‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’ has struck a chord with Onam audiences with its uncomplicated romance, easy humour and memorable supporting characters. But, according to co-writer Kiran Josey, the film’s story began much before Premalu.
Girish AD had conceived the world of Bethlehem Kudumba Unit years ago, with a romance between two people separated by around 10–12 years. Even the title was decided at that stage, though the idea had not yet developed into a full screenplay.
“Girish ettan had this subject much before Premalu. He had the world of Bethlehem Kudumba Unit in his mind and knew that the story would be about two people with an age gap of around 10 to 12 years,” Kiran told Onmanorama.
The project remained on the back burner while Girish went on to make Premalu and I Am Kathalan. When he returned to the idea last year, he invited Kiran, his Premalu co-writer, to develop the screenplay with him.
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The original idea eventually became the story of Justin and Ashley, played by Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju. Nivin was Girish’s first choice for Justin, while Mamitha had already been considered for Ashley, meaning the central casting was in place when Kiran joined the project.
Kiran says the film’s humour also emerged naturally from its characters and situations rather than from an attempt to insert jokes into every scene. The same approach, he says, was followed while writing Premalu. References to films, memes and popular culture were similarly used only when they suited the context of a particular scene.
The supporting characters evolved during the writing process. Glixon, played by Roshan Shanavas, was not part of Girish’s original narration, while Suresh Krishna’s character was already present. As the screenplay developed, the team expanded the supporting roles and brought Suresh Krishna and Roshan on board.
Those characters have since become a major part of the film’s appeal, with Sangeeth Prathap’s Joel and Roshan’s Glixon receiving particular attention. Kiran says the actors ultimately brought more to the characters than the writers had imagined on paper.
Kiran also speaks warmly about Mamitha’s growth as an actor. Having worked with her since Super Sharanya, when he was an assistant director, he later watched her develop further in Premalu and now Bethlehem Kudumba Unit. He believes she has become more confident and has much more to offer in the years ahead.
For Kiran, the film also marks an important stage in his own journey. He is preparing for his directorial debut, which will be produced by Bhavana Studios, while another writing collaboration with Girish is also in the pipeline.
What began years ago as a title and a simple romance idea has therefore evolved into an Onam release that has found its audience—bringing together Girish AD’s long-held concept, Kiran Josey’s writing and a cast that has given the world of Bethlehem Kudumba Unit its distinctive charm.
