The Guard (2001 film)

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The Guard
The Guard (2001).jpg
Film poster
Directed by Hakim
Screenplay byHakim
Story bySabitha Jayaraj
Produced bySabitha Jayaraj
KSFDC
Starring Kalabhavan Mani
Cinematography Saloo George
Edited byVenugopal
Music byBiju
Shyam Dharman
Rajesh
Production
company
Green Dragon Movies
Release date
  • 12 December 2001 (2001-12-12)
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

The Guard is a 2001 Indian Malayalam-language film directed and written by debutante Hakim Rawther. It was jointly produced by Sabitha Jayaraj (Green Dragon Movies) and Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC). The film has Kalabhavan Mani, the only actor on screen, playing the role of a forest guard in an isolated dense forest. [1] [2]

Contents

Yaadein (Hindi, 1964), which featured two actors, previously held the Guinness World Records in the category Fewest actors in a narrative film. The crew of The Guard made an attempt to replace the former record but failed. [3] The film features cinematography by Saloo George, editing by Venugopal and artwork by Nathan Mannoor. The background score has been provided by Biju and songs featured in the film are composed by Shyam Sharman and Rajesh with lyrics written by Arumughan Vengidang. All the songs are sung by Kalabhavan Mani himself. [4] An experimental film in all aspects, it released to critical acclaim and did a moderate business at the box office.


Plot

Kalabhavan Mani, playing the role of Appukuttan in the film Mani in The Guard.jpg
Kalabhavan Mani, playing the role of Appukuttan in the film

The story in a nutshell is how a poor man, Appukuttan Nair (Kalabhavan Mani) gets a job as a forest guard. His first appointment is in a lonely, isolated dense forest. His predecessor there was one Thomachan, who was supposedly trampled to death by a tusker. Anyhow, Appukuttan takes charge and in the dense forest he is left all alone, save the innumerable animals and birds around him and the frightening sounds of the jungle. But life in the jungle teaches him many things about men and human society and he gets a new perspective to look at things.

Cast

Soundtrack

The film features 7 songs composed by Shyam Dharman and Rajesh with lyrics penned by Arumughan Vengidang. All the songs are based on folk music and are sung by Kalabhavan Mani himself.

No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."Ee Kaattil Puliyundo" Kalabhavan Mani  
2."Kaattukurumbathi Karineelakannaale"Kalabhavan Mani 
3."Kunjathoone Ponnu Kunjathoone"Kalabhavan Mani 
4."Naadodikkaattil"Kalabhavan Mani 
5."Thaa Thakkida Nammal Naalalu"Kalabhavan Mani, Chorus 
6."Thana Thina Thaanana Dhimi"Kalabhavan Mani 
7."Thekkan Malaakhayirangi"Kalabhavan Mani 

Reception

A critic from Screen wrote that "Kalabhavan Mani, who is the only actor on screen, does his part as Appukuttan very well. Director Hakkim, who has done the script based on story by Sathitha Jayaraj, has taken care to give a new dimension to the seemingly simple story of Appukuttan". [3] A critic from Sify wrote that "The director Hakim has given it an interesting treatment not seen in regular films". [5] A critic from Cinesouth wrote that "Good one to watch. Especially if you're a passionate fighter for animal rights". [6]

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References

  1. ↑ "Top honours elude Mani". The Hindu . 9 February 2004. Archived from the original on 6 May 2004. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
  2. ↑ "Did you know Kalabhavan Mani was the only cast of 'The Guard'?". The Times of India . 17 March 2021.
  3. 1 2 Unni R. Nair (11 January 2002). "The Guard: Commendable effort". Screen India . Retrieved 12 April 2011.
  4. ↑ "The Guard (2001)". Malayalam Movie Database. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
  5. ↑ "Movie Review: The Guard". Sify . Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
  6. ↑ "The Guard". Cinesouth. Archived from the original on 23 October 2002.
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