli Chettambi. Palli means church. Chettambi means someone who comes there to protect the church,” he said.

He added that the narrative explores how his character influences the village and its people.

“What happens in this village after he comes there and how he understands life. How he makes people understand life. The only politics that we are trying to tell in this movie is humanity,” he noted.

The period drama is directed by Dijo Jose Antony and also stars Kayadu Lohar alongside Tovino Thomas. The film is scheduled for release on April 10 this year.