Nizhalkuthu

Last updated

Nizhalkuthu
Nizhalkuthu5.jpg
DVD cover
Directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan
Written byAdoor Gopalakrishnan
Produced byAdoor Gopalakrishnan
Joël Farges
Starring Oduvil Unnikrishnan
Sukumari
Cinematography Mankada Ravi Varma
Sunny Joseph
Edited by B. Ajithkumar
Music by Ilayaraaja
Distributed byAdoor Gopalakrishnan Productions
Artcam International
Les Films du Paradoxe
Release date
  • 7 September 2002 (2002-09-07)
(Venice)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Nizhalkuthu (English: Shadow Kill, French : Le Serviteur de Kali) is a 2002 Indian film in Malayalam directed, written and co-produced by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. The film explores the recesses of the human consciousness. It stars Oduvil Unnikrishnan in the lead with actors Narain, Murali, Sukumari, Reeja, Nedumudi Venu, Vijayaraghavan, Jagathi Sreekumar and Tara Kalyan in supporting roles. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival in the Orizzonti section and received critical acclaim. The film was awarded the FIPRESCI Prize at the festival.

Contents

Overview

The title of the film Nizhalkuthu (Shadow Kill) refers to a popular play Nizhalkuthu Attakatha, adapted from the Mahabharata , about the inherent unjustness of certain punishments. In the play, the Kauravas force a witch hunter to kill the Pandavas by stabbing their shadows. However, the witch hunter's wife finds this out and is enraged. To punish her husband by making him feel what Kunti, the mother of Pandavas must feel, she kills their child in the same way.

The film reflects that death penalty is probably in the same vein. We may---like the witch hunter's wife---be handing out punishments that are equally ridiculous under the false perception that we are doing justice, if not being directly criminal like the witch hunter.

Adoor's usual cinematographer Mankada Ravi Varma filmed half of the project. But he was later replaced by Sunny Joseph, since the former fell ill and was later found to be suffering from Alzheimer's disease. [1] [2]

Plot

The plot is set in the 1940s in a village of Travancore, British India. Kaliyappan, the last hangman of Travancore is dragging his remaining life by consuming alcohol and worshipping the Mother Goddess. The reason for this self-destruction is the remorse born out of the feeling that the last man he hanged was innocent.

While pulling on his life by boozing, worshiping the Goddess and treating ailing people with the ash obtained by burning the hanging rope, one day the King's messenger once again arrives with the King's order of appointing him for executing a convict termed as 'a killer, proved beyond doubt'. He leaves for the jail with his Gandhian, freedom fighter son to assist him in his job.

As a tradition, the hangman has to spend the eve of the execution awake. When alcohol fails to keep Kaliyappan awake, the jailer starts telling a 'spicy tale' to keep him awake, the tale of a 13-year-old girl raped and killed by her own brother-in-law and an innocent musician boy convicted for this charge.

When Kaliyappan discovers that the condemned person he is about to hang is the musician boy, he breaks down. The job of executing the convict is passed on to his assistant, his son. The Gandhian, freedom fighter son completes the job. His motivations are not spelt out, but the choice of title hints that the son perhaps punishes the father by reminding him that any of his prior executions may have been a farce just like this.

Just like the witch hunter's wife in Mahabharata, the son's sense of punishment completely ignores the innocent victim who would be executed. We are reminded that what we think of something as just may not always be so.

Cast

Critical reception

The film received critical praise. [3] [4] [5] [6]

Awards

National Film Awards
Kerala State Film Awards
Others

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jagathy Sreekumar</span> Indian actor (born 1951)

Sreekumar Achary, better known by his stage name Jagathy Sreekumar or simply Jagathy, is an Indian actor, director and playback singer, who has appeared in over 1500 Malayalam films in a career spanning almost four decades. Widely regarded as the greatest comedian in the history of Malayalam cinema, he is also known for his highly nuanced character roles. He is the son of acclaimed dramaturge and writer, the late Jagathy N. K. Achary.

<i>Poochakkoru Mookkuthi</i> 1984 Indian film

Poochakkoru Mookkuthi is a 1984 Indian Malayalam-language screwball comedy film written and directed by Priyadarshan in his directorial debut. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Mohanlal, Shankar, Menaka, M. G. Soman, Nedumudi Venu, C. I. Paul, Sukumari, Jagathy Sreekumar, Kuthiravattam Pappu, Sreenivasan and Baiju Santhosh.

<i>C.I.D. Moosa</i> 2003 film directed by Johny Antony

C.I.D Moosa is a 2003 Indian Malayalam-language action comedy film directed by Johny Antony, written by Udaykrishna–Sibi K. Thomas duo, and co-produced by Dileep. It stars Dileep in the title role of a private detective, and features an ensemble cast of Bhavana, Ashish Vidyarthi, Sharat Saxena, Murali, Harisree Ashokan, Cochin Haneefa, Jagathy Sreekumar, Vijayaraghavan, Captain Raju, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Sukumari, and Salim Kumar. In the film, C.I.D Moosa, a private detective, faces many challenges while solving various cases. His only rival is his own brother-in-law, Peethambaran, who is a police officer.

<i>Mayilattam</i> (film) 2004 Indian film

Mayilattam is a 2004 Malayalam-language action comedy film directed by V. M. Vinu. It stars Jayaram in dual roles as the hero and villain, along with Rambha, Indraja, and Jagathy Sreekumar in the pivotal roles. The film was a commercial success at the box office. It was an Onam release of 2004.

<i>Parinayam</i> (1994 film) 1994 Indian film

Parinayam is a Malayalam language period drama film, directed by Hariharan and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair. The key characters are played by Mohini, Manoj K. Jayan and Vineeth. The film also has a cast of character artists including Thilakan, Nedumudi Venu, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Jagathy Sreekumar, Sukumari, Jagannatha Varma, Valsala Menon, Bindu Panicker, Bahadoor, and Shanthi Krishna.

<i>Manassinakkare</i> 2003 Indian film

Manassinakkare is a 2003 Indian Malayalam family drama film directed by Sathyan Anthikkad and written by Ranjan Pramod. It stars Jayaram, Sheela, and Nayanthara in lead roles, while Innocent, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Siddique, Sukumari, Nedumudi Venu, and Mammukoya play supporting roles. The film's score and soundtrack were composed by Ilayaraja. The film marked the return of Sheela as an actress and the film debut of Nayanthara. It won five awards at Filmfare Awards South.

<i>Bhoomiyile Rajakkanmar</i> Malayalam movie

Bhoomiyile Rajakkanmar is a 1987 Indian Malayalam-language political thriller film directed by Thampi Kannanthanam, written by Dennis Joseph, and produced by Joy Thomas under the company Jubilee Productions. It features Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Nalini, Balan K. Nair, Adoor Bhasi, Jagadish, and Jagathy Sreekumar in major roles. The music for the film was composed by S. P. Venkatesh. This film was a super hit and it was remade in Telugu.

<i>Georgootty C/O Georgootty</i> 1991 Indian film

Georgootty C/O Georgootty is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy drama film starring Jayaram, Thilakan and Sunitha in major roles. It was directed by Haridas and written by Ranjith, the film was produced under the banner of Chandragiri Productions. It was Haridas' directorial debut. Haridas got the Kerala State Film Award for Best New Face Director for this film. The music was composed by Mohan Sithara with lyrics by Gireesh Puthenchery.

<i>Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam</i> 1989 Indian film

Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam is a 1989 Indian Malayalam-language black comedy film directed by Viji Thampi and written by Ranjith. The film stars Jayaram and Sreenivasan and is partially based on Ruthless People (1986).

<i>Kizhakkunarum Pakshi</i> 1991 Indian film

Kizhakkunarum Pakshi is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language musical tragedy drama film written and directed by Venu Nagavalli and produced by P. K. R. Pillai. It stars Mohanlal, Shankar, Murali, Rekha, Jagathy Sreekumar, Ashokan and Innocent. The music and background score of the film was composed by Raveendran

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mankada Ravi Varma</span> Indian film director (1926–2010)

Mankada Ravi Varma was an Indian cinematographer and director who worked in Malayalam cinema. He is exclusively known for his association with renowned film-maker Adoor Gopalakrishnan. He has associated with other major directors such as G. Aravindan and P. N. Menon. He has also directed two films. He has won two National Film Awards and seven Kerala State Film Awards in various categories. In 2006, he was honoured with the J. C. Daniel Award, Kerala government's highest honour for contributions to Malayalam cinema.

Mangamma is a 1997 Malayalam film written and directed by T. V. Chandran, and produced by National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC). It stars Revathi, Nedumudi Venu, Vijayaraghavan and Thilakan in major roles.

<i>Vicharana</i> 1988 Indian film

Vicharana (Trial) is a 1988 Malayalam film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil. The film stars Mammootty, Sobhana, Nedumudi Venu, Seema, Mukesh, Jagathy Sreekumar and Prathapachandran.

<i>Pradeshika Varthakal</i> 1989 Indian film

Pradeshika Varthakal is a 1989 Indian Malayalam-language comedy film directed by Kamal and produced by S. Sivaprasad. The film stars Jayaram, Parvathy, Jagathy Sreekumar, and Innocent, with a score composed by Johnson.

Oohakachavadam is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by K. Madhu and written by S. N. Swamy. The film stars Balachandra Menon, Suhasini and Thiagarajan. The film's musical was by M. G. Radhakrishnan.

Meenakshi Kalyanam is a 1998 Indian Malayalam film, directed by Jose Thomas and produced by Davi Rafel and Prince Rafel. The film stars Mukesh, Mohini and Jagathy Sreekumar in the lead roles,one of the superhit movie in 1998.The film has musical score by C. Rajamani and songs by Nadirsha.

Oduvil Kiitiya Vartha is a 1985 Indian Malayalam film, directed by Yatheendra Das and produced by Vindhyan. The film stars Mammootty, Nedumudi Venu, Chithra and Jalaja in lead roles.

<i>Nettippattom</i> 1991 Indian film

Nettippattom is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Kaladharan and produced by Balagopalan Thampi. The film starred Sreenivasan, Rekha, Sukumari, Jagathy Sreekumar, Manoj K. Jayan, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Vijayaraghavan, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Jagadish and Kumbalathu Padmakumar. The film's musical scored by Johnson.

Kaattile Paattu is a 1982 Indian Malayalam film, directed and produced by K. P. Kumaran. The film stars Nedumudi Venu, Balan K. Nair, Poornima Jayaram and Sukumari in the lead roles. The film has musical score by K. Raghavan.

<i>Ellarum Chollanu</i> 1992 Indian film

Ellarum Chollanu is a 1992 Indian Malayalam-language comedy-drama film directed by Kaladharan and written by Rafi Mecartin, starring Mukesh and Jagathy Sreekumar in the lead roles. .

References

  1. ↑ "Painting with light". The Hindu . 7 September 2007. Archived from the original on 3 December 2007.
  2. ↑ "Indian cinematographer Varma dies: He worked on Adoor Gopalakrishnan's films". Variety . 24 November 2010.
  3. ↑ Richard Phillips (7 August 2003). "Two perceptive Indian films". World Socialist Web Site . Retrieved 9 April 2011.
  4. ↑ Laura, Robin Clifford. "Nizhalkkuthu ("Shadow Kill") (In competition, Upstream) India". Reeling Reviews. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
  5. ↑ Gautaman Bhaskaran (14 February 2003). "And thereby hangs a humane tale..." The Hindu . Archived from the original on 6 October 2003. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
  6. ↑ "Nizhalkuthu is a masterwork". Rediff.com . 6 May 2003. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
  7. ↑ "John Abraham Awards for Best Malayalam Cinema - Looking Back". Federation of Film Societies of India (Kerala). Retrieved 27 January 2023.
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.