Tovino Thomas Reveals Elderly Woman Mistook 'Pallichattambi' Church Set for Real!
Synopsis
Actor Tovino Thomas shares a fascinating story about how an elderly woman mistook a church set for reality while filming 'Pallichattambi'. Discover the challenges of recreating the 1950s era and the incredible dedication of the film's crew.
Key Takeaways
Tovino Thomas stars in the upcoming film 'Pallichattambi' .
The movie is set in the 1950s , a time period unfamiliar to the actor.
An elderly woman prayed at the film's church set, mistaking it for a real church.
The film crew successfully transformed Thodupuzha into a believable village scene.
The director's vision helped create a convincing environment that blurred the lines between fiction and reality.
Chennai, April 2 (NationPress) Actor Tovino Thomas, portraying the lead role in director Dijo Jose Antony's forthcoming high-budget Malayalam action film 'Pallichattambi', has shared an intriguing incident regarding a church set created for the movie. The set was so lifelike that an elderly woman mistakenly believed it to be an actual church and offered her prayers there.
In an exclusive interview with IANS, Tovino was asked about the hurdles the production faced in authentically depicting the year 1958, the time period in which the narrative unfolds.
Responding to this inquiry, Tovino explained, "While filming 'Anweshippin Kandhethum', the storyline was set in the nineties. Being born in 1989, I had a better grasp of that decade because I experienced it both through films and real life. In contrast, the 1950s is an era I'm unfamiliar with; my father wasn't even born until 1952. Thus, our references were limited to old photographs and descriptions from historical texts, guiding us in our set design.
He elaborated on how an entire region in Thodupuzha was altered to resemble a village, where they filmed for several days on that set.
"We needed to build a church, which meant crafting both the exterior and interior. I recall a moment when an elderly lady approached and started praying there. While we felt a bit saddened that she confused the set for a real church, we also felt a sense of pride that it was so convincing; we chose not to interrupt her prayer," he recounted.
He continued, "Our director's vision was exceptional. They constructed numerous shops, buildings, and this church, all surrounding a junction, creating the illusion of a real village. In reality, it was simply the bank of a dam repurposed to achieve this transformation."
Point of View
Showcasing how art can blur the lines between reality and illusion.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Pallichattambi' about?
'Pallichattambi' is a Malayalam action entertainer directed by Dijo Jose Antony, set in the year 1958.
Who plays the lead role in 'Pallichattambi'?
The lead role is played by actor Tovino Thomas.
Where was 'Pallichattambi' filmed?
The film was primarily shot in Thodupuzha, Kerala.
What was unique about the church set?
The church set was so realistic that an elderly woman mistakenly thought it was a real church and prayed there.
What challenges did Tovino Thomas face while preparing for the role?
Tovino faced challenges in understanding the 1950s era as he was more familiar with the 1990s.
