Héléna Klotz’s “Spirit of Ecstasy” will open the 2024 Kashish LGBTQ+ film festival in Mumbai, while Vuk Lungulov-Klotz’s “Mutt” will close it.
“Spirit of Ecstasy,” which debuted at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, follows a gender-questioning stock-market trader who is determined to make it in the world of finance; not for the glory or
wealth, but because it’s leading them on the path to freedom. Lead Pomme was nominated in the most promising actress category at France’s Lumiere awards.
“Mutt” follows a trans man who goes through an emotional roller-coaster over a 24-hour period in New York City, bumping into their ex-boyfriend, sister and father for the first time after having lost touch with them since his gender transitioning. It debuted at Sundance 2023, where it won the U.S. dramatic special jury award for actor Lio Mehiel. It went on to play at Berlin, where it earned...
“Spirit of Ecstasy,” which debuted at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, follows a gender-questioning stock-market trader who is determined to make it in the world of finance; not for the glory or
wealth, but because it’s leading them on the path to freedom. Lead Pomme was nominated in the most promising actress category at France’s Lumiere awards.
“Mutt” follows a trans man who goes through an emotional roller-coaster over a 24-hour period in New York City, bumping into their ex-boyfriend, sister and father for the first time after having lost touch with them since his gender transitioning. It debuted at Sundance 2023, where it won the U.S. dramatic special jury award for actor Lio Mehiel. It went on to play at Berlin, where it earned...
- 4/19/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Koimoi Audience Poll 2023: Nominees For The Best South Indian Film (Picture Credit: IMDb)
We are back with the final nominations for the last best of the last year for Koimoi Audience Poll 2023. In our annual tradition of honoring the best films of the year, we have made you, the audiences, the unbiased jury, recognize those who truly entertained you throughout the year.
2023 was a year of redemption for Bollywood films while South Indian Films continued to create their magic like always. This year, while biggies like Leo and Jailer worked like a charm at the box office, films like Ponniyin Selvan 2 could not live up to the charm.
Out of the very tough choices and range of Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films, we have picked out the best four as the nominations for the Best South Indian Film of 2023. All you have to do is vote for...
We are back with the final nominations for the last best of the last year for Koimoi Audience Poll 2023. In our annual tradition of honoring the best films of the year, we have made you, the audiences, the unbiased jury, recognize those who truly entertained you throughout the year.
2023 was a year of redemption for Bollywood films while South Indian Films continued to create their magic like always. This year, while biggies like Leo and Jailer worked like a charm at the box office, films like Ponniyin Selvan 2 could not live up to the charm.
Out of the very tough choices and range of Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films, we have picked out the best four as the nominations for the Best South Indian Film of 2023. All you have to do is vote for...
- 2/18/2024
- by Trisha Gaur
- KoiMoi
Koimoi Audience Poll 2023: From Rajinikanth To Mammootty & Two Others, Choose The Best Actor (South) ( Photo Credit – YouTube )
Koimoi Audience Poll 2023: We are almost at the end of our audience poll, and it’s time to crown the Best Actor (South). That power is vested in you. We have selected four exceptional actors, from Rajinikanth to Mammootty and two others. The South industry receives much praise for its fantastic storylines and acting.
We have attached the Twitter poll post at the end of this article, where you can vote for your favorite actor from the South industry. There are four people nominated in this category. Keep scrolling for more.
The cinema-goers love the action and the swag of the South actors. Even at this age, Rajinikanth is ruling the big screens with his movies. His movie Jailer was one of the most-anticipated films in 2023, and it did not disappoint the fans.
Koimoi Audience Poll 2023: We are almost at the end of our audience poll, and it’s time to crown the Best Actor (South). That power is vested in you. We have selected four exceptional actors, from Rajinikanth to Mammootty and two others. The South industry receives much praise for its fantastic storylines and acting.
We have attached the Twitter poll post at the end of this article, where you can vote for your favorite actor from the South industry. There are four people nominated in this category. Keep scrolling for more.
The cinema-goers love the action and the swag of the South actors. Even at this age, Rajinikanth is ruling the big screens with his movies. His movie Jailer was one of the most-anticipated films in 2023, and it did not disappoint the fans.
- 2/13/2024
- by Esita Mallik
- KoiMoi
Koimoi Audience Poll 2023: Best Director (South) Nominations; From Karthik Subbaraj For Jigarthanda DoubleX To Nelson Dilipkumar For Jailer – Choose Your Favorite! ( Photo Credit – Instagram )
Koimoi Audience Poll 2023: After Bollywood, we are now here with the Best Director (South) category, with Karthik Subbaraj and Nelson Dilipkumar in the race for the honor. The South industry is known for its gripping storylines and fantastic actions. Hence, you can understand how hard it was to narrow it down to just four names.
Like the previous articles, we have added the Twitter poll at the end of this story, and you can choose your favorite director from there. The affection fans have for the South actors is totally different, and the directors have a big part in portraying them beautifully on screen, eventually making people love them and the craft.
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan gave one of his biggest hits of 2023 with South Indian director Atlee,...
Koimoi Audience Poll 2023: After Bollywood, we are now here with the Best Director (South) category, with Karthik Subbaraj and Nelson Dilipkumar in the race for the honor. The South industry is known for its gripping storylines and fantastic actions. Hence, you can understand how hard it was to narrow it down to just four names.
Like the previous articles, we have added the Twitter poll at the end of this story, and you can choose your favorite director from there. The affection fans have for the South actors is totally different, and the directors have a big part in portraying them beautifully on screen, eventually making people love them and the craft.
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan gave one of his biggest hits of 2023 with South Indian director Atlee,...
- 2/5/2024
- by Esita Mallik
- KoiMoi
Jeo Baby, a director whose career is only one film old, stirred conversations through The Great Indian Kitchen. It questioned the very core of the Indian patriarchal system, where men essentially pressured women to cater to household chores rather than chasing their dreams. Followed by this film, Jeo Baby has given us an emotionally moving story in Kaathal – The Core, where a couple deals with a secret that could change their lives forever. Starring Mammootty and Jyothika in the lead roles, the film is out in theaters for everyone to watch. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the events of Kaathal – The Core and find out what happens in the end.
Spoilers Ahead
Who were Matthew Devassy and Thankachan?
Matthew Devassy is an aging man with humble political ambitions who is an honest person, and everyone in the town of Pala looks up to him.
Spoilers Ahead
Who were Matthew Devassy and Thankachan?
Matthew Devassy is an aging man with humble political ambitions who is an honest person, and everyone in the town of Pala looks up to him.
- 11/29/2023
- by Smriti Kannan
- Film Fugitives
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 22 (Ians) Malayalam megastar Mammootty isn’t stopping any time soon, as he is dishing out movies after movies. After the gigantic success of his last film ‘Kannur Squad’, the actor’s new film ‘Kathaal- The Core’ has released a teaser, offering final glimpses of what appears to be a very strong emotional drama.
Narrated by actress Jyotika, Mammootty’s character is someone who is rather distant from his family and is soon estranged from them. A feud erupts which leaves the once happy family with a bitter relationship.
Trying his best to fix the damage, the story of ‘Kathaal’ is yet another example of the experimental projects that are very typical in Malayalam cinema, as it is known to be the most experimental and unconventional film industry in the South.
The score of the teaser is bleak and the tone is haunting, but not in the horror film...
Narrated by actress Jyotika, Mammootty’s character is someone who is rather distant from his family and is soon estranged from them. A feud erupts which leaves the once happy family with a bitter relationship.
Trying his best to fix the damage, the story of ‘Kathaal’ is yet another example of the experimental projects that are very typical in Malayalam cinema, as it is known to be the most experimental and unconventional film industry in the South.
The score of the teaser is bleak and the tone is haunting, but not in the horror film...
- 11/22/2023
- by Agency News Desk
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 22 (Ians) Malayalam megastar Mammootty isn’t stopping any time soon, as he is dishing out movies after movies. After the gigantic success of his last film ‘Kannur Squad’, the actor’s new film ‘Kathaal- The Core’ has released a teaser, offering final glimpses of what appears to be a very strong emotional drama.
Narrated by actress Jyotika, Mammootty’s character is someone who is rather distant from his family and is soon estranged from them. A feud erupts which leaves the once happy family with a bitter relationship.
Trying his best to fix the damage, the story of ‘Kathaal’ is yet another example of the experimental projects that are very typical in Malayalam cinema, as it is known to be the most experimental and unconventional film industry in the South.
The score of the teaser is bleak and the tone is haunting, but not in the horror film...
Narrated by actress Jyotika, Mammootty’s character is someone who is rather distant from his family and is soon estranged from them. A feud erupts which leaves the once happy family with a bitter relationship.
Trying his best to fix the damage, the story of ‘Kathaal’ is yet another example of the experimental projects that are very typical in Malayalam cinema, as it is known to be the most experimental and unconventional film industry in the South.
The score of the teaser is bleak and the tone is haunting, but not in the horror film...
- 11/22/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Veteran actor Mammootty has revealed that he is open to working in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (Lcu). The actor made the revelation during the promotional events of his upcoming film Kaathal: The Core.
Mammootty was asked by an anchor whether he is part of the Lokesh and Rajnikanth film and the actor replied that he is not part of the project as of now and no call from the team has been made yet. However, he expressed his willingness to be part of the Lcu if given the opportunity.
The Lcu is a series of films set in the same universe, connected by common characters and themes. The franchise was launched with the 2019 film Karthikeyan, and has since been expanded with the films Vikram (2022) and Kaithi (2019).
Mammootty’s revelation has fueled speculation that he may be cast in a future Lcu film. The actor’s fans are eagerly awaiting an...
Mammootty was asked by an anchor whether he is part of the Lokesh and Rajnikanth film and the actor replied that he is not part of the project as of now and no call from the team has been made yet. However, he expressed his willingness to be part of the Lcu if given the opportunity.
The Lcu is a series of films set in the same universe, connected by common characters and themes. The franchise was launched with the 2019 film Karthikeyan, and has since been expanded with the films Vikram (2022) and Kaithi (2019).
Mammootty’s revelation has fueled speculation that he may be cast in a future Lcu film. The actor’s fans are eagerly awaiting an...
- 11/21/2023
- by CineArticles Editorial Team
- https://thecinemanews.online/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_4649
November is an exciting month for movie lovers, with a number of highly anticipated releases scheduled to hit the theaters. From action thrillers to romantic comedies, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Some of the most anticipated releases include Dhruva Natchathiram, Sapta Sagaradaache ello side b, and Kaathal the core.
8. Shesham mikeil fathima (Nov 17) Starring Kalyani Priyadarshan, the film has a good buzz due to its well-made trailer and woman-centric theme. Kerala is always a strong market for woman-centric films, and Shesham mikeil fathima is expected to do well. Release date: November 17 Genre: Drama 7. Chovazcha (Nov 17) A Pan-Indian film from director Ajay Bhupathi, Chovazcha has an intense trailer and is expected to be a good film in the lines of Kanthara. Release date: November 17 Genre: Action, Drama 6. Falimy (Nov 17) Another Malayalam film with a focus on strong content, Falimy has a well-cut trailer that has already started to generate buzz.
8. Shesham mikeil fathima (Nov 17) Starring Kalyani Priyadarshan, the film has a good buzz due to its well-made trailer and woman-centric theme. Kerala is always a strong market for woman-centric films, and Shesham mikeil fathima is expected to do well. Release date: November 17 Genre: Drama 7. Chovazcha (Nov 17) A Pan-Indian film from director Ajay Bhupathi, Chovazcha has an intense trailer and is expected to be a good film in the lines of Kanthara. Release date: November 17 Genre: Action, Drama 6. Falimy (Nov 17) Another Malayalam film with a focus on strong content, Falimy has a well-cut trailer that has already started to generate buzz.
- 11/16/2023
- by CineArticles Editorial Team
- https://thecinemanews.online/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_4649
Megastar Mammootty is taking no time to stop as he’s dishing out one film after another. A somber, and haunting film, the actor’s feature ‘Kaathal – The Core’ is a very mellow and grounded legal-family drama.
What the story is about is not entirely clear, though Mammotty’s character, Mathew is a very serious kind of person who doesn’t talk much to anybody, even with his own wife (played by Jyotika) after being married to her for more than 20 years.
There is some hassle going on and Mathew’s entire family has drifted apart, as his wife Onam is focusing on her matters. There is a very bleak atmosphere throughout the whole trailer with very minimal dialogue, indicating a far more rooted and minimalist approach to the whole thing.
Fighting a case pertaining to charges related to ‘cruelty’, there is also some kind of political angle to the...
What the story is about is not entirely clear, though Mammotty’s character, Mathew is a very serious kind of person who doesn’t talk much to anybody, even with his own wife (played by Jyotika) after being married to her for more than 20 years.
There is some hassle going on and Mathew’s entire family has drifted apart, as his wife Onam is focusing on her matters. There is a very bleak atmosphere throughout the whole trailer with very minimal dialogue, indicating a far more rooted and minimalist approach to the whole thing.
Fighting a case pertaining to charges related to ‘cruelty’, there is also some kind of political angle to the...
- 11/14/2023
- by Agency News Desk
Megastar Mammootty is taking no time to stop as he’s dishing out one film after another. A somber, and haunting film, the actor’s feature ‘Kaathal – The Core’ is a very mellow and grounded legal-family drama.
What the story is about is not entirely clear, though Mammotty’s character, Mathew is a very serious kind of person who doesn’t talk much to anybody, even with his own wife (played by Jyotika) after being married to her for more than 20 years.
There is some hassle going on and Mathew’s entire family has drifted apart, as his wife Onam is focusing on her matters. There is a very bleak atmosphere throughout the whole trailer with very minimal dialogue, indicating a far more rooted and minimalist approach to the whole thing.
Fighting a case pertaining to charges related to ‘cruelty’, there is also some kind of political angle to the...
What the story is about is not entirely clear, though Mammotty’s character, Mathew is a very serious kind of person who doesn’t talk much to anybody, even with his own wife (played by Jyotika) after being married to her for more than 20 years.
There is some hassle going on and Mathew’s entire family has drifted apart, as his wife Onam is focusing on her matters. There is a very bleak atmosphere throughout the whole trailer with very minimal dialogue, indicating a far more rooted and minimalist approach to the whole thing.
Fighting a case pertaining to charges related to ‘cruelty’, there is also some kind of political angle to the...
- 11/14/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Kaathal – The Core, the upcoming Malayalam drama film starring Mammootty and Jyothika in the lead roles, has completed its censor formalities and received a U/A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (Cbfc). The film, which is directed by Jeo Baby and produced by Mammootty under his banner Mammootty Kampany, has a runtime of 2 hours and 13 minutes. According to reports, the film is slated to hit the screens in November this year.
Kaathal – The Core marks the third Malayalam film of Jyothika, who is one of the most popular actresses in Tamil cinema. She has previously acted in two Malayalam movies – Priyadarshan’s Raakkilipattu and Tk Rajeevkumar’s Seetha Kalyanam, which had her starring opposite Jayaram. She is making a comeback to Malayalam cinema after a gap of 12 years with Kaathal – The Core, where she plays the wife of Mammootty’s character.
Kaathal The Core
Mammootty,...
Kaathal – The Core marks the third Malayalam film of Jyothika, who is one of the most popular actresses in Tamil cinema. She has previously acted in two Malayalam movies – Priyadarshan’s Raakkilipattu and Tk Rajeevkumar’s Seetha Kalyanam, which had her starring opposite Jayaram. She is making a comeback to Malayalam cinema after a gap of 12 years with Kaathal – The Core, where she plays the wife of Mammootty’s character.
Kaathal The Core
Mammootty,...
- 9/29/2023
- by CineArticles Editorial Team
- https://thecinemanews.online/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_4649
Mammootty, the megastar of Malayalam cinema, is all set to join hands with director Vysakh and writer Midhun Manuel Thomas for his next project. The untitled movie, which is said to be a mass action entertainer, will start rolling from the first week of October 2023.
According to the latest reports, the Mammootty-Vysakh-Midhun Manuel Thomas project will be mounted on a large-scale budget and will feature some of the most popular actors of Malayalam cinema in the supporting roles. The makers are yet to finalise the female lead and the rest of the star cast of the movie.
The movie marks the second collaboration of Mammootty and Vysakh, after the blockbuster hit Pokkiri Raja and its spin-off Madhura Raja. Vysakh, who is best known for helming action-packed commercial entertainers, is expected to deliver another mass treat for the fans of the megastar with this project.
Midhun Manuel Thomas, on the other hand,...
According to the latest reports, the Mammootty-Vysakh-Midhun Manuel Thomas project will be mounted on a large-scale budget and will feature some of the most popular actors of Malayalam cinema in the supporting roles. The makers are yet to finalise the female lead and the rest of the star cast of the movie.
The movie marks the second collaboration of Mammootty and Vysakh, after the blockbuster hit Pokkiri Raja and its spin-off Madhura Raja. Vysakh, who is best known for helming action-packed commercial entertainers, is expected to deliver another mass treat for the fans of the megastar with this project.
Midhun Manuel Thomas, on the other hand,...
- 9/10/2023
- by amalprasadappu
- https://thecinemanews.online/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_4649
GenderSamaBhav, a travelling film festival which was in Kochi on August 1 and 2, sparked compelling and vulnerable conversations themed around gender, masculinity, sexuality, and diversity.A still from Reema Sengupta's Counterfeit Kunkoo“Never have I ever kissed someone … who did not want to kiss me.” In Sonam Nair’s We Need to Talk, a short film presented by Tinder India, a party game triggers uncomfortable yet revelatory conversations between a group of friends, paving way to a compelling exploration of consent and boundaries. Though technically a marketing piece, We Need to Talk manages to exude sincerity with its mature and dignified lens on the group of young adults, subtly dwelling on the importance of communication in relationships, of all kinds. In Reema Sengupta’s Counterfeit Kunkoo, the protagonist is a young Mumbaikar named Smita (a captivating Kani Kusruti), a woman robbed of a space of her own, a roof over her head,...
- 8/12/2023
- by LakshmiP
- The News Minute
Film festivalThe festival, themed on gender, masculinity, sexuality, and diversity, will be held at the Sacred Heart College on the first and second of August.Still from the short film We Need to TalkMen Against Violence and Abuse (Mava), a Mumbai-based organisation that works to prevent violence against women, has joined with the Sacred Heart College Film Club in Kerala’s Kochi, to put together a two-day film festival titled SamaBhav. The festival, themed on gender, masculinity, sexuality, and diversity, will be held at the Sacred Heart College on the first and second of August, between 10 am and 5.30 pm. It is open to students, young filmmakers, and film enthusiasts among others, and there is no fee for entry. SamaBhav, a travelling festival that is currently in its fifth year, opened in Mumbai in February this year, and has already covered Bengaluru, Pune, Guwahati, Chennai, Srinagar, and Kohima before coming to Kochi.
- 7/31/2023
- by Cris
- The News Minute
ReviewThe story flows in a very straight path, without unexpected turns or strange abstractions that you might expect from someone who made a surrealistic film like ‘Aavasavyuham’.There is something really sad about Sebastian. You almost miss it when you first come to know of him, this policeman who tells tall tales to his coterie, a bunch of subordinates who act like teenage fans. But that’s his fame. Children in the neighbourhood and young people joining the police force know him as Super Sebastian. What a buildup for this oddly interesting character, leading the story of Purusha Pretham, a film made by Krishand who directed the multiple-award winning Aavasayuham last year. Prasanth Alexander, an actor obviously underutilised for years, transforms into Sebastian, exhibiting an unlikeable demeanour. Darshana Rajendran’s character, Susanna, describes him as rude and annoying. Yet, he is not exactly rude as far as stereotypical police behaviour goes.
- 3/24/2023
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe film revolves around a policeman, played by Prasanth Alexander, and the mystery of a missing corpse.What begins like a ghost story soon turns into a heady mix of dark humour and drama in the trailer of Purusha Pretham (Male Ghost), an upcoming Malayalam film. It is directed by Krishand, who made the critically acclaimed Aavasavyuham, which won the Kerala state award for best film and screenplay in 2021. Darshana Rajendran, Prasanth Alexander, and Devaki Rajendran play the lead roles in Purusha Pretham. The film will release on the Ott platform SonyLIV on March 24. The trailer, which came out on Thursday, March 16, shows a police team led by Prasanth and Jagadish investigating a crime. Darshana walks into the station to talk about a dead body in a river and then a fast song begins to play, during which several characters pass by, and the character Sebastian (Prasanth) is described as peculiar.
- 3/17/2023
- by Cris
- The News Minute
ControversyThe veteran filmmaker has been defensive of Shankar Mohan, the former director of the institute, after allegations of caste discrimination were raised against him.Courtesy: Wiki commons/ Hareesh N NampoothiriHeaping praises on Shankar Mohan, who recently resigned as director of the Kr Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts after allegations of caste discrimination, veteran filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan announced his resignation as chairman of the institute on Tuesday, January 31. Listing out the major institutes Shankar had headed over the years, Adoor claimed that there had been no complaints against him in four decades, but that in Kerala “we invited him, raised baseless allegations against him and sent him away in humiliation”. Taking on a defensive tone, Adoor released a five-page statement accusing certain people of “instigating” students to go on a strike against Shankar, and belittling the enquiry commission that found fault with Shankar. "There is no other individual...
- 1/31/2023
- by Cris
- The News Minute
ProtestThe institute’s director Shankar Mohan, against whom the students were protesting, resigned on Saturday.Tnm StaffProminent film actor Fahadh Faasil has expressed his support for the students of the Kr Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts who have been protesting against alleged caste discrimination at the institute. “I am with the students. Everyone has started to actively discuss (the problem) and a solution has started taking form. The director has resigned. Let it all settle and let the students be able to continue their studies,” Fahadh said while answering questions at a press meet that was held for the promotion of the film Thangam that he has produced. Two days ago, the director of the institute Shankar Mohan resigned, saying that he had completed three years in the post. Students have been protesting for nearly seven weeks over alleged instances of caste discrimination by Shankar Mohan. However,...
- 1/23/2023
- by Cris
- The News Minute
ProtestVeteran filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan courted controversy by defending Shankar Mohan, the director of Kr Narayanan Film Institute, who has been accused of caste discrimination by students and staff.Tnm StaffJeo Baby / FacebookMalayalam filmmaker Jeo Baby announced that he is withdrawing his film Freedom Fight from the Happiness International Film Festival in Kannur, conducted by the Government of Kerala from December 19-21. He said that the withdrawal is in protest against the organisers’ decision to have the festival inaugurated by filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, who had defended the caste discrimination at the Kr Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts, Kottayam, in the recent weeks. "We are withdrawing the film in protest against the decision to have the festival inaugurated by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, who has been running a dictatorial rule at the Kr Narayanan Institute and ruining the future of so many students. We are strongly opposing this decision by the...
- 12/19/2022
- by Cris
- The News Minute
EntertainmentThe film is titled ‘Kathal - The Core’, as was announced by director Jeo Baby on the occasion of Jyothika’s birthday.Tnm StaffIt looks like an old family picture, the kind that people have on their bedside table. A couple posing for a camera, most likely the old fashioned film camera, to get a photo together. Only, these are two very familiar faces, of two big stars coming together. Mammootty, who is among the top actors and biggest stars of south India, is joined by Jyothika, another prominent actor from the Tamil film industry, in a new movie’s poster. The film is titled Kathal - The Core, and Jeo Baby, who churns out critically acclaimed films year after year, is directing it. On the evening of Tuesday, October 18, Jeo Baby put out a post saying, “Our next film, Kathal - The Core. Today, it is the birthday of our heroine.
- 10/18/2022
- by Cris
- The News Minute
GenderFrom young brides, women who are fighting for their choices to certain kinds of mothers rarely seen on celluloid, Tnm takes stock of some of the most intriguing female characters who visited Malayalam cinema in the past five years.Neelima MenonMalayalam cinema is consistently breaking boundaries, engaging audiences across India with its solid content and performances, while simultaneously offering up some of the most fascinating women of our times, and their riveting stories. From young brides, women who are fighting for their choices to mothers who are rarely seen on celluloid, we take stock of some of the most intriguing female characters who visited Malayalam cinema in the last five years. Here are our picks. The woman in The Great Indian Kitchen It is a bleak irony that one of the most realistic female characters on celluloid in the past 10 years had to be created by a man. And it...
- 8/30/2022
- by LakshmiP
- The News Minute
ReviewThe film, centred on a booze party and a few men cooking biriyani together, is so inviting that it feels like it is happening around you.CrisIt is like you have just been to a booze party and spent a carefree night before morning came and struck you right across your face. Jeo Baby’s new film Sree Dhanya Catering Service, centred on a booze party and a few men cooking biriyani together, is so inviting that it feels like it is happening around you. The director, known for his realistic treatment of stories and feministic filmmaking, has tried his hand at comedy and pulls off a decent job. Only, it seems a little clueless in its telling, and the camera takes time to settle. For the first few minutes, you get a little dizzy with a jumpy camera moving between faces and places. There is the long-haired, bearded Mahonnathan...
- 8/26/2022
- by Cris
- The News Minute
ControversyFilmmakers question selection criteria for films in International Women’s Film Festival.Tnm StaffAfter Malayalam director Kunjila Mascillamani, who protested the exclusion of her film from the third International Women’s Film Festival being held at Kozhikode, was detained by the police, many film personalities have expressed their solidarity with her. They also raised questions regarding transparency of the selection process. Film director Vidhu Vincent, who won the Best Film award in 2017 for the film Manhole, announced that she is withdrawing the film Viral Sebi, which was part of Wiff, in solidarity with Kunjila. Kunjila had staged a protest against the exclusion of her film Asanghatithar (part of anthology Freedom Fight) from the film festival by occupying a chair on the dais and raising slogans against the Cpi(M) and the Chief Minister on Saturday, the opening day of the event. She was forcibly taken away from the venue by the police,...
- 7/17/2022
- by Haritha
- The News Minute
Mollywood‘Sree Dhanya Catering Service’ is helmed by ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’ fame Jeo Baby and bankrolled by Mankind Cinemas and Symmetry Cinemas. Tnm StaffFacebook/ Jeo BabyActor Mammootty took to social media on Tuesday, May 31 to unveil the first look poster of The Great Indian Kitchen fame director Jeo Baby’s next. The film has been titled Sree Dhanya Catering Service. It is bankrolled by Mankind Cinemas and Symmetry Cinemas.“Presenting the First Look Poster of Sree Dhanya Catering Service directed by Jeo Baby and produced by Mankind Cinemas and Symmetry Cinemas. Best wishes to the entire team,” Mammootty wrote in his post. Director Jeo Baby also revealed that the shooting for the film has been completed. Prior to Sree Dhanya Catering Service, Jeo Baby presented the anthology Freedom Fight. He directed the segment Old Age Home, while segments from other directors such as Akhil Anilkumar, Kunjila Mascillamani, Francies Louis...
- 6/1/2022
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
Film FestivalHalf of the competition films are by women this year, a few old classics are restored and Anurag Kashyap and Lisa Calen will be among those coming.CrisMPhil student delegates at IFFKMaker of The Great Indian Kitchen, Jeo Baby, once took an oath that he would attend the International Film Festival of Kerala (Iffk) only when it screened one of his own movies. It took 10 years, but Jeo's Kitchen has found a place in the Iffk's Malayalam Cinema Today category this time, and it is bringing the cheerful director back to the space that he says had changed the way he watched movies. Quite a few filmmakers have credited the annual December fest for shaping the way they viewed, learned and created their art. It is, however, not held in December any more, with Covid-19 pushing it to February last year and to March this time. The 26th edition of the Iffk begins Friday,...
- 3/17/2022
- by Cris
- The News Minute
‘Cargo’ filmmaker Arati Kadav who is gearing up for the remake of the film ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’ explains why it would be challenging to remake a Malayalam film in Hindi for a pan-Indian audience. The original film in Malayalam was directed by Jeo Baby and featured Nimisha Sajayan and Suraj Venjaramoodu. Arati explains, “It […]...
- 3/13/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
CinemaHelmed by Jeo Baby, critically acclaimed Malayalam movie ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’ starred actor Nimisha Sajayan in the lead. IANSInstagram/Sanya MalhotraActor Sanya Malhotra has teamed up with actor and producer Harman Baweja, for the Hindi remake of the critically acclaimed Malayalam movie The Great Indian Kitchen. Written and directed by Jeo Baby, the original film resonated with many for its detailed take on misogyny, everyday sexism and the gendered nature of domestic labour in Indian households. From toiling in the kitchen of her husband’s house to being confined within the patriarchal conventions of society, the film traces how a newly wed woman finds her voice. The movie released on Over-the-top (Ott) platform Neestream in the year 2021 and subsequently streamed on Amazon Prime Video. Sanya Malhotra will be reprising Nimisha Sajayan’s role from the original. Sanya Malhotra made her debut with the 2016 Hindi sports-drama Dangal, which co-starred actors Aamir Khan,...
- 2/23/2022
- by Jahnavi
- The News Minute
Actress Sanya Malhotra has teamed up with creator-producer, Harman Baweja, for the Hindi remake of ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’. ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’, is a Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by Jeo Baby. The film tells the story of a newly wed woman, who struggles to be the submissive wife that her husband and […]...
- 2/23/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
InterviewIn the anthology 'Freedom Fight', Kabani plays herself in 'Asanghadithar' and is cast opposite Jeo Baby in ‘Ration’, where she plays a woman in a lower-middle-class household.CrisKabani in 'Ration', 'Freedom Fight'In Asanghadithar, meaning the unorganised, a segment in the anthology Freedom Fight, actor Kabani H plays herself. She introduces herself as Kabani, an active member of Penkootu, a group that was formed in a street of Kozhikode to win toilet access for women workers there. Two short films later, in Ration, part of the same anthology, Kabani is cast as a woman in a lower-middle-class home, running hither and thither to replace a fish she accidentally cooked. In both the films, you can’t fail to notice her character, presented with a quiet perfection that neither calls attention to herself nor lets you forget her. "I don't know if you can call me an activist but I...
- 2/15/2022
- by Cris
- The News Minute
Interview'Asanghadithar', the film directed by Kunjila Mascillamani in Jeo Baby’s anthology, 'Freedom Fight', fictionalises a real fight for rights.CrisStill from 'Asanghadithar'When she received a call from Jeo Baby, director of The Great Indian Kitchen, Kunjila Mascillamani had a half shot documentary with her. Jeo was putting together an anthology of short films and asked Kunjila if she’d like to join. She would, she said. The documentary was stuck midway, being crowdfunded. If she could fictionalise it, reshoot it and make it part of a film anthology, it’d get a wider reach. The story of Penkootu, which she had begun to tell, would reach many more. Kunjila called her film Asanghadithar (The Unroganised), and made it a part of Jeo’s anthology Freedom Fight, which released on February 11 on streaming platform SonyLIV. “There was a long interview of Viji chechi in the documentary, which I recreated and...
- 2/13/2022
- by Cris
- The News Minute
InterviewJeo Baby brought together five filmmakers (including himself) to make films with good content; and coincidentally, they all had the underlying message of freedom.CrisContent matters a lot to Jeo Baby, the man who directed The Great Indian Kitchen, a film that got people talking about women’s labour in the house. In the few minutes of an interview that he could spare on a Wednesday, Jeo mentions “content” half a dozen times. When, during the pandemic, it was too hard to make a full-length film, and he thought of an anthology for which he looked for “content”. The anthology that’s come out is Freedom Fight, but Jeo had not asked filmmakers to make their content about freedom per se. It’s just a happy coincidence that all of them, including Jeo, wrote scripts which had the underlying message of freedom and the fight for it. “That’s what...
- 2/12/2022
- by Cris
- The News Minute
ReviewIn ‘Freedom Fight’, Akhil Anilkumar, Kunjila Mascillamani, Francies Louis, Jeo Baby and Jithin Issac Thomas make short films that broadly fall under the theme of freedom.CrisAfter a series of anthologies were made during the pandemic, and not all of them turned out well, you tend to look at a new one skeptically. Will just some of the short films work, or will all of them, you wonder. In the case of Freedom Fight, a Malayalam anthology put together by Jeo Baby, all of them do. Five films, each unique, tell straightforward stories, sprinkled with a little humour and a lot of emotion. They are enjoyable and they make you think. One woman realises what a big mistake it will be if she went ahead and married her boyfriend of two years and backs out of it. Another woman gathers around females working in shops on a street in Kozhikode...
- 2/10/2022
- by Cris
- The News Minute
Mollywood Presented by Jeo Baby, the anthology also features shorts from directors Akhil Anilkumar, Kunjila Mascillamani, Francies Louis and Jithin Issac Thomas. Tnm StaffFacebook/ Jeo Baby The makers of upcoming Malayalam movie Freedom Fight unveiled its power-packed trailer on January 26, marking the occasion of Republic Day. The anthology film is presented by The Great Indian Kitchen director Jeo Baby. The trailer depicts the women leads from different segments, each trying to tackle different problems that are connected to gender-based discrimination and patriarchy. Presenting a range of emotions, Freedom Fight hints at an intense anthology. Jeo Baby is directing a segment in the anthology. Apart from him, it also features shorts from directors Akhil Anilkumar, Kunjila Mascillamani, Francies Louis and Jithin Issac Thomas. The cast of the anthology includes actors Srinda, Kabani, Rohini, Joju George and Rajisha Vijayan, among others. Freedom Fight is set to premiere on streaming platform SonyLIV. Sharing...
- 1/28/2022
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
ReviewVasanth’s anthology of three shorts, spanning from the ‘80s to the 2000s, takes a close look at women’s lives and labour. Sowmya RajendranScreenshot from Sivaranjiniyum Innum Sila PengalumSivaranjiniyum Innum Sila Pengalum begins with an image of the unchanging sea. Vasanth’s anthology of three shorts — based on stories written by Ashoka Mithran, Adhavan and Jeyamohan — suggests that the lives of women too, across decades and social classes, remain the same. And just as the waves crash against the shore ceaselessly, their labour never stops. The first film is set in the ‘80s, and revolves around a lower middle class couple, Chandran (Karunakaran) and Saraswati (Kalieswari Srinivasan). After attending a function, the two of them return home with their baby. Chandran walks ahead while Saraswati lags behind, struggling to keep up. She holds the baby in one arm and carries bags in the other. It’s a familiar sight on the streets,...
- 11/30/2021
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
ControversyThe film, which premiered during the Iffk in Kerala earlier this year, was released on SonyLIV on November 19.Tnm StaffStill from 'Churuli'After Lijo Jose Pellissery's newest film Churuli came out on a streaming platform, there has been a lot of talk around the language of the film. Churuli, derived from a story written by Vinoy Thomas - Kaligeminarile Kuttavalikal, was adapted into a screenplay by S Hareesh for Lijo. The film, which premiered in Kerala during the International Film Festival of Kerala in February this year, got released on SonyLIV on November 19. Since then, viewers have been commenting about the amount of curse words used in Churuli, some taking offence at it while others defended the freedom of art. Even prime time channel discussions were held to debate about Churuli's choice of dialogue. The film, dark and fantastical and humorous as most Lijo films are, shows the journey of two...
- 11/21/2021
- by Cris
- The News Minute
EntertainmentBoth the director and the actor have expressed their excitement to start working together in the film.Tnm StaffCourtesy - Instagram / nimisha_sajayanMalayalam actor and female lead in The Great Indian Kitchen Nimisha Sajayan will next act in We Are, sequel to the acclaimed anthology film I Am, directed by Hindi filmmaker Onir. This will mark Nimisha's acting debut in Hindi. "Up next We Are - A powerful story which is a sequel to the highly acclaimed anthology series, I Am directed by @iamonir," Nimisha posted on her Instagram page. She adds, "@iamonir can’t wait for the shoot to start," and thanks among others, filmmaker Geetu Mohandas and casting director Shaneem. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nimisha Bindu Sajayan (@nimisha_sajayan) Onir, confirming the news on his Twitter page, wrote, "Super excited to be working with @NimishaSajayan #WeAre." In a second tweet, he added that...
- 7/9/2021
- by Cris
- The News Minute
Social mediaThe actor’s post was an attempt to appreciate a woman police officer who struggled through life.Tnm StaffIn his attempt to appreciate a woman police officer who struggled through life, Malayalam actor Unni Mukundan wrote, "It is not through big pottu (Malayalam for bindi) but through big dreams that women empowerment is possible. The real fighter. Inspiration for all." His post on Facebook got immediately picked up, discussed, and criticised. Women began posting pictures of themselves wearing big bindis, taking offence at his statement. Wearing big bindis have often been associated with feminists in Kerala and many have taken Unni Mukundan's post to mean that he was taking a dig at feminists with that reference. Chintha Tk comments under his post, "Can anyone tell him that the first step of women empowerment is the freedom a woman has to decide whether she wants a pottu or not. To praise women too,...
- 6/28/2021
- by Cris
- The News Minute
Cinema The film was earlier selected for the Shanghai International Film Festival.Tnm StaffMalayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen, which released in 2021, has been selected to be screened at the UK Asian Film Festival in 2021. The film directed by Jeo Baby was earlier selected for the Shanghai International Film Festival. The film which first released on Ott platform Neestream and later on Amazon Prime Video, has Nimisha Sajayan and Suraj Venjaramoodu playing the lead characters. Nimisha is married to a large household and the film traces her journey, from toiling in the kitchen of her husband’s house, confined within the patriarchal conventions of society, to eventually liberating herself and finding her voice. The Great Indian Kitchen was shot by Salu K Thomas and produced by Dijo Augustine, Jomon Jacob, Vishnu Rajan, and Sajin S Raj. The film released to critical acclaim with several people praising the film. It was...
- 5/10/2021
- by Sreedevi
- The News Minute
Mollywood‘The Great Indian Kitchen’, starring Nimisha Sajayan and Suraj Venjaramoodu in the lead roles, recently started streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Tnm StaffFacebook/ PTIJeo Baby’s Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen has won acclaim and praise from fans, critics and actors alike. Popular Bollywood actor Rani Mukerji, who is known for selecting unique roles, is the most recent celebrity to appreciate Jeo Baby for his film. Director Jeo Baby took to social media on Thursday to share a screenshot of a WhatsApp message sent to him by Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran. Prithviraj stated in the message that Rani had watched the movie and wanted him to convey her appreciation to Jeo. “Hi Geo. This is Prithviraj. Rani Mukherjee saw your film and wanted me to convey to you what she thought is the Great Indian Kitchen (sic)... Ps: I am yet to see the film, but congrats on the great success,...
- 4/9/2021
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
MollywoodIn the lockdown, several wonderful films were made, cleverly camouflaging the limitations of shooting with restrictions by writing stories that justified it.CrisThe months ahead had looked gloomy for the Malayalam film industry when a government order in March 2020 asked all production work – shooting, screening, distribution included – to be stopped immediately. Covid-19 had just broken out all over the country. By June, the government slowly began lifting restrictions. At first, they allowed television series to resume work with minimal crew and following Covid-19 protocols. Movies were next on the list. But producers got together and decided to take it slow until the finished films – more than 60 of them – could release first. C U Soon – an experimental film by Mahesh Narayanan and Fahadh Faasil – was the first to break away. There was a bit of a row then but Mahesh and Fahadh said it was an experimental work and was not meant for theatres.
- 4/9/2021
- by Neethu
- The News Minute
Film CommentaryThese are two very different films but there is a connecting factor — how the women characters suffocate with the patriarchal home.Sowmya RajendranJoji, directed by Dileesh Pothan, premiered on Amazon Prime Video on April 7. Just a few days before this, Jeo Baby's highly acclaimed film The Great Indian Kitchen, also released on the same Ott platform, months after it originally came out on Neestream. (This article has spoilers ahead) The two films are very different from each other. The Great Indian Kitchen, starring Nimisha Sajayan and Suraj Venjaramoodu, is about a newlywed couple and how the woman starts feeling oppressed day by day within the institution of marriage. The film also looks at how patriarchy and misogyny are sanctioned by religion. Joji, an adaptation of the Shakespearean play Macbeth, has Fahadh Faasil playing the youngest son in a Syrian Christian family who exhibits murderous tendencies and ends up...
- 4/9/2021
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe movie was initially released on Malayalam Ott platform Neestream on January 15, after being rejected by Amazon and Netflix among others.Tnm StaffScreengrabThe Malayalam film, The Great Indian Kitchen was one of the most discussed movies on social media after its release. It was praised for its sensitive representation of gender and patriarchal issues in Indian households. And now, it is finally available on Amazon Prime Videos. The film had also garnered a lot of buzz as the makers revealed that they had faced multiple challenges related to the release of the film. In an interview with Kozhikode-based media house Truecopy Think, the director Jeo Baby spoke about the film being rejected by popular Ott platforms. According to statements he made in the interview, Amazon Prime Video initially agreed to release the film but later declined to do so, citing that the film did not fall under their criteria. Whereas,...
- 4/2/2021
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
MollywoodDirector Kannan has acquired the rights for the film, and it's likely to go on floors in March.Tnm StaffScreengrab After receiving positive feedback for discussing gender and patriarchal issues in relationships, The Great Indian Kitchen will now be remade in Tamil and Telugu by director Kannan. The project is likely to go on floors in Karaikudi from March. The Great Indian Kitchen was written and directed by Jeo Baby. It featured Suraj Venjaramood and Nimisha Sajayan in pivotal roles. After television channels and streaming giants rejected the movie, it released on Neestream, a Malayalam Ott platform on January 15. The film received positive reviews from film critics as well as the audience for its well- written characters and thought- provoking narrative. According to the latest update, director Kannan is planning to remake the film in Tamil and Telugu languages. A Times of India report states that director Kannan has acquired...
- 2/18/2021
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe film tells the story of a boy with Down Syndrome and his relationship with his brother.Tnm StaffStill from film 'Thirike'After the successful release of Jeo Baby's The Great Indian Kitchen, Over-the-Top (Ott) platform NeeStream is all set to release another Malayalam film Thirike. The movie co-directed by George Kora, writer of the Nivin Pauly starrer Njandukalude Naattil Oru Edavela, and Sam Xavier, is a tale of brotherhood, featuring a boy who has Down Syndrome and his younger brother. Notably, the lead role is also being played by an actor with Down Syndrome. The film will release on February 26 on NeeStream. According to the Thirike team, the movie is a comedy-drama for family audiences which carries a message that persons with disabilities are not to be looked down upon with sympathy but are to be celebrated. The role of Ismu, the boy with Down Syndrome, is played by 22-year-old Gopi Krishnan.
- 2/12/2021
- by Neethu
- The News Minute
Flix FlashbackIn the 2016 film, the director of 'The Great Indian Kitchen' showed how the world discriminates against girls and women through a female perspective.CrisWhen Achu shakes her legs, sings songs loudly, whistles in the house, she hears the same four words from her mother – pennkuttykal athu cheyaan paadilla – Girls shouldn’t do this. Achu, poor thing, 10 or 11 years old, stops shaking her legs, singing and whistling; and murmurs without comprehending, “Can’t do that either!” The long minutes of the title credits of 2 Pennkuttikal – Two Girls – a film made by Jeo Baby in 2016, chronicle these movements of Achu’s life, hindered and paused without explanation. Jeo Baby, the man who grew famous within hours of The Great Indian Kitchen, his newest film, releasing online, appears to be a master of telling stories of male privilege through the eyes of women. In this case, two young girls. The...
- 2/10/2021
- by Cris
- The News Minute
Flix FlashbackIn 2018, the director of 'The Great Indian Kitchen' took on religion, Christianity in particular, through the eyes of a young boy.CrisThe strict Math teacher announces a test for the next day. Students who do not score more than 70% in the test will need to bring their parents to the school. Ousepachan (Adhish Praveen) and his two friends are worried. The only way the test can be avoided is if a former president who has been unwell for a while passes away and the school declares a holiday. Ousepachan tells his two friends to pray hard, that there’s nothing that can’t happen if you pray with trust in god. The next morning, at the school assembly, it is announced that the former president has passed away and it will be a school holiday. But the next working day, the friends tell Ousepachan that the dreaded test will happen that day.
- 1/27/2021
- by Cris
- The News Minute
Mollywood‘Kilometers and Kilometers’, which also stars India Jarvis, premiered on television in 2020.Digital NativeDigital NativeThe Tovino Thomas starrer Kilometers and Kilometers was originally slated to hit the theatres on March 12, 2020, as a summer special release, but had to be postponed by several months due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Later, the movie premiered on television during Onam last year. Months after its television premiere, Kilometers and Kilometers is now available on the Ott platform Netflix. The movie will also be available on the streaming platform Simply South from Wednesday. It may be noted that last year, producer Anto Joseph approached Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala to get its nod for a direct Ott release of Kilometers and Kilometers, after there were reports about a pirated copy doing the rounds online. Subsequently, the movie had a television premiere. Kilometers and Kilometers is directed by Jeo Baby, who has previously helmed 2 Penkuttikal.
- 1/27/2021
- by AjayR
- The News Minute
BlogApologising, begging and pleading for forgiveness was a nightly bedtime ritual for me, like the protagonist in the film.A PuthiyattAs a doctor and a feminist I may seem an unlikely survivor of domestic abuse. But The Great Indian Kitchen, playing on Neestream, shows us how insidiously abuse closets itself within the ‘respectable’ middle class. Under Jeo Baby’s smooth and unhurried direction, Nimisha’s understated portrayal of the unnamed protagonist holds a mirror to so many of us who have lived the film’s events, in ways subtle or striking. Agile camerawork and meticulous sound design carry us into her daily, green-bean-chopping, mustard-spluttering tedium. Suraj brings to life the soft-spoken, passive-aggressive husband who has only to glance at the wife to make us shudder. In a revolutionary first, Mruduladevi’s lyrics bring to Malayalam cinema the enveloping melodies of the Paluva language. Creative subtitling keeps the essence of the...
- 1/26/2021
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
OpinionAre men, of whichever political hue, prepared for women who are not ready to wait — not just for temple entry, but for gender justice in all spheres? Sowmya RajendranMAJOR Spoilers Ahead The state of the dining table in The Great Indian Kitchen was a familiar sight during my childhood. Chewed up drumsticks and bones strewn outside the plate for the women of the household to clean after the men had eaten. And this was in a communist home where we had Karl Marx and Lenin gracing the walls instead of gods and goddesses. When I became old enough to participate in housework, I too was expected to clean up the mess. I refused to do so, and perhaps because it was harder to ignore a child’s forthright expression of disgust than my mother’s guarded suggestions on the same lines previously, the practice changed. Jeo Baby’s film on...
- 1/19/2021
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
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