Review In Sidharth Bharathan’s Djinn, the humour, written around a man with mental health, issues, elicits no laughter.CrisThe problem with Sidharth Bharathan’s Malayalam film Djinn is not that it is chaotic and after a point, shoots off in all different directions, leaving your head spinning a little too long. But like good old Shakespeare once said, there has to be a method in the madness. Chaos works when there is a sweet order to it – something that holds you to the story. Djinn loses that grip from the word go. Even if you tell yourself ‘Let’s not be hasty, let the full deal unroll’, it is only going to be a test of your patience. Sidharth Bharathan has brought together a wonderful cast and an interesting idea, which somehow did not translate all that well onto the screen. Djinn, or jinn, in Islamic and Arabic mythology,...
- 1/6/2023
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodMalayalam cinema has seen a revival of sorts when it comes to cop dramas. Tnm brings you a list of recently released films in the genre.Tnm StaffFacebookIntense police procedurals, genre-bending thrillers, gripping murder mysteries – Mollywood has delivered a variety of cop dramas. Following the massive success of last year’s neo-noir thriller Nayattu, a number of films featuring headliners as cops have released in 2021 and 2022. Although older Malayalam cop dramas like Mammootty’s Inspector Balram, Mohanlal’s Mukham and Suresh Gopi’s Commissioner, among others, have remained popular for decades, Malayalam cinema has seen a revival of sorts when it comes to the genre, with films like Cold Case, Salute, Kuttavum Sikshayum and more. We bring to you a list of recently released films in the genre. Salute: This slow-burn police procedural features Dulquer Salmaan as Aravind, a Sub Inspector who is investigating an infamous double murder. Faced with...
- 6/3/2022
- by AjayR
- The News Minute
ReviewThe murder mystery revolves around 11 friends and a strange game they play with their phones out on the table.CrisPerhaps Kr Krishnakumar, the scriptwriter, was preparing us for the murder ahead when he introduces 11 people as a set of annoyingly superficial friends in 12th Man, the new thriller from the Jeethu Joseph-Mohanlal team. Why else would a bunch of grownups have such lousy conversations, passing on a secret like kindergarteners and generally making the accidental viewer squirm? Either the writer never paid attention when friends had conversations around him or else he wanted us to see how absurd this gang of people he had to write about were. Just so there is no surprise when one of them dies and all the others become suspects. There is of course the twelfth man, the stranger, coming into their midst, making things slightly interesting. Mohanlal, unsurprisingly, is the stranger at the resort...
- 5/20/2022
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodMohanlal and director Jeethu Joseph had teamed up earlier for the successful ‘Drishyam’ franchise. Tnm StaffScreengrab/ YouTubeThe trailer of actor Mohanlal’s upcoming film 12th Man was unveiled on May 3. Following the massive success of the Drishyam franchise, director Jeethu Joseph and Mohanlal have teamed up for 12th Man. The trailer begins with eleven friends who met each other during their days in college, catching up with each other in a reunion of sorts. They decide to go on a trip. It is during their stay that they are introduced to Mohanlal’s character, who does not seem to be related to the group but mentions that he would like to join as the 12th Man. In the subsequent scene, we see how someone falling down at the viewpoint, invokes suspicion. Towards the end of the trailer, the audience hears the dialogue, “Everyone has two secrets. One, you like to hide and two,...
- 5/3/2022
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
MollywoodApart from Mohanlal, the cast of ‘12th Man’ also includes actors Unni Mukundan, Saiju Kurup, and Anusree, among others.Tnm StaffScreengrab/ YouTubeThe teaser of Mollywood star Mohanlal’s upcoming film 12th Man, which is helmed by Drishyam director Jeethu Joseph, was unveiled on April 27. The teaser hints at a dark thriller. Apart from Mohanlal, the cast also includes actors Unni Mukundan, Saiju Kurup, Anusree, Anu Sithara, Priyanka Nair, Anu Mohan, Rahul Madhav, Leona Lishoy, Chandunath, and Aditi Ravi, among others. “Everyone has three lives. A public life, a private life, and a secret life,” the lines in the teaser read. The film is produced by Antony Perumbavoor under the banner of Aashirvad Cinemas. It has screenplay by Kr Krishnakumar, while Satheesh Kurup is on board as the cinematographer for the project. Anil Johnson has been roped in as the music composer. 12th Man has editing by Vinayak. The film is...
- 4/27/2022
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
A major portion of romantic films releasing in India consists of a first half in which the hero is wooing the heroine against all her attempts to get rid of him until he succeeds, and a second half in which the two lovers have to face the odds created by the family and society till they are happily married. Similarly, there are a few more situations that recurrently appear in such films, for example, a hero or heroine diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. But once a while, there will be a few films which take a different path and stay memorable. But even these films mostly cater to the popular conservative and misplaced moral mindsets, especially in Malayalam cinema. Classic films like Padmarajan’s “Thoovanathumbikal” (“Dragonflies in the Spraying Rain”) took some very forward approach to romantic films in Malayalam film industry, yet on further scrutiny, we can see that...
- 6/15/2021
- by Jithin Mohan
- AsianMoviePulse
Mollywood The actor posted on Instagram that he has informed the Cyber Cell about the hacking.Tnm StaffAnoop Menon/ FacebookMollywood actor Anoop Menon recently took to Instagram to announce that his Facebook account has been hacked. The actor alerted fans that his Facebook account has been taken over by hackers since Monday. In an Instagram post, he mentioned that the hackers have removed the admins of his Facebook profile and are now using it to share funny videos and images. The actor added that he has informed the Cyber Cell and that his account will be restored soon. “Dear all, this is to inform you that my official Facebook page has been hacked ..this was done on Monday and the hacker has duly removed all the four admins I had on the page and taken over the space which has 15 lkh friends in it and he now uses it to upload funny videos and stuff…...
- 6/3/2021
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
MollywoodTouted to be a thriller, the movie is written and directed by filmmaker Bibin Krishna. Tnm StaffScreengrab/ YouTubeThe first look motion poster of Malayalam actor turned director Anoop Menon’s upcoming movie Twenty One Gms was released by the makers recently. Touted to be a thriller, the movie is written and directed by filmmaker Bibin Krishna. The motion poster features images of important cast members in a jigsaw puzzle, setting the tone for an investigative thriller. Twenty One Gms stars actors Leona Lishoy, Anu Mohan, Ranjith, Anoop Menon and Renji Panicker in pivotal roles. Twenty One Gms is bankrolled by producer Rinish K N. Jithu Damodar is on board as the cinematographer, while Appu N Bhattathiri has been roped in as an editor. The background score and soundtracks for the movie is set to tune by composer Deepak Dev. The songs have been penned by Vinayak Sasikumar. The first look...
- 6/3/2021
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
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...
- 2/16/2021
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe films include 'Marakkar Arabikadalinte Simham', 'Jallikattu', 'Virus', 'Kumbalangi Nights', 'Moothon', 'Sameer', 'Vasanthi', and 'Ishq' among others. Digital NativeThis is perhaps the golden era for the Malayalam film industry with 17 films entering the final screening process for the 67th National Film Awards in various categories. Grapevine has it that 17 Malayalam films including Marakkar Arabikadalinte Simham, Jallikattu, Virus, Kumbalangi Nights, Moothon, Sameer, Vasanthi, and Ishq, have been shortlisted for the final rounds. Marakkar Arabikadalinte Simham, which was censored in 2019, has Mohanlal playing the lead role with Priyadarshan directing it. It is a star-studded film that also has Suniel Shetty, Arjun Sarja, Siddique, Prabhu Deva, Sudeep, Prabhu, Madhu, Manju Warrier, Paresh Rawal, Keerthy Suresh, Kalyani Priyadarshan, Pranav Mohanlal, Suhasini Maniratnam, Nedumudi Venu, Ashok Selvan, and others in pivotal roles. The film’s technical crew includes cinematographer Tirru and editor Ms Ayyappan Nair. Ronnie Raphael...
- 1/30/2021
- by Luke
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe actors reportedly play a married couple living abroad in the film, directed by Lal Jose.Digital NativeThe shooting of the Soubin Shahir – Mamta Mohandas starrer, directed by Lal Jose, has begun in Dubai. Reports are that the lead pair plays a married Nri couple living in Dubai. Besides Soubin Shahir and Mamta Mohandas, Salim Kumar has also been roped in for a pivotal role in this film. Dr Iqbal Kuttipuram has scripted this entertainer and Justin Varghese has been roped in to compose the tunes. Soubin and Mamta will also work together in director Bhadran’s Joothan. Soubin plays a significant role in the film which has Mamta Mohandas playing the female lead. It has been revealed that Soubin’s character in the film is named Eo Eliyavu Kohen. Soubin has a slew of films in various stages of production including Jack n Jill, Djinn, and Kallan. Jack n Jill,...
- 12/16/2020
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodAd filmmaker Prem Sreekumar will make his directorial debut with this film, which is touted to be a complete family entertainer.Digital NativeDigital NativeAd filmmaker Prem Sreekumar is all set to make his directorial debut with the feature film American Junction. He has roped in Soubin Shahir to play the lead role in the film, which is touted to be a complete family entertainer. Sibi Kaippan will be making his debut as a writer with American Junction and Shyju Unni is bankrolling the project under the banner The Movie Club. Soubin’s last film release was Halal Love Story, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video on October 15. The film’s release was postponed a couple of times due to various reasons and it eventually had an Ott release. Director Zakaria Muhammed roped in Joju George, Indrajith Sukumaran, Grace Antony and Sharaffuddeen to play the main leads in this flick. The...
- 11/19/2020
- by Vidya
- The News Minute
MollywoodIt is an appreciable trend that actors of the newer generation seem to embrace any sort of role with joy.CrisSreenath BhasiIt's unlikely to be the image you would want people to have of you. A gigantic crown on your head, a hideous laugh, a chase on a rainy terrace, an assault to weepy background music and then the final smirk on the face. Roshan Mathew, a favourite with critics, had begun his film career with a forgettable rapist character, one among a few, assaulting a homemaker while proudly announcing that she’d be the sixth. Puthiya Niyamam, a movie with stars like Mammootty and Nayanthara in the lead, was remembered for other reasons. It was a year later that Roshan’s face became more familiar even as he played one of the many young people — most making their debut — in a college romance called Aanandam. Just as you thought...
- 7/11/2020
- by Cris
- The News Minute
TikTokThe actor has been sharing pictures and videos on various social media platforms during the lockdown.Digital NativeTrisha Krishnan is no stranger to social media platforms. She has been regularly sharing videos and pics on various platforms to keep her fans updated on how she spends her days during the lockdown. Recently, the actor posted a pic of her having a video conference with her contemporaries Rana Daggubati and Allu Arjun. Trisha is also the Unicef celebrity advocate and had also posted a video on behalf of them, which was an advisory on coronavirus. More recently, Trisha has taken Tiktok by storm by making her debut on the popular platform. The actor was seen shaking a leg to the song 'Savage' by Megan Thee Stallion. Sporting a purple top and sunglasses, she had captioned the Tiktok video clipping as ‘I bit the bait’. View this post on Instagram...
- 4/6/2020
- by vignesh@thenewsminute.com
- The News Minute
MollywoodDavid John was in the first season of Bigg Boss and garnered a good fan base.Digital NativeBig Boss Malayalam contestant David John, who was part of the reality show during its first season is all set to star in the upcoming Malayalam movie Ram. The movie has Mohanlal in the lead role. Reports state that Mohanlal had personally recommended him to be cast in Ram. David John has previously acted with Mammootty and Fahadh Faasil. This Jeethu Joseph directorial is progressing well with the shooting on schedule. It was officially announced that Trisha is playing the female lead in this entertainer and we now hear that she will be seen as a doctor named Vineetha. Trisha and Durga Krishna’s roles have been revealed so far and fans are still waiting to hear about Mohanlal’s role. While Mohanlal and Trisha play the lead pair, Ram will have Durga Krishna playing Trisha’s sister.
- 3/25/2020
- by vignesh@thenewsminute.com
- The News Minute
MollywoodDavid John was in the first season of Bigg Boss and garnered a good fan base.Digital NativeBig Boss Malayalam contestant David John, who was part of the reality show during its first season is all set to star in the upcoming Malayalam movie Ram. The movie has Mohanlal in the lead role. Reports state that Mohanlal had personally recommended him to be cast in Ram. David John has previously acted with Mammootty and Fahadh Faasil. This Jeethu Joseph directorial is progressing well with the shooting on schedule. It was officially announced that Trisha is playing the female lead in this entertainer and we now hear that she will be seen as a doctor named Vineetha. Trisha and Durga Krishna’s roles have been revealed so far and fans are still waiting to hear about Mohanlal’s role. While Mohanlal and Trisha play the lead pair, Ram will have Durga Krishna playing Trisha’s sister.
- 3/25/2020
- by vignesh@thenewsminute.com
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe film is a family entertainer with an element of suspense.Digital NativeDigital Native The shooting of the upcoming Malayalam film Djinn, directed by Siddharth Bharathan, has been wrapped up. The film’s director posted the news on his social media page with the pic of the entire team. The movie stars Soubin Shahir and Santhy Balachandran in the lead roles. Leona Lishoy and Sharafudheen are also part of the star cast. Djinn is scripted by Rajesh Gopinadhan, who had penned the Dulquer Salmaan starrer Kali. This film is touted to be a complete family entertainer with a suspense factor included that will have the audiences on the edge of their seats. The technical crew of Djinn includes Prashanth Pillai for music, Girish Gangadharan for cinematography and Bavan Sreekumar for editing. With the film’s shooting wrapped up, its release date is expected to be announced soon. View this post...
- 3/17/2020
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
MollywoodWith producer Santhosh T Kuruvila of Moonshot Entertainment sharing a pic of Mohanlal and Ratheesh together online, the speculations are skyrocketing.Digital NativeDigital Native Looks like the speculations about the Malayalam superstar Mohanlal teaming up with the director Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval of Android Kunjappan fame will soon come true. With producer Santhosh T Kuruvila of Moonshot Entertainment sharing a pic of Mohanlal and Ratheesh together online, the speculations are skyrocketing. However, we will get a clear picture about the project only after an official announcement. It may be noted that Android Kunjappan Version 5.25, directed by Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval, had Soubin Shahir playing the lead role along with Suraj Venjaramoodu. Saiju Kuruppu, Mala Parvathy and Megha Mathew formed the rest of the star cast. The film was bankrolled by Santhosh T Kuruvila under the banner Moon Shot Entertainments. Its technical crew included Sanu John Varghese for the camera, Saiju Sreedharan for editing and Bijibal for music.
- 2/22/2020
- by Luke
- The News Minute
MollywoodMohanlal and Trisha play the lead pair in the entertainer. Digital NativeThe Jeethu Joseph directorial Ram, which has Mohanlal in the lead, is progressing well with the shooting on schedule. It was officially announced that Trisha is playing the female lead in this entertainer and we now hear that she will be seen as a doctor named Vineetha. Besides the lead pair Mohanlal and Trisha, Ram has Durga Krishna in a pivotal role. It has already been reported that Durga will be seen playing Trisha’s sister in this flick. The cast of Ram also includes Indrajith Sukumaran, Adil Hussain, Chandhunath and Leona Lishoy. While Trisha’s and Durga Krishna’s roles in the film have been revealed, fans are still waiting to hear about Mohanlal’s character. Ramesh R Pillai and Sudhan S Pillai are jointly producing the film under their banner Abhishek Films. Made on a big budget,...
- 2/10/2020
- by Cris
- The News Minute
KollywoodAnn Sheetal, who played the female lead in the original, has been signed up for the remake as well.Digital NativeMalayalam movie Ishq, that hit the marquee in 2019, turned out to be one of the biggest hits in Mollywood. This film starred Shane Nigam and Ann Sheetal in the lead roles and Shine Tom Chacko and Leona Lishoy played supporting roles. A complete romantic thriller, it was written by Ratheesh Ravi and directed by Anuraj Manohar. Ishq was produced by Mukesh R Mehta, Av Anoop and CV Sarathi under the banner Ava Productions. Following its success, Ishq is all set to be remade in Tamil. It is being reported that Kathir has been roped in to reprise the role done by Shane Nigam. Ann Sheetal, who played the female lead in the original, has been signed up for the remake as well. The Tamil version is said to be directed by Shiv Mohaa,...
- 2/5/2020
- by Anjana
- The News Minute
MollywoodDirected by Jijo Joseph, the film has Siju Wilson and Leona Lishoy playing the lead roles. Digital NativeThe first look poster of the Malayalam film Varayan was released online by Manju Warrier recently. The poster shows the film’s main lead Siju Wilson sporting long hair and in brown robes, dressed like Jesus Christ, and is captioned “Terror behind the smile”. Manju Warrier wrote, “Good luck to Satyam Cinemas and the entire team of #varayan.” Directed by Jijo Joseph, Varayan has Siju Wilson and Leona Lishoy playing the lead roles. Jude Anthany Joseph plays a pivotal role in this flick as well. Ag Premachandran is bankrolling the film under his banner Satyam Cinemas. Besides Varayan slated for release this year, Siju Wilson also has Mariyam Vannu Vilakkoothi, Innu Muthal and Upacharapoorvam Gunda Jayan in his kitty. Mariyam Vannu Vilakkoothi is directed by Jenith Kachappilly and he has co-written the film in association with Arun Padathu.
- 1/20/2020
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodDirected by Jijo Joseph, the film has Siju Wilson and Leona Lishoy playing the lead roles. Digital NativeThe first look poster of the Malayalam film Varayan was released online by Manju Warrier recently. The poster shows the film’s main lead Siju Wilson sporting long hair and in brown robes, dressed like Jesus Christ, and is captioned “Terror behind the smile”. Manju Warrier wrote, “Good luck to Satyam Cinemas and the entire team of #varayan.” Directed by Jijo Joseph, Varayan has Siju Wilson and Leona Lishoy playing the lead roles. Jude Anthany Joseph plays a pivotal role in this flick as well. Ag Premachandran is bankrolling the film under his banner Satyam Cinemas. Besides Varayan slated for release this year, Siju Wilson also has Mariyam Vannu Vilakkoothi, Innu Muthal and Upacharapoorvam Gunda Jayan in his kitty. Mariyam Vannu Vilakkoothi is directed by Jenith Kachappilly and he has co-written the film in association with Arun Padathu.
- 1/20/2020
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe actor-director who plays a Christian priest in the film, directed by Jijo Joseph, returned to work after getting treated for his injury.Digital NativeJude Anthany Joseph, director and actor, was injured on the sets of his upcoming film Varayan. He was shooting in Alapuzha when the accident occurred. Production controller Binu Murali, in an interview to the New Indian Express, said, “When he was boarding a boat for shooting for the upcoming movie Varayan, he slipped and injured his leg.” Jude, who plays a Christian priest in the film, was admitted to a private hospital where he was treated and then returned to complete the shooting. Directed by Jijo Joseph, Varayan has Siju Wilson and Leona Lishoy playing the lead roles. Ag Premachandran is bankrolling the film under his banner Satyam Cinemas. It may be noted here that Jude also has his directorial 2403 ft in the making. Tovino Thomas...
- 1/8/2020
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodWelding the megaphone for 'Ishq' was debutant director Anuraj Manohar and the film was scripted by Ratheesh Ravi. Digital NativeDigital NativeThe Shane Nigam starrer Ishq had hit the silver screens and is doing well at the box office. The film has been receiving praise not only from the movie buffs but from the film fraternity as well. The latest to shower praises on Ishq is actor Sunny Wayne. He had posted on his social media page: “Enjoyed watching #Ishq. Congrats to each and every one who associated with such a superb film. And dear shine Tom chackoo u were fantastic as Alwyn!” Welding the megaphone for Ishq was debutant director Anuraj Manohar and the film was scripted by Ratheesh Ravi. Shane Nigam and Ann Sheetal played the lead roles in it with Shine Tom Chacko, Jaffer Idukki and Leona Lishoy in pivotal roles. Ishq was bankrolled by Mukesh R Mehta,...
- 5/30/2019
- by Luke
- The News Minute
Opinion While it is appreciable that the film has chosen to address a serious issue, there is a problem in the way the victim's violence is glorified. CrisMalayalam film Ishq, from the time it began to be discussed in the media, was spoken of as a film that was not a typical love story. The title was even followed by the words ‘not a love story’. In the interviews before the release, the director Anuraj Manohar and its lead actor Shane Nigam spoke of a social issue with which the film deals. When the movie came out, it was hailed for the way it handled this social issue. While it is appreciable that the film has chosen to address a serious issue, there is a problem in the way the victim on screen retaliates. Revealing the social issue and the revenge would all be major spoilers, but that’s the...
- 5/21/2019
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodDebutant director Vivek shows promise handling a script by Pf Mathews, master weaver of dark stories, but the movie lacks conviction.CrisThe place is beautiful, as most remote places seem to be. A truck rides through a long green stretch, and you watch the camera zoom out to show the place to you, moments after the eerie picture the movie began with. Shanti Krishna had walked panicking into a large house, big wooden blocks in front of it giving you the year – 1967 – nice bit of art direction and more of it will come later. The music is scary so you know something bad has happened there, and you watch Shanti jolt back four times, finding four dead people in various parts of the house. In the last room, she finds someone playing with a strip of wool, packs a suitcase and leaves the house. Athiran begins with all the necessary...
- 4/12/2019
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodEven as it comes from an award-winning woman director, 'Mangalyam Thanthunanena', is on the stereotypical dead theme of a husband cribbing about a marriage because he is supposed to.CrisThat the movie began with a wedding and a song is no surprise. The title is Mangalyam Thanthunanena, a wedding song from another movie that too began with a wedding – Bangalore Days. The surprise comes a few moments into that song, when the hero Roy – Kunchacko Boban – puts the wedding ring on the bride Clara – Nimisha Sajayan – and stops to look at Jesus Christ carrying a cross. Music is played. Symbolism, apparently – a marriage is a cross you carry. And for the audience, a warning, of what is to come. You hope then that it will not be the stereotypical dead theme of a husband hating everything about a marriage and cribbing to his friends about the woes of having a wife.
- 9/20/2018
- by Cris
- The News Minute
Trailer'Mangalyam Thanthunanena' film is currently in the post production phase and it is expected to hit the silver screens on September 20.Digital NativeThe teaser of Mangalyam Thanthunanena is out and from the fun wedding that it features, fans can expect a laugh riot. Kunchacko Boban plays the lead role in Mangalyam Thanthunanena, which is directed by Soumya Sadanandan. This is first her first attempt in directing a feature film, though she has National Award to her name for Best Documentary at the Allahabad International film festival for Chembai: My discovery of a legend. Mangalyam Thanthunanena is written by Tony Madathil. The film is currently in the post production phase and it is expected to hit the silver screens on September 20. On the occasion of the trailer and audio launch, the director had posted on Facebook: “Mangalyam Thanthunanena slowly starts becoming yours too. Yes!” She then introduced the people who...
- 9/8/2018
- by Geetika
- The News Minute
MollywoodAccording to reports, the announcement was made during the audio launch of 'Neerali'.Digital NativeDigital NativeMalayalam film Maayanadhi which starred Tovino Thomas and Aishwarya Lekshmi and released for Christmas 2017 is being remade in Hindi, say reports. Directed by Aashiq Abu, Mayanadhi turned out to be a big hit last year. The romantic thriller written by Syam Pushkaran and Dileesh Nair managed to impress the audience and critics alike. The terrific word-of-mouth worked in favour of the film to amass steady collections and post a healthy total at the box-office.The well-written storyline and outstanding performances of its lead cast, Tovino Thomas and Aishwarya Lekshmi were key factors. The makers reportedly made the annoucement about the Hindi remake in the presence of the Malayalam superstar Mohanlal during the audio launch of his upcoming movie, Neerali. The Hindi remake will be directed by Joe Rajan of Luv U Soniyo fame and it will be bankrolled by actor-director-producer Sachin Pilgaonkar along with Santosh Kuruvilla and Aashiq Abu. The rest of the cast and crew will be finalised soon. The film is based on a romantic relationship between Tovino Thomas as Mathew and Aishwarya Lekshmi as Appu. Mathew is an orphan living as a thug whereas Appu is a self-made woman who stays separately from her family in Kochi. The film also had Harish Uthaman, Ilavarasu, Leona Lishoy and Darshana Rajendran in the cast. The film won several awards, including the prestigious Padmarajan award. The film's music is composed by Rex Vijayan. Shahabaz Aman won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer for the rendition of the song 'Mizhiyil Ninnum'. (Content provided by Digital Native)...
- 6/5/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
MollywoodTouted to be an action-packed romantic drama, the film is all about a youngster who raises his voice for his people.Digital NativeOne of the hottest stars in the Malayalam film industry, Tovino Thomas has a long line-up of films for release this year. Among them is Maradona, which, reports say, is well into the post-production mode and will be out in theatres next month. While its makers have planned it as a summer release, its release date is being worked out and will be announced in a few days, we hear. The first look poster of the film, which was published online, disclosed the release month. Directed by Vishnu Narayan, Maradona is bankrolled by S Vinod Kumar under the banner Mini Studios. The film’s story and screenplay have been penned by Krishna Moorthy. While Tovino plays the character Maradona in the film, the others in the star cast include Chemban Vinod Jose, Leona Lishoy, Tito Wilson, Kichu Tellus and Jins Baskar. Sushin Shyam is the music director of this flick with Deepak D Menon handling the camera and Saiju Sreedharan being its editor. While the title gave rise to speculations that it may be a sports drama centred around football, apparently it is not so. Touted to be an action-packed romantic drama, the film is all about a youngster, played by Tovino, who raises his voice for his people. The shooting for this film began in August last year and was shot in various locations, including Chavakkadu, Bangalore, Vandiperiyaar, Aluva and Ernakulam. On working in the film, Tovino Thomas had told Indian Express last year, “Vishnu has a vast experience in this industry. I listened to the script while doing Godha and instantly said yes to the project.” Bankrolled by Tamil actor Dhanush’s banner Wunderbar Films, the film marks Dhanush’s second production in Malayalam after Tovino’s yet-to-release movie titled Tharangam, which is directed by Arun Dominic. Let’s wait for an official word on the film's release date. (Content provided by Digital Native)...
- 4/13/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
Mollywood The soulful romantic entertained is all set to complete 75 days in Kerala and is still running in a few theatres.Digital NativeMaayanadhi, the soulful romantic entertainer that hit the silver screens late last year, turned out to be one of the biggest hits of the year. Directed by Aashiq Abu, who had also co-produced it with Santhosh T. Kuruvilla under the banners Dream Mill Cinemas and Entertainments and Moonshot Entertainment, the film was out in the theatres on December 22nd. While the film won accolades from all quarters and is doing well at the theatres, the latest celeb to praise it is none other than the Malayalam superstar Mohanlal. On Maayanadhi, he wrote on Twitter, “I happened to see the movie #Mayanadhi a few days ago. Mayanadhi, in my opinion, is a wonderfully woven love story with realistic characters and situations. I loved the aesthetic treatment given to the movie as well. On this occasion of the 75th-day celebration of Mayanadhi, I would like to convey my appreciation to the entire cast and crew for their great effort in making a good film.” Had the opportunity to see Mayanadhi a few days ago and I thoroughly enjoyed the film. It is a beautifully woven love story. On the occasion of the 75th-day celebration of Mayanadhi, I would like2 appreciate the entire cast and crew behind this movie for their great effort. pic.twitter.com/mibgVvPMiR — Mohanlal (@Mohanlal) February 27, 2018 Well, the Maayanadhi team is naturally on cloud nine over getting such positive comments for Mohanlal. The romantic thriller stars Tovino Thomas and Aishwarya Lekshmi as the lead pair. The star cast also includes Harish Uthaman, Ilavarasu, and Leona Lishoy in important roles. Rex Vijayan has composed music for this venture with Jayesh Mohan cranking the camera and Saiju Sreedharan editing it. Maayanadhi is all set to complete 75 days at the Kerala box office with the film still being screened in a couple of theatres. Also, it will be out at the theatres in UAE/Gcc regions on March 1st, 2018. It may be mentioned here that there are reports of Tovino Thomas being roped in for the Mohanlal starrer Lucifer, which will mark the directorial debut of actor Prithviraj. However, there is now official word on it yet. (Content provided by Digital Native)...
- 3/1/2018
- by Editor
- The News Minute
OpinionDespite the court scene reminiscent of 'Pink', the film is riddled with sexist and patriarchal ideas that defeats its very purpose. Sowmya Rajendran*Spoilers ahead Malayalam film Queen, directed by debut director Dijo Jose Antony, released on January 12 in Kerala and went on to set the box office on fire. The film, which is about the lone woman in a batch of Mechanical Engineering college students, earned good word of mouth in Kerala and released outside the state on February 2. You can see why. The last sequence of Queen is similar to that of the 2016 Bollywood film Pink, which has a lawyer powerfully tear down the usual victim blaming arguments that are made in rape cases. The audience I watched it with couldn't stop clapping as Salim Kumar thundered, "So which time of the day can we say is a bad time for women to be out?" I couldn't quite buy into Salim Kumar's performance, given that in real life, he'd said the survivor in the Malayalam actor sexual assault case should be subjected to a lie detector test. But well, it is an unfair expectation that actors only do roles that reflect who they are in real life. Queen's problems, however, are far worse. The first half of Dijo's film is typical of all the half-baked campus films we've seen over the years - with unfunny ragging sequences, caricatured lecturers and students, and unconvincing gang wars. Nevertheless, the idea of a young woman breaking into a traditional male bastion is a promising premise, so despite the slapstick antics of the boys in the class, I kept waiting for the film to get better. But I lost all hope once the much-anticipated lone woman finally enters - Chinnu, played by Saniya Iyappan. Chinnu's character is the case of an extreme manic pixie - she bounces around the corridors, innocently pulls the cheeks of her ogling classmates, screams loudly in the middle of the night for no good reason, sets caged birds free...you get the idea. But it doesn't stop there. Chinnu is Also an orphan. She's Also a cancer patient. She Also gets gang-raped. Though the last sequence is supposed to make us believe that rape is not a victim's fault, the exhausting narrative that builds to this declaration is obsessed with painting Chinnu as a "blameless" innocent. The boys in her life, her classmates, keep saying that "she wouldn't have even harmed an ant", as if they need that reason to justify their anger about what has happened to their classmate. One of the arguments used by the defence in the court is that Chinnu had had an abortion some months ago and that this goes to prove she was of "immoral" character. But then, it is revealed that Chinnu's cervix and uterus had been removed because of her cancer and the medical report is thus fake. It is, of course, asinine that none of the people in Chinnu's life knew what cancer the woman they all loved so much had until that revelation. But even if we forgive this, it is troubling that the director chose this way out to battle the 'immorality' argument. This is where the film departs from Pink substantially. While Pink had its share of flaws, the film was unapologetic about its women characters and what they do - they wear what they like, they do what they like, even drinking with strangers. The film dared to show women as adults, not women-children running around genially as if touched by the sun. Another "evidence" mounted by the defence to show Chinnu's "immorality" is that she was once found hugging a group of boys at night, in the middle of the road. Needless to say, the counter to this is that it was "harmless" hugging among classmates. Nothing romantic or sexual about it. The film doesn't dare to ask "So what?" at any point, choosing instead to constantly reiterate that Chinnu didn't deserve this. As if any other woman, who has killed a couple of ants in her lifetime, does. Predictably, Chinnu's male friends go into revenge mode and hunt down the perpetrators - all brawn and muscle. And the film ends with the "message" that men should stop thinking of women as an opportunity but as their responsibility. This, for me, was the final nail in the coffin. It is because men believe they are the guardians of women's lives in a patriarchal society that gender-based violence occurs. It is because they believe they have the right to decide what she should wear, where she should go, and what she should do, that they feel they are right to "punish" her when she doesn't toe the line. It is because they think women are objects in need of "protection" that they exert so much control over them. Women are not men's responsibility; men's responsibility is not harassing their fellow classmates, not moral policing women who have sexual feelings, not ogling shamelessly (all of which the film affectionately normalises as "fun"). Men's responsibility, in other words, is simply to keep it in their pants. The only plot point in Queen which had potential was that of a rape survivor (Leona Lishoy) coming forward to serve as witness. But unfortunately, the film limits her role and gives the "rescue ops" entirely to the men. If Queen has managed to resonate with the audience despite being a badly made film, it is entirely because of Salim Kumar's blistering lines and how much in need we are of hearing such sentiments expressed in a mass medium. This is what saddens me the most about the film - we don't see such sentiments expressed often enough and Queen squanders a golden opportunity by clumsily stitching it to every patriarchal idea about rape that women confront in everyday life.
- 2/5/2018
- by Editor
- The News Minute
InterviewThe ‘Bawra Mann girl’ opens up to Tnm in this exclusive interview.Sowmya RajendranShashank JayaprasadThe Mayaanadhi fever is yet to die down as the film continues to get good reviews and appreciation from viewers. The lead cast, comprising Aishwarya Lekshmi and Tovino Thomas, has charmed the audience. But another actor who plays a small, supporting role in the film has also become a favourite with all those who watched it. Darshana, better known these days as the 'Bawra Mann girl', plays a counselor and Sameera's (Leona Lishoy) housemate in Mayaanadhi. The two women and Aparna (Aishwarya Lekshmi) enjoy a camaraderie that's rarely seen on screen when it comes to female characters. Darshana, who spent her childhood in Saudi Arabia and Kerala and later moved to Chennai for a job at the Institute of Financial Management and Research, recalls her journey - which involves holding a 9 to 5 job and later running for rehearsals - in this chat with Tnm. You played a supporting role in Mayaanadhi but you've become a big hit with the audience. How does that feel? I really wasn't expecting it. I have been doing theatre and films for a while and I have done roles which are bigger than this. People will watch and write to you and I was prepared for that. But this sort of attention is a little overwhelming. I really wasn't expecting it! You've done a lot of theatre before getting into films - did you always want to be an actor? Not at all. This is really by chance. I did my undergrad in Mathematics in Lady Shri Ram in New Delhi. I used to sing - my family is culturally involved in music and dance. My sister used to do theatre but not me. After my undergrad, I did my Masters in London and then I moved to Chennai for a job in micro-finance. I didn't know anyone other than this one friend I'd met a long time back. So when I met up with him again, he said he does a pantomime every year and that I should come by for an audition. I told him I can do some singing but not act - but when I went for the audition, I ended up getting cast for the play. When I was onstage, I found myself asking why I hadn't discovered this earlier. I was working full-time and would go for rehearsals after that, getting home at 11 in the night and just crashing. At some point, I started taking it seriously. I wanted to learn a lot more, do a lot more. Somewhere, I started consciously or sub-consciously saving up because I knew I might quit. That scene from Mayaanadhi with you, Leona and Aishwarya, was such a good capture of women bonding, a kind of female friendship that we rarely see on screen - do the three of you share a friendship off screen as well? Absolutely. We met through the film. I don't know how but by the end of the first day of shoot, we felt like we'd known each other forever. I think that's to do with the way the environment of the film was. The director and team made it so comfortable that you make friends with everybody. Image courtesy: Instagram/Leona Lishoy We were taking breaks together, eating together. In theatre, you do form these bonds for life but in films, it's usually been about going to the shoot for work and coming back. I've never had so much fun on a set. This was the first time I really wanted to go back to the sets. The three of us are really tight now. There was a hate campaign against Mayaanadhi because of ongoing Kasaba Vs Wcc issue - did that affect you? If you open any YouTube video which is to do with the film, you can see the kind of online campaign that's going on. I get tagged to a lot of the rubbish that's being said about the film. For me, the whole thing seemed so petty. Firstly, there's no connection with the issue itself. And for people to be dragging this down because of an association is really silly. It's a good thing and a bad thing that social media is the kind of space it is. There's a lot of negative things happening but there's also plenty of great things. A film like this will survive such negativity. It's too big for it to be bogged down by this campaign. There's a lot of conversation around sexism and misogyny in cinema today. Is that something you've encountered? Definitely. I've been called for films where it'd be a great script and it'd be something I'd love to work on and I'll be excited about it. When we come to talk about money, almost blatantly they'll say, "Oh you know what, we hadn't budgeted money for the female lead!" Something that's so obvious - paying an actor money! So sexism is there in everything. There are banners which are very professional about this but there are also a lot of unprofessional things that happen. It's great that a collective like the Wcc (Women in Cinema Collective) is bringing attention to this because nobody even talks about it or knows that this happens. Does the lack of financial stability worry you? Yes. I'm doing this with all heart. When I knew that I was quitting my job, it was out of love for acting and wanting to figure it out. For a long time it was quite a struggle to be able to see how to do all of this, how to find work. Right now, I'm doing ten different things to make it work - I'm acting, doing story-telling, voiceover work, a lot of work with children. Most people in this stage have to do ten different things to make it work. It happens very rarely that you hit the jackpot right away. Are you trained in music? Tell us about your love for the Bawra Mann song. I grew up in so many different places, so I never had a proper foundation. But I've learnt a lot. It never was serious - it was something I did on the side. Being in Saudi, we didn't have access to good training. My mother was a dance teacher and we had a dance school, so I learnt a bit of that as well. There weren't many things you could do in Saudi, but of what we could do, we have done a lot! I remember listening to Bawra Mann when I was in college. And the first time I heard it, I just felt connected to it. Everyone has that one song, you know. The first line of the song itself is so beautiful, there's something about this lost wanderer's soul setting out to dream...the song stuck with me. And any time someone listened to it or it played on the radio, I'd get messages from different parts of the world that this song is coming and that they were thinking about me! Everyone associates the song with me. Image courtesy: Shashank Jayaprasad You played a rape victim in the Vijay Sethupathi film Kavan - how challenging a role was that? It was very difficult for me primarily because I don't speak Tamil fluently. It's a lot easier if you think in the language you have to act in. So I had to really work on the lines a lot. It was also the first time I was on the sets with such big artists. I was a little scared about how it was going to be. But they were all helpful, especially Kv Anand sir. In Mayaanadhi, Appu is concerned that if she keeps playing small roles, she'll never get to be the heroine. Is that something you'd relate to? Unfortunately, most of our films are very hero-heroine centred. It's once in a blue moon that you get noticed for a small role. It's sad but that's how it is. So I get where people come from when they say they don't want to play small roles. Why is it that if I play the role of a mother of a 5-year-old kid, the next role also I have to play the mother? As an actor, I should be able to play different kinds of roles. For me, I want to do what I'm doing. If a character interests me, if there's a point to me being in the film, I will do it. Is there a lot of difference between how women actors are treated in cinema and theatre? Personally, in the Chennai theatre scene, I've found that there's a lot of respect but I've heard stories and I feel like it's everywhere. I do feel it's easier for me to be in theatre. With films, the scale is so much larger, you're meeting that many more people and that many more different kinds of people. You've also worked as a storyteller. Has having children as your audience helped you? Oh yes. Children are the toughest audience. You can't just faff. Even if you're doing something only for five minutes, you have to be good for all those five minutes. You can't blow their mind for just one minute....you can lose their attention in just 30 seconds! I love it when I take these long pauses during storytelling and I can see all these small faces, waiting to see what I'm doing to do! What are your future projects? I've played Vishal's sister in Irumbuthirai. It has Vishal and Samantha in the lead. It should be releasing soon. I'm also working on an Anjali Menon film but I haven't shot a lot for it as yet. There are a few other films for which I'm in talks. Listen to Darshana singing 'Bawra Mann' here:...
- 1/4/2018
- by Editor
- The News Minute
MollywoodAishwarya Lekshmi is the soul of this film which inverts traditional ideas of romance.Neelima Menon Mayaanadhi-compressed.jpgIt’s a crucial audition for Aparna. She is a bit flustered by the appearance of actor Aparna Balamurali, who is in for the same role. As the actor tries to make small talk, she excuses herself to go to the washroom and calls Mathan—“Just praise me. Just make me feel better. I need it now.” He goes on a verbal rampage about her beauty, talent and fighting spirit. But when that doesn’t buck her up, he loses it—cutting straight to the uncomfortable truth (she desperately needs to prove a point to the world). As tears trickle down her cheeks, she wipes her face and smiles—“Yes, I’m better now.” During another instance, when she is tired and ravenous after a long day and having to listen to her sister’s problems, Mathan beckons her for a hot cup of Boost. This, on the day she meets him after a long gap following their break up. Mayaanadhi is about this man and woman, about Appu and Mathan who are fastened to each other’s souls. They aren’t fairy-tale lovers declaring undying love for each other. It’s a weird love affair—wildly passionate, deep, and volatile in turns. It’s a romance where the intensity doesn’t hit you until after a long time. Written by Syam Pushkaran and Dileesh Nair, the Aashiq Abu-directed Mayaanadhi begins in Kodaikanal. Leading man Mathew (Tovino Thomas) is part of a gang involved in illegal money transactions. But the deal goes for a toss when the cops barge in and kill the men. Mathew manages to flee but accidentally shoots a cop. The Tamil-speaking cops are on his trail even as he escapes to Kerala. On a parallel track we are introduced to Aparna, the woman tucked inside his phone gallery—a struggling actor and model. Mayaanadhi trails their journey together. Aparna (Aishwarya Lekshmi) is the post-modern pragmatic middle-class city girl. She is drawn with a lot of realism. When the casting director (Unnimaya Prasad) at an audition sneers at her and calls her “plastic”, Appu quickly hides her resentment, lowers her guard, and tries to be herself. When her famous actor friend uses her as a sidekick of sorts (putting down her used garments and two-bit roles), Appu takes it all, again without showing her indignation. She is someone who finds it difficult to say ‘no’ to people. It’s only with Mathan that she seems to be herself—she snubs, taunts, and shuts the door on him. Yet he keeps coming back to her, like a lost puppy. Mathan, on the other hand, is helplessly in love with her—he keeps gazing at her pictures on his phone. Even with the cops hot on his heels, Appu remains foremost on his mind. Yet the relationship oddly remains a two-way street despite Appu taking him for granted. A lot of stereotypes are debunked in this male-female dynamic. It’s Appu who calls the shots, including in matters of physical intimacy. He is the more traditional of the two. After a particularly wild lovemaking session, he suggests settling down in Dubai and she tells him—“Sex isn’t a promise.” For her, it’s just a happy, celebratory act after a successful audition, while Mathan considers it as the final deal for marriage. How beautifully and wantonly the ancient theory of chastity (especially on celluloid) being the sole purview of women is stirred up in that one statement. Humour is infused nicely at some junctures. The admaker who explains to Appu (in broken English) that it was Arvind Swami in Bombay who took up the “first blue whale challenge.” The actor friend who goes ballistic when she sees a shot of her exposed navel and the director who whines when asked to chop the portion. The young and upright cop who is recently married and finds himself being taken for a ride by his seniors. Then of course come the usual stereotypes—the coy transgender make-up artist, the over-enthusiastic manager of the actor, the ambitious and sly actor(Leona Lishoy). Mayaanadhi has some delectable night shots (Jayesh Mohan is the cinematographer). The auburn ebony colour tone adds a depth and mystique to the romance, helped amply by the music of Rex Vijayan and the vocals of Shahabad Aman. Aishwarya Lekshmi is the heart and soul of the film—Aparna required an actor who looked sensual, vulnerable, and resolute. Emotions flit easily across her face—as a lover, the struggling model, the mortified daughter. She is a natural. Tovino has just poured himself into the shape of Mathan (his eyes show immeasurable love and I liked the way he tries to hide his hurt) and it’s easily his career best act. Mayaanadhi is a modern romance with all its trappings—yet the intensity cannot be more searing. Kelly Clarkson said it right—what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. He must have been talking about Aparna. Enanble Notification: NoTNM Marquee: No...
- 12/23/2017
- by Editor
- The News Minute
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