ObituaryInnocent will go down in the history of Malayalam cinema as a stupendously talented actor, who spread unmitigated joy on screen, writes Neelima Menon.The heavily pronounced Irinjalakuda slang, that bashful tilt of his head, the peculiar gesticulations, the fine balance between subtlety and hyperbole, and the unforgettable one-liners delivered with soft precision. What made Innocent one of the most cheering sights in Malayalam cinema is all of these and more. Like most in his legion of stupendously talented supporting actors, Innocent flourished during the late 1980s and 90s, popularly termed as the ‘golden period’ in Malayalam cinema. It was during this period that Innocent, who had already made his debut as an actor and producer a decade earlier, found that his niche lay in initiating Malayalam cinema into the realm of satire. So after 50-60 films in which he played notable as well as forgettable characters, Innocent allied with...
- 3/27/2023
- by LakshmiP
- The News Minute
Mollywood Lalitha’s ability to seamlessly step into the shoes of the character she was playing ensured that she was one of the most sought after supporting actors in Malayalam cinema.Tnm StaffFacebook/ Kpac LalithaKPAC Lalitha, a face that the Malayali audience considered to be their family, is no more. The dearly loved actor appeared in over 550 films, as the sharp-tongued mother, the sassy sister-in-law, the nosey neighbour, the inquisitive wife, and so many other memorable roles that entertained viewers over generations. Her ability to seamlessly step into the shoes of the character she was playing ensured that she was one of the most sought after supporting actors in Malayalam cinema. Born Maheshwari Amma on February 25, 1948, the actor who began her career in theatre and was a member of the Kpac (Kerala People’s Arts Club) group, made her film debut in the 1969 film Koottukudumbam. She went on to win...
- 2/23/2022
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
TributeAfter years of being labelled a comic actor, Kalpana began to explore performance-oriented roles later in her career, winning a National Award along the way. CrisKalpana in an interview with Kaumudy TVIt shocked her scattered fans across the world when actor Kalpana, always agile and laughing, passed away suddenly on a January morning in 2016. She was 50 and in her prime as an actor, just beginning to prove to viewers that there was a lot more she could handle than comedy. Kalpana had by chance slipped into comedy a few years into her career and then played scores of funny characters, assuring laughter and good times for those who sought entertainment in Malayalam cinema. Much later, she played serious characters in well-made movies, showing a new side of hers that had been little explored. An award came belatedly in 2013 – a National Award, no less – but she didn’t live much longer after that.
- 1/24/2022
- by Cris
- The News Minute
InterviewVineeth, who began acting as a 15-year-old, talks of his early years, his success in the 90s, and his love for dancing.CrisVineeth, as a child and nowThe cardboard boxes must have looked terrifying to young Vineeth. They somehow signalled to him the end of a dream he had just begun to dream. He thought wistfully of the few years he spent in Malayalam cinema as a boy actor, playing serious roles. But in the time that he had gone for his degree— BCom at a college in Chennai— he got fewer offers. He was ‘transitioning’: neither boy nor grownup characters had suited him. So after his graduation, he applied for Chartered Accountancy with a heavy heart. And there came those dreaded cardboard boxes of study material. It was an important course, he knew, but it also meant that if he went ahead with it, there would be no...
- 9/4/2021
- by Cris
- The News Minute
Three years after her husband passes away, the widow of the Patriarch of a famous Namboodiri (Brahmin caste from Kerala) family becomes pregnant. The prestige of the family is paramount and the Namboodiris have devised a way to get the family out of this so-called sticky situation with their respect intact. Learned Namboodiris from all over the land would assemble at the house and conduct an enquiry into what happened and all who were responsible. All the while, the family needs to treat these esteemed guests to daily feasts and monetary allowances. In the end, the woman who brought disgrace to the family would be ostracised and left at the mercy of lechers who wait at the gates.
Though it might seem cruel and matter-of-fact, making a motion picture about such a topic is not easy, as it should make sense to the intellect, be aesthetic and challenge status quo.
Though it might seem cruel and matter-of-fact, making a motion picture about such a topic is not easy, as it should make sense to the intellect, be aesthetic and challenge status quo.
- 2/15/2021
- by Arun Krishnan
- AsianMoviePulse
Flix FlashbackDirected by Hariharan, the 1987 film not just addresses guilt and redemption, but also talks about depression and drug abuse without harping on it.Neelima MenonAmrutham Gamaya (Path to immortality) is about second chances, about battling guilt, because when you allow it to consume you it has the capacity to cripple you for life. When a seemingly harmless ragging session leads to the death of his junior, Dr Haridas is devastated but his professor bails him out. Years later as a practitioner at a village clinic, the past gets back to him in the form of his poor neighbours who are the family of the deceased student. Written by Mt Vasudevan Nair and directed by Hariharan, the 1987 film not just addresses guilt and retribution, but also, without harping on it, talks about depression and drug abuse. A car drives past Nila, the river luminous, in the backdrop of a setting sun.
- 11/1/2020
- by Vidya
- The News Minute
Flix FlashbackThe film has once again resurfaced in recent days with its 36th anniversary coinciding with the reconstruction of the Palarivattom bridge in Ernakulam.CrisPhoto courtesy - AsianetThe panchayat president on top of a bench, finding his way out of a scuffle at the office meeting can perhaps be the poster moment of Panchavadi Palam, that much-recounted political satire of 1984, from Kg George. It can also be the stage to which a minister makes his very belated entry and thanks the audience for waiting so long when the camera zooms out and shows a single man with disability, sitting on his plank with wheels. Moments as these, seen and heard and recorded on newspapers hundreds of times, form the scenes of Panchavadi Palam, adapted from a novel called Palam Apakadathil by Veloor Krishnankutty. George wrote the screenplay with cartoonist Yesudasan in 1984. More than three and a half decades later, new Google reviews say,...
- 10/10/2020
- by Cris
- The News Minute
Flix FlashbackSet in an environment of strict discipline and hostility, the film shows the possibilities in lonely souls filling the void in each other's lives.Neelima MenonIn Koodevide, the 1983 film by Padmarajan, uncomfortable questions on human bonds outside the boundaries of blood and family are raised in a poignant manner. Set in an environment of strict discipline and hostility, the film shows the possibilities in lonely souls filling the void in each other's lives, as well as finding solace and fulfilling purpose for self. But moving away from a hopeful and fulfilling narrative, the film chooses to focus on the darkness that is unleashed by patriarchal structures that seek to thwart such nourishing bonds. The film opens almost like a televised documentary series of a school, set in a hill station. The camera unhurriedly eyeing animated children in uniforms, some in stage costumes dabbing makeup, teachers running amok, readying for the annual day,...
- 10/1/2020
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
ObituaryHe had acted in over a hundred movies and was also active in theatre and television.Tnm StaffKalinga Sasi, the tall Malayalam actor known for unique facial expressions, passed away in Kozhikode on Tuesday morning. He was 59 years old. Manorama reports that Sasi was undergoing treatment for a liver-related ailment. Sasi, whose official name is V Chandrakumar, was born in Kozhikode to Chandrasekharan Nair and Sukumari. He was a theatre actor who later began working in cinema. Director Ranjith chose him for the role of Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohandas Manalath in the murder mystery Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha. It is also Ranjith that prefixed Kalinga, the name of the theatre group the actor was a part of, to Sasi, as Chandrakumar was known as among his friends. However, Mathrubhumi reports that Sasi's first role in a film came in 1998 when he acted in the movie Thakarachanda as Palanichami.
- 4/7/2020
- by Cris
- The News Minute
Mollywood On International Men's Day, Popcult.tribe, a popular page on Facebook and Instagram, shared 9 takeaways from Malayalam films which have broken away from toxic masculinity. Sreedevi JayarajanImage credits: Popcult.tribe/Facebook For decades, commercial Malayalam cinema has showered us with scores of cookie-cutter male protagonists - the mass ‘hero’ who oozes masculinity, twirls his moustache, beats up a 100 goons and wins over the unsuspecting female lead. This template has been used and reused so much that when a real and well-etched male character finally comes alive in a rare appearance, it becomes a breath of fresh air. On November 19, International Men’s Day, PopCult, a popular Facebook and instagram page which discusses Malayalam cinema, compiled a list of 9 takeaways from films which have broken away from toxic masculinity and have presented us with very real and vulnerable characters. There is nothing shameful in asking to be loved: Dasharatham, the...
- 11/20/2019
- by Sreedevi
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe popular film that released in 1988 is reportedly getting a sequel directed by actor-singer-filmmaker Vineeth Sreenivasan.Digital NativeOne of the most popular Malayalam movies of all time, Chithram, released in 1988, will soon be getting a sequel, suggest some reports. While Chithram was helmed by Priyadarshan, the sequel will reportedly be directed by actor-singer-filmmaker Vineeth Sreenivsan. Incidentally, Chithram had Mohanlal playing the lead role and the sequel will apparently have his son Pranav Mohanlal playing the lead role. Kalyani Priyadarshan will reportedly play the female lead in this entertainer. Chithram, released in 1988, was written and directed by Priyadarshan and produced by Pkr Pillai under his banner Shirdi Sai Creations. It had Mohanlal, Ranjini, Nedumudi Venu, Poornam Vishwanathan, Sreenivasan, Mg Soman, Sukumari, Lissy, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Shanavas in the cast and Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair made a cameo appearance. The songs were composed by Kannur Rajan and music was composed by Johnson. Mohanlal...
- 10/6/2019
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodOne of the most popular instances of stereotyping was in the 1975 film 'Chattakkari' which had the Anglo-Indian heroine fall for a Hindu man and end up an unwed mother. Aradhya KurupAs with Hindi cinema, where Anglo-Indians had certain token roles, Malayalam cinema too has spared no expenses to constantly typecast the community since time immemorial. Their women have been labelled promiscuous, men lazy, inept and heavy drinkers and the language a blend of heavily accented English and Malayalam. They were also stuck with the same names—Peter, Tony or called Saiyippu to underline their English roots. The women were called Madhama. One of the most popular instances of stereotyping was in the 1975 film Chattakkari directed by Ks Sethumadhavan which had the heroine Julie (played by Lakshmi) fall in love with a Hindu man and end up an unwed mother. The entire family was an exercise in typecasting—the alcoholic subservient father,...
- 7/25/2019
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
MollywoodWhile viewers may be familiar with new age Malayalam cinema, this list is for those who want to catch up on old films but don’t know where to begin.Neelima MenonMalayalam cinema is increasingly becoming popular across the country, with multiplexes playing films with subtitles, and Ott platforms improving the accessibility of such films. While viewers might be familiar with new age Malayalam cinema, this list is for those who want to catch up on old Malayalam films but don’t know where to begin. The list below has some of the most iconic, most popular, most re-watched and celebrated cult comedy classics of Malayalam cinema. Available now on Hotstar and YouTube. Enjoy! Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal (1989): A casual observer can be forgiven for believing this to be a Sathyan Anthikad film (directed by Kamal). About a village called Peruvannapuram and its quaint, disarmingly original inhabitants. Every village stereotype is present,...
- 2/10/2019
- by Vidya
- The News Minute
Adaminte Makan Abu, Aadukalam, Dhanush, and the other winners of the 2011 National Film Awards have been announced. The 58th Annual National Film Awards, administered by the India’s Directorate of Film Festivals, is “the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administrated by the Indian government’s Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973. Every year, a national panel appointed by the government selects the winning entry, and the award ceremony is held in New Delhi, where the President of India gives away the awards. This is followed by the inauguration of the National Film Festival, where the award-winning films are screened for the public. Declared for films produced in the previous year across the country, they hold the distinction of awarding merit to the best of Indian cinema overall, as well as presenting awards for the best films in each region and language of the country. Due...
- 5/20/2011
- by filmbook
- Film-Book
Malayalam film Adaminte Makan Abu directed by Salim Ahmed won the 58th National Award for Best Feature Film. The 58th National Film Awards for the year 2010 were announced at a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday.
Vetrimaran won the Best Director for Tamil film Aadukalam. Do Dooni Chaar directed by Habib Faisal was declared the Best Hindi Film. Abhinav Kashyap’s Dabangg won the award for Popular film providing wholesome entertainment.
Best Feature Film:
Adaminte Makan Abu
Indira Gandhi Award For Best Debut Film Of A Director:
Baboo Band Baaja (Marathi)
Nargis Dutt Award For Best Feature Film On National Integration:
Moner Manush (Bengali)
Best Hindi Film:
Do Dooni Chaar
Award For Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment:
Dabangg
Best Film On Social Issues:
Champions (Marathi)
Best Film On Environment Conservation/Preservation :
Bettada Jeeva (Kannada)
Best Children’S Film:
Hejjegalu (Kannada)
Best Direction:
Aadukalam (Tamil)
Director: Vetrimaran
Best Actor...
Vetrimaran won the Best Director for Tamil film Aadukalam. Do Dooni Chaar directed by Habib Faisal was declared the Best Hindi Film. Abhinav Kashyap’s Dabangg won the award for Popular film providing wholesome entertainment.
Best Feature Film:
Adaminte Makan Abu
Indira Gandhi Award For Best Debut Film Of A Director:
Baboo Band Baaja (Marathi)
Nargis Dutt Award For Best Feature Film On National Integration:
Moner Manush (Bengali)
Best Hindi Film:
Do Dooni Chaar
Award For Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment:
Dabangg
Best Film On Social Issues:
Champions (Marathi)
Best Film On Environment Conservation/Preservation :
Bettada Jeeva (Kannada)
Best Children’S Film:
Hejjegalu (Kannada)
Best Direction:
Aadukalam (Tamil)
Director: Vetrimaran
Best Actor...
- 5/19/2011
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
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