Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum
| Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Dileesh Pothan |
| Screenplay by | Sajeev Pazhoor |
| Produced by | Sandip Senan Anish M. Thomas |
| Starring | Suraj Venjaramoodu Fahadh Faasil Nimisha Sajayan Alencier Ley Lopez Vettukili Prakash Sibi Thomas |
| Cinematography | Rajeev Ravi |
| Edited by | Kiran Das |
| Music by | Bijibal |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Urvasi Theatres Kalasangham Films[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 135 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (English: The Mainour and the Witness) is a 2017 Indian Malayalam-language family-drama film directed by Dileesh Pothan and written by Sajeev Pazhoor. Syam Pushkaran co-wrote the dialogues and is also credited as the creative director. The film stars Suraj Venjaramoodu, Fahadh Faasil, Nimisha Sajayan, Alencier Ley Lopez, Vettukili Prakash, and Sibi Thomas.[2] Rajeev Ravi was the cinematographer, while the songs and score were composed by Bijibal.[3]
Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum was released in India on 30 June 2017. The film won two awards at the 48th Kerala State Film Awards—Best Screenplay and Best Character Actor (Alencier). At the 65th National Film Awards, it won three awards—Best Original Screenplay, Best Feature Film in Malayalam, and Best Supporting Actor (Fahadh).
Plot
 | This article needs an improved plot summary. (October 2017) |
The story follows the newly married inter-caste couple, Sreeja (Nimisha Sajayan) and Prasad (Suraj Venjaramoodu), from Cherthala who move up north to Kasaragod. On a bus journey, Sreeja's gold chain is stolen by a thief also called Prasad (Fahadh Faasil). He swallows the chain, but not before Sreeja notices it. He gets caught by the passengers, who take him to the nearby police station. On police inquiry, Prasad (thief) denies the act. Police accompany him to the toilet the next morning but didn't find any chain. Eventually, after a medical examination, the chain is found stuck inside his stomach. How to extract the chain, then, becomes the question. Next morning, he was again accompanied by the police to the toilet where he tries to run away. He was caught by the Prasad (Sreeja's husband) near a canal in the same city and was brought back to the police station. In the police station, he claims that one police officer who caught him from the bus had told him to run away when he gets the chain. Prasad (thief) was again scanned for the chain and this time, there was no chain in his stomach. Finding the job in danger, the claimed police officer gives Sreeja a gold chain of him to settle the matter in a way Prasad (thief) being guilty. Next day Sreeja confesses that the chain found by police belongs to her and sign the document which claims that Prasad (thief) is guilty. In a momentary absence of police, Prasad convinces Sreeja and her husband that she should not lie and tells his story. Prasad (thief) tells Sreeja that she may lie here but she should tell the truth in the court that the chain does not belong to her and also tells her husband where he actually threw her gold chain. Sreeja's husband (Prasad) finds the chain and starts his dream of house in the city he wanted to. In the next scene, Prasad is found writing a thanks letter to Sreeja maybe for her truth statement in the court which frees Prasad (thief) and also might have helped him to get the gold chain given by the police to Sreeja to change her statement to make Prasad (Prasad) guilty.
Cast
- Suraj Venjaramoodu as Prasad, a farmer
- Fahadh Faasil as Prasad, the thief
- Nimisha Sajayan as Sreeja (voice over by Srinda Arhaan)
- Alencier Ley Lopez as A.S.I. Chandran
- Vettukili Prakash as Sreekandan, Sreeja's father
- Mini K. S. as Sreeja's mother
- Sibi Thomas as Sub Inspector Sajan Mathew
- Senior Civil Police Officer Sadhanandan as Police Constable
- P. Sivadas as Police Writer
- K. T. Sudhakaran as Sudhakaran
- K. T. Balachandran as Babu Sir
- Unniraj Chervathur as Rajesh Ambalathara
- Aravindan as Faizal
- Sarath Kovilakam as Sarath
- Shince Mathew
- Surabhi Mundath Payaneer
Production
Initially Pazhoor thought of directing the film himself, before Pothan came on-board.[4] About the genre of the film, Pothen said that he is not sure which genre the film falls in, but it surely has the elements of a "family drama".[5] For some of the police roles, the film features real-life police officers in the cast. Newcomer Nimisha Sajayan was selected from general auditions. Principal photography commenced from 7 December 2016 in Kasaragod. Other locations include Vaikom and Cherthala.[6]
Music
| Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 28 June 2017 | |||
| Recorded | 2017 | |||
| Genre | Feature Film Soundtrack | |||
| Length | 10:02 | |||
| Language | Malayalam | |||
| Label | Muzik 247 | |||
| Producer | Bijibal | |||
| Bijibal chronology | ||||
| ||||
The music and background score for the film is composed by Bijibal, who has previously worked with Dileesh Pothan in Maheshinte Prathikaaram.[7]
All tracks are written by Rafeeq Ahamed
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Kannile Poika" | Ganesh Sundaram, Soumya Ramakrishnan | 3:16 |
| 2. | "Aayilyam" | Sithara, Govind Menon | 3:07 |
| 3. | "Varum Varum" | Bijibal | 3:39 |
| Total length: | 10:02 | ||
Release
Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum was released in India on 30 June 2017.[8]
Critical reception
Critic Veeyen termed the movie has sardonic wisecracks and the continual cackles, which fundamentally holds the charm of an otherwise unexciting film. He closes of by signifying the exceptional intelligence and grace the film has in terms of flow.[9]
Bharadwaj, in the review of the film, stated that "Fahadh Faasil's equal parts lazy and wily trickster acting and Alencier Ley Lopez's character acting as luminously exceptional." He praises on the beauty of police office politics that Dileesh & Sajeev was able to portray as the drive that calibrates the film. Manorama praises real-life police officer Sibi Thomas for his comedic and yet balanced performance.[10]
Baradwaj Rangan of Film Companion South wrote "Simply put, Pothan’s films aren’t about the incidents suggested by the titles, but around them. Instead of zooming in, narratively speaking, he goes for the wide shot. This is a generous approach to filmmaking. It says that the main characters are a part of the world around them, and this world needs to be acknowledged as well."[11]
Director Shekhar Kapur, jury chairman of 65th National Film Awards commented: "Brilliant film, impressive performance. First you will think it is a simple film with usual romance and elopement. But how subtle are the things introduced in the film? The movie takes a serious turn by the end, leaving you appalled. I have never seen such an excellent performance by actors,".[12]
Box office
The film was a commercial success. It grossed ₹17.5 crore from Kerala box office in its lifetime.[13]
Awards and nominations
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| Totals | 40 | 49 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| References | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Award | Date of ceremony[b] | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asianet Film Awards | 20 May 2018 | Best Film | Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum | Won | [14] |
| Best Scriptwriter | Sajeev Pazhoor | Won | |||
| Best Actor | Fahadh Faasil | Won | |||
| Best Character Actor | Suraj Venjaramoodu | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Alencier Ley Lopez | Won | |||
| Best Music Director | Bijibal | Won | |||
| Best Lyricist | Rafeeq Ahamed | Won | |||
| Best Editing | Kiran Das | Won | |||
| Asiavision Awards | 24 November 2017 | Best Film | Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum | Won | [15] |
| Outstanding Performer of the Year – Male | Suraj Venjaramoodu | Won | |||
| CPC Cine Awards | 18 February 2018 | Best Movie | Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum | Won | [16] |
| Best Scriptwriter | Sajeev Pazhoor | Won | |||
| Best Cinematographer | Rajeev Ravi | Won | |||
| Best Actor | Fahadh Faasil | Won | |||
| Best Actor in Character Role | Alencier Ley Lopez | Won | |||
| Best Editor | Kiran Das | Won | |||
| Film Critics Circle of India | 2018 | Best Film | Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum | Nominated | [17] |
| Filmfare Awards South | 16 June 2018 | Best Film – Malayalam | Won | [18] [19] | |
| Best Director – Malayalam | Dileesh Pothan | Won | |||
| Best Actor – Malayalam | Fahadh Faasil | Won | |||
| Best Actress – Malayalam | Nimisha Sajayan | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actor – Malayalam | Alencier Ley Lopez | Won | |||
| Indian Film Festival of Melbourne | 10–22 August 2018 | Best Actor | Fahadh Faasil | Nominated | [20] |
| International Film Festival of Kerala | 15 December 2017 | Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) | Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum | Won | [21] |
| Kerala Film Critics Association Awards | 21 April 2018 | Best Director | Dileesh Pothan | Won | [22] |
| Best Screenplay | Sajeev Pazhoor | Won | |||
| Best Actor | Fahadh Faasil | Won | |||
| Kerala State Film Awards | 8 March 2018 | Best Screenplay | Sajeev Pazhoor | Won | [23] |
| Best Character Actor | Alencier Ley Lopez | Won | |||
| National Film Awards | 3 May 2018 | Best Feature Film in Malayalam | Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum | Won | [24] |
| Best Screenplay (Screenplay Writer Original) | Sajeev Pazhoor | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Fahadh Faasil | Won | |||
| North American Film Awards | 7 May 2018 | Best Film | Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum | Won | [25] |
| Critics Choice Best Actor | Fahadh Faasil | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Alencier Ley Lopez | Won | |||
| Best Character Actor | Suraj Venjaramoodu | Won | |||
| South Indian International Movie Awards | 14–15 September 2018 | Best Film – Malayalam | Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum | Won | [26] [27] [28] |
| Best Director – Malayalam | Dileesh Pothan | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor – Malayalam | Fahadh Faasil | Nominated | |||
| Critics Choice Best Actor – Malayalam | Won | ||||
| Best Actress – Malayalam | Nimisha Sajayan | Nominated | |||
| Best Female Debut – Malayalam | Won | ||||
| Best Supporting Actor – Malayalam | Suraj Venjaramoodu | Nominated | |||
| Best Music Director – Malayalam | Bijibal | Nominated | |||
| Best Female Playback Singer – Malayalam | Soumya Ramakrishnan ("Kannile Poika") | Nominated | |||
| Vanitha Film Awards | 25 February 2018 | Best Director | Dileesh Pothan | Won | [29] |
| Best Actor | Fahadh Faasil | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Suraj Venjaramoodu | Won | |||
| Best Newcomer Actress | Nimisha Sajayan | Won |
Notes
- ^ Awards in certain categories do not have prior nominations and only winners are announced by the jury. For simplification and to avoid errors, each award in this list has been presumed to have had a prior nomination.
- ^ Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.
References
- ^ "Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum". MovieBuff. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ "Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum". filmibeat.com. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "Grand reception to Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, audience go gaga over it". OnManorama. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
- ^ Praveen, S. R. (13 April 2018). "In conversation with Sajeev Pazhoor, this year's National Award winner for original screenplay". The Hindu. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- ^ James, Anu (25 July 2016). "Exclusive: Dileesh Pothan opens up on Fahadh Faasil-starrer 'Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum'". International Business Times. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- ^ "Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum starts rolling". onlookersmedia. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "Bjibal to compose for Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum". indiatimes. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ^ "Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum review: magically realistic". OnManorama. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
- ^ "Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum Malayalam Movie Review". Veeyen Unplugged. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- ^ http://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2017/06/30/thondi-muthalum-driksakshiyum-original-poice-in-theatre.html
- ^ "Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum Movie Review". Film Companion. 3 July 2017.
- ^ Deepak Joy, "'Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum', a film that redefines concept of right and wrong" The Week 14 April 2018 [1]
- ^ M. K., Surendhar (5 October 2018). "Devadas earns Rs 29 cr in four-day opening weekend; Fahadh Faasil's Varathan rakes in record breaking numbers". Firstpost. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "20th Asianet Film Awards". The News Minute. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "Asiavision Movie Awards 2017". International Business Times. 28 November 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "'Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum' bags a rich haul of laurels". The New Indian Express. 19 February 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "3rd annual Film Critics Circle of India Citation Award (2018)". Film Critics Circle of India. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "Nominations for the 65th Jio Filmfare Awards (South) 2018". Filmfare. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "Winners of 65th Jio Filmfare Awards (South) 2018". The Times of India. 17 June 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Awards 2018 Nominations". Firstpost. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "22nd International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) 2017 Winners". Business Standard. 15 December 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "Film critics awards announced". The Hindu. 21 April 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "Kerala State Film Awards 2017". Indian Express. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "65th National Film Awards". Indian Express. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "North American Film Award 2018 Winners". North American Film Award. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "SIIMA Awards 2018 nominations". Firstpost. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "SIIMA Awards: Here are the winners from Malayalam". Malayala Manorama. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "SIIMA 2018 Malayalam Winners". South Indian International Movie Awards. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "വനിത ഫിലിം അവാര്ഡ് 2018: ഫഹദ് മികച്ച നടൻ, മഞ്ജു വാരിയർ, പാർവതി മികച്ച നടിമാർ". Malayala Manorama. 27 February 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2020.(in Malayalam)