Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (film)
| Pazhassi Raja | |
|---|---|
| File:Pazhassi poster.jpg Official theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Hariharan |
| Written by | M. T. Vasudevan Nair |
| Produced by | Gokulam Gopalan |
| Starring | Mammootty Sarath Kumar Manoj K Jayan Kanika Subramaniam Padmapriya Thilakan Jagathi Sreekumar Suresh Krishna Suman Linda Arsenio |
| Narrated by | Mohanlal (Malayalam) Kamal Haasan (Tamil) |
| Cinematography | Ramanath Shetty |
| Edited by | A. Sreekar Prasad |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Production company | Sree Gokulam Films |
Release dates | 16 October 2009 (Kerala)[1] 17 November 2009 (Tamil Nadu)[2] |
Running time | 200 min[3] |
| Country | Template:Film India |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Budget | ₹27 crore (US$3.2 million)[4] |
| Box office | ₹49 crore (US$5.9 million)[5] |
Pazhassi Raja (theatrical release name in Kerala: Keralavarma Pazhassiraja) is a 2009 Malayalam historical drama film mostly based on the life of Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, a local king from the royal dynasty of Pazhassi Kottayam, Malabar, India. The film was directed by Hariharan, written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and produced by Gokulam Gopalan. It stars Mammootty in the title role, and Sarathkumar, Manoj K. Jayan, Kanika Subramaniam, Padmapriya, Thilakan, Peter Handley Evans, Harry Key, Linda Arsenio and Jagathi Sreekumar in other major roles. The film's music score and soundtrack were created by Ilaiyaraaja, while its sound design is by Resul Pookutty. Originally filmed in the Malayalam, the film was dubbed in Tamil. The film was released on 16 October 2009 across Kerala with 130 prints.[6] Upon release, it enjoyed critical acclaim and commercial success, collecting an unprecedented ₹ 1.5 crore on its opening day[7] and grossing ₹ 49 crores as its domestic total, becoming the highest grossing Malayalam film of all time.[5]
Plot
The movie is about King Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (Mammootty), who belonged to the Kottayam royal family, and his guerilla revolts against the British East India Company when they imposed high revenue policies among the people of Kottayam Kingdom, comprising the present day Thalassery Taluk and parts of Wayanad.
Pazhassi Raja is the ruler of Kottayam Kingdom. His family helps the British fight against Tipu Sultan when the latter tries to invade Wayanad. But soon after, the British impose high taxes on the people of Wayanad. Pazhassi Raja opposes this action and does not agree to the new taxes. This enrages the British officials. With the help of Pazhassi Raja's uncle Kurumbranaadu Raja Veeravarma (Thilakan), who is jealous of Pazhassi for his success and influence, and Pazhassi's old companion Pazhayamveedan Chandhu (Suman), the British act against Pazhassi Raja. This forces Pazhassi Raja to escape to the forests of Wayanad. The Tribal Force led by Neeli captures Baber and his fiancée in the jungle, in spite of his commander's objection. The Raja treats Baber and his fiancée as his guest and releases them.
From there he begins a guerrilla war against the British. He is supported by his army chief Edachena Kunkan (Sarathkumar) and his brother-in-law Kaitheri Ambu (Suresh Krishna). In the guerrilla war-front Pazhassi uses the expertise of Thalakkal Chandu (Manoj K. Jayan), a Kurichya soldier, and Chandu's fiancée Neeli (Padmapriya). During the initial phases of the war, the British lose lots of men and money. This compels them to make a peace treaty with Pazhassi Raja. Pazhassi agrees, hoping that this move will bring peace to the area and his people. However, the conditions of the treaty are never observed by the British. This prompts Pazhassi to start the war again. Similarly, Dora leaves Baber for England, having learned the betrayal done by the British to the Raja and despite her objection to the hanging of a father and son, who refused to reveal the location of the Raja to the British. He forms useful alliances with many rulers and powerful families in the nearby places like Unni Mootha (Captain Raju) and his men. Pazhassi Raja and his army successfully start the war again. But the British use heavily armed forces against him and succeed in luring many tribal leaders. This leads to the capture and subsequent hanging of Thalakkal Chandu as he was cheated by a tribal head (Nedumudi Venu). The British start hunting for Pazhassi and his army chief Edachena Kunkan. In a bloody fight, Edachena Kunkan kills Pazhayamveedan Chandhu. But he is surrounded by the British. Instead of surrendering before them, he commits suicide. This makes Pazhassi's army weaker. But Pazhassi Raja, even though knowing that he is going to die, goes for a last fight against the British. After a glorious fight Pazhassi Raja is killed by the British. The film ends with the Assistant Collector Baber (Harry Key) placing the body of the Raja in a Palki and his famous words: "He was our enemy. But he was a great warrior, a great man and we honour him."
Cast
- Mammootty as Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, belonging to the Kottayam Royal Family in North Malabar, Kerala, India
- Sarathkumar as Edachena Kunkan, Pazhassi Raja's army chief
- Manoj K. Jayan as Thalakkal Chandu, a Kurichya soldier and an expert in guerrilla warfare
- Suresh Krishna as Kaitheri Ambu, Pazhassi Raja's brother in law
- Padmapriya as Neeli, Thalakkal Chandu's fiancée and the leader of women Kurichya soldiers
- Kanika Subramaniam as Kaitheri Makkam, Pazhassi Raja's wife
- Harry Key as Assistant Collector Thomas Hervey Baber
- Linda Arsenio as Dora, fiancée of Assistant Collector Baber
- Peter Handley Evans as Major James Gordon
- Suman as Pazhayamveedan Chandhu
- Thilakan as Kurumbranaadu Raja Veeravarma
- Jagathy Sreekumar as Kanara Menon
- Nedumudi Venu as Moopan
- Devan as Kannavathu Nambiar
- Lalu Alex as Emman Nair
- Captain Raju as Unni Mootha
- Jagadeesh as Bhandari
- Mamukkoya as Athan Gurukkal
- Murali Mohan as Chirakkal Raja
- Ajay Rathnam as Subeidhar Cheran
- Susheel Kumar as Sekaran Warrier
- Urmila Unni as Chirakkal Thamburatty
- Valsala Menon as Kaitheri Thamburatty
- Yamini as Unniamma
- Ross Elliot as Colonel Bowls
- Tommy Donelly as Governor Duncan
- Robin Pratt as Lieutenant Maxwell
- Simon Hewitt as Captain Dickinson
- Gary Richardson as Major Clapham
- Glen David Short as Major Murray
- J Brandon Hill as Major Stephen
Production
Development
M. T. Vasudevan Nair, Hariharan and Mammootty are working together after two decades, their previous association was Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha, which turned out into a landmark film in Malayalam. It was about Chanthu, a warrior king from the legends of west. Through Pazhassi Raja, they made another biopic, on the life of warrior king and freedom fighter Pazhassi Raja. Gokulam Gopalan was the film's producer. The total budget of the movie is about ₹27 crores, which makes it the most expensive Malayalam movie ever made.[8] The sounds in the war scenes of the movie were recreated under Academy Award winner Resul Pookutty as he joined in the project only after its completion.
Casting
Mammootty plays the title role of Pazhassi Raja. There are three heroines: Padmapriya appearing as a tribal girl, Kanika as Pazhassi's wife and Linda Arsenio as an English woman.[9] Linda is a theatre artist in New York who also acted in the film Kabul Express.[10]
Through this film, Sarath Kumar makes his debut in Malayalam cinema. He portrays Edachena Kunkan, the chief lieutenant to Pazhashi Raja.[11] Suresh Gopi was originally cast for the role, however he refused to accept. Later, he clarified that he couldn't act in the film due to personal reasons and it would always be a loss for him.[12] Suman plays Pazhayamveedan Chandu.[13]
Filming
The filming began on February 2007 from Palakkad.[14] The filming lasted for two and a half years and was completed in August 2009.[15] Sound mixer Resul Pookutty recreated all location scenes to ensure perfection.[15] About the delay in making, Hariharan said: "The film's shoot took more than two years to complete, when it should have been completed in eight months. The delay was not because of the cast or the crew; The delay initially was because of the rains that lasted longer than usual, (as most of the film was to be shot in the forests). Later, it was hard to reset the schedules as some of the cast members had prior commitments. I must really thank my producer without whom a film like Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja would never have been made. Making Pazhassi Raja was a great challenge for me. Directing Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha was a cakewalk, compared to this."[16]
Release
The film was released on October 16 as a Diwali release with 130 prints in the original Malayalam version and later on November 17 with 150 prints in Tamil.[2]
Reception
Critical response
The movie received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the critics and was also well received at the box office. Nowrunning comments that the film is an 'exotic chronicle that stuns us with its fascinating tale', and that 'this is the stuff that tours de force are made of'.[17] Rediff gave the movie four stars, praising the technical brilliance of the movie and the script.[18] Sify rated the film five in a scale of five and termed it as a movie "that will be treasured for years to come".[19]
Box office
The film collected ₹ 1.5 crores in the first day, becoming the highest ever first-day grosser.[7] Within 28 days of release, its collection reached ₹ 12 crores,[2] and within 45 days, it collected ₹ 15.7 crores from Kerala alone and ₹ 4.5 crores from overseas.[20] The film ran more than 150 days in Kerala theatres.[5] The Tamil dubbed version released in Tamil Nadu was also a hit. The fim grossed a domestic total of ₹ 49 crores, making it the highest grossing Malayalam film ever.[5]
The Malayalam satellite rights were acquired by Asianet Communications, for a record sum of ₹ 2.6 crores.[21][22] The home video rights was bought by Moser Baer Home Video for a record sum of ₹ 62 lakhs.[20]
Accolades
The film has received many major accolades upon release. The list includes:
Historical inaccuracies
Several inaccuracies in the film relate to the clothes worn and items used by people at the time.
- Pazhassi Raja and other lead characters are shown with a pin-kuduma (hair tied to the back), which was worn predominantly in Tamil Nadu. Hindus from Kerala traditionally wore a mun-kuduma (hair on the top of the scalp, to the left or right), with closely shaven hair around it. The characters of the film are shown with long hair.
- Pazhassi Raja and his commanders did not wear Roman-style laced sandals, as shown in the film, nor did they wear elaborate shirt-like upper body coverings, but instead would have had a simple upavasthram (upper cloth) that would have been draped from the shoulder (in some scenes Pazhassi Raja does wear this).
- The sword used by Pazhassi Raja was not the Talwar-shaped curved sword, as seen in the film, but instead was the Kalaripayattu-style sword used in Kerala at the time.
- The film depicts Thalakkal Chandu's fiancée leading her own fierce band of Amazon archers into battle. Events surrounding the Raja's rebellion are extremely well documented, and anything as unusual in the eyes of the soldiers or officials fighting the Raja as a band of female warriors, would surely have appeared somewhere in the records. But, historians had never come across a single suggestion of any women taking an active part in these fights.
- Thomas Baber's wife appears in the film, however she is incorrectly called Dora. Her real name was in fact Helen Baber. Her maiden name was Helen Somerville Fearon, and she came from Edinburgh. She had married in 1795 aged just 15 to Captain Donald Cameron, of the Bombay Army at Portsmouth. The East India Company depot on the Isle of Wight was nearby, this many have been a last minute affair prior to Cameron boarding an East Indiamen before setting out on the long journey east. Helen will have arrived in India in 1796, and must have presumably travelled with the Major to Tellicherry shortly afterwards. On the 17th March 1797 the Major was leading a force down the Periah Pass when he was killed. Aged 17 she was already a widow. Thomas Baber had married her at Tellicherry the following year.
Controversies
The Kerala High Court ordered the producers of the movie to avail the benefit of entertainment tax concession for viewers of Pazhassi Raja.[31] This was after a complaint was filed stating that the earlier entertainment tax exemption given by the Government of Kerala was not used to lower the prices of the tickets and hence indirectly benefited the producer.
Blu-Ray, DVD and soundtrack
DVD
The home video rights was bought by Moser Baer Home Video for a record sum of ₹ 62 lakhs.[20] This film is the first Malayalam film to be released in the Blu-ray format.[20] The DVD version of the film was released on 1 May 2010 as a two-DVD set. This DVD release was distributed worldwide by Moser Baer Home Video.[32] It is available in 16:9 Anamorphic widescreen, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, progressive 24 FPS, widescreen and NTSC format. Within three days of its release, Pazhassi Raja broke all existing records in Malayalam home video sales by selling over two lakh units.[33]
Soundtrack
The original score and songs were composed by Ilaiyaraaja, who, like in several films earlier, had used the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra in Budapest.[34] For the first time in his career, Ilaiyaraaja used live orchestration for the score.[35] It took three months for Ilaiyaraaja to complete the re-recording.[36] The soundtrack album was released by Think Music on 25 September.[37] The soundtrack received mixed critical reviews and "did not go the way that it was expected".[38] Following the setback of the soundtrack album, Ilaiyaraaja stated that he was not satisfied with the lyrics of poet O. N. V. Kurup, who penned two songs for the film. These comments, regarding a celebrated poet from Kerala, later lead to many controversies.[38][39] Ilaiyaraaja, however, eventually won the National Film Award for Best Background Score.[40]
- Track listing
All lyrics are written by O. N. V. Kurup, Gireesh Puthenchery and Kanesh Punoor; all music is composed by Ilaiyaraaja
| No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Mathangananamabjavasa" (Lyrics: Traditional Sanskrit Sloka) | K. J. Yesudas | 1:16 |
| 2. | "Kunnathe Konnaykum" (Lyrics: O. N. V. Kurup) | K. S. Chithra | 5:12 |
| 3. | "Aadiushassandhya Poothathivide" (Lyrics: O. N. V. Kurup) | K. J. Yesudas, M. G. Sreekumar, Chandra Sekharan, Vidhu Prathap | 5:29 |
| 4. | "Ambum Kombum Komban Kattum" (Lyrics: Gireesh Puthenchery) | Ilaiyaraaja, Manjari, Kuttappan | 4:59 |
| 5. | "Odathandil Thalam Kottum Kattil" (Lyrics: Gireesh Puthenchery) | Chandra Sekharan, Sangeetha | 5:07 |
| 6. | "Aalamadankala Mythavanalle" (Lyrics: Kanesh Punoor) | M. G. Sreekumar, Vidhu Prathap, Ashraf Thayineri, Edavanna Gafoor, Faisal Elettil, Krishnanunni | 4:47 |
Reviews
Gallery
- Screenshots
-
Mammootty as Pazhassi Raja
-
Manoj K. Jayan as Thalakkal Chandu
-
Sarath Kumar as Edachena Kunkan
References
- ^ Much awaited 'Pazhassi Raja' hits theaters today on YouTube
- ^ a b c Nandini Sivakumar, P.K.Krishnakumar. "Tamil Pazhassiraja to hit screens this Friday". Economic Times. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
- ^ "Pazhassi Raja - Sify report". Sify.
- ^ http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail/69058/Pazhassi-Raja-Cloud-Nine.html
- ^ a b c d http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail/87416/Pazhassi-Raja-DVD-sales-create-records.html
- ^ http://beta.thehindu.com/arts/movies/article35054.ece.
{{cite news}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ a b "Pazhassiraja opening day collections - Manorama Report - Snehasallapam.com". Malayala Manorama. Retrieved 17 October 2009.
- ^ Iyer, Radhika (2009-10-15). "Pazhassi Raja: Costliest Malayalam film". NDTV. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
- ^ "Three heroines for Pazhassi Raj". Indiaglitz. Retrieved 2 May 2007.
{{cite web}}: External link in|work= - ^ "American actress in Malayalam movie". Apun Ka Choice. Retrieved 2 May 2007.
{{cite web}}: External link in|work= - ^ "Sarath Kumar speaks Malayalam". IndiaGlitz. Retrieved 17 February 2008.
{{cite web}}: External link in|work= - ^ "'Pazhassi Raja' would always be a loss for me: Suresh Gopi". Nowrunning. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
- ^ "Suman in Malayalam". Sify Malayalam. Retrieved 24 January 2008.
{{cite web}}: External link in|work= - ^ P. K. Ajith Kumar. Tribute to Pazhassi Raja. The Hindu. 19 January 2009
- ^ a b History in the making: Pazhassi Raja film. Press Trust of India. Times of India. 4 September 2009
- ^ P.K.Ajith Kumar. ‘Pazhassi Raja' reigns supreme. The Hindu. 9 April 2010
- ^ "A breathtaking film that demands repeated screenings!". 2009-10-16. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
- ^ "Pazhassi Raja is brilliant". Rediff. 2009-10-16. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
- ^ Sify review. Sify. Retrieved 2010-10-17
- ^ a b c d ""Pazhassi Raja" Creates History". Cinebuzz. Retrieved 2 December 2009.
- ^ http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail.html?news_id=69633
- ^ http://www.cinebuzz.co.in/news/Pazhassiraja-topthe-charts.htm
- ^ "Best Feature Film Award: Kutty Srank". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 16 September 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2010.
- ^ 'Pazhassi Raja' reigns supreme. The Hindu. Retrieved 8 April 2010
- ^ "Filmfare Awards Winners". Times of India. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
- ^ "Amma Awards 2009".
- ^ "Kerala: Ujala-Asianet film awards announced". Express Buzz. 4 January 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
- ^ "Award Ceremony". The Hindu. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
- ^ Surya TV film awards announced. The Hindu. Retrieved 23 September 2010
- ^ Vanitha film awards 2009 announced. Keral TV. Retrieved 11 February 2010
- ^ "Pazhassi Raja: Viewers to get tax benefit". Retrieved 2009-10-27. [dead link]
- ^ http://www.moserbaerhomevideo.com/title-search.htm?stimes=OK&language=7&CDTYPE=&category%5B%5D=ALL&searchin=MOV&keyword=Kerala+Varma+Pazhasiraja&sbox=OK&x=107&y=19
- ^ 'Pazhassi Raja' rules over DVD sales as well!
- ^ "Royal rebellion". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 2 October 2009.
- ^ P Sangeetha. 'I think music, not awards'. TNN. Times of India Retrieved 17 September 2010
- ^ Mammootty starrer 'Pazhassi Raja' ready for release. Deccan Herald. Retrieved 4 September 2010
- ^ 'Pazhassiraja' had a big audio launch. TNN. Times of India. Retrieved 25 September 2009
- ^ a b "Ilayaraja unhappy with ONV's lyrics". Retrieved 2009-10-23.
- ^ "Ilayaraja belittles ONV". Retrieved 2009-10-24.
- ^ P Sangeetha. 'I think music, not awards'. TNN. Times of India Retrieved 17 September 2010
