Munnariyippu

Last updated

Munnariyippu
Munnariyippu.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Venu
Screenplay by Unni R.
Story byVenu
Produced by Ranjith
Starring
CinematographyVenu
Edited by Beena Paul
Music by Bijibal
Production
company
Gold Coin Motion Picture Company
Distributed byGold Coin Motion Pictures
Release date
  • 22 August 2014 (2014-08-22)
Running time
115 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Munnariyippu (transl. Warning) is a 2014 Indian Malayalam-language psychological experimental thriller film directed by Venu [1] and produced by Ranjith, screenplay by Unni R. [2] The film stars Mammootty and Aparna Gopinath, with Nedumudi Venu, Joy Mathew, Prathap Pothan, Sreeraman, Renji Panicker, Saiju Kurup, Joshy Mathew, and Sudheesh in supporting roles. [3] Prithviraj Sukumaran appears in a cameo role. [4]

Contents

The film follows Anjali Arakkal (Aparna Gopinath), a junior journalist, who has set out to write an autobiography on convict C. K. Raghavan (Mammootty), who professes that he never committed the crimes he is in prison for. [5] [6] It released on 22 August 2014 to critical and commercial acclaim. [7]

Aparna and Mammootty's performance in the film were critically acclaimed. However the latter performance in the film was ranked by Film Companion amongst 100 Greatest Performances of the Decade.

Plot

Anjali Arakkal, a freelance journalist, while interacting with a retiring jail superintendent named Rama Moorthy for ghostwriting his autobiography, meets C. K. Raghavan, a prisoner committed for double homicide serving 20 years even after his official term in jail. Raghavan was tried for killing his wife and the daughter of his employer, yet he occasionally proclaims his innocence.

With Moorthy's information, the young journalist discovers that Raghavan writes. She gets access to his writings in which Raghavan interprets world around him in his own way. Raghavan writes sentences like "Does the reflected image in a mirror look back at him or does it accept him and come along with him?"; "A prison should be a place for people to understand their mistakes and correct them rather than a place for punishment"; and "Life is a struggle before death". All this makes Anjali attracted to the mystery that Raghavan has built. Further, Raghavan's outlook on freedom and responsibility with his own brand of philosophy impresses Anjali, and she decides to write a feature about him.

The featured article gains much attention, and proposals come for publishing Raghavan's biography with his philosophies. Anjali decides to use this opportunity to make a name for herself with cooperation from Raghavan's side. Raghavan is much happy about the newly gained attention he is receiving. Anjali decides to visit Raghavan in jail and process release for him from jail. After release, she finds accommodation for him and compels him to write-up events and interpretation of them for making it a book, though Raghavan hesitates. Later, while Raghavan is lollygagging, he meets up with his aspirants, and they invite him for a drink. Under influence there, he reveals his ideology about freedom as "Removing elements that obstructs the person is known as freedom. If it happens in home, it is called as domestic abuse. If it happens in society, it is revolution. Irrespective of where it happens where there is revolution, blood will spill". Anjali reaches the limit with Raghavan's lollygagging and reacts badly in presence of her colleague Mohan. Mohan advises Anjali to not pressurize a person who was reluctant to come out from jail. Anjali faces a problem when the deadline to submit the material for the book is nearing and Raghavan has not even started writing. Above that, there are other journalists who try to get the full picture of Raghavan's story. She decides that it is best to move Raghavan to an undisclosed place.

Anjali is pressurized by the publishers. The new accommodation and lack of facilities irk Raghavan. Anjali's marriage seems almost fixed with Chackochan, and she decides to leave the book publishing project and settle the deal in court. Anjali meets with Raghavan and gives his diary and money received from jail for his rehabilitation and lashes out on him on how his stubbornness and complaints to the various accommodation and surroundings did not suit him. Raghavan smirks at her and gives her the full script of the story. Skipping through it, she comes in grip with the reality of Raghavan's true nature. Fear creeps under her skin. Raghavan tell her that he wants a new accommodation, wanting to go back to jail. With that, he murders her with one blow to the head.

Finally, Raghavan is shown peacefully sleeping at jail. Photos of Anjali along with his other victims are seen pasted near to the jail wall as trophies of his victory to his own psychotic idealization of freedom.

Cast

Production

Venu was directing a film after 16 years, after his directorial debut Daya (1998) written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair. Venu created an idea including the opening and the conclusion for the plot since 2010. During the intervals between his busy schedule as a cinematographer, his wife and editor Bina Paul advised Venu to develop the thread into a story. [8] Initially, Venu wanted to direct the film in Hindi and developed the story with Mumbai as the background. It was Bina Paul who noted that Malayalam would be better. [8] [9]

Venu's plan to write the screenplay by himself did not work out. After some days, he employed author and scenarist Unni R. Since then, Unni completed the whole screenplay with dialogues in a short span of time. [10]

Initial choice for protagonist role was either Mammootty or Sreenivasan. Sreenivasan listened the story, but he did not sign in the film due to his highly tight schedule. After a few months, director Ranjith came in to finance the film. Ranjith narrated the story to Mammootty via phone. Mammootty committed the film within a 10-minute-long phone talk. [10]

In early February 2014, Venu announced that in his upcoming directorial Rima Kallingal would play a role of a journalist who writes the biography of a person released from prison, played by Mammootty. [11] However, by the end of February, Kallingal backed out from the project, citing date issues. The makers then decided to replace the actress by Aparna Gopinath. [12] In late March, actress Muthumani announced that she had signed up in the film. She acted with Mammootty second time and her role was reported to be of a Delhi-based journalist. [13] [14] Young actor Minon John played a prominent role in the film, about which he said that he was guided and eased by Mammootty in their collaboration scenes. [15]

The filming, participated by Mammootty, Aparna Gopinath and Renji Panicker, took place in an old building at the Gujarathi Street in Kozhikkode as well as in and around Kozhikkode town. [16] The film was made on low budget and was completed filming in just 28 days. [9]

Release

The film was released on 22 August 2014. [17]

Critical reception

Nidheesh M K of The New Indian Express described Munnariyippu as "a film that demands from us more than few bucks at the pay counter." He also wrote, "For the classic that it is, Munnariyippu is bound to remain in the hearts of those who care for the art of visual storytelling for long time to come." [18] Akhila Menon of Filmibeat.com gave the film 4 stars out of 5 and concluded her review, "A must watch movie recommended for the movie lovers." She also wrote, "Mammootty delivers his best performance in recent times and excels as C K Raghavan. Aparna Gopinath proves her mettle as an actress with the meaty role." [19]

Raj Vikram of Metromatinee.com wrote, "Munnariyippu is a many layered movie; seeps deep into the inner layers of sensibility. Mammootty takes the film to a different level with his expressive acting and subdued mannerisms." [20] Padmakumar K of Malayala Manorama gave the film 3.5/5 and wrote, "Offering an experience which Malayali audience has so far been alien to, Munnariyippu gives an artistic mix of what is captivating as well as outlandish in terms of narrative, thanks to the brilliant work by script writer Unni R." He also said that the film "can be viewed as a movie with a different approach. Or the story of a person with a strange aptitude. Mammootty's character that stands out, stunningly. He is every inch the Raghavan of the film, in looks and in conduct." [21] Aswin J Kumar of The Times of India gave a rating of 3.5/5 and wrote, "It feels good to watch Mammootty in Munnariyippu. It's as though the waxy glow on his face has melted away revealing a face that looks so human and so earthy." He concluded that the film "might not go well with a section of viewers, but this is a smart way of making a film and reinventing an actor." [22] S.R. Praveen of The Hindu wrote in his review, "Munnariyippu, with its skeletal approach, delivers a thumping jolt to the viewer and reclaims the actor who was lost in the jungle of superstardom. One ends up wishing for a little more detail in places but at the same time it looks like holding everything back worked in the end." [23]

Indiaglitz.com gave the film 7/10 and concluded, "A movie with no masala events, but one that is sure to be applauded in desi and international level, Munnariyippu is a must see for connoisseurs of all good cinema." [24] Veeyen of Nowrunning.com wrote, "There is a deconstruction of sorts that occurs in Venu's Munnariyippu, as conventionalities are discarded without a second thought." He gave the film 3 stars out of 5 and wrote about the film as, "a revelatory drama that throws together an emphatic, no-nonsense narrative with a couple of out-of-the-world performances." He also lauded the performance of Mammootty as he wrote that the film "marks the reinvention of an actor [Mammootty] whom we simply adore, and lays forth a hundred reasons as to why we have been in awe of him for so long." [25] Sify.com gave the film a verdict of "Above Average" and wrote, "Munnariyippu is aimed at those sections of viewers, who would like to be part of the narration, creating a visual of their own while watching the movie on screen. But even then, the film leaves you wanting for more." [26]

Box office

The film was both commercial and critical success. [27]

Awards

Related Research Articles

<i>Lelam</i> 1997 Indian film

Lelam (transl. Auction) is a 1997 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film directed by Joshiy and written by Renji Panicker. It stars Suresh Gopi and M. G. Soman with Siddique, N. F. Varghese, Nandini, Maniyanpilla Raju, Vijayakumar, Spadikam George, and Kaviyoor Renuka in supporting roles. It was also the last film of the veteran actor M.G. Soman. The story revolves around the rivalry between two liquor business groups, the Aanakkattil family and Kadayadi family. The film was dubbed in Tamil as Yelam and into Telugu as Royal Challenge. Lelam was a blockbuster at the box-office and is also among the highest grossers of the 1990s.

<i>Ee Nadu</i> 1982 Indian film

Ee Nadu is a 1982 Indian Malayalam-language political film directed by I. V. Sasi, written by T. Damodaran and produced by N. G. John. The film stars Balan K. Nair with Mammootty, Ratheesh, and T. G. Ravi in supporting roles. The music score was handled by Shyam. The film talks about how politicians and the rich people in society exploit their power and ignore the pleas of the general public. This film was loosely based on a spate of liquor poisonings that occurred in Vypeen in Kerala that claimed 77 lives.

<i>Run Baby Run</i> (2012 film) 2012 Indian film

Run Baby Run is a 2012 Indian Malayalam-language comedy thriller film directed by Joshiy, produced and distributed by Milan Jaleel through the company Galaxy Films. It was the first independent screenplay of Sachy following the split of Sachi-Sethu duo. The film stars Mohanlal and Amala Paul. The music was composed by Ratheesh Vegha, while cinematography was done by R. D. Rajasekhar.

<i>August Club</i> 2013 Indian film

August Club, also called August Club Since 1969, is a 2013 Malayalam romantic drama film directed by K. B. Venu.It tells the story about the nuances in marital life. The film's screenplay is written by Anantha Padmanabhan and is based on his novelette titled Venalinte Kalaneekkangal. August Club marked the debut of both K. B. Venu and Anantha Padmanabhan. The film was produced by V S Atheesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aparna Gopinath</span> Indian actress

Aparna Gopinath is an Indian film actress and theatre artist. She debuted in 2013, with the Malayalam film ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi opposite Dulquer Salmaan.

<i>Gangster</i> (2014 film) 2014 Indian film

Gangster is a 2014 Malayalam language neo-noir action thriller film directed by Aashiq Abu. The film stars Mammootty in the lead role, along with Sekhar Menon, John Paul, Kunchan, T. G. Ravi, Nyla Usha, Aparna Gopinath, Alexx O'Nell, Hareesh Peradi, and Dileesh Pothan in supporting roles. It was written by Ahmed Sidhique and Abhilash S. Kumar with music by Deepak Dev. The film was released on 12 April 2014. It received negative reviews from critics.

<i>Varsham</i> (2014 film) 2014 film by Ranjith Sankar

Varsham (Rains) is a 2014 Malayalam drama film written and directed by Ranjith Sankar. The film stars Mammootty and Asha Sarath in the main roles, T. G. Ravi as the antagonist, along with Mamta Mohandas, Govind Padmasoorya and Master Prajwal in major supporting roles. It features a film score and soundtrack by Bijibal. Varsham released worldwide on 6 November 2014. The film received generally positive reviews from critics.

<i>Fireman</i> (film) 2015 film by Deepu Karunakaran

Fireman is a 2015 Indian Malayalam-language disaster film directed by Deepu Karunakaran and produced by Milan Jaleel under the banner of Galaxy Films. The film's shooting was completed in one day. It stars Mammootty, Unni Mukundan, Siddique, and Nyla Usha in the lead roles. The music is composed by Rahul Raj. This movie is shortly based on the 2012 Chala tanker accident.

<i>Kohinoor</i> (2015 film) 2015 Malayalam Movie

Kohinoor is a 2015 Indian Malayalam-language heist comedy film, set in the late 1980s. The film is directed by Vinay Govind and features Asif Ali and Indrajith Sukumaran in the lead role along with an ensemble cast of Aju Varghese, Chemban Vinod Jose, Vinay Forrt, Aparna Vinod, and Shraddha Srinath. It was produced by Asif Ali in his debut film production and was co-produced by Sajin Jaffer and Brijeesh Muhammed under the banner Adam's World of Imagination. Rahul Raj composed the original music. It became a critical and commercial success.

<i>Jacobinte Swargarajyam</i> 2016 film by Vineeth Sreenivasan

Jacobinte Swargarajyam is a 2016 Indian Malayalam-language family drama film written and directed by Vineeth Sreenivasan. The film stars Nivin Pauly and Renji Panicker. It revolves around a wealthy businessman and the struggles faced by his son to clear his father's debts after a business associate cheats him. The film was released on 8 April 2016 in India and later in foreign countries.

Alencier Ley Lopez is an Indian film and theatre actor, who appears in Malayalam films. Lopez made his debut in the 1998 film Daya; and he worked in films like Annayum Rasoolum (2013), Njan Steve Lopez (2013), and Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016).

<i>Sakhavu</i> (2017 film) 2017 Indian film

Sakhavu (transl. Comrade) is a 2017 Indian Malayalam-language political drama film written and directed by Sidhartha Siva. It stars Nivin Pauly in dual roles, as a cunning student political leader (Krishnakumar) and a senior social activist and comrade who fights for his left-wing ideals. Aishwarya Rajesh plays the heroine. The film was released on 14 April 2017 during Vishu holiday to positive reviews.

<i>Masterpiece</i> (2017 film) 2017 Indian action mystery thriller film

Masterpiece is a 2017 Indian Malayalam-language action crime thriller film directed by Ajai Vasudev and written by Udayakrishna. It stars Mammootty in the lead role, alongside Unni Mukundan, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Mukesh, Gokul Suresh, Maqbool Salmaan and John Kaippallil.

<i>Tharangam</i> (2017 film) 2017 Indian film

Tharangam (transl. Wave) is a 2017 Indian Malayalam-language fantasy black comedy film directed by Dominic Arun in his directorial debut. It was the first Malayalam film produced by Dhanush under his banner Wunderbar Films, and starring Tovino Thomas, Balu Varghese, Santhy Balachandran in the lead roles. Ashwin Renju is the music director. The film was released in India on 29 September 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gokul Suresh</span> Indian film actor

Gokul Suresh is an Indian actor who appears in Malayalam films. He is the son of film actor and politician Suresh Gopi.

<i>Madhura Raja</i> 2019 film by Vyshakh

Madhura Raja is a 2019 Indian Malayalam-language action comedy film directed by Vysakh, written by Udaykrishna and starring Mammootty, Jagapathi Babu and Jai alongside Anusree, Siddique, Nedumudi Venu, Vijayaraghavan, Salim Kumar, Mahima Nambiar, Anna Rajan and Shamna Kasim in supporting roles. The music is composed by Gopi Sundar. This film marks the debut of Jai in Malayalam cinema. The film is a spin-off to 2010 film Pokkiri Raja and Mammootty reprises his role as Raja.

<i>Pathinettam Padi</i> 2019 film directed by Shanker Ramakrishnan

Pathinettam Padi is a 2019 Indian Malayalam-language coming of age drama film, written and directed by Shankar Ramakrishnan and produced by Shaji Nadesan under the banner of August Cinema.The film features Chandunadh, Ahaana Krishna, Akshay Radhakrishnan, Ashwin Gopinath, Wafa Khatheeja Rahman and Aarsha Chandini Baiju in the lead and Mammootty, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Arya, and Unni Mukundan in cameo roles.

<i>Prathi Poovankozhi</i> 2019 Indian Malayalam language thriller film

Prathi Poovankozhi is a 2019 Indian Malayalam-language revenge thriller film directed by Rosshan Andrrews and written by Unni R. based on his story Sankadam. It stars Rosshan Andrrews, Manju Warrier, and Anusree in main roles. Central Pictures released the film in theaterson 20 December 2019. Boney Kapoor purchased the Tamil, Telugu and Kannada remake rights of the movie.

<i>Puzhu</i> 2022 film directed by Ratheena

Puzhu (transl. Worm) is a 2022 Indian Malayalam-language psychological drama film directed by debutant Ratheena and jointly written by Harshad and Suhas-Sharfu. The film stars Mammootty and Parvathy Thiruvothu in the lead roles. Cinematography of the film is handled by Theni Eswar and the film score and songs are composed by Jakes Bejoy.

<i>Priyan Ottathilanu</i> 2022 Indian film

Priyan Ottathilanu is a 2022 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Antony Sony. The story, screenplay and dialogues are written by Abhayakumar K and Anil Kurian. It is produced by Santhosh Thrivikraman under the company WOW Cinemas. The film stars Sharafudheen, Nyla Usha and Aparna Das in the lead roles. The story revolves around Priyan, a young man who is always busy. Mammootty appears in a cameo role in the film.

References

  1. ↑ Munnariyippu is not an art film: R Unni
  2. ↑ Directors galore in 'Munnariyippu'
  3. ↑ Four Mollywood filmmakers to act in Munnariyippu
  4. ↑ Palicha, Paresh C. "Review: Mammootty's Munnariyippu is worth a watch". Rediff. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  5. ↑ Filmmakers go ‘behind bars’
  6. ↑ "In search of freedom". The Hindu . 21 August 2014.
  7. ↑ "'Munnariyippu' Review Round up: Mammootty Starrer Rated as One of the Best". IBTimes . 22 August 2014.
  8. 1 2 Saraswathy Nagarajan (5 June 2014). "Prisoners of circumstance". The Hindu. The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  9. 1 2 "മുന്നറിയിപ്പ്‌ ‌ ഹിന്ദിയിൽ ചെയ്യാനായിരുന്നു താൽപര്യമെന്ന് വേണു". Mathrubhumi. 22 August 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  10. 1 2 Unni K. Warrier (28 April 2015). "മമ്മൂട്ടി; 30 സെക്കന്റിലെ മഹാവിസ്മയം". Malayala Manorama . Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  11. ↑ "Rima to play a Journalist alongside Mammootty". The Times of India . Times of India. 11 February 2014. Archived from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  12. ↑ Radhika C Pillai (21 February 2014). "Aparna Gopinath will replace Rima opposite Mammootty". The Times of India . Times of India.
  13. ↑ "Muthumani is Manju Warrier's friend". The Times of India . Times of India. 26 March 2014.
  14. ↑ Radhika C Pillai (22 July 2014). "Scope for performance matters: Muthumani". The Times of India . Times of India.
  15. ↑ Priya Sreekumar (29 August 2014). "A man in a child's body". Deccan Chronicle . Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  16. ↑ "മുന്നറിയിപ്പ്‌ വരുന്നു". Mathrubhumi . Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  17. ↑ "'Munnariyippu' Review Round up: Mammootty Starrer Rated as One of the Best". International Business Times . 22 August 2014.
  18. ↑ "A Classic Premonition". Nidheesh M K. The New Indian Express. 24 August 2014. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014.
  19. ↑ "Munnariyippu Movie Review - Filmibeat". Akhila Menon. Filmibeat. 22 August 2014.Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg
  20. ↑ "Munnariyippu Review". Raj Vikram. Metro Matinee. 23 August 2014. Archived from the original on 16 October 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  21. ↑ "Munnariyippu: Captivating finesse, arresting ambience". Padmakumar K. Malayala Manorama. 22 August 2014. Archived from the original on 25 August 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2014.Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg
  22. ↑ "Munnariyippu". Aswin J Kumar. The Times of India. 24 August 2014.Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg
  23. ↑ Praveen, S. r. (24 August 2014). "Far from the madding crowd". S.R. Praveen. The Hindu.
  24. ↑ "Munnariyippu Review - Munnariyippu is good". IndiaGlitz. 22 August 2014. Archived from the original on 6 July 2014.Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg
  25. ↑ "Munnariyippu Review - NowRunning". Veeyen. NowRunning. 24 August 2014.Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg
  26. ↑ "Movie Review: Munnariyippu". Sify . Archived from the original on 27 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  27. ↑ "Malayalam Best Lead Actors 2014: Mammootty, Dulquer, Nivin, Fahadh and Others in Top 10 List". International Business Times . 23 December 2014.
  28. ↑ "State Awards: Nazriya, Nivin, Sudev bag top honours" Archived 13 August 2015 at the Wayback Machine . Malayala Manorama. 10 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  29. 1 2 3 "Mammootty's Munnariyippu Enters Moscow International Film Festival". 28 May 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.