Manjummel Boys | |
---|---|
Directed by | Chidambaram |
Written by | Chidambaram |
Produced by | Soubin Shahir Babu Shahir Shawn Antony |
Starring | Soubin Shahir Sreenath Bhasi Balu Varghese Ganapathi S. Poduval Lal Jr. Deepak Parambol Abhiram Radhakrishnan Arun Kurian Khalid Rahman Chandu Salimkumar Shebin Benson Vishnu Reghu |
Cinematography | Shyju Khalid |
Edited by | Vivek Harshan |
Music by | Sushin Shyam |
Production company | Parava Films |
Distributed by | Sree Gokulam Movies |
Release date |
|
Running time | 135 minutes |
Country | India |
Language | Malayalam |
Budget | ₹20 crore [1] |
Box office | ₹242–₹242.3 crore [2] [3] |
Manjummel Boys is a 2024 Indian Malayalam-language survival thriller film written and directed by Chidambaram. It is produced by Soubin Shahir, Babu Shahir and Shawn Antony under Parava Films is based on a real story. [4] The film stars an ensemble cast, which includes Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Balu Varghese, Ganapathi S. Poduval, Lal Jr., Deepak Parambol, Abhiram Radhakrishnan, Arun Kurian, Khalid Rahman and Shebin Benson. It is based on a Guna Caves rescue in 2006. [5] The film follows a group of friends from a small locality called Manjummel in Kochi, who decide to have a vacation in Kodaikanal, which is affected when one of them becomes trapped in the Guna Caves.
The project was announced in January 2023. Principal photography commenced on 26 January 2023 and was concluded on 17 July. The film was shot across the locations; Kodaikanal, Kochi and Perumbavoor. Some parts of the film was shot at Guna Cave Itself. The film has music composed by Sushin Shyam, cinematography by Shyju Khalid and editing by Vivek Harshan.
The film was theatrically released on 22 February 2024 in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Manjummel Boys received critical acclaim from critics with praise for its technical aspects, acting, script and direction. [6] It became the first film in the Malayalam cinema to earn more than ₹200 crore, and set several box-office records, becoming the highest grossing Malayalam film ever, overtaking 2018 . [7] [8] It also emerged as the highest-grossing Indian films of 2024. [9] [3]
In 2006, ten friends from an arts club in Kochi leave on a trip to Kodaikanal in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, during the Onam vacation. They explore Kodaikanal and before leaving, one of the friends, Sudhi mentions the Guna Caves, a place where the film Gunaa was shot. Inebriated and high, the friends go there and decide to explore the caves' restricted areas, despite a warning from tourist guide Dominic. Upon reaching a point, some friends decide to etch down their group name "Manjummel Boys" on a wall.
After doing so, they decide to regroup to take a picture. Subhash, one of the friends, falls into a hole while moving towards the group. Initially, everyone assumes he is pulling a prank, but he does not respond after they repeatedly call out to him. Some friends leave to get help and inform the locals of what happened. The locals suggest going to the police station and forest guard.
The locals also say that the specific area was off-limits for a reason and that so far thirteen people have fallen into that hole and none were ever recovered. They mention the hole is over 900 feet deep and the British called the place The Devil's Kitchen. The friends reach the police station, where they are beaten; the police file an FIR against them for entering a restricted area. They are also accused of murdering Subhash and giving false complaints and no help is offered. Meanwhile, rain starts to flood the hole.
After being convinced, and fearing backlash from the local people for failing to help, the police agree to help them and send an officer to accompany them to the cave. En route, he reveals that the last person who fell into the hole was the former Central Minister's nephew around ten years before and all the forces got together to rescue him, to no avail. The officer, after inspecting the hole, suggests that they leave Subhash as he is probably dead, but the friends are adamant about rescuing him. One of the boys, Sixon, hears Subhash's cries. The police become convinced to try and save him.
The fire department and more police officers are called into the scene. They estimate that Subhash fell down into a depth of around 120 feet through his cries. They try lowering a rope for Subhash to hold, but are sceptical that this will work and are scared to go inside the hole to retrieve him. Seeing this, one of the friends, Siju David (Kuttan), decides to go down. The officers are initially reluctant, but agree after being convinced by the friends and the locals. Kuttan is lowered into the hole, but his rope runs out, and police think that it is unsafe to go any lower as there might be low oxygen levels. However, Kuttan states that he can hear Subhash's voice and that he cannot leave him. The police arrange for more rope and reel Kuttan down further. At 120 feet, Kuttan sees Subhash lying on a ledge covered in blood and muddy water.
Kuttan retrieves him and the rest of the friends pull them up together. After receiving first aid from the nearest clinic, they take Subhash to the hospital in their hometown. The police decide to let them go and warns them not to attempt anything like this again. They decide not to tell anyone about the incident and tell Subhash's family that he fell in a waterfall. Subhash suffers nightmares from the fall and cannot sleep initially, but starts recovering after going to trauma therapy. Later, the news that Kuttan saved Subhash come out from a person who went to Tamil Nadu, and Kuttan is applauded for his bravery. Two years later, Kuttan is awarded the Jeevan Raksha Padak for his actions.
The project was initially reported in January 2023 by The New Indian Express , which was the second of Chidambaram after Jan. E. Man (2021). [11] Soubin Shahir and Sreenath Bhasi were roped to play the lead roles, in their fifth collaboration following Parava (2017), Kumbalangi Nights , Virus (2019), and Bheeshma Parvam (2022). Soubin also produced the film with his father Babu Shahir and producer-distributor Shawn Antony under their maiden production house Parava Films. [11] Cinematographer Shyju Khalid, musician Sushin Shyam, editor Vivek Harshan and production designer Ajayan Chalissery were announced as a part of the technical crew. [11] [12] The real life Manjummel Boys make a cameo appearance as the opposing gang during a tug of war contest. [13]
Principal photography commenced at Kodaikanal on 26 January 2023 and concluded on 17 July. [14] The film was shot around 101 working days throughout multiple schedules. [15] A few scenes were also shot in Kochi and Perumbavoor. [16] The cave and its surrounding shown in the film is actually set constructed by production designer Ajayan Chalissery. [17]
The original score and soundtrack of Manjummel Boys is composed by Sushin Shyam. It features two tracks, which were sung by Pradeep Kumar and rapper Vedan. The lyrics were penned by Anwar Ali and Vedan. In this film, the 1991 Tamil film Gunaa is also mentioned many times, especially through the song "Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan". [18]
Manjummel Boys was theatrically released on 22 February 2024. [19] Prior to the film's theatrical release, the Film Exhibitors Union Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK) announced that they would halt the screening of Malayalam-language films in theatres owing to the Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) and Film Distributors Association's decision to not to screen films that would be released in streaming platforms in less than 42 days. [20] Eventually, KFPA affirmed on the film's release in specific theatres which followed the contractual agreements. [21] Prior to the film's release, it garnered ₹1.47 crore (US$180,000) from advance bookings across Kerala. [22] The Telugu-language dubbed version was released on 6 April 2024. [23]
It was released by Sree Gokulam Movies through Dream Big Films in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The overseas rights acquired by Phars Film Co. It was distributed across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana by Mythri Movie Makers, Sukumar Writings and Primeshow Entertainment. [24]
The streaming rights and satellite rights were acquired by Disney+ Hotstar and Asianet, respectively. [25] The film began streaming on Disney+ Hotstar from 5 May 2024 in Malayalam and dubbed versions of Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi languages. [26]
Manjummel Boys grossed 72.2 crore (US$8.6 million) in Kerala and 170.1 crore (US$20 million) in Rest of India and overseas territories, for a worldwide total of 242.3 crore (US$28.8 million). It is the highest grossing Malayalam film of all time, and highest grossing Malayalam film in Rest of India. [27] [28]
On the opening day of its release, the film earned a net collection of ₹3.3 crore (US$400,000) and gross collection of ₹3.9 crore (US$470,000), while also earning ₹2.1 crore (US$250,000) from overseas markets. [29] At the second day, the film garnered ₹3.25 crore (US$390,000), a marginal drop of 1.52% in comparison with the previous day's release, but saw an upward trend on the third and fourth day, garnering around ₹4.25 crore (US$510,000) and ₹4.75 crore (US$570,000). The film earned ₹15.5 crore (US$1.9 million) within the first four days of its release in the domestic regions, while also earning ₹13.25 crore (US$1.6 million). [30] At the end of the first week, the film crossed ₹50 crore at the worldwide box office, earning ₹28 crore (US$3.4 million) domestically and ₹22 crore (US$2.6 million) from overseas. [31] By March 2024, the film crossed ₹100 crore. [32] As of 21 March 2024, Manjummel Boys has grossed a worldwide total of ₹200 crore (US$25 million). [33]
In Tamil Nadu, the film garnered ₹1 crore (US$120,000) at the box office in the first weekend. [34] Within ten days, the film earned ₹15 crore (US$1.8 million), thereby becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film in the state. [35] Film analysts and exhibitors attributed the success of the film which was primarily attributed to 60% of the film being set in Tamil Nadu which connected with the local audiences, along with the nostalgia, themes and emotional connect with family audience and youngsters, and popular references to Tamil cinema, primilarily Gunaa, which was shot in the Gunaa caves. [36] [37] Exhibitors further described that the lack of notable Tamil films and the releases during February and March 2024 not performing well as expected were the contributing factors for the film's overperformance in the state. [38]
Manjummel Boys received critical acclaim from critics with praise for its technical aspects, acting, script and direction.
S. Devasankar of Pinkvilla gave 4/5 stars and wrote "Manjummel Boys is one of the finest additions to Malayalam survival thriller films. The film demands a theater watch with the best sound quality for the best experience, and is sure to leave the audience shook". [39] Gopika I. S. of The Times of India gave 4/5 stars and wrote "Manjummel Boys isn't your average friendship flick packed like a survival film. If you are looking for a crisp survival film, this is it. It's an absolute marvel of visuals, absolutely good writing, characterisation, editing, acting and all the thrills". [40]
Arjun Menon of Rediff gave 4/5 stars and wrote "Manjummel Boys gets so many things right that the small nitpicks don't amount to much in the larger picture". [41] Sanjith Sridharan of OTTplay gave 3+1⁄2 / 5 stars and wrote "Chidambaram hasn't tried to overdramatise Manjummel Boys for the sake of entertainment and has kept it mostly true to the events that had transpired in Kodaikanal in 2006". [42]
Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Despite its shortcomings, Chidambaram's film can indeed be seen as a powerful tribute to the real Manjummel Boys and their determined efforts to save their dear one". [43] Janani K. of India Today gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Director Chidambaram's Manjummel Boys is a heartwarming thriller which is earnest in its attempt". [44]
S. R. Praveen of The Hindu wrote "Though the survival thriller part brings back memories of Bharathan's Malootty , this one takes a different path by tying the events closely to their friendship of the characters". [45] Princy Alexander of Onmanorama wrote "Overall, the movie is a neatly crafted tale of friendship that triumphs over the survival drama". [46]
Jeyamohan's critique goes further, stating, Manjummel Boys is a disturbing film that depicts reality rather than fiction. He said the tourists from Kerala engage in excessive drinking, vomiting, stumbling, and displaying a lack of common sense or social awareness. [47]
The producers of the film were arraigned by the Marad police to inquire about alleged cheating and forgery. FIR was filed against Soubin Shahir, Babu Shahir and Shawn Antony. [48] On 17 May 2024, the Kerala High Court stayed the proceedings for a month based on the petition filed by the Defendant seeking to quash the criminal case. [49]
On 22 May 2024, music composer Ilaiyaraaja issued a formal notice to the producers of Manjummel Boys for the unauthorized use of his song "Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan" from Gunaa. The notice, addressed to Soubin Shahir, Babu Shahir, and Shawn Antony of Parava Films, asserts Ilaiyaraaja's legal and moral rights over the song and reserves the right to initiate legal action. [50]
Prithviraj Sukumaran is an Indian actor, director, producer and playback singer primarily active in Malayalam cinema. He has also featured in Tamil, Hindi and Telugu films, adding to over 100 films involving diverse genres and variety of roles. Prithviraj's accolades include a National Film Award, four Kerala State Film Awards, a Tamil Nadu State Film Award, seven SIIMA Awards and a South Filmfare Award.
Salim Kumar is an Indian actor, comedian, director and writer in Malayalam cinema. Mostly known for his comic and comedy roles, Salim Kumar is considered one of the best and most prominent comedians in the history of Malayalam cinema.
Sreenath Bhasi is an Indian actor, disco jockey and singer who works in Malayalam films. He started his career as a Radio Jockey in Red FM 93.5. At the same time he worked as a Video Jockey. He gained recognition in the film Da Thadiya. He has been featured in numerous films. He was a part of the Christian alternative metal band named Crimson Wood and is currently the vocalist of an experimental djent band from Kerala.
Vinayak Sasikumar is an Indian lyricist, who works in Malayalam cinema. Famous for his works in Aavesham, Romancham etc
Shabareesh Varma is an Indian lyricist, singer and actor working predominantly in Malayalam films.
Soubin Shahir is an Indian actor, director and producer who works in Malayalam cinema. He began his film career as an assistant director in 2003 and worked under several directors. Soubin made his acting debut in 2013 with a supporting role in Annayum Rasoolum. He made his directorial debut with the drama Parava (2017). In 2018, he won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for his leading role in Sudani from Nigeria, which was also a major commercial success. He portrayed one of the main characters in Manjummel Boys, which went on to become the highest grossing Malayalam film ever and one of the highest-grossing Indian films of 2024.
Jakes Bejoy is an Indian film score composer, music producer, and singer. He predominantly works in Malayalam cinema. Angels (2014) was his debut film as a music director.
Shebin Benson is an Indian actor who works predominantly in Malayalam films.
Virus is a 2019 Indian Malayalam-language medical thriller film co-produced and directed by Aashiq Abu set against the backdrop of the 2018 Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala. The film was written by Muhsin Parari and Suhas-Sharfu. It stars an ensemble cast that includes Kunchacko Boban, Indrajith Sukumaran, Asif Ali, Tovino Thomas, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Rahman, Indrans, Jinu Joseph, Sreenath Bhasi, Dileesh Pothan, Rima Kallingal, Madonna Sebastian, Ramya Nambeeshan, Joju George, Soubin Shahir and Revathi.
Vikruthi (transl. Mischief) is a 2019 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Emcy Joseph and produced by A. D. Sreekumar, Ganesh Menon and Lakshmi Warrier. The film stars Suraj Venjarammoodu and Soubin Shahir in the lead roles. The film is based on true events that occurred on a Kochi Metro train, where a picture of a sleeping hearing/speech-impaired man was taken and shared online by a passenger assuming he was drunk. It upsets the man and his family after it goes viral. The film was released on 4 October 2019. The film was remade in Tamil as Payanigal Gavanikkavum.
Arjun Ashokan is an Indian actor working in the Malayalam film industry. He is the son of the actor Harisree Ashokan. He played supporting roles in his career with notable performances in Parava, B. Tech, June,Varathan, Unda, Super Sharanya and Pranaya Vilasam.
Khalid Rahman is an Indian film director and actor who works in the Malayalam film Industry. He made his debut directorial with the film Anuraga Karikkin Vellam. His other works include Unda, Love and Thallumaala.
Romancham (transl. Goosebump) is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language comedy horror film directed by Jithu Madhavan in his directorial debut and produced by Johnpaul George, Girish Gangadharan and Joby George under the banner of Guppy Films and Johnpaul George Productions. Based on a real life incident faced by the director and his friends during their college days, the film stars Soubin Shahir, Arjun Ashokan, Sajin Gopu, Siju Sunny, Abin Bino, Anantharaman Ajay and Afsal P.H. Set in Bangalore, the plot revolves around seven unmarried men and their usage of an Ouija board, which leads to various subsequent events. The music was composed by Sushin Shyam, while the cinematography and editing were handled by Sanu Thahir and Kiran Das.
Mashar Hamsa is an Indian costume designer from Kerala, who works in the Malayalam films. He started his career as a film costume designer in 2013 with the movie Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi. As of April 2023, Mashar has designed costumes for more than 30 Malayalam films. He is a recipient of 2020 Kerala Film Critics Association Awards for best costume designer for the movie Trance.
Guna Caves, initially named as Devil's Kitchen, is a cave located in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, India. It attracts many visitors every year. The location got the name Guna Caves after it was featured in the 1991 film Gunaa starring Kamal Haasan. Since the release of the film, the location has attracted a large number of visitors and tourists. Subsequently, other movies were also shot there, including the climax of the Malayalam film Shikkar (2010), and another Malayalam film Manjummel Boys (2024), which was based on a real accident in the cave.
Nadikar (transl. Actor) is a 2024 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Lal Jr. and written by Suvin S. Somasekharan. Jointly produced by Godspeed Cinema and Mythri Movie Makers, the film stars Tovino Thomas, Divya Pillai, Soubin Shahir, Balu Varghese, Suresh Krishna, and Bhavana. The film follows the life of a superstar who is going through a rough patch.
Manjummel Boys is the soundtrack to the 2024 film of the same name directed by Chidambaram S. Poduval and produced by Babu Shahir, Soubin Shahir and Shawn Antony under the banner Parava Films. The film features an ensemble cast of Soubin, Sreenath Bhasi, Balu Varghese, Ganapathi S. Poduval, Lal Jr., Deepak Parambol, Abhiram Radhakrishnan, Arun Kurian, Khalid Rahman, Chandu Salimkumar, Shebin Benson, and Vishnu Reghu.
E4 Entertainment is an Indian film production and distribution company founded by Mukesh R. Mehta and C.V. Sarathi. Established in 2012, the company's headquarters are located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
On 3 September 2006, Subhash Chandran fell into Guna Caves and was rescued by his friend Siju David. This is the only known case where a person that fell into Guna Caves survived.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link)