OpinionLineage can offer a backdoor entry, and maybe a longer rope, but Malayalam cinema has made it clear that a director’s longevity rests on their craftsmanship, an urge to do something radical, exciting, bold, and original.In 1987, when Mammootty’s career had hit a roadblock, it was director Joshiy’s salvo called New Delhi that helped him regain his stardom. Mammootty rose from there like the proverbial phoenix, reinventing himself, reshuffling genres, and prioritising the actor in him. Thirty six years later, as Joshiy’s son Abhilash Joshiy - a debutant director - and Mammootty’s son and a bona fide star Dulquer Salman united on screen, the stakes weren’t exactly that high. Dulquer, with over 34 films in his kitty and a marked presence in other language films, commanding a box office initial next only to Mammootty and Mohanlal with an envious pan-Indian fan following, was just testing the waters.
- 8/31/2023
- by LakshmiP
- The News Minute
CinemaAashiq Abu’s remake of Vincent’s 1964 horror classic ‘Bhargavi Nilayam’ has brought back to spotlight an old debate, surrounding the necessity of remakes within Malayalam cinema.Still from 'Neelavelicham'Remakes are not in the least unusual, not down in Kerala, where people get a heavy dose of Priyadarshan movies. Films have been handed between languages, scripts rewritten to Hindi or Tamil from Malayalam. Priyadarshan is not the only culprit, just the more notorious one. The argument in support being that remakes take the original stories to more people, who understand a different language. But then there came remakes of Malayalam films into newer Malayalam films, works of an earlier decade retold. The case in point, the reason for this banter, is of course the remake of the iconic Bhargavi Nilayam of 1964 into Neelavelicham in 2023. Director Vincent’s Bhargavi Nilayam has been considered a classic, a horror movie that set the standards for horror movies,...
- 5/12/2023
- by Cris
- The News Minute
FilmsEach era has been witness to new waves in Malayalam cinema. But have themes and storytelling techniques ever been as novel as they are now?Image for representation / Courtesy PxfuelEight years ago, when we were watching Premam in the now-defunct Sri Visakh theatre in Thiruvananthapuram, my mother and my seven-year-old nephew both sat with gloomy faces. The seven-year-old wrapped the end of my shawl around him, choosing to drown his gloom in sleep. His grandmother stayed awake, straining to follow what the younger lot in the audience appeared to enjoy so much. It was not that she did not like the film, but that she could hardly make out what was being told. In the last decade or so, when movies in Malayalam rolled out in all different hues and forms, many things happened. Audiences, who had in the decade before that chose to stick to their television sets and give the theatres a miss,...
- 4/21/2023
- by Cris
- The News Minute
TributeActor, director and ad man Pratap Pothen died of a heart attack at his Chennai apartment on July 15.CrisA day ago, Pratap Pothen was still writing posts on Facebook, taking digs at life and death with his trademark dark humour. "When you treat the symptoms of a problem without treating the root cause of it, then you will start to be dependent on the pharmacy," said one post. Quoting American comedian George Carlin, he wrote another, "Death is caused by swallowing small amounts of saliva over a long period of time." By the morning of July 15, Pratap was found dead in his sleep in his Chennai apartment. A heart attack in the middle of the night took the maverick actor and filmmaker's life. By then he was close to 70 years of age and had contributed much to films, Tamil and Malayalam most of all. Pratap was divided between the two languages,...
- 7/15/2022
- by Cris
- The News Minute
CinemaVeteran actor and filmmaker Pratap Pothen, who worked in over a hundred films in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi, passed away on July 15 in Chennai. Tnm StaffPratap Pothen/ Facebook Condolences poured in from all quarters following actor Pratap Pothen’s death on Friday, July 15. While fans and members from the film fraternity mourned his loss, many took to social media to revisit his notable movies as an actor, director and writer. Pratap started his acting journey with The Madras Players, the oldest English theatre collective in Chennai. Popular Malayalam director Bharathan, who enjoyed his performance in the play Androcles and the Lion, invited him to act in his film, Aaravam (1978). Pratap acted in over a hundred films, primarily in Malayalam and Tamil. He also appeared in several Telugu and Hindi movies. We bring to you a list of the actor’s memorable performances, ranging from the romantic hero in the...
- 7/15/2022
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
Mollywood Lalitha’s ability to seamlessly step into the shoes of the character she was playing ensured that she was one of the most sought after supporting actors in Malayalam cinema.Tnm StaffFacebook/ Kpac LalithaKPAC Lalitha, a face that the Malayali audience considered to be their family, is no more. The dearly loved actor appeared in over 550 films, as the sharp-tongued mother, the sassy sister-in-law, the nosey neighbour, the inquisitive wife, and so many other memorable roles that entertained viewers over generations. Her ability to seamlessly step into the shoes of the character she was playing ensured that she was one of the most sought after supporting actors in Malayalam cinema. Born Maheshwari Amma on February 25, 1948, the actor who began her career in theatre and was a member of the Kpac (Kerala People’s Arts Club) group, made her film debut in the 1969 film Koottukudumbam. She went on to win...
- 2/23/2022
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
InterviewVineeth, who began acting as a 15-year-old, talks of his early years, his success in the 90s, and his love for dancing.CrisVineeth, as a child and nowThe cardboard boxes must have looked terrifying to young Vineeth. They somehow signalled to him the end of a dream he had just begun to dream. He thought wistfully of the few years he spent in Malayalam cinema as a boy actor, playing serious roles. But in the time that he had gone for his degree— BCom at a college in Chennai— he got fewer offers. He was ‘transitioning’: neither boy nor grownup characters had suited him. So after his graduation, he applied for Chartered Accountancy with a heavy heart. And there came those dreaded cardboard boxes of study material. It was an important course, he knew, but it also meant that if he went ahead with it, there would be no...
- 9/4/2021
- by Cris
- The News Minute
The actor/director Sidharth Bharathan’s accident and serious injuries were a shock for Malayalam film lovers two years ago. But his miraculous recovery from these injuries is proving to be a boon for the Malayalam film industry through his latest and third venture as director of “Varnyathil Aashanka” (translation: “Confusion in Description”).
“Varnyathil Aashanka” focuses on a bunch of small time crooks Kauta Sivan (Kunchacko Boban), Para Wilson (Chemban Vinod), Pratheesh (Shine Tom Chacko) and Chambakkara Gilbert (Manikandan Achari). Through a chain of events, they come together for a heist on a hartal (strike) day. Dayanandan (Suraj Venjaramoodu) an unemployed family man, accidentally enters the scenario.
While the plot is quite simple, it’s the subject treatment that makes the film interesting. The screenplay, written by Thrissur Goplaji, is the backbone of the film. Each and every dialogue is driven by a clear political stand while keeping it humorous.
“Varnyathil Aashanka” focuses on a bunch of small time crooks Kauta Sivan (Kunchacko Boban), Para Wilson (Chemban Vinod), Pratheesh (Shine Tom Chacko) and Chambakkara Gilbert (Manikandan Achari). Through a chain of events, they come together for a heist on a hartal (strike) day. Dayanandan (Suraj Venjaramoodu) an unemployed family man, accidentally enters the scenario.
While the plot is quite simple, it’s the subject treatment that makes the film interesting. The screenplay, written by Thrissur Goplaji, is the backbone of the film. Each and every dialogue is driven by a clear political stand while keeping it humorous.
- 6/13/2021
- by Jithin Mohan
- AsianMoviePulse
ObituarySP Jananathan, who was known for films such as ‘Peranmai’ and ‘Iyarkai’ was earlier put on ventilator support after he was found unconscious. Tnm StaffNational Award winning director Sp Jananathan passed away on Sunday. The director was found unconscious at his residence and rushed to the hospital on Thursday. Sp Jananathan is known for films such as Peranmai and Iyarkai. According to reports, the director was editing a movie on Thursday afternoon when he headed home for lunch. When Jananathan did not return for a long time, his assistants rushed back to his residence to find him unconscious. Preliminary reports from doctors declared the director brain dead and he was put on ventilator support. His condition did not show any progress following which the doctors declared him dead. The director was working on Laabam starring Vijay Sethupathi and Shruti Haasan in the lead. This film was delayed due to the...
- 3/14/2021
- by Meghak
- The News Minute
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.
- 12/29/2020
- by Cris
- The News Minute
Flix FlashbackNo one could have envisaged 'Vaisali' in this beautiful form. Not then. Not now. Neelima MenonVultures fighting for their pound of flesh, a King Cobra slithering out of the mouth of a human skull, crows cavorting in the sky, dusty barren trails, flanked by rocky foothills —Vaisali unspools almost ghoulishly, signifying a parched landscape. Weary men, women, and children greedily reach for the water bags tied over donkeys, even as the King’s soldiers shoo them away. King Lomapadan, tall and stately, sits despondently in his chariot, watching the earth and humans around him wilting under the sun, dying for a drop of water. But there is a stark dichotomy in that opening shot, almost like a vacant canvas, biding its time to be streaked in colours. The film in fact is textured like a series of delicate lifelike oil paintings, each frame leisurely sliding away to reveal multiple hues,...
- 12/26/2020
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
MollywoodDr Sajish, Dr Rajesh and Dr Manoj run a production house called Doctors’ Dilemma, and their first film ‘Udalazham’ is about a tribal trans woman.CrisFrom left: Dr Sajith, Dr Rajesh and Dr ManojIf you start counting from Pre Degree, theirs is a thirty-year-old friendship. Doctors now, and practicing in different corners of Kerala, Dr Sajish M, Dr Rajesh Kumar and Dr Manoj KT had been friends for three decades when they decided to produce a film called Udalazham. Unnikrishnan Avala, the director of the film, had come to consult Dr Manoj once when he spoke about the project. The three doctors, passionate about movies, jumped right in when they heard the subject – the story of a tribal trans woman. The film releases on December 6. “We formed a production house some years ago. It’s called Doctors’ Dilemma, named so by actor-director Joy Mathew. He has been close to Manoj...
- 12/1/2019
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodDirected by Girish Nair, 'Puzhikkadakan' has actor Jayasurya in a crucial cameo.Digital NativeThe motion poster of the upcoming Malayalam film Puzhikkadakan is out, creating a buzz. The poster was released online by Aju Varghese through his official media handle recently. He wrote: "All the very best to Chemban chettan , Jayaettan , Vijay Babu Sir and our Lad girl Dhanya Balakrishna.. (sic)." It shows Chemban Vinod, Dhanya Balakrishna, Vijay Babu, Balu Varghese and others in various domestic scenes, including a group effort to trap a chicken, and then a trophy being lifted by Chemban. Directed by Girish Nair, Puzhikkadakan has Chemban Vinod Jose playing the lead role with Jayasurya in a crucial cameo. Dhanya Balakrishna, who was also seen in Love Action Drama, plays the female lead in this flick, with Vijay Babu, Balu Varghese, and Sudhi Koppa forming the supporting cast. The film’s screenplay and dialogues have been written...
- 11/18/2019
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodBased on a story by Nedumudi Venu, the 1983 film had a stellar cast in Bharath Gopi, Srividya, Revathy and Mohanlal.Aradhya KurupIMDBThis T Damodaran script, based on a story by Nedumudi Venu and directed by Bharathan, is one of the finest commentaries on the yin and yang of marriage, offering some nuanced studies on the complexities of the human mind, the capriciousness of relationships and the traditional role play in marriages where the onus of stitching it all together falls unfairly on the woman. The beginning Krishna Pillai alias Shakespeare Krishna Pillai’s home stands on a slant, with a large garden in front, enclosed by an iron gate. An elongated veranda leads to the front door, with a large drawing-cum-dining area, an old-fashioned kitchen and two bedrooms with attached bathrooms. There is an attic which also doubles up as a dump yard, play area, and then there are the veena lessons.
- 11/17/2019
- by Vidya
- The News Minute
MollywoodIt was Kg George who first explored the taboo topic of extramarital relationships, that too in his debut film, 'Swapnadanam' (1976). Neelima MenonMalayalam cinema has seldom stepped into unexplored terrains when it comes to the dynamics of extramarital affairs. These relationships are routinely judged, typecast and receive a clichéd treatment. And it goes without saying that women are always the ‘victim’. But, there have been exceptions to the rule too. Here's a look at films which have dealt with the issue and how the director chose to portray it. Rohini (Sreevidya) is married to Dr. Raja (Madhu), a businessman who shuttles between meetings in stiff suits. She is a college lecturer who is stifled by the lack of intimacy in their married life—that’s when she gets into a relationship with her ex-lover, Bhagyanath (Soman). After several clandestine meetings, her husband catches her red-handed and throws her out of the house.
- 9/26/2019
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
KollywoodMuthuraj took to Twitter to share a picture from the puja ceremony.Digital NativeDigital NativeIndian 2 will mark the reunion of Kamal Haasan and Shankar after two decades. On Haasan’s birthday last week, Lyca Productions officially announced that the project is expected to go on the floors later this year or early 2019. On Monday, it has been learned from reliable sources that the set work on the project has begun and it will be overseen by well-known production designer T Muthuraj, who had recently worked on superstar Rajinikanth’s 2.0. Muthuraj took to Twitter to share a picture from the puja ceremony and wrote: “Kick-started set work for Indian 2.” Kick-started Set work for Indian2.. pic.twitter.com/8lAw3PxwhT — T Muthuraj (@muthurajthanga1) November 12, 2018 Indian 2 will also star Nayanthara or Kajal Aggarwal as the leading lady while the rest of the cast is yet to be finalized. Anirudh Ravichander has been roped in to compose music.
- 11/13/2018
- by Anjana
- The News Minute
KollywoodThe latest update that’s doing the rounds is that Kamal will work closely with a team of international trainers to shed weight for his role in the highly anticipated sequel.Digital NativeAfter the dismal performance of Vishwaroopam 2, actor-filmmaker-politician Kamal Haasan is gearing up to commence work on Shankar’s Indian 2, which will be bankrolled by Lyca Productions on a lavish budget. On Haasan’s 64th birthday on Wednesday, it was officially announced via a video that Lyca Productions will produce the highly anticipated sequel to Shankar’s Indian. Lyca took to Twitter to wish Haasan on his birthday and announce the project, which is expected to go on the floors from early next year. The latest update that’s doing the rounds is that Kamal will work closely with a team of international trainers to shed weight for his role in the highly anticipated sequel to 1992 blockbuster Indian,...
- 11/8/2018
- by Anjana
- The News Minute
KollywoodA team of trainers from the Us will reportedly be flown down in December to help the actor achieve the desired look for the film.Digital NativeDigital NativeAfter the poor performance of Vishwaroopam 2, actor-filmmaker-politician Kamal Haasan is gearing up to commence work on Shankar’s Indian 2, which will be bankrolled by Lyca Productions on a lavish budget. The latest update that’s doing the rounds is that Kamal will work closely with a team of international trainers to shed weight for his role in the highly anticipated sequel to the 1996 blockbuster Indian, which featured Kamal in dual roles as father and son. It’s not clear if Kamal would return as the older character, as the first part had hinted that he has settled abroad and will return if needed. According to sources, a team of trainers from the Us will be flown down in December to help...
- 10/23/2018
- by Vidya
- The News Minute
KollywoodKamal made the announcement when asked his upcoming project at 'Kelvikenna Bathil', a TV chat show that was held in Salem.Digital NativeDigital NativeAfter the dismal performance of Vishwaroopam 2, it looks like actor-filmmaker-politician Kamal Haasan won’t hang his boots without a fight. While it has already been confirmed that Haasan will soon join hands with Shankar for Indian 2, which is expected to start rolling towards the end of this year or early 2019, reports emerged over the weekend that he has announced a sequel to his cult hit Thevar Magan. The announcement has taken everybody by surprise, including his fans who can’t seem to contain their excitement. However, one wonders if the project will take off, given the actor’s recent decision to plunge into full-time politics. Kamal made the announcement about Thevar Magan 2 when asked his upcoming project at 'Kelvikenna Bathil', a television chat show that was held in Salem.
- 10/15/2018
- by Anjana
- The News Minute
CinematographyMadhu has cranked the camera for films in nine different Indian languages and has also been a part of Hollywood films.CV AravindArmed with a degree in Physics, a young Madhu Ambat had two options in front of him. He had secured admission in Iit where he could pursue a career in engineering. He had also gained admission to the prestigious Film & Television Institute of India (Ftii) in Pune that offers multifarious courses related to cinema. A yen for cinematography saw him plump for the latter, a decision that he has never had to rue till date. Madhu passed out of Ftii with a Gold Medal and in 1973, bagged his first assignment, a documentary on ‘Industrial Estates’ directed by Ramu Kariat of Chemmeen fame. In over four and a half decades, Madhu has cranked the camera for an incredible 250 films, his milestone film being Pani in Malayalam. He is...
- 10/14/2018
- by Vidya
- The News Minute
Mollywood'Bhayanakam' won three National Awards this year.CV AravindFacebook/Jayaraj NairMalayalam cinema has reaped a rich harvest at the National Awards for 2017 and three of those awards were won by the yet to be released film Bhayanakam. The awards were for Best Direction (Jayaraj), Best Adapted Screenplay (Jayaraj) and Best Cinematography (Nikhil S Praveen). For director Jayaraj who helmed his first film Vidyarambham in 1988 and is still going strong, this was his second National Award for Best Director. The first came way back in 1997 for the internationally acclaimed Kaliyattam starring then mainstream hero Suresh Gopi in the lead role. Apart from several National Awards, Jayaraj's work has also won international honours at various film festivals. An engineering graduate, Jayaraj was drawn to films after being fascinated by classics like Akiro Kurosowa’s Rashomon and Vittorio De Sica’s Bicycle Thieves. Fortunately for the young man, he had as his neighbor one of Malayalam cinema’s most celebrated directors, Bharathan. Bharathan took Jayaraj under his wing and their first collaboration together was Chilambam. Jayaraj assisted the veteran in six more films, including the lavishly mounted Vaishali. After getting his first break with Vidyarambham, Jayaraj went on to direct several films that did precious little to further his career. Most of them were commercial ventures like Aakasha Kottayile Sultan, Johnnie Walker, Highway, Arabia, Kudumbasameham etc. But the first film in which Jayaraj showed flashes of his brilliance was Desadanam, released in 1997. The film which eschewed commercial ingredients in toto, narrated the story of a young boy all set to renounce material life and embrace the life of a sanyasi and the emotional churn in the lives of his parents who are loath to part with him. The film turned out to be a commercial success and also won the National Award for the Best Regional Film. But the film that created a greater impact was Kaliyattam, also released in 1997 an adaption of Shakespeare’s Othello. The principal characters of Theyyam artistes were played by Suresh Gopi, Lal and Biju Menon, with Lal playing Iago to Gopi’s Othello and Manju Warrier, with her large expressive eyes was cast as Desdemona. Misled by Paniyan ( Lal), Kannan Perumalayan (Suresh Gopi) suspects his wife’s fidelity and slays her, only to realise later that she was innocent of his suspicions. Stung with remorse, Perumalyaan kills himself. Jayaraj won the National Award for Best Director for the film and Suresh Gopi was adjudged the Best Actor. After flirting with comedy in Thilakkam, starring Dileep and Kavya Madhavan, Jayaraj again captivated audiences with his hard hitting film 4 The People, a story of four engineering college students who raise a banner of revolt against corruption. The major highlight of the film, however, was Jassie Gift’s music score with a few numbers turning into chartbusters. While 4 The People was a hit, the other two films which were part of the trilogy - By the People and Of the People turned out to be damp squibs. Jayaraj embarked on a series of films, dubbing them as a ‘navarasa’ series and the culmination of the journey was Bhayanakam. The films were titled Shantham, Karunam, Bheebats (Hindi with Seema Biswas and Atul Kulkarni), Adhbudham, Veeram and Bhayanakam. Except Bhayanakam which is expected to hit the screens this month, all the other films were released commercially to varying degrees of success. Veeram, which had Bollywood actor Kunal Kapoor in the lead, was an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth and was a period film set in 13th century Kerala. A painstaking effort by Jayaraj, his cast and technicians, the film which had Kerala’s celebrated martial arts discipline ‘kalari’ as a backdrop met with little success at the box-office. Bhayanakam was based on a couple of chapters that were a part of Jnanpith winning author Thakazhi Sivashankara Pillai’s epic novel Kayar. A simple film with a few characters, Bhayanakam is set in the days of World War II and the protagonist isa postman (Renji Panikkar) who delivers money orders from soldiers to their kin in a village in the pre-war days. With the outbreak of war, the same postman turns into an omen of death, carrying telegrams conveying tragic news of ultimate sacrifice on the war front and becomes a dreaded figure. Among the oeuvres of this director who has always trodden his own path, was Naayika, the story of an actor. It had Urvashi Sharada in the role of a diva past her prime and Padmapriya as her younger version. Jayaram, as the evergreen hero of Malayalam cinema Prem Nazir, played his part to perfection, bringing to life the mannerisms of the star and his perfect diction as well. Naayika won critical acclaim but bombed at the box office. But, perhaps the one film that should deserve a pole position among Jayaraj’s works was the much admired Ottaal, the plot of which he borrowed from the play Vaanka by the Russian playwright and author Anton Chekov. The film narrated the story of an emotional bond between a young orphan boy and his grandfather, with their simple joys and profound sorrows forming the nucleus. Brilliant acting by Ashank Sha as the young boy and Kumarokom Vasudevan (a fisherman in real life), as the grandfather, haunting visuals and Jayaraj’s deft directorial touches were the highlights of the film. Ottaal won all the major awards at the International Film Festival of Kerala and also the Crystal Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. The film also had the distinction of being the first Malayalam film to be released in the theatres and online simultaneously. While Jayaraj has worked with superstar Mammootty in three films Johnnie Walker, Loudspeaker and The Train, he is yet to make a single film with the other reigning superstar Mohanlal. Jayaraj has plans to direct films based on the arts, Shringara, Roudram and Hasyam in the coming days. His greatest strength so far has been the discerning viewer and most of his films have catered to that segment of film aficionados.
- 5/2/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
Mollywood'Perunthachan' and 'Sargam' are among Manoj K Jayan's most memorable films.CV AravindFacebook/ Manoj K JayanThe realisation that he would have to contend with the likes of Yesudas if he were to turn playback singer, prompted Manoj K Jayan, son of the celebrated classical and devotional singer Jayan of the Jaya-Vijaya duo, to opt for a career in films as an actor. Three decades and hundreds of films later, Manoj has never had to rue his decision for he remains one of the first choices for directors who need a charismatic character actor for their films. Manoj enrolled in a film institute in Kerala but discontinued the course and began to scout for offers. A blink and miss role in Ente Sonia in 1987 set the actor on course but his potential was noticed in the film Perunthachan released three years later in which the late actor Thilakan was the main protagonist. Quite early in his career, Manoj realised that he was not cut from the same cloth as Mammootty or Mohanlal and that craving for leading man roles only could cost him his career. This decision enabled him to shift seamlessly between genres and exhibit his versatility in the process. The handsome actor has since excelled in portraying a wide range of characters, some tinged with comedy, others more poignant and absorbing, but not one of them exaggerated or superficial. One of the finest characters that Manoj K Jayan has enacted on screen was undoubtedly ‘Kuttan Thamburaan’ in the Hariharan directed Sargam, released in 1992. Just five years into his film career, Manoj was signed to play the role of a wastrel prone to epileptic seizures, a mischief maker who incurred the wrath of the villagers with his outlandish living style. Vineet, a Hariharan discovery in Nakhaksthangal, was cast in the sedate role of Kuttan’s best friend who alone could rein in the boisterous vagrant. Kuttan is forced by his parents to marry a young girl as astrologers had predicted that marriage would cure him of his malady. Later, it dawns on Kuttan that he had wedded his best friend’s lover. Stung with remorse, Kuttan takes his own life. A complex role where the actor could have easily gone overboard in the emotion laden sequences was handled with a great deal of finesse under the watchful eye of the director. This film was a turning point in Manoj’s career. Scenarist John Paul, who wrote the script for the late director Bharathan’s Chamayam, had marquee star Mohanlal and veteran Thilakan in mind for the lead roles of two fishermen with an abiding passion for theatre. However when the project took off, the roles were done by Manoj and the late Murali with the former playing the role of the extrovert Anto and Murali his friend cum rival Esthappan. The film had the distinct Bharathan touch and the stars fit perfectly in their roles. The sheer ecstasy in the number Anthapurathu sung by Mg Sreekumar, where Manoj whips up a fast dance number with Murali egging him on, lit up the screen for its sheer vibrance and vitality. With Sithara, a sublime presence as the heroine, Chamayam could well rank among Manoj’s top films. Internationally renowned cinematographer-director Santosh Sivan made the film Anandhabhadram in 2005 and a surprise pick for the villain’s role was Manoj K Jayan. The role of the diabolic Digambaran, a black magic practitioner who terrorises a village was a complete antithesis of everything that Manoj had done thus far. With his larger than life image, kohl lined eyes blazing like charcoals, large fingernails and giant strides, Digambaran was modeled on characters drawn from Kerala’s finest art forms Kathakali and Theyyam. The film was a dark fantasy in which Manoj completely overshadowed the hero Prithviraj and Kalabhavan Mani, who played the role of a visually impaired samurai warrior taking on the sinister and maniacal Digambaran. For a cool and composed individual in real life like Manoj, Digambaran was a real baptism by fire and he ended up vindicating the faith of the director. It was Hariharan again who gave Manoj K Jayan another pivotal role in his period film Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja where Mammootty was cast in the title role. A lavishly mounted film with enchanting visuals, Pazhassi Raja featured Manoj in the role of a local chieftain Thalakal Chandu. Although Mammootty hogged the limelight in the film, Hariharan had taken care to ensure that the character of Chandu did not receive short shrift and Manoj had an opportunity to steal the thunder in the scenes allotted to him. Pazhassi Raja, scripted by Jnanpith awardee M T Vasudevan Nair also had a spectacular box office run and did much to further Manoj K Jayan’s career. The versatile actor’s performance as a hijra in playback singer M G Sreekumar produced Ardhanari, a highly charged, melodramatic film however was a letdown as it was a totally over the top portrayal and though the character was meant to elicit empathy, audiences gave the film and the character a frosty reception. For the hero turned character actor it was a pleasant turn of events when director Farooq Abdul Rahman plumed him to play the lead role in the film Kaliyachan, released in 2015. The role of Kunhiraman, a Kathakali dancer and his relationship with his guru provided Manoj an opportunity to once again showcase his acting skills. Manoj K Jayan is one of the few stars of yesteryear who has managed to strike a chord with the younger set of filmmakers and they have always reposed faith in him. His roles in films like Alphonse Puthran’s Neram, Bejoy Nambiar’s Solo, and his being part of the soon to be released Prithviraj – Parvathy starrer My Story, Zacharaiah Pothan’s Jeevichirupundu and a number of films on the floors, signify that the actor continues to be in demand for strong, character roles. Manoj has worked with almost all the top names in Malayalam cinema and was also a part of two of Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s films Naalu Pennungal and Oru Pennum Rendaanum. The actor has also ventured into Tamil and Telugu films but has hardly done any significant work. In most of his Tamil films he has been typecast as a police officer and though these films including Dhool, Thirupaachi and Villu were box office hits, they did little for him career-wise. Incidentally, it was director Mani Ratnam who gave him his first break in Kollywood in the Rajinikant-Mammootty-Arvind Swami film Thalapathi. Well entrenched in the industry. the actor’s zest for films stands undiminished and though he has only won a few awards, he has endeared himself to the audience with his portrayals in varied roles and along with veterans like Nedumudi Venu, Innocent, Siddique etc. remains always in contention for vibrant supporting roles.
- 1/29/2018
- by Editor
- The News Minute
Malayalam cinema has been well served over the years by directors who have given the industry some outstanding films that have won both national and international acclaim.
A director like the late Bharathan could flit effortlessly between genres, titillate with an erotic and salacious offering like Rathi Nirvedam and also come up with an emotionally charged film like Ormaikkayi and a suspense thriller like Sandhya Mayangum Neram. He could also taste success with a period film like Vaishali.
A director like the late Bharathan could flit effortlessly between genres, titillate with an erotic and salacious offering like Rathi Nirvedam and also come up with an emotionally charged film like Ormaikkayi and a suspense thriller like Sandhya Mayangum Neram. He could also taste success with a period film like Vaishali.
- 7/4/2017
- by TNM NEWS
- The News Minute
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