Thalappavu

Last updated

Thalappavu
Thalappavufilm.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Madhupal
Written by Babu Janardhanan
Produced by Mohan
Starring Prithviraj Sukumaran
Lal
Atul Kulkarni
Cinematography Alagappan N
Edited byDon Max
Music by Alex Paul
Shyam Dharman
Production
company
Distributed by Lal Release
Release date
  • 12 September 2008 (2008-09-12)
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Thalappavu (literal meaning: turban or headgear, which is a symbol of power, status and protection [1] ) is a 2008 Malayalam language period thriller film based on the events related to Naxal Varghese and Police Constable P. Ramachandran Nair, directed by Madhupal and written by Babu Janardhanan. The film sympathetically portrays the social and political issues of the Naxalite era of the 1970s in Kerala. The film's cast includes Prithviraj Sukumaran, Lal and Atul Kulkarni. Produced by actor Mohan under the Civic Cinema banner and distributed by Lal's Lal Release, Thalappavu marks actor-cum-writer Madhupal’s directorial debut.

Contents

The film released on 12 September 2008 (Onam) to critical acclaim. However, in the box-office it failed to recover the cost of production. [2] The film got Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actor (Lal) and Best Debut Director (Madhupal), Kerala Film Critics Awards for Best Film, Best Director, Best Script writer, Amateur Little Theatre Award for Best Debutant Director, Sohan Antony Memorial Film Award for Best Director. The film was screened at the 13th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) 2008 and Indian Habitat Film Festival 2009.

Plot

The movie is based on a real-life confession of a police constable (P. Ramachandran Nair) about gunning down a Naxalite (Arikkad Varghese) in a fake encounter as per the order of his superiors in 1970. The screenplay by Babu Janardhanan uses the stream of consciousness flow to show the mental state of the constable who feels deranged after the incident. Lal plays constable Raveendran Pillai whose family life is ruined after the killing of Joseph (Prithviraj Sukumaran), a revolutionary leader fighting for the rights of the hapless farmers of Wayanad. Raveendran Pillai is a misfit in the police force as he is not courageous or cruel as the others of his ilk. He is a family man to the hilt and dotes on his children. He befriends Joseph on the way while on duty. Joseph introduces him to the revolutionary ideas. Raveendran Pillai takes instant liking for Joseph and roams in the forests with Joseph during his free time.

Cast

Production

His dream project Thalappavu was always there at the back of his mind, says Madhupal. "I was moved by the story of Varghese, a man who lived for others. More than his politics or his background, what attracted me was his willingness to help the most oppressed sections in society." [3] Babu Janardhanan who wrote the script said he had carried out extensive research on the life of Naxal Arikkad Varghese before capturing it on paper. "The spark for the script came from the revelation made by Ramachandran Nair (the police constable) through television channels that he was forced to kill Varghese,” said Janardhanan. "The revelation struck me and I started to think about the mental agony he had to endure by suppressing the fact for nearly 30 years," he said. [4] Janardhanan, the script writer, and Madhupal sketched the whole film, shot by shot. Madhupal says his stint with Rajiv Anchal in Hollywood, Los Angeles helped him polish the quality of the sound track of Thalappavu. "For them, natural sound is of utmost importance. They also use it as transitions. Sound will appear before the cut to lead you to the next scene. We have also used sound to enhance cuts and dissolves. Travelling sound also contributed in smoothening the transitions." [5]

Parts of the film were shot in Alappuzha, Changanassery and in the rubber plantations near Kothamangalam. [1] Paucity of funds did bog the production of the film and it was released on 12 September 2008. [3]

The film was praised for its script (Babu Janardhanan), flawless treatment, acting (Lal) and cinematography (Azhagappan). [6] That Thalappavu was Madhupal’s crowning glory became clear when veterans like M. Mukundan and R. Sukumaran ( Paadha Mudra and Rajashilpi) gave the film their stamp of approval. Litterateur M. T. Vasudevan Nair also expressed a desire to watch his film. [3] However, Madhupal denied allegations that the film set against the backdrop of the Naxalite movement reflected his sympathies for the political ideology. "The film is not an attempt to show my sympathy or political views. It is a reminder to a society that has forgotten how to respond to the problems faced by human beings," he said. [4] His new role of a director in Malayalam film industry has made Madhupal a much sought-after star, something that eluded him in his roles as actor, assistant director and scenarist. "While walking into a restaurant the other day, I overheard a few taxi drivers saying: "See, Madhupal, director of Thalappavu." Till then I had always been referred to as the serial actor Madhupal, villain Madhupal and so on…I am still getting used to this new avatar," says the actor-turned-director. [3]

Soundtrack

Music: Alex Paul, Shyam Darman, Lyrics: O. N. V. Kurup

Related Research Articles

<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 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indrajith Sukumaran</span> Indian actor and playback singer

Indrajith Sukumaran is an Indian actor and playback singer. He predominantly works in Malayalam cinema. Indrajith was born to the actors Sukumaran and Mallika Sukumaran and is the elder brother of actor Prithviraj Sukumaran.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madhupal</span> Indian actor and director

Madhupal Kannambathu is an Indian actor, director, and screenwriter who works in Malayalam cinema. Madhupal made his acting debut with Kashmeeram in 1994 and his directorial debut with Thalappavu (2008), which was about Naxal Varghese and won several awards in 2008.

<i>Achanurangatha Veedu</i> 2006 Indian film

Achanuragantha Veedu is a 2006 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by Lal Jose and written by Babu Janardhanan. It stars Salim Kumar, Muktha, Samvrutha Sunil, and Indrajith Sukumaran. The film was released on 28 January 2006. For his performance, Salim Kumar won the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor.

<i>Vaasthavam</i> 2006 film directed by M.Padmakumar

Vaasthavam (transl. Fact) is a 2006 Indian Malayalam-language political thriller film written by Babu Janardhanan and directed by M. Padmakumar. The film revolves around a youth, Balachandran Adiga, and follows his rise and fall in politics. The story is loosely based on Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai's novel Enippadikal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University College Thiruvananthapuram</span> Constituent college of the University of Kerala

University College, Thiruvananthapuram, often abbreviated as UCT, established in 1834, is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher education in India. The college has been accorded “College with Potential for Excellence” (CPE) status by the University Grants Commission. University College is identified as a heritage institution by the Government of Kerala.

<i>Nandanam</i> (film) 2002 film directed by Ranjith

Nandanam is a 2002 Indian Malayalam-language romantic film written, co-produced and directed by Ranjith. The film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Revathi, Navya Nair, Aravind Akash, Siddique and Saikumar. Playback singer K. J. Yesudas and Sudheesh make guest appearances. The film won four Kerala State Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards South awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arikkad Varghese</span> Indian communist (1928–1970)

Arikkad Varghese, popularly known as Saghavu Varghese or Naxal Varghese was an Indian CPIML leader involved in activities supporting Adivasis in Wayanad during the 1960s. His actions were linked to advocating for the rights of Adivasis against alleged exploitation by individuals with feudal affiliations and political connections.

<i>Shikkar</i> 2010 Indian film

Shikkar: The Hunt, or simply Shikkar (transl. Hunt/Hunter) is a 2010 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film directed by M. Padmakumar, written by S. Suresh Babu, and produced by K. K. Rajagopal. The film stars Mohanlal, alongside Kalabhavan Mani, Samuthirakani, Lalu Alex, Sneha, Ananya, Mythili, Kailash, Jagathy Sreekumar, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy and Suraj Venjaramood in supporting roles. M. Jayachandran composed the songs, while the score was provided by Ouseppachan.

<i>Avan Chandiyude Makan</i> 2007 Indian film

Avan Chandiyude Makan is a 2007 Indian Malayalam-language film produced by Nirmal Roy G M, written by Babu Janardhanan and directed by Thulasidas. The film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran Vijayaraghavan, Sridevika and Baburaj with a musical score by Sanjeev Lal. This film was released along with the Tamil film Pokkiri.

K. Lakshmana is a Kerala Cadre Indian Police Service officer who retired as State Police Chief of Kerala Police in rank of Inspector General of Police.

Babu Janardhanan is an Indian screenwriter and director, known for Malayalam films.

<i>Ozhimuri</i> 2012 film by Madhupal

Ozhimuri is a 2012 Indian Malayalam-language period drama film, directed by Madhupal, written by Jeyamohan, and starring Lal, Mallika, Asif Ali, Bhavana, and Shwetha Menon in lead roles. The original songs and background score were composed by Bijibal. The film opened to critical acclaim but did not fare well at the box office. It was an official selection in the Indian Panorama section of the 43rd International Film Festival of India. It is widely regarded as one of the defining movies of the Malayalam New Wave.

<i>Inspector Garud</i> 2007 Indian film

Inspector Garud is a 2007 Indian Malayalam-language action drama film directed by Johny Antony, starring Dileep and Kavya Madhavan in the lead roles. The film was a commercial success at the box office.

New generation films is a Malayalam film movement developed in the early 2010s, characterized by fresh and unusual themes and new narrative techniques. Films of the new wave differ from conventional themes of the past two decades and introduced several new trends and techniques to the Malayalam film industry. While the new generation formats and styles are deeply influenced by global trends, their thematics are firmly rooted in Malayalee life and mindscapes.

<i>Zachariayude Garbhinikal</i> 2013 Indian film

Zachariayude Garbhinikal is a 2013 Indian Malayalam–language comedy-drama film written and directed by Aneesh Anwar. The film narrates the incidents in the life of a gynaecologist, Dr.Zacharia, and five women who come into his life. Lal appears as the gynaecologist while Rima Kallingal, Sanusha, Geetha, Asha Sarath, and Sandra Thomas play the roles of five pregnant women. Vijay Babu, Sandra Thomas, and Sandra's father, Thomas Joseph Pattathanam, produced this film under the banner of Friday Film House. The film started production in May 2013 in Kochi, Kerala.

Kaakki is a 2007 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by Bibin Prabhakar, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Mukesh in the lead roles. The film received mixed reviews. The film was shot in Kozhikode.

The 45th Kerala Film Critics Association Awards, honouring the best Malayalam films released in 2021, were announced in October 2022.

References

  1. 1 2 "Killing fields". The Hindu. 19 October 2007. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  2. "Kerala Box Office (Sep 19 – 21)". Sify . Archived from the original on 18 June 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Crowning glory". The Hindu. 13 December 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  4. 1 2 "'Thalappavu' a wake up call, says Madhupal". The Hindu. 22 September 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  5. "Promising debut". The Hindu. 26 September 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  6. "Promising debut". The Hindu. 25 September 2008.