By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi, May 20, 2022: The first Malayalam film scripted by a Catholic priest on May 20 hit theaters across the southern Indian state of Kerala.
Initial reports indicate that film buffs have enthusiastically received “Varayan” (Striped or Tiger), a thriller story of a Catholic priest posted as parish priest in a notorious place.
Before the film release, Father Danny Beneduct, a renowned preacher and author who wrote the film story, invited “all people of God” to watch it in the first days of the release.
“More than just a film it is opening a stage for everyone to have an exchange of ideas,” says the priest who points out that Christ was a story teller at a time when there was no cinema. Christ who used to narrate stories of humanity was always Father Danny’s hero.
“The stories that touch our hearts are coming through films. Each one says stories that they like. We also start our story narrated by a young Capuchin priest. By watching the film with your family and friends you will support and encourage this film,” added the priest who is popularly known as Father Danny.
When he became a priest, Father Danny was also able to absorb some of His principles in real life and inspire a lot of people.
The movie is directed by Jijo Joseph and produced by A G Premachandran. It features Siju Wilson in the lead role, while Leona Lishoy, Manianpilla Raju, and Vijayaraghavan as lead characters.
Explaining how he developed the script Father Danny says, “I used to share stories with my fellow priests. Varayan is based on a story, I narrated to Jijo Joseph, my friend. He was excited about it.”
The 47-year-old priest claims the film story is based on a real life incident. Some criminal elements who had ruled over an island forced a few Capuchin priests to say rosary on their knees. “I was shocked initially but found it amusing,” he added.
The film’s screenplay is about a young Capuchin priest arriving at a new but scary parish and the problems he faces there.
Father Danny is happy that his congregation has been quite supportive of his venture into films. He pointed out that the Capuchins own a drama troupe, “Kollam Assisi,” (Assisi of Quilon).
Father Danny belongs to the St Francis Assisi Province of Kollam. He has written several books and gives spiritual retreats both in India and overseas. He is also popular through several programs on television and radio.
The priest is planning his next movie – on family life.
The Varayan’s first look poster was released on January 17 by Kerala’s lady superstar Manju Warrier. The poster featured a firebrand young priest in a Capuchin friar’s habit.
The involvement of a Catholic priest added further interest in the film. Wilson, the hero of the film, said in an interview that he had initially expected the story to have a religious theme, but was quite surprised by the serious content and entertainment offered by the story.
Father Danny’s books include “Daivom Peythirangunnu” (God is raining down), a novel in Malayalam; “Prakasathinte Nizhal” (shadow of light), a character analysis, and Mounam (silence), a collection of articles. He is also a renowned lyricist in Christian music.