Riyas Muhammad is a passionate filmmaker from Kerala, known for his dedication to storytelling despite facing significant financial and logistical challenges. He directed Ameera, a Malayalam drama featuring Arish Anoop, Kottayam Ramesh, and Kottayam Purushan. His journey in cinema has been marked by perseverance, as he has balanced his filmmaking aspirations with other jobs to sustain himself.
Early Career and Flowers Oru Kodi
Riyas gained public attention through his participation in Flowers Oru Kodi, a television show where he shared his cinematic journey. His story resonated with many, leading to opportunities to direct films. However, his path has been anything but smooth.
Struggles with Chola Whiskey
His latest directorial venture, Chola Whiskey, has encountered severe financial difficulties, leaving its post-production and release uncertain. In his Instagram posts, Riyas detailed the hardships faced during the making of the film. Initially conceived as a small-budget project with fresh faces, the film later evolved to include established actors, but the budget remained unchanged. Many crew members worked for minimal pay or even without compensation, hoping the film would eventually be completed and released.
Despite financial constraints, the team pushed forward, completing editing, dubbing, and even recording the first song. However, the financial crisis deepened, forcing them to continue working without payment. Riyas recounted instances where he and his writer had to sleep outside on chairs due to a lack of accommodation for the cast and crew.
Uncertain Future
In another post, Riyas expressed frustration over failed financial commitments from potential producers. Some initially showed interest in funding the film, but later became unresponsive. He also mentioned losing the film’s hard disk due to unpaid dues, further complicating the situation. His words reflect the emotional toll of these struggles, questioning why the film was funded in the first place if it was never meant to be completed.
Riyas Muhammad’s journey exemplifies the resilience required in independent filmmaking, where passion often clashes with financial realities. His determination to bring Chola Whiskey to audiences despite overwhelming obstacles speaks to his unwavering commitment to cinema. Whether the film will eventually see the light of day remains uncertain, but his story is a testament to the challenges faced by many filmmakers striving to make their mark.
Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/biggbossmalayalamanalyst/
Follow on Facebook: https://facebook.com/biggbossmalayalamanalyst/