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O.Baby (film)

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O.Baby
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRanjan Pramod
Written byRanjan Pramod
Produced by
  • Dileesh Pothan
  • Abhishek Sashidharan
  • Pramod Thervarpalli
Starring
CinematographyArun Chalil
Edited bySamjith Mohammed
Music by
  • Varun Krishna (songs)
  • Pranav Das (songs)
  • Lijin Bambino (score)
Production
companies
  • Turtle Vine Productions
  • Colour Pencil Films
  • Pakal Films
Distributed byRootX9
Release date
  • 9 June 2023 (2023-06-09)[1]
Running time
126 minutes[2]
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

O.Baby is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language action drama film written and directed by Ranjan Pramod.[3] The film stars Dileesh Pothan as the title character, alongside Raghunath Paleri. It is produced by Dileesh Pothan, Abhishek Sasidharan and Pramod Thervarpalli under the banner Turtle Wine Productions in association with Color Pencil Films and Pakal Films.[4]

The music is composed by Varun Krishna and Pranav Das, with a background score by Lijin Bambino.[5] The cinematography and editing are handled by Arun Chalil and Samjith Mohammed.[6]

O.Baby was theatrically released on 9 June 2023 and received positive reviews from critics.

Premise

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A caretaker's ancestrally formed relationship with a family is strained when the caretaker's son disrespects age-old traditions, wants to challenge generational ties, and is influenced by the awakening culture.

Cast

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  • Dileesh Pothan as O.Baby alias Othayathu Baby, estate manager
  • Raghunath Paleri as Kuttachan, planter and Jomon's father
  • Haniya Nafisa as Mini, Jomon's daughter
  • Devadath V. S. as Basil, Baby's son
  • Saji Soman as Jomon alias Kunjumon, Mini's father
  • Vishnu Agasthya as Stanley, Kuttachan's son-in-law
  • Athulya Srini as Merin
  • Dr. Shinu Syamalan as Suja, Baby's wife
  • Gopalakrishnan as Pappy Valyappachan, head of Thiruvachola family

Production

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Development

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Following Rakshadhikari Baiju Oppu (2017), O.Baby is the fourth directorial of Ranjan Pramod after a six-year break.[7] In an interview with OTTPlay, Ranjan said that Dileesh called him and discussed doing a film together.[8] After discussing and finalizing the theme, Idukki was chosen as the main location, and Ranjan began writing the script there.[7] Along with Abhishek Sashidharan and Pramod Thervarpalli, Dileesh also joined as one of the producers of the film.[9]

Casting

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In an interview with The Hindu, Ranjan Pramod said that he chose Dileesh Pothan to play the lead role as he would be apt for the character.[7] Haniya Naifsa, who played Nayanthara's daughter in Connect (2022), was cast in the role of Mini.[10] The film makers chose her without an audition after seeing her photographs and videos on social media.[10] Ranjan cast Saji Soman, son of the late M. G. Soman, as Haniya Nafisa's father.[7] In an interview with Malayala Manorama, Devadath V. S., a Kuruppanthara native and Kalaripayattu trainee who played the character Basil, told that he was chosen by the assistant director, Krishnamani.[11] After appearing in 1001 Nunakal (2022), Vishnu Agasthya was cast to play the role of Stanley.[12] Dr. Shinu Syamalan, who was a part of Pathonpatham Noottandu (2022), was selected to play the role of Suja.[13] Gopalakrishnan, a theatre actor, was cast to play a significant role.[7]

Filming

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The film was shot during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main shooting location was an estate near Anavilasam.[11] The shoot lasted for 70 days.[13]

Soundtrack

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O.Baby
Soundtrack album by
Varun Krishna and Pranav Das
Released2023 (2023)
VenueOttappalam
StudioMondosonic Studios
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length6:10
LanguageMalayalam
LabelBhavana Studios
Producer
  • Varun Krishna
  • Pranav Das

The film has songs composed by Varun Krishna and Pranav Das, while the background score is provided by Lijin Bambino.[14] The first song titled "Mullaanu" was sung by Prarthana Indrajith and written by B. K. Harinarayanan.[15]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Mullaanu"B. K. HarinarayananPrarthana Indrajith3:50
2."Daasa" (Translated from The Holy Bible)Ranjan PramodJassie Gift2:20

Release

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Theatrical

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The film was released on 9 June 2023.[16]

Reception

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Critical response

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Baradwaj Rangan of Galatta Plus gave 4 out of 5 stars and wrote "We have seen Dileesh Pothan in a number of films now, but Baby is possibly his best role, and he delivers a brilliantly minimalist performance. The scene where he hugs Basil in bed broke my heart a little: the look on Dileesh's face establishes the father-son bond so beautifully.. O.Baby builds so beautifully that its message-y end doesn't feel preachy, but rightfully earned.. O.Baby comes around to the great big circle of life, in which we come with nothing and leave with nothing. All these things we fight about – like property, caste, class – are, to use a word Mini uses, "absurd".."


Anna Mathews of The Times of India gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "The raw feel of the film gives it an immersive feel, but what could have been a really powerful story falls short because of shortcomings in the script."[17] Vignesh Madhu of The New Indian Express gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Although the film doesn't boast of anything groundbreaking in terms of its writing, its such competent execution, with the right mix of thrills, that makes it an engaging watch... on the big screen."[18] S. R. Praveen of The Hindu wrote "O.Baby explores feudal society through the minds of a few young people, who want to break free from the stifling atmosphere."[19]

Swathi P. Ajith of Onmanorama wrote "O.Baby stands as a commendable endeavour by Ranjan Pramod to bring forth a profoundly serious theme to the public."[20] Sanjith Sidhardhan of OTTPlay gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Director Ranjan Pramod's O.Baby is a thoroughly engaging drama-thriller that asks pertinent questions about social oppression and also help bridge that generation gap a bit."[21] Arjun Ramachandran of The South First gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "O.Baby is an intense dark thriller that discusses pertinent issues revolving around the backward class and the privileged ones."[22]

References

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  1. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (7 June 2023). "'O Baby': Trailer of Dileesh Pothan's dark thriller out". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  2. ^ "O.Baby (2023) - Movie Reviews, Cast & Release Date". in.bookmyshow.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  3. ^ Suresh, Anandu (10 June 2023). "Dileesh Pothan on his latest movie O Baby: 'No matter how civilised humanity may perceive itself to be…'". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Dileesh Pothan and Ranjan Pramod join forces in 'O Baby'; trailer out". Onmanorama. 7 June 2023. Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  5. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (20 May 2023). "'O Baby': Teaser of Dileesh Pothan-Haniya Nafisa's action thriller out". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  6. ^ R., Chandhini (1 May 2023). "First look of Dileesh Pothan's O. Baby out". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d e M, Athira (8 June 2023). "Malayalam writer-director Ranjan Pramod: I always wanted to make films, writing has been a detour for me". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  8. ^ Sidhardhan, Sanjith (6 June 2023). "O Baby director Ranjan Pramod: Be it Meesa Madhavan or Naran, I have always tried to experiment in commercial films". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  9. ^ Mundara, Vrinda (7 June 2023). "O Baby Trailer OUT: Witness Dileesh Pothan in intense and diverse avatar". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  10. ^ a b Antony, Seena (15 June 2023). "ഓഡിഷൻ പോലുമില്ലാതെ സിനിമയിൽ; ഒ. ബേബിയിലെ മിനി; അഭിമുഖം". Manorama Online (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  11. ^ a b Sudhi, C. J. (14 June 2023). "കളിക്കാൻ നിൽക്കല്ലേ, ബേബിയുടെ മകൻ കളരിയാ; ദേവദത്ത് അഭിമുഖം". Manorama Online (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  12. ^ Madhu, Vignesh (5 September 2023). "Vishnu Agasthya Interview: I shed around 15 kgs to get in shape for RDX". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  13. ^ a b Antony, Seena (12 June 2023). "ഇന്റിമേറ്റ് സീൻ വെല്ലുവിളി; ബേബിയുടെ സുജ ജീവിതത്തിൽ ഡോക്ടർ; ‍ഷിനു ശ്യാമളൻ അഭിമുഖം". Manorama Online (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 19 June 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  14. ^ "'O.Baby' teaser: Dileesh Pothan leads a thrilling expedition into the enigmatic Devil's Hills". The Times of India. 20 May 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  15. ^ "Watch: Prarthana Indrajith drops a video from the recording of the song 'Mullaanu'". The Times of India. 7 June 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  16. ^ Sidhardhan, Sanjith (9 June 2023). "Kolla, O Baby to 2018: Malayalam OTT, theatre releases this week". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  17. ^ Mathews, Anna (19 June 2023). "O.Baby Movie Review : A powerful story let down by the script". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  18. ^ Madhu, Vignesh (10 June 2023). "'O.Baby' movie review: Gripping thriller bolstered by Dileesh Pothan's career-best act". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  19. ^ Praveen, S. R. (9 June 2023). "'O.Baby' movie review: Ranjan Pramod delivers a blow to the crumbling, imaginary edifice of honour". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  20. ^ P. Ajith, Swathi (9 June 2023). "Review | Dileesh Pothan starrer 'O.Baby' sparks vital conversations on social oppression". Onmanorama. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  21. ^ Sidhardhan, Sanjith (11 June 2023). "O Baby review: Dileesh Pothan-starrer is a thoroughly engaging drama-thriller". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  22. ^ Ramachandran, Arjun (9 June 2023). "O Baby review: An intense and dark thriller-cum-love story that raises important questions". The South First. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
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