Last February witnessed the theatrical release of films like Premalu, Bramayugam, and Manjummel Boys, which ignited what many referred to as 'a golden year' for Malayalam cinema. This year, however, Antony Varghese's Daveed has the potential to take the lead. Directed by newcomer Govind Vishnu, the film possesses numerous advantageous elements that may contribute to its success at the box office.

Daveed revolves around a father and daughter: Govind Vishnu

The posters released thus far suggest that Daveed's character will primarily focus on a boxer; however, Govind clarifies to OTTplay that this is not accurate. “The film centres on Antony’s character, Aashiq Abu, and his eight-year-old daughter. It tells the story of a father who goes to great lengths for his daughter,” the director states.

Antony portrays the protagonist, a bouncer who transitions into a boxer, beginning his journey in local competitions before advancing to international events. The director emphasizes that the film is crafted on a scale befitting a commercial entertainer. “It features numerous cinematic moments,” he adds.

Vijayaraghavan plays legendary boxing coach Puthalath Ragavan

An additional noteworthy element regarding Daveed is the portrayal of the real-life boxing coach Puthalath Ragavan by Vijayaraghavan in the film, who sadly passed away in 2020.

“Ragavan sir is celebrated for securing the highest number of national medals for Kerala in boxing. In his hometown of Pooladikunnu, Kozhikode, he gained recognition for training numerous boxers. He also fostered a passion for boxing among women, encouraging them to trade their bangles for boxing gloves,” states Govind. “While Antony’s character is fictional, the film possesses a semi-autobiographical quality, as it aims to reflect on Ragavan sir's life and honour his significant contributions.”

Daveed’s Egypt connection: Actor Moe Ismail

Daveed features Egyptian actor Moe Ismail in a significant role. The director notes, "He portrays a character of great importance in the film, allowing us to highlight aspects of Egypt's culture. One could argue that there are natural crossover elements between Egypt and India within the narrative."

Filming took place in Poothotta, Triprayar, and Fort Kochi. The cast also includes Lijomol, Saiju Kurup, Aju Varghese, Kichu Tellus, and Jess Kukku, who portrays Aashiq’s daughter, Safa. The screenplay is crafted by Deepu Rajeevan and Govind, with the film slated for release in theatres on February 14, 2025.

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