Thirakkatha
| Thirakkatha | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Ranjith |
| Produced by |
Ranjith Maha Subair |
| Written by | Ranjith |
| Screenplay by | Ranjith |
| Story by | Ranjith |
| Starring |
Priyamani Anoop Menon Prithviraj Samvrutha Sunil Nishanth Sagar Ranjith Mallika Sukumaran Cochin Haneefa |
| Music by | Sharreth |
| Cinematography | M. J. Radhakrishnan |
| Edited by | Vijay Shankar |
| Distributed by | Varnachithra Big Screen |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 120 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Thirakkatha (Malayalam: തിരക്കഥ, English: Screenplay) is a 2008 Malayalam romantic drama film co-produced, written, and directed by Ranjith.
The film is a tribute to the yesteryear actresses who had been graceful, popular figures in cinema during their younger age with patronage and later got completely disregarded by the industry, media and the masses alike. Ranjith has drawn inspiration from the life of many actresses but especially from the romantic link-up of actress Srividya with actor Kamal Haasan. He has adopted a special narrative style for the film. The story shifts between the present and flash back through the perspective of different characters. The story is divided into three monologues which meet in the climax. The film has garnered positive reviews from the critics and audiences alike.
The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam (Ranjith and Maha Subair). And Priyamani won the Filmfare Awards South for Best Actress.
Plot summary
Akbar Ahmed (Prithviraj) is a film director. Friends call him 'Akky'. After his highly successful first film, he becomes the most wanted director in the Malayalam film industry. Akky and his girl friend Devayani (Samvrutha Sunil) along with a group of friends all share a passion for cinema. It was with them that Akbar directed and produced his first film, which went on to become a huge success. Akbar also runs a cafe called Casablanca named after the classic Hollywood film. For Akbar cinema is not a job, it is his passion. Akbar decides to choose a very different kind of story for his second film and he sets on a journey in search of it.
Akbar decides to base his second film on the life of yesteryear actress Malavika (Priyamani), who was once a very popular actress and whose present whereabouts are unknown. Akbar and his friends go tracking Malavika’s biography. Her husband was Ajaya Chandran (Anoop Menon). Currently Ajayachandran is the reigning super star of the industry. Akbar starts his search from film director Aby Kuruvila’s (Ranjith) house. Kuruvila’s son gives his father’s old letters and diaries to Akbar from which he starts learning about the whirlwind romance of Malavika and Ajayachandran which led to marriage. How differences between them led to a breakup and how this affected their careers along with Akbar's efforts to find Malavika form the major plot of the film. The film ends in a touching yet marvelous climax with a poetic narration.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Priyamani | Malavika |
| Anoop Menon | Ajayachandran |
| Prithviraj | Akbar Ahmed |
| Samvrutha Sunil | Devayani |
| Ranjith | Director Aby Kuruvila |
| Praveena & Jyotsna | Special Appearance |
| Nishanth Sagar | Kevin |
| Siddharth Siva | |
| Mallika Sukumaran | Sarojam |
| Cochin Haneefa | Krishnadas |
| N. L. Balakrishnan | Baletan |
| T. P. Madhavan | |
| Augustine | |
| Nandhu | Murthy |
| Joju George |
Reception
The film was received well with the audiences and critics alike. Some of the major reviews in the media were all praises for the film. Nowrunning.com opined that "It is a charming film that's plainly life-affirming without being overly pretentious or markedly melodramatic".[1] Paresh C Palicha at Rediff.com opined that "It is exciting to see Ranjith bounce back to form with his best effort so far."[2] Almost all reviewers were unanimous about the brilliant performances of the lead stars, especially of Priyamani, Anoop Menon and Prithviraj.
The film fetched Anoop Menon the State Government award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role and Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Priyamani.
Music
The score and soundtrack of the movie were composed by Sharreth, who returned to the field after a long gap. The soundtrack featured five songs and has received positive reviews.
- Oduviloru - K. S. Chithra
- Oduviloru - Sharreth
- Palappoovithalil - Swetha Mohan, Nishad
- Onnodonnu - Haridas, Shankar Mahadevan, Renjini Haridas
- Arikil - Madhu Balakrishnan
- Arikil - Teenu Telence
- Manjuneeril - Kalpana
Rendition of Oduviloru by K. S. Chithra got huge appreciation and she got a Filmfare Award for her extremely soulful rendition. The song Onnodonnu had a vocal interlude bit rendered by Renjini Haridas, a popular Television anchor from Kerala.
References
- ↑ "Thirakatha Review - Malayalam Movie Review by VN". Nowrunning.com. 2008-09-13. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
- ↑ "Review: Thirakkadha". Rediff.com. Retrieved 2012-08-04.