page_title: Odiyan
section_title: Filming
hierarchical_section_title: Odiyan / Production / Filming
caption_attribution_description: العربية: فاراناسي الهند كما ترى من نهر جانجا English: Varanasi, India as seen from Ganga river. Español: Benarés, India, vista desde el río Ganges. Français&#160;: Varanasi, en Inde, vu depuis le lit du Gange.
context_page_description: Odiyan is a 2018 Indian Malayalam-language fantasy drama film directed by V. A. Shrikumar Menon in his feature film debut. The film was written by Harikrishnan; it is based on the legend of the Odiyan clan, who in Kerala folklore are men believed to possess shapeshifting abilities and can assume animal forms. Odiyans are said to have inhabited the Malabar region of Kerala before the widespread use of electricity. The film stars Mohanlal in the title role, alongside Prakash Raj and Manju Warrier; it was produced by Antony Perumbavoor through Aashirvad Cinemas.
  Principal photography began in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh in August 2017. Major parts of the film were shot in Palakkad district, where the story's Thenkurissi village was recreated. Some scenes were filmed in Vagamon, Athirappilly, and Kochi. The film was completed after 145 days of shooting. Sam C. S. composed the film's score, which also features songs composed by M. Jayachandran. Odiyan was released worldwide on 14 December 2018 alongside its dubbed versions in Tamil and Telugu languages.
context_section_description: Principal photography began on 25 August 2017 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Mohanlal joined the film three days later. Some scenes were shot at the Assi Ghat with Mohanlal. Underwater action scenes were filmed in the Ganges River. In Varanasi, the film was extensively shot at the Havelis, the lanes, and the Ghats. Sreejaya Nair was also part of this schedule. In the film, Odiyan Manikyan spent 15 years in the sacred lands of Varanasi before returning to his native village, Thenkurissi. This period of his life, his older age, was filmed there. After completing, the crew left Varanasi by the end of the month and remaining was the scenes in Thenkurissi. Since the film wanted a period setting, the modern-day Thenkurissi was unsuitable for filming. Hence, the village was recreated in a 20-acre land in Mucheeri, Palakkad district. The second schedule in Palakkad was scheduled to begin on 6 September. Raj joined the film with Mohanlal and Warrier in the banks of Bharathappuzha on 9 September. A champion goat named Madurai Machadaiyan was used in the film.
  The film's climax portions was filmed from 6 October in Palakkad, which was scheduled to last for 25 days. It was completed in 22 days on 27 October. By this schedule, Odiyan Manikyan's sexagenarian scenes were over and younger scenes were remaining to be shot. Climax scenes were shot in four locations. The climax fight sequence was filmed inside an Indian banyan tree beside the base of empty Walayar Dam. Action choreographer Peter Hein had around 60 days work in Odiyan. Hein later commented that Odiyan is his best work to date. The film contains five action scenes. After the second schedule, Mohanlal took break from filming for his physical transformation to become the younger Odiyan Manikyan. He began weight loss training under the supervision of a 22-member personal training team from France. After 51 days, he lost 18 kilograms (40 lb).
  In meantime, the third schedule began by filming night scenes on 12 November in the absence of Mohanlal. The film completed 50 days shooting by 20 November. Mohanlal was to join the sets in December for the fourth schedule. However, the schedule had to be postponed for two more months due to scheduling conflicts with Raj's dates. Finally, the schedule commenced on 3 March 2018. Scenes featuring the younger ages of Odiyan Manikyan, Prabha and Ravunni were filmed in this part. Sana Althaf, Kailash, Narain, Siddique, and Innocent also joined the sets. It was also the final schedule, during which 1960–1970 period was filmed in Palakkad. Odiyan Manikyan's house was created in Kollengode, which is also the native place of screenwriter Harikrishnan.
  Olappamanna Mana, an illam situated in Vellinezhi, served as a location in March. The song sequence featuring Mohanlal and Warrier was filmed at the Athirappilly Falls towards the end of the month. A temple-like set was created for the song under the waterfall. In early April, the scene where Odiyan Manikyan swam underwater across the Thenkurissi river was filmed. Manoj Joshi joined the sets in the month. Filming also took place in Vagamon, Idukki district. Principal photography was completed by 25 April after 123 days of shooting. Final schedule alone lasted 50 days. Filming was held in Malampuzha during the final wrap. Later, some pick-up footage was shot in May. After four months and post-production, an additional three-day brief schedule took place from 18 to 20 October in Kochi. Mohanlal also joined. The film in its entirety was completed in 145 days shooting.
caption: Manikyan was in Varanasi for 15 years
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