Up-and-coming cinematographer and filmmaker Sudeep Elamon says that he discovered some of his favourite spots in the city and its outskirts while hunting for locations for his shoots. “For instance, one of the places I absolutely enjoy going to is Mulloor Thottam, a secluded coastal village that is away from the touristy crowd that goes to Kovalam, Vizhinjam, Azhimala and so on. A pristine, palm-fringed beach, it has retained its serenity even though there is a village nearby. I found this place when some of us took a boat from Kovalam and was travelling near the coastline looking for places to film an underwater shoot. The beach looks so ethereal,” says Sudeep, son of noted wild life photographer and filmmaker, Suresh Elamon.
In focus
The lensman, busy with the work on his first feature film, Pathinettam Padi, often goes to Thottam to soak in the quietude of the place with his friends. “For me, it is the place first and then the food. So after spending time there, on our way back we have our fill from some local joint,” he adds.
He does not like crowds. So he shuns most of the usual hangouts in the city during the day. But once the crowds go home, Sudeep and a handful of his friends gather at some of the open spaces in the heart of the city - Kanakakunnu Palace grounds, some spots on Vellayamabalam-Kowdiar road and so on. “Most of us are nocturnal to avoid the crowds thronging open spaces and popular hangouts in the city. For instance, we reach Kanakakunnu by about 9.30, sit on the steps in the landscaped ground and then it is non-stop talkathons,” he says with a laugh.
Sudeep Elamon | Photo Credit: special arrangement
Recently, when they dropped in at Kanakunnu grounds, they found the place lit up for a shoot as it was the location for Prithviraj’s directorial venture Lucifer, starring Mohanlal in the lead.
The bustle and hustle is what makes him stay away from Buhari at Manacaud even at night. The eatery, which stays open quite late into the night, has a loyal clientele that enjoys dining or snacking at the joint after a late-night show or programme. “So, I try to go after the crowd has thinned a little bit,” he admits.
Another scenic place he stumbled upon while location hunting is Judgekunnu, an elevated place a little away from Chitranjali Studio at Thiruvallam.
Judgekunnu | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
“I can’t say I go there often. But I frequently take guests who are new to the city to show them this place. It is surreal at sunset. One gets a picturesque view of the city spread out in the distance, watch the planes take off... The only problem is that it is also frequented by some rakish characters as well. So safety can be an issue,” he explains. Sudeep enjoys taking the road less travelled and he feels that there are many places in Thiruvananthapuram that are still not on the radar of weekend revellers and are familiar only to those in the locality. “Puthenthope, the road that leads to Anchuthengu.... some of those beaches are so tranquil and far from the maddening crowds. Those scenic but quiet places are my choices,” he adds.
A weekly series on people and their favourite places in the city and its suburbs