News

Attam has taken the Malayalam film industry to new heights with its win at the 70th National Film Awards! Directed by Anand Ekarshi, this bold film dives deep into complex themes, addressing social issues head-on and leaving audiences with lots to think about. At the heart of Attam is a gripping story centered around a female theater member who accuses a prominent male actor of sexual harassment.

The initial support from her male colleagues soon becomes shaky, revealing their hidden agendas and loyalty sways. As the layers of this drama unfold, viewers get a front-row seat to the unraveling biases, betrayals, and moral dilemmas within the group. It’s a tale that resonates because it’s brutally honest about how people often bend their principles when personal gains are involved.

Table of Contents Summary of Aattam (No Spoilers Here!) Why Watch Aattam? Why Watch Aattam? Summary of Aattam (No Spoilers Here!

Attam has taken the Malayalam film industry to new heights with its win at the 70th National Film Awards! Directed by Anand Ekarshi, this bold film dives deep into complex themes, addressing social issues head-on and leaving audiences with lots to think about. At the heart of Attam is a gripping story centered around a female theater member who accuses a prominent male actor of sexual harassment.

The initial support from her male colleagues soon becomes shaky, revealing their hidden agendas and loyalty sways. As the layers of this drama unfold, viewers get a front-row seat to the unraveling biases, betrayals, and moral dilemmas within the group. It’s a tale that resonates because it’s brutally honest about how people often bend their principles when personal gains are involved.

Summary of Aattam (No Spoilers Here!)

Aattam is set in the vibrant, yet male-dominated, world of a theatre troupe. The story kicks off when Anjali,...

As India’s film industry grapples with ongoing discussions about sexual harassment, the National Award-winning Malayalam-language film “Aattam,” a potential Oscar submission from the country, has gained renewed attention for its prescient exploration of the topic.

Director Anand Ekarshi and star Zarin Shihab spoke to Variety about the film’s impact, its chances on the international stage, and its relevance to current industry concerns.

“Aattam” follows the aftermath of an alleged sexual assault within a theater group. After a post-performance party, Anjali (Shihab), the troupe’s sole actress, becomes the victim of a crime committed by one of her male colleagues. As the group convenes to address the incident, long-buried tensions surface, suspicions arise, and the ensuing clamor threatens to tear the ensemble apart. The ensemble cast also includes Vinay Forrt (Rotterdam title “Family”) and Kalabhavan Shajohn (“Lucifer”).

The film’s themes have become even more relevant in light of...

After participating at various film festivals, Anand Ekarshi’s debut feature film, Aattam, is now available for streaming on Prime Video. It centers on a critical moment in the lives of 12 artists who have dedicated a significant portion of their careers to performing plays for a theatre troupe purely out of passion. Their harmonious camaraderie and existential pursuits face an unprecedented challenge when the sole female member of the team becomes a victim of sexual assault. As the plot unfolds, it delicately peels away the layers of each character, unveiling complexity imbued with both self-interest and compulsion. The characters’ actions and their decisions give rise to twists and turns in the tale, erupting from their insecurities and primal quest for survival. The chamber drama is tautly constructed, delving deep into the social, moral, and personal dimensions that define contemporary Indian society. The filmmaker throws us into a labyrinth of conflicting...

Indian sales outfit Indywood Distribution Network has sold Rupesh Paul’s “Kamasutra — The Revenge” wide ahead of Hong Kong’s film rights market FilMart.

Starring Sherlyn Chopra, Milind Gunaji and Gajendra Chauhan, and produced by San2Creations, the film follows two princesses — one who is robbed of her dreams when forced to accept a middle-aged king as her husband, and another thirsty for revenge.

Indywood has sold the film to Twin, A2 Filmes (Latin America TV/VOD), Filmbridge, Pioneer Film and Rft Films.

The company has an extensive FilMart slate that also includes Sri Lankan auteur Prasanna Vithanage’s “Paradise,” winner of the Kim Jiseok award at Busan 2023 and nominated in four categories at the Asian Film Awards. Produced by Newton Cinema and starring Roshan Mathew, Darshana Rajendran and Shyam Fernando, the film follows an Indian couple who arrive in the hill country of crisis-ridden Sri Lanka to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary.

Defining an independent film goes beyond financial considerations to encompass creative freedom, narrative innovation, distribution methods, and a commitment to artistic intent. Independent filmmaking thrives on the passion and vision of filmmakers determined to tell unique stories that challenge and captivate audiences. The following ten examples demonstrate how the cinematic landscape of India continues to evolve; the definition of independent film will likely remain fluid, reflecting the dynamic nature of a medium that constantly pushes boundaries and defies easy categorization. While preparing this list, I considered films that had their world premiere at various film festivals around the world this year.

Family (Malayalam)

Directed by Don Palathara and co-written by Sherin Catherine Family serves as a poignant condemnation of the deceit and misconduct lurking beneath the seemingly tranquil camaraderie of a Christian community in Kerala. Palathara meticulously dissects the intricate and intrusive social dynamics within the rural population, revealing how...

New Delhi, Nov 2 (Ians) It cannot get better for debutant filmmaker Anand Ekarshi. Even as his film ‘Aattam’ (‘The Play’) will have its Asia premiere at the Jio Mami Mumbai Film Festival after receiving the top honour at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, and is all set to open the Indian Panorama segment of International Film Festival of India in Goa this month, he is glad the audiences and critics are appreciating the exploration of the human psyche.

“I just did not want the film to be preachy. It is paramount that art precipitates a dialogue and does not give ‘answers’. It was important for me to take a very subtle route, a very human approach,” he tells Ians.

‘Aattam’ revolves around a theatre group with a lone woman member who faces sexual abuse and how the group reacts and the changes in the reaction as the movie progresses.

New Delhi, Nov 2 (Ians) It cannot get better for debutant filmmaker Anand Ekarshi. Even as his film ‘Aattam’ (‘The Play’) will have its Asia premiere at the Jio Mami Mumbai Film Festival after receiving the top honour at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, and is all set to open the Indian Panorama segment of International Film Festival of India in Goa this month, he is glad the audiences and critics are appreciating the exploration of the human psyche.

“I just did not want the film to be preachy. It is paramount that art precipitates a dialogue and does not give ‘answers’. It was important for me to take a very subtle route, a very human approach,” he tells Ians.

‘Aattam’ revolves around a theatre group with a lone woman member who faces sexual abuse and how the group reacts and the changes in the reaction as the movie progresses.

Iffla Will Open With Khufiya Directed By Vishal Bhardwaj And Close With All India Rank By Varun Grover

US Premieres of Documentaries The World is Family by Legendary Filmmaker Anand Patwardhan, and The Golden Thread by Nishtha Jain

Exclusive Masterclass with World Renowned Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj

Today the 2023 Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (Iffla) announced the lineup of official selections for the 21st annual edition of the internationally acclaimed film festival. Iffla will showcase 24 films from 13 countries and in 14 languages, including the world theatrical premiere of Vishal Bhardwaj's Khufiya, the world premiere of Atul Sabharwal's Berlin, and the North American premieres of Varun Grover's dramedy All Indian Rank, Dominic Sangma's Garo language film Rapture,and the Malayalam film Aattam (The Play) by Anand Ekarshi. Plus, the LA premiere of Joram by Devashish Makhija.

Passes and Gala tickets are now available at www.indianfilmfestival.org. Tickets to...

Los Angeles, Sep 15 (Ians) The Tabu-starrer action-spy-thriller film ‘Khufiya’ is all set to have its world premiere at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (Iffla).

Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, ‘Khufiya’ is based on the novel ‘Escape to Nowhere’, written by the former R&aw (Research and Analysis Wing) chief of counter espionage, Amar Bhushan, seeing the ‘Andhadhun’ actress as a covert operative, embarking on a secret and dangerous mission that requires her to juggle roles as a spy and a lover.

Vishal, known best for his dramatic film adaptations of Shakespeare’s works with films such as ‘Maqbool’, ‘Omkara’, ‘Haider’ and more lately, with his Agatha Christie retread, in ‘Charlie Chopra’, will also give a full masterclass on his filmmaking journey and multi-faceted creative process across screenwriting, directing and music, as was reported by Variety.

The festival’s other feature selections include: the world premiere of Atul Sabharwal’s...

The Tabu-starrer action-spy-thriller film ‘Khufiya’ is all set to have its world premiere at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (Iffla). Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, ‘Khufiya’ is based on the novel ‘Escape to Nowhere’, written by the former R&aw (Research and Analysis Wing) chief of counter espionage, Amar Bhushan, seeing the ‘Andhadhun’ actress as a covert operative, embarking on a secret and dangerous mission that requires her to juggle roles as a spy and a lover.

Vishal, known best for his dramatic film adaptations of Shakespeare’s works with films such as ‘Maqbool’, ‘Omkara’, ‘Haider’ and more lately, with his Agatha Christie retread, in ‘Charlie Chopra’, will also give a full masterclass on his filmmaking journey and multi-faceted creative process across screenwriting, directing and music, as was reported by Variety.

The festival’s other feature selections include: the world premiere of Atul Sabharwal’s ‘Berlin’, Dominic Sangma’s...

Tabu-starring spy thriller, “Khufiya” has been set as the opening title of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (Oct. 11-15). A Netflix-backed production, the Iffla presentation will represent the film’s theatrical world premiere.

The festival will wrap with the North American premiere of dramedy “All India Rank,” by Varun Grover. The film had its premiere at the Rotterdam festival in January.

Between the two, the festival will play four additional narrative features, two documentary features and 16 shorts, hailing from 13 countries.

Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, “Khufiya” is based on the novel “Escape to Nowhere,” written by a former chief of counter espionage, Amar Bhushan and sees top actor Tabu as an operative on a mission that requires her to juggle roles as a spy and a lover. It also stars Ali Fazal, Wamiqa Gabbi and Azmeri Haque Badhon (“Rehana”).

Indian director, screenwriter and musician Vishal Bhardwaj.

Bhardwaj,...

Festival

Anurag Kashyap, Sunny Leone, Taapsee Pannu, Rahul Bhat, Ranjan Singh, Anup Singh, Don Palathara, and Sami Khan are among the guest list at the 12th edition of Bmo International Film Festival of South Asia (Iffsa), Toronto (Oct. 12-22).

With a lineup of some 120 films and more than 30 events, Iffsa is among the largest South Asian-themed festivals in the world. Selections include Cannes duo – Kashyap’s “Kennedy,” starring Leone and Bhat, and Kanu Behl’s “Agra,” Laetitia Colombani’s “The Braid” starring Kim Raver (“Grey’s Anatomy”) and Berlin selections “Ghaath” by Chhatrapal Ninawe and “Aatmapamphlet” by Ashish Bende. From Rotterdam, Palathara’s “Family,” starring Vinay Forrt and Devashish Makhija’s “Joram,” headlined by Manoj Bajpayee, feature alongside Jagath Manuwarna’s Sri Lankan film “Whispering Mountains.”

Acclaimed Bangladesh series “Pett Kata Shaw” will feature as will Canadian Bengali-language production “Meghna Konnya” by Fuad Chowdhury, Atul Sabharwal’s Hindi-language “Berlin” and Osman...

Onam, the most celebrated festival of Malayalees, is also a time when movie buffs look forward to some exciting releases on the big screen. This year, three major films – Rdx, Ramachandra Boss & Co, and King of Kotha – competed for the audience’s attention and appreciation. Here is a brief review of each film, based on the ranking given by a user who watched them all.

1. Rdx: A thrilling action drama set in the 1980s Rdx Teaser

Rdx, directed by debutant Nahas Hidayath, is a multi-starrer film that features Shane Nigam, Antony Varghese, Neeraj Madhav, and Babu Antony in the lead roles. The film’s title stands for the names of the protagonists – Robert, Doney and Xavier – who are known for their knack for getting into fights. The film revolves around their past catching up to them years later when one of them gets into trouble.

The film has been praised for its gripping script,...

ReviewDirector Haneef Adeni attempts to give a comic treatment to a heist, with Nivin leading a gang of desperate individuals, but the poorly written script does nothing for the film.If, during the introduction of Nivin Pauly in an SUV in Ramachandra Boss & Co, you dozed off for a bit, you wouldn’t have missed much. Chances are, you will still find him driving the SUV, kicking up sand in the desert for whole minutes, before getting out to allow viewers a preview of himself. That this is one of the more tolerable sequences in the film tells you the amount of lameness awaiting you in the rest. Ramachandra Boss features a bunch of actors who have given memorable performances before, but none of them, including Nivin Pauly, can do much in this badly-wanting script about a heist and all that goes wrong with it. Haneef Adeni, who has made...

Vaathil, a Malayalam film starring Vinay Forrt in the lead role, is all set to release in theatres on August 31. The film is directed by Sarju Remakanth, who has previously worked as an associate director in films like Uyare and Theevandi. Vaathil is his debut feature film as a director.

The film is a psychological thriller that revolves around the life of a man named Arun, played by Vinay Forrt, who suffers from a rare mental disorder. Arun is a successful architect who lives with his wife and daughter in a luxurious apartment. However, he has a dark past that haunts him and affects his present. He starts to experience strange and terrifying events that make him question his sanity and reality.

Vaathil Trailer

The trailer of the film, which was released earlier this month, has received positive feedback from the audience and critics alike. The trailer shows glimpses of Arun’s troubled past,...

The trailer of Nivin Pauly’s upcoming film Ramachandra Boss and Co has been released on Monday, ahead of its theatrical release on August 25. The film, directed by Haneef Adeni and produced by Listin Stephen and Nivin Pauly, is set in the UAE and revolves around a heist planned by a group of expatriates.

The trailer introduces Nivin Pauly as Ramachandra Boss, a notorious thief who refuses to yield to anyone. He assembles a team of amateurs who are forced to join him due to their personal situations. The team aims to steal 10 million dollars within a month, but faces many challenges and risks along the way.

Ramachandra Boss & Co Trailer

The trailer showcases the stylish and suave avatar of Nivin Pauly as Boss, who leads the action sequences and the suspense elements of the film. The trailer also features some glimpses of humour and romance, as well as...

The much-awaited trailer of Nivin Pauly’s upcoming film Ramachandra Boss and Co is expected to release today or tomorrow, according to sources close to the production. The film, directed by Haneef Adeni, is a comedy drama that revolves around a heist planned by a group of expatriates in the UAE. The film also stars Vinay Forrt, Jaffer Idukki, Vijilesh, Mamitha Baiju, Aarsha Chandini Baiju and Sreenath Babu in pivotal roles.

The film’s first teaser, which was released on August 11, gave a glimpse of Nivin Pauly’s character Ramachandra Boss, who is referred to as a “common man” who is for “common people”. He builds a company and plans to loot a palace called “Amar Palace”. The teaser promised a complete masala entertainer with action, comedy and romance. The film’s tagline reads “Witness the biggest Pravasi heist”.

Rama

The film’s music is composed by Midhun Mukundan, while...

The first glimpse teaser of Nivin Pauly’s upcoming film Ramachandra Boss and Co is out and it promises to be a fun-filled heist comedy set in the UAE. The film, directed by Haneef Adeni, marks his third collaboration with Nivin after The Great Father and Mikhael. The teaser shows Nivin as Ramachandra, the leader of a gang of thieves who plan to rob a bank in Dubai. The film also features Vinay Forrt, Jaffer Idukki, Vijilesh, Mamitha Baiju, Aarsha Chandini Baiju and Sreenath Babu in pivotal roles.

The film is produced by Listin Stephen and Nivin Pauly under their banners Magic Frames and Pauly Jr. Pictures respectively. The technical crew includes Vishnu Thandassery as the cinematographer, Nishad Yusuf as the editor and Midhun Mukundan as the music composer. The film is expected to hit the screens for Onam 2023, along with other big releases like Dulquer Salmaan’s King of Kotha and the multi-starrer Rdx.

Nivin Pauly, the versatile actor who has impressed the audience with his performances in films like Premam, Moothon, and Thuramukham, is all set to entertain the fans with his upcoming heist comedy, Ramachandra Boss & Co. The film is written and directed by Haneef Adeni, who previously collaborated with Nivin in the action thriller Mikhael . The film also features Vinay Forrt, Jaffer Idukki, Mamitha Baiju, and Aarsha Chandini Baiju in supporting roles.

The title poster of the film was released by actor Suresh Gopi on his social media handles on Saturday. The poster shows a group of people standing on a pier overlooking a city skyline and a sunset. The tagline of the film reads “Lights; Camera; Heist !!!”. Nivin also shared the poster on his Instagram account and wrote, “Rolling the common man’s journey filled with fun, thrills and hope.”

Boss and Co Video

The plot details of the film are yet to be revealed,...

Family is a very simple and minimalistic looking film on the outside but deep inside is a haunting, and at times, terrifying look at a Christian community set in the backdrop of rural Kerala in India. Director Don Palathara has crafted a brutally authentic film where lingering static shots with minute invisible details tell a story where the audience serves as a witness in every scene. Right from the opening scene, we see wide angle shots where the camera acts like a third person in every scene, invisible to the characters and is devoid of any emotion/opinion, good or bad.

The dense forest region filled with cloudy foggy skies mirrors the community that Don is trying to show us. He does so in a very structured and methodical manner as he peels away at the story layer by layer. The perfection in the execution of every shot is consistent and therefore impressive.

BIFFThe film is written by Don Palathara and Sherin Catherine and has been produced by Newton Cinema.Malayalam director Don Palathara’s movie Family is set to be screened at the 14th Bengaluru International Film Festival in the Indian Panorama section. The movie, produced by Newton Cinema, will make its premiere in India during the festival. The film had its world premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. According to The Week, the movie received praise for its performances, cinematography, and “thought-provoking themes that explore the complexities and contradictions of familial relationships in contemporary India.” The film revolves around Sony (played by Vinay Forrt), a devout Christian who has an impeccable image in his local community. However, beneath this do-gooder image lurks something darker which is explored in the film. In a press release, director Don Palathara said, “I am thrilled that Family will have its first screening at the Bengaluru International Film Festival.

In a recent interview with Variety, Indian director Don Palathara was asked about the inspiration for his latest feature “Family”, which marks a return to the themes and settings of “The Corpse” and “Seed”. “The Church was always the elephant in the room”, he explains about his family and growing up in a rural community, and how “Family” deals with the idea of feeling watched constantly, as well as being judged. The feature, which has its world premiere at International Film Festival Rotterdam, seems like a natural progression for Palathara at the same time, with its aesthetic approach asking the viewer to pay attention to the smallest of details in the picture and the characters we see on the screen. It is a fascinating approach, very cinematic, highlighting the importance of the composition as it may give clues to a hidden truth.

Family is screening at International Film Festival Rotterdam

In a small rural community,...

ReviewActors are spilled across the narrative, but instead of adding to the frolic like in Alphonse’s previous films, in ‘Gold’ it is mostly just chaos.CrisImagine that tin game most of us played as kids – many names written in small chits of paper dropped inside a tin that is then shaken vigourously. After 160-plus minutes of Alphonse Puthren’s Malayalam comedy Gold, the head feels somewhat like that tin. I am still pulling out names from it, and I have managed to recall 30 so far. Star-studded is not the right word for Gold. The film has actors spilled all across the script and just as soon as you catch up with one name, the person is nowhere to be seen. It is of course Alphonse, a filmmaker known for penning long scripts and being generous with the cast. But in his two previous much-adored ventures if it added to the fun and frolic,...

ReviewThere is a comfort in the predictability of ‘Sundari Gardens’, directed by Charlie Davis. It is the sort of solace that only a simple and gently enjoyable romcom can offer.Lakshmi PriyaAparna Balamurali in Sundari GardensThere are many facets to Sundari Mathews, Suma for short. She is a divorced single woman in her 30s who finds comfort in an occasional swig of vodka neat (or an entire bottle of wine overnight), and frets about her grey hairs and waistline. She is remarkably good at her job as a school librarian, casually directing a student who asks for Orhan Pamuk’s My Name is Red to the ‘second shelf from left, fourth row from top, seventh book from left’. She is also a cellist, a hidden talent that she springs at an unsuspecting Victor Paul (Neeraj Madhav), the new English teacher at the school. And as she walks out of her...

MollywoodThe film is helmed by ‘Premam’ fame Alphonse Puthren. Tnm StaffTwitter/ Prithviraj SukumaranAlphonse Puthren’s upcoming film Gold featuring Nayanthara and Prithviraj Sukumaran, is gearing up for release. The director announced on social media that the film will be released during the festival of Onam, which will start on August 30 and end on September 8. Sharing the update, Alphonse Puthren wrote, “Gold is melting this Onam.” Earlier, the first look poster of the film was unveiled on June 6. Prithviraj is seen speaking to someone on the phone, while Nayanthara sports a surprised look. The vibrant poster also features other characters in the borders of the image. Sharing the poster, Prithviraj had tweeted, "#Gold An #AlphonsePuthren Film! @puthrenalphonse @PrithvirajProd @magicframes2011 (sic)." Bankrolled by Supriya Menon and Listin Stephen, the cast of Gold also includes actors Ajmal Ameer, Krishna Sankar, Shabareesh Varma, Chemban Vinod Jose, Vinay Forrt, Roshan Mathew, Mallika Sukumaran, Deepti Sati,...

Mollywood‘Gold’ marks ‘Premam’ filmmaker Alphonse Puthren’s next directorial venture after 2015. Tnm StaffTwitter/ Prithviraj SukumaranThe first look poster of upcoming Malayalam film Gold, which stars actors Nayanthara and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead, was unveiled on June 6. Billed as an action comedy flick, Gold is directed, written, and also edited by Premam fame director Alphonse Puthren. In the poster, Prithviraj is seen speaking to someone on the phone, while Nayanthara sports a surprised look. The colourful and quirky poster features other characters in the borders of the image. Sharing the poster, Prithviraj wrote, "#Gold An #AlphonsPuthran Film! @puthrenalphonse @PrithvirajProd @magicframes2011 (sic)." Bankrolled by Supriya Menon and Listin Stephen, the star-studded supporting cast of Gold includes actors Ajmal Ameer, Krishna Sankar, Shabareesh Varma, Chemban Vinod Jose, Vinay Forrt, Roshan Mathew, Mallika Sukumaran, Deepti Sati, Baburaj, Lalu Alex, Jagadish, Saiju Kurup, Suresh Krishna, Shanthi Krishna, Shammi Thilakan, Sudheesh, Idavela Babu, Shebin Benson,...

MollywoodHelmed by filmmaker Tk Rajeev Kumar, the film co-stars actor Shaylee Krishen.Tnm StaffShane Nigam/ InstagramMollywood actor Shane Nigam’s upcoming movie Bermuda is gearing up for theatrical release. The actor announced the release date and shared a new post in his latest Instagram post. Bermuda is slated for theatrical release on May 6 this year. “Bermuda theatrical release on May 6th, 2022. Hope your prayers are with us,” Shane wrote. Helmed by filmmaker Tk Rajeev Kumar, the film stars actors Shane Nigam and Shaylee Krishen. Vinay Forrt will also be appearing in the film as a policeman. The poster features the reflection of Shane Nigam’s face in water. The poster and title hint that the movie will be discussing the Bermuda Triangle. A motion poster from the film was earlier released by actor Kunchacko Boban in June last year. “Happy to release the motion poster of movie ‘Bermuda’ Good luck RajivEttan,...

CourtThe plea had been moved by a lawyer, Peggy Fen, contending that there was an "overdose of foul language" in the film and sought the film's removal from Ott platform SonyLiv. Ptia still from ChuruliThe Kerala High Court on Thursday, February 10, dismissed a plea seeking removal of Malayalam mystery horror film Churuli from Ott platform Sony Liv. Justice Pv Kunhikrishnan, while dismissing the petition, said people should comment about a film only after watching it. Similarly, comments about a judgement should be made, especially by lawyers, only after reading it, he said. The plea had been moved by a lawyer, Peggy Fen, contending that there was an "overdose of foul language" in the film and therefore, it should be removed from the Ott platform "as expeditiously as possible". On a previous date of hearing, the court had termed as "atrocious" the language used in the film, which was released via...

As we have mentioned many times before, and particularly in our specific list about the genre, India produces some of the best crime films nowadays. Mahesh Narayana continues the legacy with another epic in “Malik”

“Malik” is screening at International Film Festival Rotterdam

The story unfolds in non-linear fashion, starting with a rather impressive lengthy single shot scene that introduces the main character, Ali Sulaiman, the godfather of Ramadally, a small Indian coastal town where Muslims and Christians live peacefully side by side. Something is obviously amiss however, and the pilgrimage trip he is about to undertake is taking place in tension, with his politician friend, Aboobacker, his wife Roseline, and his daughter, feeling the pressure on a number of levels. Eventually he is imprisoned, and the narrative continues with a series of flashbacks that show his path from a lowly Muslim, to a smuggler, to a local leader, with his relationship with David,...

ControversyThe petition was filed by a lawyer who contended that the abuse was included on purpose to draw more attention.Tnm StaffSCREENGRAB/ Sony LIVMalayalam film Churuli has been in the middle of a controversy ever since it was released on an Over-the-Top platform recently. The Kerala High Court on December 9, Thursday, admitted a writ petition filed against the film for containing "abusive and obscene" dialogues. The petition was filed by a lawyer who contended that this was done purposely to draw more attention. The court while admitting the petition after hearing parts of it orally observed that the dialogues were "atrocious". The film directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery was released on SonyLiv in November. While there has been criticism from several people, others have pointed out that the abuse in the film serves a purpose and is used to characterise the village of Churuli and how its people's behaviour changes when they enter it.

In recent years, Lijo Jose Pellissery rose to the position of one of the most talented and daring directors of Malayalam cinema. With movies like “Ee.Ma.Yau” or “Jallikattu” he managed to break through the boundaries of regional cinema and with the latter he has even reached an international audience. He started his career with well-crafted genre films, to later gain a reputation of curious experimenter uplifting and extending the generic boundaries to challenging levels. With each of the recent projects, he kept looking for unique ways of expression, eager to show his distinctive voice and mastered the crowd scenes pulsating with nerve and controlled chaos.

Churuli screened at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival

In his latest venture, “Churuli”, based on a short story by Vinoy Thomas, he still proceeds along the bravado path, and charms with dazzling visuals, but at the same time rather sticks to his previous...

OpinionDifferences of opinion about movies are best put forth as reviews in private or public spaces, but it is problematic when you want a film banned because you didn’t like it.CrisThe way Malayalis are taking offence at the use of profanities in Lijo Jose Pellissery’s new film Churuli, you’d think we were raised in an underground barn, much like Brendan Fraser in Blast from the Past, shielded from the nasty world and its evil designs. You’d think we were fed a steady supply of evangelical films – no bad words, no horrible deeds, everyone is as nice and warm as a teddy bear. Are we now following the example of a curious lot of people who seem to take offence at anything at all, real or imagined? It would seem that way, given that all this while we didn’t flinch at the rogues in cinema,...

ControversyThe film, which premiered during the Iffk in Kerala earlier this year, was released on SonyLIV on November 19.Tnm StaffStill from 'Churuli'After Lijo Jose Pellissery's newest film Churuli came out on a streaming platform, there has been a lot of talk around the language of the film. Churuli, derived from a story written by Vinoy Thomas - Kaligeminarile Kuttavalikal, was adapted into a screenplay by S Hareesh for Lijo. The film, which premiered in Kerala during the International Film Festival of Kerala in February this year, got released on SonyLIV on November 19. Since then, viewers have been commenting about the amount of curse words used in Churuli, some taking offence at it while others defended the freedom of art. Even prime time channel discussions were held to debate about Churuli's choice of dialogue. The film, dark and fantastical and humorous as most Lijo films are, shows the journey of two...

ReviewMost of the actors, Grace Antony in particular, and Nivin Pauly too, put in excellent performances, but that doesn’t save the film.CrisIt is perhaps not an easy thing to do, setting a film within a hotel and trying to make every movement, every action and every line spoken funny. When Kanakam Kamini Kalaham starts on a comfortably light note, where you hope your head won’t spin and you can sit back and have a few laughs, it seemed just the right thing to unravel with, amid all the graveness lurking around. Unfortunately, the plotters of this crazy setting get entrapped within their idea, going in circles, turning repetitive and boring, and at times entirely problematic. Most of the actors, Grace Antony in particular, and Nivin Pauly too, put in excellent performances, but that doesn’t save the film. It is a bit of a disappointment coming from Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval,...

MollywoodThe Mahesh Narayanan directorial stars actors Fahadh, Biju Menon, Nimisha Sajayan, Joju George, Dileesh Pothan and Vinay Forrt in significant roles. Tnm StaffScreengrab/YouTubeFollowing the Ott premiere of the Fahadh Faasil starrer Malik, the makers released a behind-the-scenes video, featuring glimpses of the film’s making, on Sunday, July 18. From production designing, staging of characters, shooting and filming, the video showed insights into how the movie was made. The video features actors Fahadh Faasil, Nimisha Sajayan, Vinay Forrt, Dileesh Pothan, director Mahesh Narayanan and Director of Photography (Dop) Sanu John Varughese. Taking viewers through the process, Mahesh Narayanan explains how Malik is based on different timelines and hence is performance driven. Speaking about a 12-minute-long sequence that was filmed as a single-shot sequence, the actors explain how they had used counts for actors’ dialogues and positions in the frame, to gain better motion control. Fahadh, who essays the titular role of Sulaiman Malik,...

Mollywood‘Kanakam Kamini Kalaham’ is directed by Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval of ‘Android Kunjappan Ver 5.25’ fame.Tnm StaffThe teaser of filmmaker Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval’s upcoming Malayalam film Kanakam Kamini Kalaham, starring actor Nivin Pauly, was released on Friday, July 16. The minute-long video presents the movie’s main characters against the backdrop of a play. The teaser starts with the host requesting the audience to switch off their gadgets or put them on silent. However, before he can finish his sentence a drama surfaces backstage – the lead actors are nowhere to be found. As expected, two others from the team fill in for the main characters at the last minute. And then we see the characters of the play ‘Kanakam Kamini Kalaham’ turning around in slow motion. The comical music coupled with the backdrop set the tone for an entertaining movie. Sharing the teaser, Nivin noted that cinema provides him with the opportunity to experiment.

ReviewThe plot examines the relationship between religion, politics, gender and individual ambitions. It’s a complicated mix, but director Mahesh Narayanan steers the screenplay expertly.Sowmya RajendranThe image that stayed with me after Malik drew to a close was of a young Suleiman selling perfume while exchanging glances with Roselyn who is trying to draw customers to her fish stand. It’s a tender, exquisite moment shared between two young people who are in contrast to each other but feel like they belong together. Fahadh’s Suleiman is a school dropout who is now smuggling goods; his father is dead and his mother cannot stand him; he’s Muslim. Nimisha’s Roselyn is the only person to go to college from their coastal village; her family is close-knit, and her brother David (Vinay Forrt) is Suleiman’s bestie; she’s Christian. But they come together despite the differences, setting the...

Mollywood‘Bermuda’ is directed by award-winning filmmaker Tk Rajeev Kumar and stars Shane Nigam and Shaylee Krishen in the lead roles.Tnm StaffThe makers of the upcoming Malayalam movie Bermuda released the first-look poster of the movie on Friday, May 28. Helmed by filmmaker Tk Rajeev Kumar, the movie stars actors Shane Nigam and Shaylee Krishen. The first-look poster of the movie features Shane Nigam resting in water, with his face partially submerged. The poster, which creates suspense about the theme of the film, was unveiled by Mollywood star Mammootty. Sharing the poster, he wrote, “Unveiling the First Look Poster of #Bermuda ! Best wishes to T K Rajeev Kumar, Shane Nigam & the entire team.” Shane Nigam also shared the poster on his social media handles and extended his gratitude to Mammootty for unveiling the poster. “First Look Poster of Bermuda Thank you so much Mammooka for launching the poster #TK_RajeevKumar #ShaneNigam #VinayFortt,...

MollywoodThe film will be directed by Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval, who made the award-winning film ‘Android Kunjappan Version 5.25’.Tnm StaffKunchacko Boban (middle) and Ratheesh Poduval (right)Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval, director of the popular film Android Kunjappan Version 5.25, is coming out with a new film, Nna Thaan Case Kodu (Fine you file a case then). The film will star Kunchacko Boban and Vinay Forrt, along with Gayathrie Shankar, Saiju Kurup and Jaffer Idukki. Vinay Forrt shared the announcement on his Facebook page. "Happy to associate with my most favourite @ratheesh_balakrishnan_poduval once again# @kunchacks, @saijukurup @jaffaridukki_official gayathrieshankar # @santhoshkuruvilla, @aashiqabu, @madhuneelakandan," he wrote. Kunchacko Boban also shared the announcement, adding that 'the case will be filed this year!' "From Android version to Naadan version.The curious case of some exciting talents!!!!!" he added. The film is produced by Santosh T Kuruvilla and Aashiq Abu. The cinematographer is Madhu Neelakandan.

InterviewActor Vishnu Govindhan talks to Tnm about ‘Attention Please’, which has been selected for screening at the International Film Festival of Kerala, and his other projects.CrisSix years ago, Vishnu Govindhan stood alongside other delegates of the International Film Festival of Kerala (Iffk), inside a packed theatre, protesting that they too be allowed to watch Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s The President. They had all waited under the sun for two hours in a long queue and when their turn came to get in, the seats were all taken and they were asked to leave. The protesters’ demands finally led to the movie being paused for long minutes until the projectionist said that the license would expire if the film’s not played soon. Everyone quietened down and all of the audience stood up to watch the movie together. This year Vishnu is a guest at the same festival, lead actor of...

Movie ReviewBeautiful performances by Chemban Vinod and Vinay Forrt, humour, fantasy and mystery make ‘Churuli’ a charming film.CrisIf Churuli had a map, it’d be spiral-shaped, you imagine, a maze where you keep coming back to the same paths. There is a story that the people of Churuli like to recount to new visitors. A Namboothiri (dominant caste Malayali) had once gone in search of a perumadan – a phantom – that was leading everyone astray. Unknown to the Namboothiri, the perumadan was in a basket on his head, misleading him to take the wrong routes over and over again. Churuli, the newest film from Lijo Jose Pellissery, begins with this tale, setting the ground for the longer one ahead – of two policemen going in search of a slippery criminal. The film was screened at the International Film Festival of Kerala (Iffk). It’s going to be a bit dark and quite mysterious,...

MollywoodKunchacko Boban plays the lead in the film which has several senior actors like Siddique, Mukesh and Sreenivasan.Digital NativeFrom the two-minute trailer released online three days ago, Mohan Kumar Fans appears to be a film about talented actors who did not quite make it, fading away as others in the industry rose to be stars. Several senior actors like Siddique and Mukesh play important roles in the film which has Kunchacko Boban in the lead. Vinay Forrt is also part of the movie, directed by Jis Joy. Mohan Kumar Fans is scripted by renowned writer duo Bobby and Sanjay. Incidentally, this is the fourth time the scriptwriters are associating with Kunchacko Boban. Siddique plays a film personality and Kunchacko Boban plays a singer in this film. The cast also includes Sreenivasan, Saiju Kurup, Ramesh Pisharody, and Basil Joseph in supporting roles. Prince Joy is composing music, while Bahul Ramesh...

MollywoodThe makers of the movie have confirmed the release date through the new posters.Digital NativeSuraj Venjaramoodu and Nimisha Sajayan, who were seen playing a couple in Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, are back together again on the silver screen. The on-screen pair are expecting the release of The Great Indian Kitchen, which will be streamed online on January 15 on NeeStream, an Ott platform. The makers of the movie have confirmed the release date through the new posters. Written and directed by Jeo Baby, the film’s technical crew includes Salu K Thomas for camerawork, Francis Louis for editing and Sooraj S Kurup for music. The film is bankrolled by Dijo Augustine, Jomon Jacob, Vishnu Rajan and Sajin S Raj. Released on June 30, 2017 Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum had a dream run at the box office with the audiences loving it. The thriller, directed by Dileesh Pothen, had Fahadh Faasil in the lead role and his...

MollywoodChemban Vinod has scripted the film, while ‘Thamasha’ fame Ashraf Hamza is directing it.Digital NativeThe Malayalam film with Kunchacko Boban in the lead, scripted by actor Chemban Vinod, has been titled Bheemante Vazhi. The film is directed by Ashraf Hamza, who made the critically acclaimed film Thamasha. Chemban Vinod also plays an important role in the film and is co-producing it as well. Besides Kunchacko Boban and Chemban Vinod, the film also has Aashiq Abu and Rima Kallingal roped in for crucial roles. While Girish Gangadharan has been roped in as the cinematographer, Vishnu Vijayan is the music director. The project started rolling recently in Kuttipuram. Chinnu Chandni has been roped in to play the female lead in this entertainer. She was also the female lead in Thamasha, acting opposite Vinay Forrt. Chemban Vinod has earlier written the script of Angamaly Diaries, directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, which turned out to be hugely popular.

MOLLYWOODThe film is scripted by Chemban Vinod, who is also playing the lead role and co-producing the venture. Digital NativeDigital NativeReports have recently emerged that Mollywood actor Kunchacko Boban is teaming up with director Ashraf Hamza of Thamasha fame for a new film. Interestingly, this film is scripted by Chemban Vinod, who is also playing the lead role and co-producing it. Besides Kunchacko Boban and Chemban Vinod, the film also has Aashiq Abu and Rima Kallingal in crucial roles. Girish Gangadharan has been roped in as the cinematographer. The project started rolling recently in Kuttipuram amidst high expectations. While Kunchacko Boban has joined the sets of this new film, he has several other films lined up in different stages of production. Nayattu, starring Kunchacko Boban and directed by Martin Prakkat, has a strong technical crew with Shahi Kabir penning the script, Shyju Khalid working the camera and Mahesh Narayanan doing the edits.

TributeThose in the film fraternity, as well as in political circles, mourned the actor’s sudden death. Tnm Staff“How will I convince myself that Anil is not there anymore," asks actor Biju Menon in a Facebook post on Anil P Nedumangad. The death of Malayalam actor Anil came as a huge shock for his fellow actors and film buffs. അനിൽ ...ഇനി ഇല്ല എന്നെങ്ങിനെ ഞാൻ എന്നെ തന്നെ വിശ്വസിപ്പിക്കും ..? Posted by Biju Menon on Friday, December 25, 2020 Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran also expressed his sorrow in a few words: “Nothing. I have nothing to say. Hope you are at peace Anil etta," his post reads. Anil passed away suddenly, as the 48-year old actor drowned at the Malankara dam site in Idukki at 5.30 pm on Friday. Both Biju Menon and Prithviraj had shared screen space with Anil in...

MOLLYWOODThe actor reportedly shed close to 20 kilos for his role as Sulaiman Malik. Digital NativeDigital NativeThe makers of Fahadh Faasil's upcoming Malayalam film Malik have announced that the film will be releasing on May 13, 2021, on the eve of Eid. Directed by Mahesh Narayanan, Malik have Fahadh Faasil playing the younger version of the character Sulaiman Malik. Reportedly, the actor had to lose 20 kilos for the role. The makers of Malik had released a working still from the set earlier this year, when fans saw the actor’s transformation for the first time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mahesh Narayanan (@maheshnarayan_official) According to reports, Malik is based on a true story and it covers different time periods starting from the 1960s. It is said to be a film set in the coastal region where the minority communities are under threat of dislocation, and the hero...

DocumentaryThe documentary will be an eight part series directed by Vivian Radhakrishnan, on the making of ‘Jallikattu’.Digital NativeAn eight-art documentary will be made on the critically acclaimed Malayalam film Jallikattu, India’s official entry to the Oscars. The documentary is planned as a series on the making of Jallikattu. Lijo Jose Pellissery directed Jallikattu, a film that’s loosely based on the short story Maoist written by S Hareesh, last year. Antony Varghese, Sabumon Abdusamad, Chemban Vinod and Santhy Balachandran played important roles in the film. Filmmaker Vivian Radhakrishnan, who is directing the documentary on the film’s making, said in an interview to Cinema Express that it is an attempt to understand the efforts of every department of the film. A lot of material – around 40,000 clips – are available, he said. Vivian added that the documentary will be a “documentation of the strenuous efforts behind cinema as a popular...

MollywoodThe film is a thriller that is being directed by award winning editor Appu Bhattathiri.Digital NativeThe shooting of the Malayalam film Nizhal is currently in progress in Kerala and recently a picture from the sets was released online. The picture has Nizhal’s lead pair Kunchacko Boban and Nayanthara on the beach. The film will be shot in various locations in Kochi and Alapuzha, we hear. Touted to be a thriller, the film is being directed by award winning editor Appu Bhattathiri. More details about this project are awaited. Read: 'Accidental' editor Appu Bhattathiri on directing 'Nizhal', his first film Posting a picture confirming that the team is following strict safety measures due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Kunchacko Boban wrote earlier, “Blue Brigade.... “Nizhal” shoot location protocols. Shadow fighting the Pandemic and thanking God for keeping us safe (sic).” On the release of the film’s first look poster...