MollywoodThe song beginning with the words Pandaro Cholleetille’ features some behind-the-scenes visuals of the movie.Digital NativeActor Mohanlal who would often turn into a playback singer for movies, is doing it again for the Ranjith directorial Drama. The song beginning with the words ‘Pandaro Cholleetille’ has gained good response online. The song features some behind-the-scenes visuals of Drama with the technicians and others. Mohanlal has done playback singing in the past and the most recent number was ‘Azhake Azhake’ for the film Neerali. Drama is set in the UK and a major portion of it is being shot there. According to sources close to Drama, Mohanlal and Asha Sharath are playing husband and wife in the movie and it is a film that will be rich with family sentiments and emotions. The two actors have worked together in films such as Drishyam, Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol, Karmayodha and 1971: Beyond Borders. Scripted and directed by Ranjith,...
- 10/23/2018
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodSources say that the Ranjith film is expected to be an Onam release. Digital NativeIt is only 27 seconds long, the first teaser of the Mohanlal-Ranjith film Drama. Mohanlal has shared it on his Twitter account. DRAമാ Official Teaser#DramaMovie pic.twitter.com/Q4vH95n89K — Mohanlal (@Mohanlal) June 30, 2018 He is in a suit, walking with a bag, staring at his key. Suddenly he runs towards a car, hurling the bag in first and then throwing himself into the driver's seat. The camera then focuses on his legs, shooting out of the car, the background music turning comical. Director Ranjith has worked with Mohanlal in several films together before, starting from Ravanaprabhu. Drama, mostly shot in the United Kingdom is touted to be a family entertainer. The first look poster of the film was released a few days ago. The film will see Kaniha playing the female lead. Mohanlal and Kaniha had earlier come together in Ranjith's Spirit. Asha Sharath, Arundhathi Nag, Siddique, Subi Suresh, Niranj, Shalin Zoya, Tini Tom, Baiju and Mythili will form the supporting cast for Drama. Reports are that the star cast also has three directors - Dileesh Pothen, Shyama Prasad and Johny Antony - playing pivotal roles.Niranjan, Anu Sithara, and Jewel Mary have also been roped in. Vinu Thomas is scoring the music and Azhagappan is doing the cinematography for the film. Drama is a joint venture by producers Mk Nassar and Maha Subair and it will be produced under their banners Lilypad Motion Pictures and Varnachithra Good Line Productions respectively. Sources say that it is expected to be an Onam release. Mohanlal’s fans are also gearing up for the release of the Ajoy Varma directorial Neerali, on July 12th. (Content provided by Digital Native) Also read: Amma agrees to emergency executive committee meet, but doesn’t set a date...
- 7/2/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
MollywoodNadhiya speaks about her upcoming film 'Neerali', in which she acts with Mohanlal, her co-star from the classic 'Nokkatha Doorathe Kannum Nattu'.CrisNadhiya Moidu has just reached her Mumbai home. Relaxed, after a lot of travelling back in Kerala where her parents come from - mom from Thiruvalla and dad from Thalassery. She’s happy to visit Kerala and her relatives whenever she’s in town. With her new film Neerali coming, Nadhiya has been in Kerala quite a bit. Neerali’s teaser had come out a few weeks ago. Audiences who loved Nadhiya in her very first film Nokkatha Doorathe Kannum Nattu, watched an old favourite scene re-enacted. It’s the same pair from that first movie directed by Fazil which came out 34 years ago. Nadhiya and Mohanlal. There is a pair of sunglasses between them. The old scene is a classic, the one in which she claims she could see people naked if she wore the glasses and Mohanlal tries to hide behind a chair. The new one is, is in one word, different. “We just wanted it to be a bit for the teaser. We were not sure if everyone would get it, especially the younger generation. But everyone, including the teenagers, seems to have watched the film. It’d strike a chord,” Nadhiya says in a phone interview. She is pleased that she is reuniting with Mohanlal after so many years. And also aware of how this is not common, a male lead acting opposite a woman of her age. “Male leads are generally paired with younger persons. So I was quite delighted they decided to cast me. It sent a very positive message to women and actors of my generation,” she says. The idea came from Mohanlal, she says. He suggested her name, to play his wife in the film. They meet off and on for social gatherings or events, and he must have thought she would fit the character, Nadhiya says. “When you see the movie you will understand why they have cast someone like me. It is very subtly put in the film. Also, we look good together on the screen, two mature individuals.” She plays the overtly loving wife, the possessive kind. And from the teaser, also a very bad singer. “I was asked to sing as off tune as possible.” She sings the Jerry Amaldev classic ‘Aayiram Kannumai’ from Nokketha Doorathu to Mohanlal on the phone. She’s dubbing for herself too. In Nokketha... it was Bhagyalakshmy we heard. “I have been doing that in a few movies now, including the Shyama Prasad one, English,” she says. But Neerali is an out and out Mohanlal film, Nadhiya adds. She doesn't want the audience to be misled. "Me, Parvathy, Suraj Venjarammoodu, Dileesh Pothen are all there to put the story together. End of the day it is a Mohanlal movie.” Nokkatha... on the other hand was a Nadhiya film, of the girl who came home to her grandmother after 17 years. For a heroine who was immensely popular in her prime, she sounds very accepting of the fact that she has limited choice these days. Ironically, this is the woman who had played the lead in a movie titled Vannu Kandu Keezhadakki (Came Saw Conquered). “For a middle aged woman like me, it is nice to be working again. There is the job satisfaction. And most of my responsibilities, as a mother, are done. So there’s time for yourself. The only downside of being the age that I am is that there are not many films that come your way. That is tricky. In the limited space that I get, I pick whatever I can do.” Nadhiya had acted in a bunch of movies in the '80s, soon after her really smart role as Girlie in her first film. Nadhiya disappeared after she got married, but only after doing one more Malayalam film - Vadu Doctoranu. She went out of the country and thought this would be it for her - family life and her own stuff to do. But then she was called back for the Tamil film M Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi, and since then, there’s been a movie or two every year. Also read: Breaking up with the Malayalam film industry: When the stars you love turn to dust...
- 6/27/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe two actors had last featured together in the critically acclaimed ‘Kaalapani’ that came out in 1996.Digital NativeDigital NativeThe last time Malayalam superstar Mohanlal and Tamil star Prabhu shared screen space was in the critically acclaimed film Kaalapani that came out in 1996. Directed by award winning director Priyadarshan, the film was a historical period drama set in the year 1915. With the Cellular Jail in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands as the background, it was about the struggles of our freedom fighters and how they were ill-treated in the prison. After a gap of 22 years, the director has decided to bring back the two talented actors for a film. It has been confirmed that Prabhu has been roped in for the director’s dream project Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham. The Tamil actor will reportedly play a pivotal role in the film. Further, it has been confirmed that Madhu will also feature in the film. Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham is touted to be a high budget historical film. Sources in the know say that top stars across various films industries are being considered to join the star cast and some names that are making the rounds are Nagarjuna, Suneil Shetty and Paresh Rawal. However, this needs to be confirmed by the Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham team. Art director Sabu Cyril, who has worked with Priyadarshan in over 40 films so far and won several awards including the National Award for Best Production Designing, will be part of the historical’s team. Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham will be bankrolled by top producers Antony Perumbavoor, Santhosh T Kuruvilla and Cj Roy on a huge budget. Interestingly, cinematographer turned director Santosh Sivan also announced that he will be making a film on Kunjali Marakkar IV with Mammootty in the title role. Reports indicate that the teaser of the film will be out next month. Meanwhile, last week Mohanlal’s fans were in for some major disappointment after the release of his upcoming film Neerali was postponed. Planned earlier as an Eid special, the film will now release on July 12 worldwide. Also read: 'Lust Stories' review: This honest anthology on human desire is a must-watch (Content provided by Digital Native)...
- 6/19/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe film looks at the life of a trans woman beyond her gender.CrisThe opening shot of Njan Marykutty is that of someone writing a letter. We see fingers with long, pointed nails. We don't see the face, we only hear the voice reading out the letter. Jayasurya’s, but slightly different in modulation. The camera shows the back of a person leaving home. Leaving life itself, as Mathukutty. When Jayasurya finally turns to the camera - it's Marykutty we see, a smiling bold woman wearing a beautiful cotton sari, courtesy Saritha Jayasurya. There is no back story. It is stated at the beginning - Marykutty has been trapped in the body of a man and wants to become a woman. The doctors are convinced; there is a surgery and Marykutty starts life once again at a childhood friend’s home, with the friend’s little daughter. For a moment, it seems all too easy. There are so many hassles a trans person goes through to make this happen, to live life in the robes and body of a gender they desire. But then the director – Ranjith Sankar – has done his research, and the troubles in Marykutty’s life are only about to begin. As they probably would for any trans person who has decided to come out and live in a society which has highly restrictive norms. There are the predictable ‘looks’ Marykutty gets, the ‘touches’ in buses, and the random hitting on, that most women and trans women face on the street. Marykutty reacts with irritation and anger, but it seems like she can never stop fighting. Ranjith, who has also scripted the film, has not turned Marykutty into the trans woman stereotype we see in cinema with exaggerated movement and expression. Marykutty walks, runs in a natural fashion; she is athletic. She also does not use a singsong tone to speak. To a lawyer (Siddhartha Siva) who is highly infatuated with her, she explains her identity, demanding that he understands it. However, Ranjith is careful not to reduce Marykutty to her gender identity alone. The film goes beyond this and does not lose sight of the character in establishing the gender politics. Marykutty is presented to us with every feeling, strength and weakness. And ambition. And what is it that Marykutty wants to do? She wishes to join the police force because it is from the police that trans people face the most harassment, she says. A good portion of the film covers her run-ins with a policeman, played by Joju George. The helplessness is all too real, especially when her family wants to distance themselves from her while all she wants to do is impress them. However, this is not a plot written to draw sympathy. Jayasurya does not exaggerate emotions. He appears to do it effortlessly, but that only shows the work that has gone in behind the camera, perhaps for months, learning, unlearning, and learning all over again. Despite the many positives in the script and execution, it needs to be said that Ranjith could have gone a step ahead and cast a transgender person in the role of Marykutty. Once upon a time, men played the roles of women characters on stage because women weren’t allowed to act. A man playing a trans woman is just as sad, especially when trans actors do not get the opportunity to play lead roles. Nevertheless, Jayasurya has definitely pulled a career best here. Ranjith has also made a wise choice in casting Jewel Mary as the friend. She’s done the small bits of conversation all too well, the everyday lines between friends flowing with ease. Joju, as always, excels in villainous roles as he does in comedy. Only Suraj Venjaramoodu, who usually pulls off his serious characters convincingly, has not quite worked as the helpful district collector. The polished talk doesn't work. The ‘aanum pennum kettavar’ (people who are neither male nor female) insult that Suraj uses seems jarring. It is fine when Joju’s character says it - he is the bad cop, after all. But when Suraj, the good collector, uses it, one feels disappointed. Quibbles apart, Njan Marykutty deserves appreciation. The film will definitely convey a lot to many unaware viewers, and perhaps even help remove the myths and prejudices about transgender people to an extent. For that, Ranjith deserves a pat. Jayasurya, two pats. Also read: Mohanlal was the only choice for 'Neerali', says director Disclaimer: This review was not paid for or commissioned by anyone associated with the film. Neither Tnm nor any of its reviewers have any sort of business relationship with the film's producers or any other members of its cast and crew.
- 6/15/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
Mollywood The film was earlier planned to be released as an Eid special this Friday. Digital NativeMohanlal’s fans are in for a big disappointment with the release of his upcoming film Neerali being postponed. The plan earlier was to release it as an Eid special this Friday but for certain reasons the release has been postponed. Mohanlal has announced on his official social networking page that Neerali will have a worldwide release on July 12th. Well, film buffs will now have to wait for one more month to catch this film at the theatres but the wait is certainly going to be worth it, we hear from sources. Expectations are very high on Neerali as it happens to be the star’s first film release of the year. His last film to hit the marquee was Villain which was last year. Interestingly, Neerali’s shooting began early this year and the shooting was wrapped up in a couple of months. Mohanlal, who was busy with the ambitious project Odiyan, took some time off from the shooting to join the sets of Neerali. Directed by well known editor Ajoy Varma, the film will mark his directorial debut in the Malayalam film industry. Mohanlal plays a gemologist named Sunny George in the film and his get-up in it is something to look out for. The star cast also includes Nadhiya Moidu, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Parvatii Nair, and Dileesh Pothen in pivotal roles. Scripted by Saju Thomas, Neerali is touted to be an action thriller. Santosh Thundiyil is the cameraman for this film and the stunts have been done by Sunil Rodriguez. The film is edited jointly by Ajoy Varma and Sajit Unnikrishnan. Stephen Devassy is composing the songs in this film and the background is being done by Ronnie Raphael. While the film’s title song will be mixed at a popular studio in Poland. The Neerali is bankrolled by Santhosh T. Kuruvilla, John Thomas and Mibu Jose Nettikadan under the banner Moon Shot Entertainments. The teaser and trailer has gone viral already and now fans are just waiting for its release at the theatres. (Content provided by Digital Native)...
- 6/12/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
MollywoodMammootty’s ‘Abrahaminte Santhathikal’ and Mohanlal’s ‘Neerali’ will both reportedly release for the festival.Digital NativeThis Eid, there could be an interesting clash at the box office, say sources. According to reports, Mammootty’s Abrahaminte Santhathikal and Mohanlal’s Neerali may both be released around the time of the festival. Abrahaminte Santhathikal is written by director Haneef Adeni and directed by Shaji Padoor. Mammootty will be seen playing a police officer in this action thriller. The film also stars Anson Paul, Kaniha and Kalabhavan Shajohn, Narain and Renji Panicker in pivotal roles. Gopi Sunder has composed the music for the film with Alby cranking the camera. Abrahaminte Santhathikal is bankrolled by Joby George and Tl George under the banner Goodwill Entertainments. It was recently reported that Mammootty has begun shooting for the Telugu movie, Yatra, which is a biopic on the late Chief Minister of Andhra Ys Rajashekar Reddy. Mohanlal starrer Neerali, the shooting for which was wrapped up recently, is currently in the post-production mode. Directed by Ajoy Varma, the film has Parvatii Nair, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Saikumar, Dileesh Pothan, Nadhiya, Nassar and Megha Mathew in the star cast. According to sources, Neerali will include oodles of CGI and the team is currently busy wrapping up the CGI portions. The motion poster of the film which was released recently shows Mohanlal inside a car that is dangling from a cliff, making film buffs want to see more. Editor Ajoy Varma will be making his directorial debut in the Malayalam film industry with this flick, the screenplay for which has been penned by Saju Thomas. The music for the soundtrack has been composed by Stephen Devassy and the background score has been done by Ronnie Raphael. Ajoy Varma, besides directing Neerali, is also in charge of its editing while Santosh Thundiyil has cranked the camera. Sunil Rodriguez is the stunt director, while Serena Tixeria is the makeup artist, Himanshi Nijhawan the costume designer and Udai Prakash Singh is the art director. The film is bankrolled by Santhosh T Kuruvilla, John Thomas and Mibu Jose Nettikadan under the banner Moonshot Entertainments. Neerali was shot predominantly in Mumbai, Pune and Sri Lanka. Also read: Sai Pallavi's 'Diya': Will mom and daughter team up to take on oppressors? (Content provided by Digital Native)...
- 4/26/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
Mollywood The film is set to be directed by renowned director Dileesh Pothen who shares a good rapport with Suraj.Mammootty’s next film with Dileesh Pothan will be scripted by noted actor Suraj Venjaramoodu, we hear from sources. The versatile actor that he is, Suraj has reportedly penned the script along with the National Award-winning writer Shyam Pushkaran for the project which will take off soon. To be his debut as a script writer, the actor impressed the director with his work and Mammootty agreed to hop on to the project, say sources. Incidentally, Suraj and Dileesh share a good rapport after having teamed up for Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum. And this is not the first time Suraj is working with Mammootty. They have shared screen space in a number of films. Suraj Venjaramoodu made his acting debut in the 2001 release Ladies & Gentleman and went on to star in several films since then including Sethurama Iyer Cbi, Bus Conductor, Pachakkuthira, Kanaka Simhasanam, Nadiya Kollappetta Rathri, Kerala Cafe, Role Models, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum. His first film release of the year happens to be Hey Jude in which he shared the screen space with Nivin Pauly and Trisha Krishnan. He has a long line up for films including Aabhaasam, Savari, Kuttanpillayude Sivarathri and Neerali for release this year. Dileesh Pothan, who made his directorial debut with Maheshinte Prathikaaram in 2016 went on to win several awards for his maiden venture including the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value, National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam and the Netpac Best Malayalam Film, 22 International Film Festival of Kerala. His second film was Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum also opened to positive reviews and good box office collections. With the director teaming up with the mega star Mammootty, films buffs are waiting eagerly to know about its genre and the rest of the star cast.
- 3/10/2018
- by Editor
- The News Minute
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