Malayalee From India On Ott ( Photo Credit – YouTube )
Malayalee From India was one of the much-awaited releases of 2024. The comedy drama was released in theatres on May 1, 2024. It received mixed reviews from the critics and, unfortunately, didn’t work well at the box office either. However, the film features one of the most loved actors, Nivin Pauly.
After two months of its theatrical release, the film will soon be streaming on a streaming platform. If you are one of those who are excited to watch the movie, keep reading this space.
Malayalee From India Cast and Crew
The film stars Nivin Pauly as Aalparambil Gopi, Dhyan Sreenivasan as Malghosh Kp, Anaswara Rajan as Krishna, Deepak Jethi as Jalal Bin Omar Al Rashid, Salim Kumar as Hamsakka, Manju Pillai as Suma, Shine Tom Chacko as Sajin Baju, Dijo Jose Antony as Shyju and Aju Varghese as Muafaq. Directed by Dijo, the...
Malayalee From India was one of the much-awaited releases of 2024. The comedy drama was released in theatres on May 1, 2024. It received mixed reviews from the critics and, unfortunately, didn’t work well at the box office either. However, the film features one of the most loved actors, Nivin Pauly.
After two months of its theatrical release, the film will soon be streaming on a streaming platform. If you are one of those who are excited to watch the movie, keep reading this space.
Malayalee From India Cast and Crew
The film stars Nivin Pauly as Aalparambil Gopi, Dhyan Sreenivasan as Malghosh Kp, Anaswara Rajan as Krishna, Deepak Jethi as Jalal Bin Omar Al Rashid, Salim Kumar as Hamsakka, Manju Pillai as Suma, Shine Tom Chacko as Sajin Baju, Dijo Jose Antony as Shyju and Aju Varghese as Muafaq. Directed by Dijo, the...
- 7/2/2024
- by Pooja Darade
- KoiMoi
The makers of the upcoming Malayalam movie ‘Falimy’ have released the official trailer of the film, and it is a treat for the fans of family comedies. The film stars Basil Joseph, Jagadish, Manju Pillai, Sandeep Pradeep, and Meenaraj in the lead roles, and is directed by Nithish Sahadev. The trailer gives a glimpse of the plot, which revolves around Basil Joseph’s character, who decides to go on a trip to Kashi with his family, following the advice of a woman named Anagha, who he is smitten with. The trailer is filled with hilarious moments, as the family faces various challenges and adventures on their way to the holy city. The trailer also showcases the beautiful locations and the vibrant music of the film.
‘Falimy’ is a travel family drama, produced by Lakshmi Warrier, Ganesh Menon, and Amal Paulson, who have previously delivered hit films like ‘Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey...
‘Falimy’ is a travel family drama, produced by Lakshmi Warrier, Ganesh Menon, and Amal Paulson, who have previously delivered hit films like ‘Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey...
- 11/8/2023
- by CineArticles Editorial Team
- https://thecinemanews.online/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_4649
Hilarious, heartfelt, thoughtful, evocative, and dramatic, actor Basil Joseph’s film ‘Falimy’ has all of these elements and more in its new trailer. Much like it was with his film ‘Minnal Murali’, ‘Falimy’ is a freshly creative and unique take on the average family-drama.
While it has everything that one would expect from standard movies, and indeed it does share many of those tropes, most predominantly being its ‘masala’ style, the trailer is also ingenious as it looks mainstream and yet feels somewhatdifferent.
The trailer starts off with a grandson talking to his grandfather who is narrating his own story of when he and his friends went on a trip to Goa. Already bored of this, the trailer then cuts to the desire of Basil Joseph’s whole family wanting to go to Kaashi for vacation.
A family with its ups and downs, it would seem that none of its members look eye to eye,...
While it has everything that one would expect from standard movies, and indeed it does share many of those tropes, most predominantly being its ‘masala’ style, the trailer is also ingenious as it looks mainstream and yet feels somewhatdifferent.
The trailer starts off with a grandson talking to his grandfather who is narrating his own story of when he and his friends went on a trip to Goa. Already bored of this, the trailer then cuts to the desire of Basil Joseph’s whole family wanting to go to Kaashi for vacation.
A family with its ups and downs, it would seem that none of its members look eye to eye,...
- 11/8/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Hilarious, heartfelt, thoughtful, evocative, and dramatic, actor Basil Joseph’s film ‘Falimy’ has all of these elements and more in its new trailer. Much like it was with his film ‘Minnal Murali’, ‘Falimy’ is a freshly creative and unique take on the average family-drama.
While it has everything that one would expect from standard movies, and indeed it does share many of those tropes, most predominantly being its ‘masala’ style, the trailer is also ingenious as it looks mainstream and yet feels somewhatdifferent.
The trailer starts off with a grandson talking to his grandfather who is narrating his own story of when he and his friends went on a trip to Goa. Already bored of this, the trailer then cuts to the desire of Basil Joseph’s whole family wanting to go to Kaashi for vacation.
A family with its ups and downs, it would seem that none of its members look eye to eye,...
While it has everything that one would expect from standard movies, and indeed it does share many of those tropes, most predominantly being its ‘masala’ style, the trailer is also ingenious as it looks mainstream and yet feels somewhatdifferent.
The trailer starts off with a grandson talking to his grandfather who is narrating his own story of when he and his friends went on a trip to Goa. Already bored of this, the trailer then cuts to the desire of Basil Joseph’s whole family wanting to go to Kaashi for vacation.
A family with its ups and downs, it would seem that none of its members look eye to eye,...
- 11/8/2023
- by Agency News Desk
The Malayalam family period drama film ‘Falimy’ by director Nithish Sahadev has unveiled its first glimpse. A teaser of the light-hearted film presents glimpses of a family embarking on a thrilling adventure with actor Basil Joseph taking up the reins.
Much of the first glimpse shows a very comedic moment between the family members where Sandeep Pradeep is telling Basil Joseph that the solution to his problem in terms of living, is to live together.
The clip then showcases the other characters which include the actresses Meenaraj, Manju Pillai, and actor Jagdish. The role of Jagdish seems to be one of more serious capacity as he is seen standing outside a train station, yelling at the others.
Sandeep who is the comic master in the film gives a very clever nod to Thalapathy Vijay, talking about his slow-motion walking, something which the ‘Leo’ actor is known to do.
However, when...
Much of the first glimpse shows a very comedic moment between the family members where Sandeep Pradeep is telling Basil Joseph that the solution to his problem in terms of living, is to live together.
The clip then showcases the other characters which include the actresses Meenaraj, Manju Pillai, and actor Jagdish. The role of Jagdish seems to be one of more serious capacity as he is seen standing outside a train station, yelling at the others.
Sandeep who is the comic master in the film gives a very clever nod to Thalapathy Vijay, talking about his slow-motion walking, something which the ‘Leo’ actor is known to do.
However, when...
- 10/19/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
The Malayalam family period drama film ‘Falimy’ by director Nithish Sahadev has unveiled its first glimpse. A teaser of the light-hearted film presents glimpses of a family embarking on a thrilling adventure with actor Basil Joseph taking up the reins.
Much of the first glimpse shows a very comedic moment between the family members where Sandeep Pradeep is telling Basil Joseph that the solution to his problem in terms of living, is to live together.
The clip then showcases the other characters which include the actresses Meenaraj, Manju Pillai, and actor Jagdish. The role of Jagdish seems to be one of more serious capacity as he is seen standing outside a train station, yelling at the others.
Sandeep who is the comic master in the film gives a very clever nod to Thalapathy Vijay, talking about his slow-motion walking, something which the ‘Leo’ actor is known to do.
However, when...
Much of the first glimpse shows a very comedic moment between the family members where Sandeep Pradeep is telling Basil Joseph that the solution to his problem in terms of living, is to live together.
The clip then showcases the other characters which include the actresses Meenaraj, Manju Pillai, and actor Jagdish. The role of Jagdish seems to be one of more serious capacity as he is seen standing outside a train station, yelling at the others.
Sandeep who is the comic master in the film gives a very clever nod to Thalapathy Vijay, talking about his slow-motion walking, something which the ‘Leo’ actor is known to do.
However, when...
- 10/19/2023
- by Agency News Desk
The first look poster of Kamal’s upcoming film Vivekanandan Viralaanu has been released on social media.
Vivekanandan Viralaanu is a comedy film that revolves around the life of Vivekanandan, a government employee who meets five women at different stages of his life. The film also stars Swasika, Grace Antony, Mareena Michael, Johny Antony, Maala Parvathy, and Manju Pillai in pivotal roles. The film is written and directed by Kamal, who is known for his acclaimed films like Celluloid, Perumazhakkalam, and Karutha Pakshikal. The film is produced by Naseeb Rahman and Shelly Raj under the banner of Nediyath Productions.
The film’s music is composed by Bijibal, while the cinematography is handled by Prakash Velayudhan and the editing by Ranjan Abraham. The film’s shoot was wrapped up recently and it is expected to hit the screens soon. The film marks the first collaboration between Kamal and Shine Tom Chacko,...
Vivekanandan Viralaanu is a comedy film that revolves around the life of Vivekanandan, a government employee who meets five women at different stages of his life. The film also stars Swasika, Grace Antony, Mareena Michael, Johny Antony, Maala Parvathy, and Manju Pillai in pivotal roles. The film is written and directed by Kamal, who is known for his acclaimed films like Celluloid, Perumazhakkalam, and Karutha Pakshikal. The film is produced by Naseeb Rahman and Shelly Raj under the banner of Nediyath Productions.
The film’s music is composed by Bijibal, while the cinematography is handled by Prakash Velayudhan and the editing by Ranjan Abraham. The film’s shoot was wrapped up recently and it is expected to hit the screens soon. The film marks the first collaboration between Kamal and Shine Tom Chacko,...
- 9/16/2023
- by amalprasadappu
- https://thecinemanews.online/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_4649
TributeThe actor and entertainer from Kerala passed away on February 22, at the age of 42, from a liver disease.The very mention of Subi Suresh may bring, to those familiar with her onstage work in Kerala, a lot of mirth and laughter. But Subi, the 42-year-old actor and entertainer who passed away on February 22, had begun as a dancer. More than two decades ago, she was discovered during a screen test, as someone with a sense of humour who could evoke easy laughter. She worked her way up through comedy shows, hosting and presenting television programmes, turning an actor in films, and continuing to entertain people on various platforms. Through all of it, she had kept the details of her liver disease under wraps, shocking people in Kerala when the news of her death came on Wednesday morning. “Subi had appeared first as a dancer for a special show of Cinemala...
- 2/22/2023
- by Cris
- The News Minute
ReviewThe Teacher deals with sexual violence, but the subject evidently demanded a lot more homework in writing, direction, and performances. Sowmya RajendranYouTube/ScreengrabA woman wakes up at home, feeling out of sorts. She knows something terrible has happened to her but isn’t sure what exactly. This is the premise of Vivek’s second directorial The Teacher. The Malayalam crime thriller is centered on Devika (Amala Paul), a Physical Education (Pe) teacher, and her growing suspicion about the events of a particular day. Though we don’t see the details of the crime till the midway mark, there are enough clues about what might have happened – Devika standing before the mirror and examining her body for bruises; her fear that videos of the crime may have made their way to the internet; and the secrecy surrounding the crime. Her husband Sujith (Hakkim Shah) is oblivious to what Devika is experiencing,...
- 12/2/2022
- by AkchayaaR
- The News Minute
DeathSeveral people from the Malayalam film industry including actor Mammootty took to social media to offer their condolences.Tnm StaffMammootty/ FacebookVeteran Malayalam actor Kainakary Thankaraj passed away at his residence in Keralapuram on Sunday, April 3. He was aged 77. He is popular for his performances in films like Ee Ma Yau, Lucifer, Amen and Home. He made his debut with Prem Nazir starrer Aanappaachan which released in 1978, while his last film was Lijo Jose Pellissery’s upcoming movie Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam, which stars actor Mammootty in the lead. Kainakary Thankaraj is the son of popular theatre artiste Krishnankutty Bhagavathar. He has reportedly acted in over 10,000 plays and has also bagged the award for best theatre actor. Several people from the Malayalam film industry took to social media to condole Kainakary Thankaraj’s death and extend their support. “Tributes to Sri Kainakari Thankaraj who gifted us remarkable roles from the drama world,...
- 4/4/2022
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
InterviewActor Manju Pillai, a familiar face in television, speaks about 'Home' which recently released on Amazon Prime Video and won praise as well as criticism.Neelima MenonFacebookIt takes a while to register that the voice on the other end is that of Manju Pillai. “I have a sore throat and a cold,” she says. But that is only for a few minutes. Once we propel the conversation around Home, Amazon PrimeVideo’s latest Malayalam movie release, the tiredness in her voice vanishes and she speaks ten to the dozen about this unexplainable euphoria that has caught up with her life ever since it started streaming two weeks ago. In the Rojin Thomas directed Home, set in the backdrop of a snug nuclear family, consisting a father, mother, two grown-up sons, and a grandfather, Manju's Kuttiyamma is the efficient, no-nonsense presence, who calls a spade by its name. For the actor,...
- 9/1/2021
- by AjayR
- The News Minute
Review'Home' falls in the category of light-weight, 'feel good' Malayalam cinema that wets its feet in an issue of concern but doesn't dare to take the plunge. Sowmya RajendranHome, directed by Rojin Thomas, is anchored by a wonderful Indrans who plays an insignificant man with many insecurities. Having built his career as a comedian, it's only in later years that his ability to do serious, profound and moving characters came under the spotlight. In Home, Indrans is named Oliver Twist. Ironically, the boy from the Charles Dickens novel is best remembered for asking for 'some more', but Oliver Twist of Home shrinks away from asking for the bare minimum — respect. As he recedes to the background each time his sons throw barbs at him, Indrans is a pleasure to watch. Few actors can perform with such nuance, making the pain their own. Several films have come out on how technology has overturned our lives,...
- 8/19/2021
- by Nitinb
- The News Minute
InterviewThe actor who began doing comedy in the 1990s has for some years been taking on serious roles and delivering them well, winning awards and recognition.CrisOliver has a to-do list jotted down in a diary when he is getting his young son’s help to ‘set up’ a new smartphone. Everything from WhatsApp to paying electricity bills through the phone, old Oliver, balding and bespectacled, wants to learn. The scene is from a new Malayalam film on Amazon Prime, titled Home, but it can’t be too unfamiliar to most families with older people trying to learn the ways of a new world from the younger disinterested lot. On cue Oliver’s young son shrugs impatiently, “Pappa onnu poye” – Oh stop it, Dad. Indrans, an actor who began doing comedy in the 1990s and later started taking on serious characters and delivering them well, plays Oliver. Oliver Twist in full.
- 8/18/2021
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodWhile award-winning veteran actor Indrans plays the father in the film, Sreenath Bhasi and Naslen play his sons.Tnm StaffThe less than three-minute-long trailer of Home, an upcoming Malayalam film, is engaging, entertaining and suggests a fun experience. Indrans, the award-winning veteran actor of Malayalam cinema, appears with a balding head, aged and active, ready to learn from his young son the ways of the smartphone generation. Sreenath Bhasi, is his older son who is an aspiring filmmaker, and Naslen, the younger smartphone-addicted one. Witty exchanges and relatable incidents take place in the short trailer. Manju Pillai, who is known for handling comedy with ease, plays the mother, cracking sarcastic lines with the sons. The director of the film is Rojin Thomas, who made his debut co-directing Philips and the Monkey Pen, a much-appreciated children's film that was released in 2013. Vijay Babu, producing the film under his banner Friday Film House,...
- 8/16/2021
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodDirected by Rojin Thomas, the family drama stars actors Indrans, Sreenath Bhasi and Vijay Babu in the lead. Tnm StaffTwitter/ Amazon Prime VideoStarring Indrans, Sreenath Bhasi and Vijay Babu in the lead, Malayalam movie #Home will premiere on Over-the-top (Ott) platform Amazon Prime Video on August 19, to coincide with the festival of Onam. The film which is said to be a family drama is directed by Rojin Thomas. Sharing the news with fans, Amazon Prime Video wrote on Twitter on Tuesday, August 10: “you don’t wanna miss the chance to be a part of the journey of this home #HomeOnPrime, this Aug 19.” Apart from the lead actors, the movie has an interesting lineup of supporting cast that includes Manju Pillai, Nalsen, Kainakary Thankaraj, Kpac Lalitha, Srikanth Murali, Johny Antony, Pauly Wilson, Maniyan Pillai Raju, Anoop Menon, Aju Varghese, Kiran Aravindakshan, Chithra and Priyanka Nair. Explaining how the makers have...
- 8/11/2021
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe skit directed by Siddique and performed by six women actors at the Mazhavil Azhaki Amma was a blatant attack on the Wcc.Aradhya KurupFullpicture.inAt the centre of the current back and forth over the reinstatement of actor Dileep into the film artistes body is a skit performed at Amma’s “cultural” show. What actually happened in the skit and what does this say about the cultural attitude towards women? The star-studded Mazhavil Azhakil Amma shows always follow the same pattern. Designed to be a superstar gratification vehicle just like their movies, the show features women stationed as props, dancing girls, and arm candies. It happened last year, and it was a repeat telecast, or maybe a more outrageous version this time. There were enough instances that made it clear that apart from the humanitarian purpose, it was also a ploy to deride the newly formed organisation called Women in Cinema Collective. The patriarchs were up in arms against this sudden rebellion by the “minions” in the industry. Note how they took out every cheap and available weapon from their armour. From jokes dripping in misogyny, female actors in every shape and size salivating over the ageing superstars, young things dancing around Mohanlal, an entire 15 minutes glorifying Lal and his stardom, and a silly skit featuring Mammootty in a silly role with a young starlet ogling him. The show was a bizarre spectacle. It was interesting that despite featuring over 100 artists, that night primarily rode on the star power of mega and superstars. Take this skit featuring a host of talented women actors (Thesni Khan, Ponnamma Babu, Manju Pillai, Surabhi, Kukku Parameshwaran, Ananya) staging a mock “WhatsApp Sthree Shakthi formation”, a thinly veiled nod to Wcc. They openly ridiculed and challenged every little act of rebellion put forward by the members of the Wcc. From laughing at Rima Kallingal’s "fish fry" metaphor to offering nasty, casteist jokes to body shaming to what have you—it wasn’t a pretty sight. That they were using women to defile their own gender was not lost on anyone. Just when we were recovering from this onslaught, enter Mohanlal as “Casanova”, amidst the deafening background music of his film by the same name. The ladies go under his spell with folded hands. The 58-year-old superstar smiles at them and they salivate, throw a few punchlines from his films, drool and gape or queue up to talk about his “youth and good looks” as he walks away. Mammootty comes next, in his trademark Raybans and the ladies continue their gape fest. “Oh my! He looks like Dulquer Salmaan” and they break into a hapless jig. The 67-year-old actor doesn’t hide his glee, flirts mildly (and awkwardly) and walks away leaving behind a trail of “broken hearts.” Thereby achieving two things—their egotistical and misplaced obsession with youth and how it is all correlated to their image on screen, refusing to play their age. Apart from the horrid humour, the message was loud and clear—women were better off in the traditional roles allotted by men. In this case, women actors should just shut up and listen to the patriarchs or end up making a fool of themselves. So, the fumbling speeches, the crude domestic gags, the hare-brained conversations and the general flippancy between the women, were a carefully thought-out script by the men in the industry (it was written and directed by Siddique). As for the women actors who played their part, they are part of a social conditioning where feminism is still an abusive word. Probably unaware of the power and rights they have or preferring to keep their position safe in the industry and obviously unaware of the breakthrough empowering moments for women in the world (#metoo, #timesup). Manju Pillai had earlier brushed aside the need for a separate women’s wing while Surabhi has always given the impression that she was there to act and didn’t want to mess with the top brass by putting on the garb of an activist. Kuku Parameshwaran giggling and running around the superstars on stage was the saddest sight at last year's Amma meeting. This skit or rather the show itself puts everything back in perspective—Malayalam cinema, ever since its origin, like its southern counterparts, has always been a predominantly male dominated space. True, in sharp contrast, we have had a better deal with women characters. But even those were penned by the male of the species and were short of being well-rounded and truly empowering. The distance between screen and real life is a thin line—the women actors are still paid less, still being treated as second class citizens, still expected to be subservient to the man on and off screen, still viewed as being without intellect and any form of dissent on their part is seen as a threat by the men in the industry. Another example of the industry ridiculing the Wcc Look at the newly formed Amma—all the chief positions have been allotted to the male actors and that too a few are known for their dubious reputations. Mohanlal is president, Idavela Babu is the general secretary, Jagadeesh treasurer, Mukesh and Ganesh Kumar are vice-presidents. Siddique is the secretary. The number of women representatives has seen an increase, but they are in the less-challenging executive committee. It is significant to note that this is despite the Wcc demanding 50% involvement in the board last year. So, it’s a no brainer that one of the first things the new committee did soon after they came to power was to resurrect their fallen hero—Dileep, who was jailed in the conspiracy case for abduction and rape of his colleague a few months ago. That they sneakily elected to pick a woman actor to bring this up says a lot about the men at Amma. What can be more diabolic than to name an organisation that has no empathy for their woman colleague who went through such a nightmare as Amma—the symbol of love, strength and compassion? For these patriarchal feudal lords, the survivor must always be made a forced martyr, whatever the law of the land may think. This article was first published on Fullpicture.in. The News Minute has syndicated the content. You can read the original article here. Also read: Breaking up with the Malayalam film industry: When the stars you love turn to dust...
- 6/28/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
Four Women
Toronto International Film Fetival
CHENNAI, India -- Indian auteur Adoor Gopalakrishnan swims and survives in a sea of big-budget movies, aggressively promoted by Bollywood bucks and bigwigs. His latest feature, 10th in 35 years, proves his unwavering commitment to meaningful cinema that began with his first, Swayamvaram ("One's Own Choice") in 1972. A keen eye for detail, a remarkable feel for authenticity and an undying love for each of his characters have helped Adoor -- as he is popularly known -- to create celluloid excellence, which is at once refreshing, even rejuvenating, for it is so different from the usual song-and-dance Indian cinema.
In Adoor's films, real people exist, facing and fighting real predicaments in often complex situations, and these have endeared him to very ordinary cinema audiences, as they have to critical festival buffs. Therefore, Four Women (Naalu Pennungal) in Malayalam, premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, is sure to find a market not just overseas but also at home, particularly in southern India.
Four Women is divided into four chapters, each dealing with a different problem women face. Beyond the obvious thematic link, women, each chapters, based on renowned Kerala writer Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai's short stories, touches on the injustice heaped on this sex by society.
The first episode examines a prostitute's distress when she and the man she chooses to live with are accused of illicit relationship and jailed. The woman who wants to begin a new life is ridiculed by the sentencing judge, and an obstacle is placed on her path to reformation and love.
In the second section, aspersions are cast on a farming woman when her impotent (or is it gay?) husband sends her back to her parents' home. In a disturbing night scene, we see the woman suffer terrible hurt and humiliation when he rejects her with callous words, It is too hot. This story is aptly subtitled Virgin.
The third part captures the angst of a housewife whose children fail to live beyond a few days after birth. The narrative, touching upon sorrow and desire but subtly laced with humor, places the woman in a quandary as she fights the temptation to sleep with an old schoolmate if only to beget a child.
We see the same lure in a spinster in the final segment, where she invites a man home, but hesitates and finally refuses to let him in. With her brother and two younger sisters married, she is left with little choice: either be a piece of furniture in a sibling's home, scoffed at and used as a domestic, or sink into solitude.
These stories take place in 1940s Kerala, but are relevant even today, for Indian women, especially in the villages, still have to grapple with social prejudices and impediments. What gives the film an even greater impulsion are the strong performances that Adoor has been able to draw from his actors, turning them into eminently believable characters. In perhaps her best attempt ever, Nandita Das as Kamakashi infuses the anguish of a woman left by the wayside. Her face conveys pain and helplessness.
Padma Priya transits with consummate ease from a brash streetwalker to one seeking stability, even if it is within a live-in relationship. If Geetu Mohandas brings dignity to Kumari stoically bearing the mortification of rejection, Manju Pillai gives nuances to the frustration of being childless.
FOUR WOMEN
Adoor Gopalakrishnan Prods.
Credits:
Director/Producer/Production designer: Adoor Gopalakrishnan
Writer: Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
Based on stories by: Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
Director of photography: M.J Radhakrishnan
Art director: Marthandam
Music: Isaac Thomas
Co-producer: Benzy Martin
Costume designer: S.B. Satheesh
Editor: Ajith Kumar
Cast:
Kunju Pennu: Padma Priya
Papu Kutti: Sreejith
Kumari: Geetu Mohandas
Narayanan: Nandu
Chinnu: Manju Pillai
Raman Pillai: Murali
Nara Pillai: Mukesh
Kamakshi: Nandita Das
Shubdra: Kavya Madhavan
Sarojam: Ramya Nambisan
Running time -- 105 minutes
No MPAA rating...
CHENNAI, India -- Indian auteur Adoor Gopalakrishnan swims and survives in a sea of big-budget movies, aggressively promoted by Bollywood bucks and bigwigs. His latest feature, 10th in 35 years, proves his unwavering commitment to meaningful cinema that began with his first, Swayamvaram ("One's Own Choice") in 1972. A keen eye for detail, a remarkable feel for authenticity and an undying love for each of his characters have helped Adoor -- as he is popularly known -- to create celluloid excellence, which is at once refreshing, even rejuvenating, for it is so different from the usual song-and-dance Indian cinema.
In Adoor's films, real people exist, facing and fighting real predicaments in often complex situations, and these have endeared him to very ordinary cinema audiences, as they have to critical festival buffs. Therefore, Four Women (Naalu Pennungal) in Malayalam, premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, is sure to find a market not just overseas but also at home, particularly in southern India.
Four Women is divided into four chapters, each dealing with a different problem women face. Beyond the obvious thematic link, women, each chapters, based on renowned Kerala writer Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai's short stories, touches on the injustice heaped on this sex by society.
The first episode examines a prostitute's distress when she and the man she chooses to live with are accused of illicit relationship and jailed. The woman who wants to begin a new life is ridiculed by the sentencing judge, and an obstacle is placed on her path to reformation and love.
In the second section, aspersions are cast on a farming woman when her impotent (or is it gay?) husband sends her back to her parents' home. In a disturbing night scene, we see the woman suffer terrible hurt and humiliation when he rejects her with callous words, It is too hot. This story is aptly subtitled Virgin.
The third part captures the angst of a housewife whose children fail to live beyond a few days after birth. The narrative, touching upon sorrow and desire but subtly laced with humor, places the woman in a quandary as she fights the temptation to sleep with an old schoolmate if only to beget a child.
We see the same lure in a spinster in the final segment, where she invites a man home, but hesitates and finally refuses to let him in. With her brother and two younger sisters married, she is left with little choice: either be a piece of furniture in a sibling's home, scoffed at and used as a domestic, or sink into solitude.
These stories take place in 1940s Kerala, but are relevant even today, for Indian women, especially in the villages, still have to grapple with social prejudices and impediments. What gives the film an even greater impulsion are the strong performances that Adoor has been able to draw from his actors, turning them into eminently believable characters. In perhaps her best attempt ever, Nandita Das as Kamakashi infuses the anguish of a woman left by the wayside. Her face conveys pain and helplessness.
Padma Priya transits with consummate ease from a brash streetwalker to one seeking stability, even if it is within a live-in relationship. If Geetu Mohandas brings dignity to Kumari stoically bearing the mortification of rejection, Manju Pillai gives nuances to the frustration of being childless.
FOUR WOMEN
Adoor Gopalakrishnan Prods.
Credits:
Director/Producer/Production designer: Adoor Gopalakrishnan
Writer: Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
Based on stories by: Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
Director of photography: M.J Radhakrishnan
Art director: Marthandam
Music: Isaac Thomas
Co-producer: Benzy Martin
Costume designer: S.B. Satheesh
Editor: Ajith Kumar
Cast:
Kunju Pennu: Padma Priya
Papu Kutti: Sreejith
Kumari: Geetu Mohandas
Narayanan: Nandu
Chinnu: Manju Pillai
Raman Pillai: Murali
Nara Pillai: Mukesh
Kamakshi: Nandita Das
Shubdra: Kavya Madhavan
Sarojam: Ramya Nambisan
Running time -- 105 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 9/19/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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