Thankamani (also known as Thankamani: The Bleeding Village) is an upcoming Indian Malayalam-language crime thriller film written and directed by Ratheesh Reghunandan and produced by R. B. Choudary under Super Good Films. The film stars Dileep and is based on a real-life incident that occurred in Thankamany in October 1986.
The film was officially announced in January 2023 under the tentative title D 148, being the 148th film of Dileep. The official title, Thankamani, was announced in September 2023. Principal photography began in January 2023 in Kottayam and wrapped up in August 2023. Filming took place in Erattupetta, Kanjirappally, Koottickal, Poonjar, Kuttikkanam, Peermade and Kattappana. The musical score was composed by William Francis, while the cinematography and editing were handled by Manoj Pillai and Shyam Sasidharan.
Premise
Thankamani is based on an incident that occurred on 21 October 1986 in the village of Thankamany, following a dispute over a bus service, which resulted in a police baton charge and gunfire.
Cast
Dileep
Pranitha Subhash
Neeta Pillai
Manoj K. Jayan
Sudev Nair
Malavika Menon
Ajmal Ameer
Shine Tom Chacko
Siddique
John Vijay
Sampath Ram
Kottayam Ramesh
Major Ravi
Production
Development
Thankamani marks the first collaboration of Ratheesh Reghunandan, who previously directed Udal (2022), with Dileep. It is produced by R. B. Choudary under the banner Super Good Films, in association with Iffaar Media of Raaffi Mathirra. It will be the 97th production of Super Good Films and the 18th production of Iffaar Media. The film was tentatively titled D 148, as it is the 148th film of Dileep. The film was officially announced on 27 January 2023 in Kochi with a pooja ceremony held at the Crowne Plaza hotel. Joshiy inaugurated the function by lighting the Nilavilakku, while Jiiva performed the switch-on, and producer Raaffi Mathirra gave the first clap. The official title Thankamani was announced on 4 September 2023. In order to shoot the action sequences, the makers have hired action directors like Siva, Supreme Sundar, Rajashekhar and Mafia Sasi.
Casting
After her previous appearance in Paappan (2022), Neeta Pillai signed to play the female lead. Pranitha Subhash, who is making her debut in Malayalam cinema, was cast to play another female lead.
Filming
Principal photography commenced with the first schedule on 28 January 2023 at CMS College Kottayam, and reportedly, around 500 junior artists were involved. Dileep joined the shoot in the first week of February. Erattupetta, Kanjirappally, Koottickal, Poonjar, Kuttikkanam and Peermade were other prominent filming locations. The first schedule was completed on 8 March 2023 after a 40-day shoot. The crew began the second schedule on 8 May 2023 in Kattappana and nearby locations. With the help of art director Manu Jagath, a set was constructed on of land near Kattappana to shoot some important scenes, involving a thousand junior artists for 15 days. The shooting wrapped up on 17 August 2023 in Kattappana.
Music
The music is composed by William Francis.