Pranchiyettan & the Saint

Last updated

Pranchiyettan & the Saint
Pranchiyettan & the Saint.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Ranjith
Written byRanjith
Produced byRanjith
Starring
Cinematography Venu
Edited byVijay Shankar
Music by Ouseppachan
Production
company
Capitol Theater
Distributed byPlay House Release
Release date
  • 10 September 2010 (2010-09-10)
Running time
140 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam
Budget₹1.5 crore
Box office₹5.6 crore

Pranchiyettan & the Saint is a 2010 Indian Malayalam-language satirical comedy film written, directed, and produced by Ranjith. [1] The film centres on the fictitious conversation between the Thrissur based businessman C. E. Francis a.k.a. Pranchiyettan (Mammootty) and St. Francis of Assisi (Jesse Fox Allen). Priyamani, Innocent, Siddique, Khushbu Sundar, Jagathy Sreekumar, Ganapathy, Sasi Kalinga, Tini Tom and Biju Menon play the other important roles. The film is considered one of the best comedy films in Malayalam cinema and has attained cult status in the years following its release. Some critics consider the film as one of the defining movies of the Malayalam New Wave. [2]

Contents

Plot

Cherammal Francis, a.k.a. Pranchiyettan, is a successful businessman based in Thrissur. He is a devotee of Saint Francis of Assisi and often has imaginary conversations with the saint. His ancestors were rice traders, but he has grown beyond the small rice shop to expand his business into jewellery, real estate, finance, shopping malls and lot more. Even though he is successful and wealthy, he is not well-educated. (He has not cleared the SSLC exams), He is unhappy with his name and also wants to become a celebrity. He is called Ari ("rice") Pranchi by everybody, citing his ancestors' business as a colloquial taunt. He wants to change his image from Ari Pranchi to something great and is ready to spend a fortune for it. The film deals with how Pranchi tries to get a good name and what changes that brings to his life.

The story starts with Francis talking to Saint Francis of Assisi about his own life. It starts with a short flashback about a quarrel between Francis and Jose over their lady love Omana when they were in school. Francis had a romance going with Omana but he had to give her up because of Jose's tricks. Now Jose and Omana are apparently happily married and are leading doctors in the city.

The story progresses with several anecdotes about Francis' attempts to get a good name for himself. These attempts are always told to him by his friend Vasu Menon, who always takes him to problems. He fights a local club election for the place of the club's president but is defeated by Jose. He then arranges a felicitation for the Oscar award-winner Gafoor Chekutty (a spoof of Resul Pookutty), but has to be satisfied with only a back row seat as he had to give up his seat on the dais for a Padmashree recipient. Inspired by the recognition and respect given to a Padmashree recipient, he decides to somehow grab such an award as that may help in changing his name from Ari Pranchi to Padmashree Pranchi. He bribes a politician named Ajay Nambiar with ₹15 million to get the award, but the corrupt politician dupes him.

Dejected, he withdraws into his house when a young woman named Padmashree comes from Mumbai to invite him for an inauguration ceremony. Following an initial altercation with her due to his misunderstanding of her intention, both become good friends and eventually, Francis falls in love with her. He also helps to prevent her tharavadu (ancestral home) from being sold off. However, he is unable to express his love for her and she returns to Mumbai.

During an interaction with his friend Antony, who is the principal of the local school, he narrates his woe to Francis. He fears that he might not be able to retire with the satisfaction of having presided over a school that got a pass rate of 100% in the SSLC exams. Moved, Francis resolves to help him. He quickly learns that the problem lies with a sole student named Pauli K. Joppan, who always fails in the exams. Pauli's father says they are not financially sound and hence cannot help him enough with his studies. So, he brings the boy to his home and arranges for a special tutor, Pandit Deenadayal, to teach him. Deenadayal discovers that the boy is smart and immensely intelligent, but something is holding him back. He tries to teach Pauli to the best of his ability but, the boy's wit proves too much for him.

Pauli fails the exam again. Furious, Francis throws him out of his house. Upon learning that Pauli's parents were just his foster parents, he and Pauli go to see Pauli's biological father, Joppan, who is in prison serving a life sentence. Francis learns that Joppan, under the influence of alcohol and drugs, hacked his wife (Pauli's mother) and Pauli's teacher to death in front of Pauli. Francis concludes that this incident psychologically scarred the boy, which caused his academic performance to tank. The jail warden (Chaali Pala) discloses to Francis that Joppan is suffering from terminal liver cancer, and he deliberately hides it from the boy so as to not cause him further distress.

Francis then goes to the church in his car. While Pauli sleeps in the car, he talks to Saint Francis. He asks for the Saint's permission for him to adopt Pauli. Fearing failure, he asks the Saint to permit him only if he will succeed. The Saint then shows Francis 3 visuals. The first shows his lost love Omana and Jose cheating on each other. In the second, Ajay Nambiar, the man who cheated him by offering the Padmashree for a bribe is arrested by the police. In the third, Padmashree openly admits her love for Francis to her friend in Mumbai, and further discloses that she is going to propose to him. The Saint then tells him that what one sees as a success is not always a success and what one has lost can always come back to him in the future. Happy, Francis asks the Saint to bless Pauli. But when he returns with the boy, they find the place empty. An incredulous Pauli dismisses Francis' encounter with the Saint as make believe, but when Francis avers that he asked for and got the Saint's permission to adopt Pauli, he says that he too has seen the saint in human form, as Francis. The film concludes with father and son vowing to clear the SSLC exams together the coming year. [3]

Cast

Production

The film was announced in June 2010. The film is produced by Renjith, under the banner of his Capitol Theatres. [4] Shooting began on 1 July 2010. [5]

The cast includes Mammootty, he plays the role of Cherammal Enashu Francis, a rice merchant in Thrissur. Hafis Firosh plays Mammootty's childhood counterpart. Innocent plays the role of Vasu Menon, friend of Pranchiyettan. Australian theatre artist Jesse Fox Allen played the role of the Saint. Apart from cine-artistes, this film also features many faces from the professional drama world, as in Renjith's Paleri Manikyam . [6] Jagathy Sreekumar plays Deena Dayal. "My character is there only in a few scenes but he makes a definite impact, which is quite exciting for an actor. He is an idealistic teacher, who lives as per Gandhian principles and leads a simple life," says Jagathy Sreekumar. [4] Master Ganapathy, who plays Pauli, says, "It is indeed great to be doing such a nice role with some of the big names in the industry. My character is a live wire." [4]

Music

The score and the only song of the film were composed by Ouseppachan; the lyrics were penned by Shibu Chakravarthy. The music by Ouseppachan was "among the highlights of the film", according to one reviewer. [7] However, the only song featured in the film, "Kinavile", generated mixed responses. It was sung by Gayatri, with male backing vocals provided by Ouseppachan himself. The soundtrack also features a male version of the song "Kinavile", which was sung by Franco. This version was not picturised and was not featured in the film. The soundtrack was released on Mathrubhumi Music.

Reception

Box office

The film was commercial success. [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] It ran for more than 200 days in a theatre in Kerala. [13] [14] [15] [16] The film grossed close to ₹3 crore (US$380,000) from 19 days. [17] The film collected US$957 from UK box office. [18] It was made on a budget of ₹1.50 crore [19] The film ran for 63 days in Oman box office, which is the longest running Malayalam film till date in Oman box office.

Critical response

Rediff's reviewer rated the film 5 out of 5 and said, "Pranchiyettan and the Saint is impressive... the success of [the film] rests on the shoulders of writer director Ranjith who gives a meaty story to actors to dig their teeth into." [20] The performance by Mammootty as well as the supporting cast also earned appreciation from critics. The review on Rediff said, "The film depends heavily on Mammootty's histrionic skills to be convincing and it works. It is this effortless and natural performance that gives Pranchiyettan [its] lifeblood." [20] Nowrunning comments: "Very few films are complex and comic at the same time, but Pranchiyettan achieves this almost impossible feat by employing clever plot devices, a fresh narrative structure and a string of metaphoric scenarios." The review praises Ranjith's work, saying, "There shouldn't be any trouble enthroning Ranjith as the harbinger of change in Malayalam cinema". [21] Sify called the film "Very Good" and rated it 4 out of 5. Their review focused mainly on the apt usage of Thrissur slang by Mammootty. [7]

Accolades

Amrita-FEFKA Film Awards [22] [23]
Asianet Film Awards [24]
Asiavision Awards [25]
Filmfare Awards [26]
Inspire Film Awards [27] [28]
Kerala State Film Awards
Kerala Film Critics Awards [29]
Vanitha Film Awards [30]
Vellinakshatram Film Awards [31]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mammootty</span> Indian actor and film producer

Muhammad Kutty Panaparambil Ismail, known mononymously by the hypocorism Mammootty, is an Indian actor and film producer who works predominantly in Malayalam and Tamil language films. He has also appeared in Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and English-language productions. In a career spanning five decades, he has acted in more than 400 films. He is the recipient of several accolades, including three National Film Awards, eight Kerala State Film Awards, eleven Kerala Film Critics Awards and thirteen Filmfare Awards South. For his contribution to film, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 1998. In 2022, he was honoured with Kerala Prabha Award, the second-highest honour given by the Government of Kerala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jayaram</span> Indian actor (born 1965)

Jayaram Subramaniam, known mononymously as Jayaram, is an Indian actor who works predominantly in Malayalam cinema, in addition to Tamil and Telugu language films. He is also a chenda percussionist, mimicry artist, and occasional playback singer. Jayaram has acted in more than 200 films and has received several awards, including the Padma Shri, two Kerala State Film Awards, one Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, and four Filmfare Awards South.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ranjith (director)</span> Indian film director, screen writer, producer and actor

Ranjith Balakrishnan is an Indian film director, screenwriter, lyricist, producer, and actor who works in Malayalam cinema. Ranjith made his directorial debut in 2001 with Ravanaprabhu, the sequel to Devaasuram. His films Thirakkatha and Indian Rupee won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam in 2008 and 2011 respectively. He is also the current chairman of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prithviraj Sukumaran</span> Indian actor, film director, producer (born 1982)

Prithviraj Sukumaran is an Indian actor, director, producer and playback singer primarily working in Malayalam language films. He has also done Tamil, Hindi and Telugu films. He acted in more than 100 films in a variety of roles and has received several awards including a National Film Award, three Kerala State Film Awards, a Tamil Nadu State Film Award and a South Filmfare Award.

<i>Lollipop</i> (film) 2008 film by Shafi

LolliPop is a 2008 Indian romantic comedy film directed by Shafi and written by Benny P. Nayarambalam. It stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kunchacko Boban and Jayasurya. The film was wide released on 21 December 2008 before Christmas Eve.

<i>Narasimham</i> (film) 2000 Indian film

Narasimham is a 2000 Indian Malayalam-language action drama film directed by Shaji Kailas and written by Ranjith. Narasimham was released on 26 January 2000, India's 50th Republic Day, where the film ran for 200 days in theatres and grossed 20 crores worldwide. The film stars Mohanlal in the title role with Thilakan, Kanaka, N. F. Varghese, Aishwariyaa Bhaskaran and Jagathy Sreekumar in pivotal roles. Mammootty appears in a cameo role. The film was the first production of Aashirvad Cinemas, owned by Antony Perumbavoor, the former chauffeur of Mohanlal.

The film was re-released under the name Narasimham Returns in 2014, which premiered in Dubai and was re-released in Kerala on several occasions, where it still enjoys a cult following. The film was remade in Telugu as Adhipathi (2001), starring Mohan Babu, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Preeti Jhangiani and Soundarya.
<i>Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha</i> (film) 2009 Indian film

Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha is a 2009 Indian Malayalam-language mystery film written and directed by Ranjith, starring Mammootty, Shwetha Menon and Mythili. It is based on the novel of the same name by T. P. Rajeevan, which said the true story of the first recorded murder case in Kerala. Mammooty plays three characters in the film. The film was Mythili's debut in cinema. Ranjith also introduced about thirty Malayalam stage artists through this film. The film tells the story of a private detective, who returns to his birthplace, a village called Paleri, to solve a murder mystery that occurred on the same night he was born. Upon the release of the movie, it got an 'A' certificate due to its violent and adult content.

Prashant Pillai is a music producer and composer from India.

<i>T. D. Dasan Std. VI B</i> 2010 Indian film

T. D. Dasan Std. VI B is a 2010 Indian Malayalam-language film written and directed by Mohan Raghavan and produced by Paul Vadukumcherry. The film deals with a child's desire to see his father, and the beginning is made when he gets a clue from a piece of paper he finds in his mother's trunk. The wanderings of the boy's mind and the real unravel of world which is a mix of dreams, desires and the present are portrayed in the movie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ranjith Sankar</span> Indian film director

Ranjith Sankar is an Indian Filmmaker who works in Malayalam films. He started his movie career with the 2009 thriller film Passenger. He launched his production house Dreams N Beyond in 2012 and his distribution house Punyalan Cinemas in 2017.

Raamanam is a 2009 Malayalam film directed and produced by M. P. Sukumaran Nair. Jagathy Sreekumar plays the lead character in this film. The film is a re-depiction of Smarakasilakal, a celebrated Malayalam novel by Punathil Kunhabdulla.

<i>Best Actor</i> (film) 2010 Indian film

Best Actor is a 2010 Malayalam-language comedy drama film co-written and directed by Martin Prakkat. It stars Mammootty, Sruthi Ramakrishnan, Nedumudi Venu, Lal, Salim Kumar, Vinayakan, Master Vivas, Sreenivasan, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Master Sreedharan Nampoothiri and Sukumari. The film marks the debut of Prakatt as director. It was produced by Naushad under the banner of Big Screen. Several film directors made cameo appearances in the film. The film is all about the travails of a schoolteacher who dreams of being a film actor. It features cinematography by Ajayan Vincent, music by Bijibal and editing by Don Max.

<i>Ivan Megharoopan</i> 2012 Indian film

Ivan Megharoopan is a 2012 Malayalam biographical film written and directed by P. Balachandran. The film is based on the life of Malayalam poet P. Kunhiraman Nair and is particularly based on his autobiography, Kaviyude Kalpadukal. Prakash Bare, who is the producer of the film, also plays the protagonist K. P. Madhavan Nair.

<i>Indian Rupee</i> (film) 2011 Malayalam-language Indian film

Indian Rupee is a 2011 Indian Malayalam satirical film written and directed by Ranjith Balakrishnan, and produced by August Cinema. The film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Thilakan, Tini Tom and Jagathy Sreekumar in significant roles.

<i>Thiruvambadi Thamban</i> 2012 Malayalam action film

Thiruvambadi Thamban is a 2012 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film starring Jayaram in lead role, directed by M. Padmakumar and written by S. Suresh Babu. It also marks the debut of Tamil actor Kishore in Malayalam. It also has Jagathy Sreekumar, Nedumudi Venu, Samuthirakani in supporting roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tini Tom</span> Indian actor (born 1972)

Tini Tom is an Indian actor, comedian and mimicry artist. He works in Malayalam films and television.

This article aims to compile various depictions of Thrissur in popular culture.

<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.

The 34th Kerala Film Critics Association Awards, honouring the best Malayalam films released in 2010, were announced in February 2011.

References

  1. ↑ Metromatinee (2010). "Pranchiyettan and The Saint". Metromatinee. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  2. ↑ Nagarajan, Saraswathy (19 December 2019). "The 25 best Malayalam films of the decade: 'Premam', 'Maheshinte Prathikaram', 'Kumbalangi Nights' and more". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  3. ↑ Reviewscreen (2010). "Pranjiyettan and the Saint Plot Review". Reviewscreen. Archived from the original on 6 November 2010. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 The Hindu (6 August 2010). "Merchant of Thrissur". The Hindu. India. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  5. ↑ Nowrunning (2010). "Mammootty and Ranjith together for 'Pranchiyettan and the Saint". Nowrunning. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2010.
  6. ↑ Indiaglitz (2010). "Mammootty with Renjith in 'Pranchiyettan And The Saint'". IndiaGlitz. Archived from the original on 5 June 2010. Retrieved 3 June 2010.
  7. 1 2 Moviebuzz (2010). "Pranchiyettan & the Saint". Sify. Archived from the original on 15 September 2010. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
  8. ↑ "Kushboo did not accept remuneration for 'Pranchiyettan and the saint', says Ranjith". Mathrubhumi . India. 11 April 2019.
  9. ↑ "Prithviraj, Suresh Gopi in Indian Rupee". Rediff.com . India. 13 June 2011.
  10. ↑ "Top Malayalam movies of 2010". Rediff.com . India. 7 December 2010.
  11. ↑ "The Top Malayalam directors of 2010". Rediff.com . India. 31 December 2010.
  12. ↑ "First Look: Prithviraj's Indian Rupee". Rediff.com . India. 26 September 2011.
  13. ↑ "Pranchiyettan And The Saint still running strong". The Indian Express. 18 March 2011.
  14. ↑ "The politics of the Padma Awards: This 2010 Mammooty film 'Pranchiyettan' captures the circus superbly". The News Minute . India. 27 January 2017.
  15. ↑ "Pranchiyettan to celebrate 50 days at home". Sify . Archived from the original on 30 October 2010. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
  16. ↑ P. Sangeetha. "Pranchiyettan 50". The Times of India . India. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  17. ↑ "Three-fold success for Malayalam cinema this season". The Hindu . 29 September 2010.
  18. ↑ "Pranchiyettan and the Saint". Box Office Mojo . 30 October 2011.
  19. ↑ "Top 10 Malayalam grossers of 2010". Sify . Archived from the original on 25 February 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  20. 1 2 Paresh C Palicha (2010). "Pranchiyettan and the Saint is impressive". Rediff. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
  21. ↑ VN (2010). "Pranchiyettan and the Saint is a must watch". Nowrunning. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
  22. ↑ "Amrita FEFKA Film Awards Announced". Best Media Info. 2 June 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  23. ↑ "Amritha awards for Mammootty, Kavya and T D Dasan". IndiaGlitz. 2 June 2011. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  24. ↑ "Mammootty, Mohanlal bag Asianet film awards yet again". Indo-Asian News Service . NDTV. 1 January 2011. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011.
  25. ↑ "Shaji, Ranjith, Mammootty, Meera Bag Asiavision Awards". Outlook . 20 October 2010. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
  26. ↑ "The glitter, the gloss, the razzmatazz". The Times of India . India. 3 July 2011. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  27. ↑ "ഇന്‍സ്പയര്‍ ഫിലിം അവാര്‍ഡ് പ്രാഞ്ചിയേട്ടന്‍ മികച്ച ചിത്രം". Deshabhimani.com. 22 May 2011.
  28. ↑ "ഇന്‍സ്‌പെയര്‍ ചലച്ചിത്ര പുരസ്‌കാരം പ്രാഞ്ചിയേട്ടന്‍ മികച്ച ചിത്രം". Mathrubhumi.com. 22 May 2011. Archived from the original on 25 May 2011.
  29. ↑ "Critics award: 'Gaddama' adjudged best film". The Indian Express. India. 26 February 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  30. ↑ ""Mammootty, Mamtha win Vanitha Film award"". Manorama Online. 10 February 2011. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012.
  31. ↑ ""പ്രാഞ്ചിയേട്ടന് മൂന്ന് അവാർഡ്"". Kaumudi Plus. 17 June 2011. Archived from the original on 19 June 2011.
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.