Promising twists and turns
Padayachee family in part 4 movie
IF YOU did not get enough of the antics of the Padayachee family, who first came on to the movie scene in 2005 in Broken Promises, they return for the fourth instalment in this comedy-filled escapade at the end of the month.
This time around, says producer and director Kumaran Naidu, there is plenty of dramatic comedy with a storyline that revolves around the conflict between father and sonin-law.
“When the last Broken Promises was released in 2011, I thought I was done with the franchise, but the fans just wanted more and there was great expectation for something bigger. And so, Broken Promises 4-ever came about, and we are ready to give the fans what they want,” says Naidu, a former Durbanite now living in Johannesburg.
The family at the centre of Broken Promises is the Padayachees, with the matriarch Amsugi, played by Kogie Naidoo, aiming to steer the family.
The movie focuses on her grandson, Mandoza Manogran Manoj Marlon Padayachee, played by local actor Theshen Naicker – already known for his alter ego Aunty Sheila who dishes up advice in online vlogs – and the trials and tribulations he faces in his romantic relationship.
“We did the conflict between mothers and daughters-inlaw in the first movie, so we thought it’s best to cover a different topic. I don’t want to give away too much of the storyline though,” Naidu says, laughing.
Many of the previous actors return to the fourth instalment, and Naidu says he has introduced many new characters.
Those who return are Bommi (played by Rani Pillay), Reuben (Neel Pillay), Kamla (Roshini Moodley), and Sunny (Yogan Moodley). Beauty queens Riona Rajkumar (former Mrs India South Africa), and Christina Moodley, a former Mrs Phoenix, also appear. Model Kajal Sewgobind is the love interest, called Skye, in the film.
“We’ve got about 20 characters all feeding into the storyline, two households this time around, and some twists and surprises,” says Naidu. With a bigger budget, the movie was shot in parts of Reservoir Hills, Durban and surrounds, Blue Lagoon, Verulam and oThongathi. “Filming in Durban is always great, everything in Durban makes for a good scene,” says Naidu, whose other films include Run For Your Life and The Curse of Highway Sheila.
“The topics covered are relevant to the Indian community and what they like and dislike, so the audience will definitely relate to the storyline. I’m sure they are going to enjoy this fourth Broken Promises.”