Malayalam cinema's most colourful writer and director Ranjit who created larger than life characters for Mohanlal (Devasuram, Aaran Thampuran, Narasimamham) and Mammootty (Black) is now turning hero with noted award-winning director Jayaraj's new film Gulmohar

Didi Damodaran, daughter of the legendary Malayalam scriptwriter T. Damodaran, is also making her debut as a scriptwriter with Gulmohar, which was launched on Saturday (March 15) in Thiruvananthapuram.

Remember Didi's dad the Kozhikode based Damodaran Master along with director I.V Sasi ruled Malayalam commercial cinema in the late 70's and 80's with their brand of political potboilers like Angadi, Avanazhi, Eenaduetc.

Jayaraj who is producing and directing Gulmohar says that he finds some "acting sparks in Ranjit", who was initially reluctant to wear the grease paint.

The film deals with gender issues and Ranjit plays a college lecturer Indrachoodan (Mohanlal's character name in Devasuram). The film also has Vineeth, Manoj K. Jayan, Vimala Raman and Lakshmi Gopalaswami.