Kadha Thudarunnu Preview [2010]

The third big brand in Mollywood after the superstars, Sathyan Anthikkad had been successful enough to preserve his pool of viewers for the last twenty years, with his style of soft, emotional but lively story telling. The director who specializes in telling the satirical narratives about middle class woes and worries is back with another flick titled as 'Katha Thudarum'.

In fact, this is the fiftieth movie from the director, whose last eight movies were all big hits. Expected to be in theatres shortly, the director is for the first time casting Mamta Mohandas as his heroine and young stars like Asif Ali and Sreejith Ravi.

This time, the favourite director of family audiences is trying to woo his viewers telling the story of Vidya Lakshmi (played by Mamta Mohandas) a girl who was born in an affluent family but is left along in the street with her daughter as she had decided to start a new life with her lover Shanavas, (Asif Ali) belonging to another caste.

Both of them decided to get married, after facing strong challenges from their respective families. But after the birth of their child Laya, Shanavas goes missing in mysterious circumstances and is rumored to be no more.

Preman (Jayaram) is an auto driver who lives a happy hurried life in the city premises, in their colony amidst his friends and ever interacting society. Vidya Lakshmi and her four year old daughter Laya (baby Anigha), once happens to enter the auto run by Preman. She was then into certain difficult situation, left with nowhere to go and nothing to do. Initially Preman finds this young mother and daughter as a big burden, but gradually he decides to lead them into a different life in the safety and lovability of his own colony.

Very soon Viday Lakshmi realizes that there is much more in life than money and hi-fi living.

'Katha Thudarum' thus narrates another socially relevant message- oriented plot and shows how a small, lower stratum of society helps and rescues an isolated mother and her child from imminent dangers and difficulties of their life. The movie has an impressive star cast including Sathyan regulars like K P A C Lalitha, Innocent, Mumukkoya and Lakshmi Priya.

The movie as usual with every recent Sathyan flicks features the lyrics by Sarathchandra Verma which have been set to tune by music maestro Illayaraja. While Venu is in charge of the camera department, K Rajagopal does the editing.

Produced by Thankachan Emmanuel under the banner of Trueline Cinema, 'Katha Thudarum' would grace the theatres in another week.

Vande Matharam [2010]

Director: D.Aravind Karthik
Producer: Henry
Music: Vidyasagar
Lyrics: Gireesh Puthenchery, Vayalar Sharath Chandra Varma
Starring: Mammootty, Arjun Sarja, Sneha, Kalabhavan Mani, Sumitra, Atul Kulkarni, Cochin Haneefa, Riyas Khan & Others

Track List:
01 Chirichonnurangum
02 Gala Gala Gala Galaeey
03 Intelligence
04 One two
05 Saarangiyi
06 Vande Maatharam

Annarakannanum Thannalayathu [2010]

Director : Prakash
Producer : Abu Nabeer
Music : Nikhilprabha
Lyrics : Rafeeque Ahmed, Anil Panachooran, Jofi Tharakan, Manu Krishna
Starring : Kalabhavan Mani, Jayashree, Nakshatra, Suraj Venjaramood, Bijukuttan & Others.

Track List:
01 Ponnamthumbi
02 Poothankiriye
03 Poromami

Cheriya Kallanum Valiya Policum [2009]

Director : Haridas Kesavan
Producer : Anand Kumar
Music : Thej Mervin
Lyrics : Gireesh Puthenchery & Prakash Marar
Starring : Mukesh, Gajadeesh, Mala Aravindan, Kochu Preman, Indrans & Others

Track List:
01 Kannile [KS Chithra]
02 Kumara [Sreeram & Madhavi appukuttan]

Valiyangadi [2010]

Director : Salim Baba

Producer : Unni T. Prakash

Music Director : Sayan Anwar

Lyricst : Vayalar Sharath Chandra Varma

Starring : Manikutta, Varada, Kalabhavan Mani, Narayanan Kutty, Saju Kodiyan & Others

Track List:
01 Kinavilinnoru
02 Neermizhiyode
03 Thenkasikkare

Pulliman [2010]

Direction : Anil.K.Nair
Producer : Antony Paimpallil
Music : Sharreth
Lyrics : Vayalar Sarathchandra Varma, Kaithapram & Vijeesh
Starring : Kalabhavan Mani, Meera Nandan & Others

Track List :
01 Mallipoo [M.G Sreekumar & Sithara]
02 Tanthaneno [Vineeth Sreenivasan]
03 Kaliyarangu [Sannidhanandan]
04 Anandam [Sharreth]
05 Salambakkam [Sahrreth & Ajjoo]
06 Oh Vaname [Nishad]
07 Anandam [Sharreth]
08 Sadukudu [M.G Sreekumar & Amritha Suresh]
09 Tanthaneno [Manisha Sheen]

T.D. Dasan Std VI B [2010]

Director : Mohan Raghavan
Producer: Paul Vadakkumcherry and Paul Valikodath
Music : Sreevalsan J. Menon
Lyrics : Rafeeq
Starring : Biju Menon, Jagadeesh, Indrans, Suresh Krishna, Mala Aravindan,Sree Hari, Swetha Menon, Sruthi Menon, Sona Nair, Tina Rose and others.

Track List:
01 Kannan Unniye
02 Manikanda Jaya
03 Venjamarakkatte

Alexander The Great Preview [2010]

Superstar Mohanlal's new movie to get to theaters is ''Alexander, the great'', which is in its final touches to be on theaters. This flick is directed by Murali Nagavally, a very senior associate to Priyadarshan whose debut movie in Mollywood was 'Wanted', which featured Mohanlal in a guest role. Produced by V B K Menon under the banner of Anugraha Cine Arts, Alexander the great, was extensively shot in Dubai and Mumbai.

Mohanlal plays the title character of the movie, peculiarly named as Alexander Varma. A smart and witty genius, who has got some mysterious secrets behind him, he is a man of multitasking and vision.

Alexander's entry into the plot happens as Prathamavarma, the owner of wealthy Dubai-based business group, Varma Corporation, dies unexpectedly. Following his cremation, many relatives and people in his circuit vie to take control of the business group. To end the ongoing tussle for power, the last thing that can give a clear picture was Varma's 'Will' that was to be read in a couple of days. Even to the surprise of Varma's son Manu, it happens that Varma has written in his will to hand over his every possession to one Alexander Varma, who was residing in Mumbai.

No one in the family or friends of Varma had slightest knowledge about such a person. But as it turns out in the deed, the family goes in search of 'Alexander Varma' and brings him to Dubai to steer the empire without causalities. The movie, which in plot gives an air of a different venture from the regular potboilers, will have Hindi actress Meenakshi Dixit as the heroine. Bala, Siddique, Jagadheesh, Sai Kumar and Sudha Chandran are also in the cast.

‘Alexander The Great’ is scripted by journalist C Balachandran. While D Kannan is in charge of cinematography, M G Sreekumar and Gireesh Puthencherry handle the music section.

'Alexander The Great ', with plenty of comic, thrilling sequences and a big twist in the climax, will get into theaters this season.

T.D. Dasan Std VI B Preview [2010]

The recent years have witnessed many debutants graduating to call the shots for films, that too in classy ways. In a similar attempt to go for a worthy film, debutant Mohan Ragahavan is getting ready with his first movie named as ‘T D Dasan, Standard VI B’. Curiously titled so, the movie tells the story of a school boy in the anxious search of his father

The movie has Alexander as Dasan, a sixth standard student who is reared by his mother Chandrika, played by Shwetha Menon. Long back, her husband and Dasan's father Diwakaran had deserted them, leaving them at a silent village in Palakkad. Ever since his eloping from the area, Chandrika has got no details about her husband.

But Dasan who is now an eleven year old cannot stop dreaming about his father. And on an eventful day, he happens to find out an old address of Divakaran from one of Chandrika's cloth boxes. Dasan starts writing to his father, without letting his mother know about his intentions. And to his surprise, he also starts getting letters in reply, supposedly from Divakaran. Does his letter reach Diwakaran? Who is in the other side who is replying as Dasan? All this forms the thread of ‘T D Dasan, Standard VI B’, which promises to be a different flick with a different premise.

Biju Menon, Jagadheesh, Jagathy Sreekumar, Suresh Krishna, Mala Aravindan, Valsala Menon, Sreehari, Sruthi Menon, Dennis Parakkadan, Aloysius and Tina Rose are also the part of this poignant movie, which is scripted by the director himself. 'T D Dasan Standard VI B' is expected to grace the theatres this Vishu.

Mummy And Me [2010]

Director: Jeethu Joseph
Producer: Joy Thomas Sakthikulangara
Music : Sejo John
Lyrics : Vayalar Sarath Chandravarma & Shelton Pinheiro
Starring : Urvasi, Archana Kavi, Kunjacko Boban, Mukesh, Lalu Alex, Saari, Janardhanan, Sudheesh, Arun, Anoop Menon & Others.

Track List :
01 Aarume Kanathae [Karthik]
02 Venmukilin [Rahul Nambiar]
03 Michael Jackson [Benny Dayal, Sayanora]
04 Malaghapole [Chithra]
05 Super Mom [Sayanora]
06 Venmukilin [Chithra]
07 Aarume Kanathae [Karaoke]
08 Michael Jackson [Karaoke]

Janakan Review [2010]

When reviewers observe that there are dearth of good story lines in Mollywood, little will anyone expect about two multi-starrer big budgeters made almost at the same time in similar story lines and with same actors.

Yes, the much discussed theme of sexual abuse and day to day stories that catch the lead in the headlines definitely offer different perspectives and backdrops for such a theme. But here debutant director N R Sanjeev and veteran scriptwriter S N Swamy have gone for lesser experiments, that finally result in another rehash of the thread of the recent movie ‘Vairam’, with less dissimilarity, the primary one being the presence of Superstar Mohanlal. Indeed it is a definite highlight, like the differences that may happen in a Bombay IPL team 'with' and 'without' Tendulkar.

The movie opens with Viswanathan (Suresh Gopi), and his friends Monayi (Biju Menon) and Palani (Harisree Asokan), who have committed three murders, laboring to flee from the cops, who are trying to grab them at several check points. They, with the help of the son of the home minister and daughter of city police commissioner are trying to reach ace lawyer Soorya Narayanan (Mohanlal), their only saving angel. And when they reach his home on an eventful night, a bunch of goons and the police try to dissuade the lawyer from hearing the tragic story about Viswanathan's teenage daughter who was gang raped and brutally murdered by a group consisting of an influential businessman, a dirty ACP and a young DJ. Dr.Rani who treated the girl at the hospital to get her out of the coma, also comes up with certain crucial revelations which makes Soorya Narayanan decide to stay firm in the side of righteousness.

The movie, though with a repeated story heavily inspired from movies like 'Time to kill' manages to stick to its happenings that unleashes in a time span of around 20 hours, with a few flashbacks. The movie told in a thriller format (rather than the emotional aspects that was the highlight of 'Vairam') has its focus dwindling between the brainy lawyer and the shattered, subdued father. Both the actors handle their roles with remarkable ease, with Suresh Gopi utilising another best of the chances, to portray the character's agony in a few intense scenes.

Though the later half is predictable with no real tension about what the outcome is going to be, enough interesting side-issues going on helps the debutant director with no fear of a viewer losing interest. On a comparison with 'Vairam', 'Janakan' losses big on the intensity levels (there the focus is fixed on the role of Pashupathy, the aggrieved father who is offered ample space to portray his breakdown and move on for an emotionally pitted revenge). By placing the lawyer as the only man who can change the lives of any big murderers, by even summoning the biggest power barons before him as if in a mock court, only the heroics of the character is boosted rather than the impact of the message that it intended to send through. The climax also leaves much more to be expected. The minister's son and the commissioner's daughter in paper-thin characterizations with no real manifestations of any big stubborn nature, is one of the pitfalls in scripting.

Apart from the superstar lead, Jyothirmayi, Biju Menon and Harishree Ashokan does their smaller parts convincingly, but it is Vijayaraghavan who steals the show in at least a few sequences. The family of Viswanathan played by Kaveri and a fresh face doesn’t have the camaraderie that the family in Vairam has displayed. The technical side of the movie is in tune with the merits of the narratives, though editor G Murali could have used his scissors a little more strictly. The only song in the movie rendered by Rajalekshmy offers good hearing.

Anyhow ' Janakan' is a movie that may not bore you as it sticks to its platform, most of the times and has its heart almost at the right place. The movie may be a novice to most as vary few would have come up to the cinema halls to lap up the other movie in discussion 'Vairam'. With a relevant message and above average narratives, 'Janakan' may find needed audiences, to end up as a safer movie at the Box Office.

In Ghost House Inn Review [2010]

The most lovable four characters and their heavy camaraderie had been the most saleable USP, when anyone thinks of another sequel to the famous ‘Harihar Nagar’.

Yes, the characters are very much there, but what is missing is that inspiring twists that could have avoided the predictability that follows everywhere in this third part of ‘Harihar Nagar'-'In Ghost House Inn’.

In the third part of the series, the three friends Mahadevan, Appukuttan and Govindankutty are invited to the ''Dorothy Bunglow'' by Thomaskutty, their most mischievous friend who has bought it with the heavy sum that the latter got at the end of the first sequel. Thomaskutty is planning to convert the bungalow into a Hotel resort, and for that it is inevitable to prove to the public that no spirits or mysteries are still attached to the bunglow where some murders are said to have happened decades ago.

It is for that he is inviting his friends to stay at the Bunglow with their family. Though a bit frightened, all the friends and their wives take it as a challenge to help Thomaskutty. What follows is a new combination of horror comedy.

The movie is packaged as a mindless entertainer and will get the applause of those who never attempt to search for any logic between proceedings. The ambiance that is set by the initial sequences gives the space for a presentation, quite different from the previous two movies.

The jokes are there, but not too funny and original, which gives the feeling that the after cuts attached at the end credits are more attractive.

The highlights of the movie is definitely the climax, camerawork by Venu and the likeability of the lead characters and their manoeuvrings with Appukuttan getting more idiotic than ever before, hardly suiting any dentist in the profession.

The lows include the wafer thin storyline that hardly packs things that surprises us. All the four in the lead Mukesh, Siddhique, Jagahdessh and Ashokan and their wives played by Rohini, Lena, Reenabasheer and Rakhi play their parts well. Nedumudi Venu and Radhika has some role of substance that they do with flair.

All in all ‘In Ghost House Inn’ may find it little harder than its prequels to satisfy the ever demanding fans of the fantastic four.

April Fool Review [2010]

A movie that spends seventy percent of its screen time on the interiors of a single apartment, mostly depending on the banter between two characters and occasional walk-ins of a couple of supporting artists.

Before tagging this to be an abstract, experimental movie, let us make it clear that the movie is not a novice, but a full revamp of the immensely hit Bollywood movie ‘Bhejafry’.

And for those who had been with the original, the story which is best suited for a theater play is pretty similar with the original, without any more additions-Rakesh Menon (Siddhique) is an entrepreneur and owner of the delight musical company and a member of the upper class club, which consists of a few egoistic people who take pleasure in ridiculing an invited ‘idiot’ to their party, making them playing their ‘gifted’ talents.

On a day when he is to present his prized catch, Krishanunni, an aspiring boastful singer and musician, Rakesh hurts his back and also has a tiff with his playback singer wife Seema (Nayana) over this idiot show. Seema ultimately decides to leave his selfish and inconsiderate husband, who doesn't care about the emotions of others.

Krishannanunni, a second grade income tax officer, who comes over to entertain the party amuses Rakesh with his tomfoolery acts. But within some hours, Rakesh understands that he is in the face of the utter chaos let loose by this 'idiot', who likes to mess up everything that comes his way. Starting from inviting his nymphomaniac girl friend Mohini to the turmoil and also engaging his most strict income tax chief to help Rakeshmenon, Krishnanunni, though with his satirical gags creates mini disasters one after another, ultimately making Rakesh's comfortable life into ruins.

The film which relies on humorous lines and one-liners, on an-one night affair that change the attitudes and behaviors of everyone attached, is enjoyable at most times. Here you have the rich Rakesh realizing his faults and patching up with his rivals and the strict income tax offer who realizes his wife's cheating, that all coinciding on a night.

The scripts of the movie as in the original provides healthy laughter in almost all frames but certain overly forced attempts, (like the recipe debate on phone) makes you refuse to flex your facial muscles. The script didn't consider the pitfalls of the original (like the couples' fighting over a singular issue and walking out on the second day, after which the husband gifts his wife with a costly car) and repeats the same in the remake.

Jagadheesh who has also done the scripts is the star of the show, who matches with the Vinay Pathak of the original in every count. With fantastic timing and the recent idiotic image that had been attached with the star (particularly after the ‘Hariharnagar’ sequels), he looks very natural.

Siddhique is once again fabulous as Rakesh Menon while Biju Menon and Jagathy Sreekumar act the short roles with elaan. But Kananda actress Nayana appears plastic in her emoting abilities and needs to work on her facial expressions.

She shows no camaraderie with Siddhique. The movie doesn't demand for any music tracks though the couple of songs are good. The technical sides of the movie are also in sync with the quality of the narratives.

A movie with enjoyable moments, this shoestring budget flick may pass off as a winner even with a two weeks run. Suggested for those who likes light hearted entertainers with no intense or serious moments.

Janakan [2010]

Director : Sanjeev N.R.
Producer : Arun M.C, A.Shan
Music : M Jayachandran
Lyrics : Gireesh Puthencherry
Starring : Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Kaveri, Biju Menon, Hari Sree Asokan, Jyothirmayi, Vijayaraghavan, Vijayakumar, Ganesh Kumar, Sambath, Ranjit Menon, Krishna, Sivani, Parvathy and Others

Track List :
01 Olichirunne [Rajalaksmi]

Pokkiriraja Preview [2010]

The new movie on sets ‘Pokkiri Raja’ had been hailed as a trendsetter, even from the days of its announcement. Apart from bringing in a casting coup by uniting Megastar Mammootty and youth icon Prithviraj for the first time in full length roles, this movie by debutant director Vysakh has also taken pains to present Super actress Shriya Saran to Mollywood.

The walrus moustache style that has been for the first time presented by a hero in Malayalam cinema, has already been taken up by the campus youngsters as the latest style element. Scripted by hit writers Sibi K Thomas-Udhay Krishna, this movie is a fast paced thriller with plenty of hilarious sequences.

The movie has Mammootty as Raja and Prithvi as Soorya, both sons of popular Gandhian and idealistic teacher Madhavan Mash. The eldest son Raja was thrown out of the house by Madhavan Mash, as he was reluctant to stick to his father’s Gandhian ways. He ran away from home to Madurai after a scuffle and becomes the leader of a gang of ruffians. Raja, who now lives in Madurai, talks with a peculiar accent and is a huge fan of Rajinikanth.

Madhavan Mash has much hopes on his younger son Soorya, who was reared with care as to become a model for the youth of the town. But circumstances forced Soorya to just follow his elder brother’s path and to take arms and to become another notable name, booked by the police. Shriya plays Aswathy, the daughter of the city police commissioner who falls in love with Soorya.

Madhavan Mash is finally pushed into a position where he has to go in the lookout for his elder son to save his younger one’s life.

The heroics of two brothers is what debut director Vysakh is filling up as the right ingredients for a commercial potboiler. The movie will feature eighty prominent artist of south cinema including Vijayaraghavan, Siddhique, Nedumudi Venu, Santhosh Jogy, Baiju Ezhupunna and Karate Raj.

The music section of the movie is handled by Kaithapram and Jassie Gift. The songs which are already out, top the charts. Shaji handles the camera while Mahesh Narayanan does the editing.

The debutant director Vysakh had been an associate to Johny Antony and Joshy before attempting this big affair. The movie planned like Tamil flicks had been shot at Ernakulam and Pollachi.

Produced by Tomichan Mulakupadam in the banner of Mulakupadam films, ‘Pokkiri Raja’ will make a wide release on the 29th of this month, as a big mid summer release.

Pappi Appacha [2010]

Direction : Mamas
Producer : Anup
Muisc : Vidyasagar
Lyrics : Gireesh Puthencheery & Vayalar Sarath Chandravarma
Starring : Dileep, Kavya Madhavan, Innocent & Others

Track List :
01 Pappi [Ranjith & Gemon]
02 Thammil [Udit Narayanan & Sujatha]
03 Kaattu Makkan [Karthik, Gemon & Chorus]
04 Manjin Velli [Madhu Balakrishnan & Sujatha]

In Ghost House Inn [2010]

Director : Lal
Producer: Lal Creations
Music : Alex Pual
Lyrics : Bichu Thirumala, Muthu Vijayan, Anitha, Aswathi Alex
Starring: Mukesh, Jagadheesh, Sidheeq, Ashokan

Track List :
01 Oh Rambo [M.G Sreekumar, Vidhu Prathap, Ramesh Babu & Vipin Xavier]
02 Thee Kayum [M.G Sreekumar, Reju Joseph, Remi Tomy & Priya]
03 Ole Ole [Jassie Gift & Anitha]
04 Viyya Miyya [Anitha]
05 Adavukal [M.G Sreekumar, Afsal, Vidhu Prathap, Cochin Ibrahim, Remi Tomy, Sangeetha Prabhu, Sangeetha Anitha, Sajni Anand, Sruthi Raj]
06 When I Am [Biju Peter & Anitha]
07 Oh Rambo [Karaoke]
08 Thee Kaayum [Karaoke]

Pokkiriraja [2010]

Direction : Vyshak
Producer : Tomichan Mulakuppadam
Music : Jassie Gift
Lyrics : Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri
Starring : Mammootty, Prithviraj, Nedumudi Venu, Siddique,Saikumar, Innocent,Sooraj Venjaranmoodu, Salimkumar, Shreya Saran, Sneha & Others

Track List:
01 Manikkinavin Kothumbuvallam [Yesudas, Sujatha]
02 Kettille Kettille [Vijay Yesudas, Anwar, Rijiya]
03 Chenthengin Ponnilaneer [Ranjith, Anwar, Suchithra, Ananthu]
04 Manikyakkallin [Jassie Gift, Malathy, Ananthu]
05 Kettille Kettille [Prithviraj, Vijay Yesudas, Rijiya]

Chattambinadu [2009]

Direction : Shafi
Producers : Naushad & Anto Joseph
Music : Alex paul
Lyrics : Vayalar Sarathchandra Varma
Starring : Mammootty, Saikumar, Salimkumar, Vinu Mohan, Suraj Venjaaranmoodu, Vijaya Raghavan, Lakshmi Rai & Others

Track List :
01 Chenkadhali [Rimi Tomy]
02 Mukkuthy [Manjari]
03 Oru Kadha Parayam [Kuttappan]
04 Chattambinadu [Vidhu Prathap, Ramesh Babu & Reju Joseph]
05 Mukkuthy [Vidhu Prathap]

Happy Husbands [2010]

Direction : Saji Surendran
Producer : Milan Jaleel
Music : M Jayachandran
Lyrics : Gireesh Puthencherry
Starring : Jayaran, Jayasurya, Indrajith, Salim Kumar, Bhavana, Samvrutha Sunil, Reema Kallingal & Others

Track List :
01 – Take It Easy [Achu Rajamani]
02 – Etho Poonila [Reshmi Vijayan]
03 – Happy Husbands [Indrajith, Andand Narayan & Achu Rajamani]

Aagathan [2010]

Direction : Kamal
Producer : Mathew Joseph
Music : Ouseppachan
Lyrics : Kaithapram
Starring : Dileep, Sathyaraj, Biju Menon, Charmi, Sareena Wahab & Others


Track List :
01 – Njan Kanavil [Ranjith]
02 – Manju Mazha [Shreya Ghosal]
03 – Oro Kanavum [Vijay Yesudas & Swetha]
04 – Munthiri [Franko, Amritha Suresh, Naveen & Geemon]
05 – Manju Mazha [Karthik]
06 – Njan Kanavil [Swetha]