Nothing but Life

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Nothing but Life
Nothing but Life Malayalam V.png
Malayalam version poster
Directed by Rajiv Anchal
Written byBobby Nair
Produced byNaveen Chathappuram
Starring R. Madhavan
Neha Pendse
Kaveri
Nassar
Sreenivasan
CinematographyKeith Gruchala
Edited byAjoy Varma
Music by Vidyasagar
Biju Kurian
Ouseppachan
Production
company
Golden Wings Studio
Distributed byMudra Arts
Release dates
  • 25 December 2004 (2004-12-25)
(English)
  • 6 May 2005 (2005-05-06)
(Malayalam)
Running time
120 minutes
LanguagesMalayalam
English

Nothing but Life is a 2004 Indian English language film and directed by Rajiv Anchal. The experimental film featured actors R. Madhavan, Neha Pendse, Kaveri, Nassar and Sreenivasan. The film was made simultaneously in Malayalam and released later on as Made in USA on May 6, 2005.

Contents

Plot

Roby Thomas migrates to the U.S. with the help of a priest and works as a barman in a casino in Las Vegas. Roby is a simple youngster who believes in helping people in distress but he has a suicidal tendency. The film focuses on the inner turmoil of a youngster who seems to have a positive attitude towards life and emphasizes the importance of inter-personal relationship and friendship.

Cast

Cast (English)Cast (Malayalam)Role
R. Madhavan Roby Thomas
Kaveri Vandhana
Neha Pendse Rachel
Thampi Antony Colonel Abdullah
Nassar Sreenivasan Doctor Maddy
Innocent Prof. Ponnachan PhD
Babu Antony Omar (special appearance)
Madhupal Johnny
John Weltz Nassar Rachel's father

Production

Madhavan signed the film in June 2004 and began shooting for the film almost immediately. [1] The film was initially titled Life in Las Vegas, before the makers decided on different titles in English and Malayalam. [2] Actress Kaveri as heroine and actress Neha Pendse made her debut in South Indian films, whilst Nassar and Sreenivasan reprised the roles of the doctor alternatively in the English and Malayalam versions respectively. [3] The film was shot within 40 days in Las Vegas, Albuquerque and New Mexico in the United States, whilst scenes were later recorded in New York City. [4] The movie was shot using high-density television camera with cine lenses instead of a TV lens. [5]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack for this film was composed by Vidyasagar and Biju Kurian. Biju Kurian has composed a song for the film, Vidyasagar has composed the remainder. Lyricists were O. N. V. Kurup and Rajiv Alunkal. The background score for this film was recorded by Ouseppachan. [6]

Made in USA
Soundtrack album by
Released2005
Genre World Music
Producer Vidyasagar
Vidyasagar chronology
Chanthupottu
(2005)
Made in USA
(2005)
Kochirajavu
(2005)
#TitleSinger(s)ComposerLyricist
1"Chirapuraathana" K. J. Yesudas Vidyasagar O. N. V. Kurup
2"Ilamaan Azhake"Aparna RajeevBiju Kurian Rajeev Alunkal
3"Punnellin Kathirola"Aparna RajeevVidyasagarO. N. V. Kurup
4"Punnellin Kathirola" P. Jayachandran VidyasagarO. N. V. Kurup
5"Thaazhunna Sooryane" Sujatha VidyasagarO. N. V. Kurup

Release

The English version played across film festivals such as at the Kerala International Film Festival. The Malayalam version of the film opened to audiences in Kerala on 6 May 2005 gathering mixed reviews. [7] Whilst one reviewer cited that "given the present crisis in Malayalam films where good themes are in short supply, "Made in USA" is certainly a welcome change"; [8] another cited that the movie "left audience confused", describing the film as "plainly mediocre". [9] [10] The film became a financial failure at the Kerala box office, gaining poor collections. [11]

The English version prepared for a release in India in August 2006, with director indicating that the film will be released across multiplex cinemas nationwide. [12] [4] The film won Surya S. Nair a Kerala State Award for her dubbing work in the film. [13] The film was later dubbed in 2008 into Tamil and released as Ananda Punnagai, and then in Telugu as Anjali in America. [14]

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