A film with the blessings of the Dalai Lama! Sounds great and somewhat incredible.It is indeed great, and of course true. And why at all did the Dalai Lama give his blessings to a film, while he has so many important duties to perform? Because the film in question deals with Buddha and Buddhism and seeks to propagate the values of universal love and brotherhood.The Dalai Lama, on his recent visit to Thiruvananthapuram, found time amidst his busy schedule to render his blessings to the making of a film- Angulimaala, directed by Noornaadu Ramachandran.
Angulimaala is indeed going to be a film with a lot of things to mention about. First and foremost, it is a film dealing with Buddha and the relevance of Buddhism in relation to the modern context. Second, it is going to be director Noornaadu Ramachandran's first feature film, though he is not new to the film world.

Thirdly, Angulimaala is going to be a film with a lot of newcomers putting in their creative skills, both on screen and off screen. And finally, it is worth note that Meghanaathan, son of the late actor Balan.K.Nair. He is already a somewhat known actor in Malayalam and he is to get a real break through the title role in this offbeat film, which could be very much decisive as far as the career of this, new-generation of Malayalam film is concerned.

Angulimaala tells the story of a youth who is inherently noble, but becomes a dacoit under certain circumstances and ultimately turns a saint inspired by none other than Lord Buddha himself. The story, taken from the of Buddhist literature, is filmed in the modern context and hence, as the director himself says, "...some arbitrary interpretations have been necessary for the materialization of some passionate contexts of dramatic fervor".

Angulimaala, the hero of the story, does not remain a mere character in this film but represents, in the words of the director himself, "the agony and unrest of the average youth of the present India". Regarding the relevance of the theme in the modern context, the director Noornaadu Ramachandran says, " We are passing through a dark hour of history when the human minds are turned turbid and restless by the ever surging fear of nuclear war and moral degradation.

I am a filmmaker who always wishes to be with those hearts, which bleed and tremble at the sight of passive generalization of terrorism and moral downfall. I ardently believe that we can find the sublime path of peace and love through the doctrines of great prophets..."Angulimaala, produced under the banner of Krishnabhavaani Productions is, as said earlier, the first feature film of filmmaker Noornaadu Ramachandran and has in cast Meghanaathan, debutant Anjali Menon, Bengali actor Sidhdhartha (as Buddha), newcomer Dileep Kumar, Jagathy Sreekumar, Babu Namboothiri, Premachandran, Sreenath, Madhupal, Indrans, James, N.L.Balakrishnan, Urmila Unni etc.

The script is by newcomers Jayaprakash and Naagabhooshan, both teachers from Kannur. Making his entry, as lyricist is R.K.Ramachandran, engineer turned poet, who has brought out many poetry collections, story collections and cassettes and has done many programs on the TV and the All India Radio. And the music for the film is by a duo, Sathish and Vinod, both youngsters from Kannur who have earlier done devotional albums. The editing is by K.P.S.Unnithaan and the cinematography is by V.Aravindaakshan (Chitranjali). The film, shooting which is to commence soon, will be shot at totally unexplored places in Moozhiyaar, Achchankovil, Kuttaalam, Pambli, Milpaalam, Palode etc.

Noornaadu Ramachandran hopes that the film-lovers of Kerala would accord a warm welcome to his debut feature film and thus the pains taken by him and his team would bear fruit. And all the way along, this accomplished filmmaker who has already proved himself through his documentaries, has the blessings of none other than the Dalai Lama. All the best!