Flashback 2009 - Malayalam Films

A review on malayalam films released in 2009 -


Different from the previous years, 2009 was unique since a wide variety of films got released. There were un usual experiments happening in this medium. Some of them were hits, some were not accepted. Films like 'Kerala Cafe', 'Paleri Manikyam Oru Paathirakolapathakathinte Katha', 'Kerala Varma Pazhassiraja', 'Bhramaram' etc which has got versatility in its scripting and presentation side, happened this year. 'Bhoomi Malayalam' is on the top position from the parallel films group having 'Oru Pennum Rendaanum', 'Raamaanam', 'Vilapangalkkappuram' and 'Pathaam Nilayile Theevandi'. After being rested for a gap of 4-5years, films like 'Nammal Thammil', 'Aayirathil Oruvan', 'Winter' and 'Seetha Kalyanam' were released and all of them were not accepted. Thus the year 2009 was a mix of commercial entertainers and parallel films, hits and flops, family oriented and action subjects etc.



The year saw many new faces entering the industry like Sasikumar ('Loud Speaker'), Nishal, Asif Ali & Rima Kallingal ('Rithu'), Kailash & Archana Kavi ('Neelathaamara') and Mythili and a group of debutant actors from 'Paleri Manikyam Oru Paathira Kolapathakathinte Katha' also. Though Suraaj Venjarammood (Duplicate) and Ramesh Pisharady (Kappalu Muthalaali) did hero oriented roles, they didn't get big success. MT's script 'Neelathaamara' has been remade by Lal Jose with many new faces, but it was not a big success. The year saw the rise of many new directors also, among them actors like Shankar, Mahesh & Baburaj were there. It is sad to see that top films of the year like 'Kerala Cafe' and 'Palerimanikyam...' are not big successes commercially. One of the worst films in the malayalam film history, 'Bhagavan', also happened this year, that too under the label of our favourite super star.


Like previous years, the focus was mainly on Mammootty & Mohanlal films. Mammootty did a variety of roles in films like 'Paleri Manikyam Oru Paathirakolapathakathinte Katha', 'Kerala Varma Pazhassiraja' & 'Loud Speaker'. Mohanlal's excellent performance came through 'Bhramaram'. Dileep had many flops, can share the credit of 'Passenger'. Suresh Gopi does not have a single hit. Jayaram must be happy with 'Bhagyadevatha' and also 'My Big Father' (to a certain extend). Prithviraj's star value increased through 'Puthiya Mukham' and 'Robinhood'. Jayasurya's popularity is more as he is doing hero oriented roles and supporting characters at the same time.



Lohithadas, Murali, Rajan P Dev, singer Sainoj, Adoor Bhavani were all loses of 2009.











It is difficult to spot out the best one from the group; so it is better to give the top positions from the list...


Best Films -

'Paleri Manikyam Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha'
'Kerala Cafe'
'Keralavarma Pazhassiraja'
'Bhramaram'
'Loud Speaker'
'Bhoomi Malayalam'









Best Entertainers -

'Robinhood'
'Bhagyadevatha'
'Passenger'
'To Harihar Nagar'
'Chattambinaadu'








Best Directors -

Hariharan - 'Keralavarma Pazhassiraja'
Ranjith - 'Paleri Manikyam Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha'
Anwar Rashid - 'Bridge' from 'Kerala Cafe'
Blessy - 'Bhramaram'
TV Chandran - 'Bhoomi Malayalam'
Jayaraj - 'Loud Speaker'









Promising Debutant Directors -

Ranjith Shankar ('Passenger')
Saji Surendran ('Ivar Vivahitharaayaal')
Shankar Ramakrishnan ('Island Express' from 'Kerala Cafe')
Mahesh P Sreenivasan ('My Big Father')
Baburaj ('Black Dhalia')








Best Actors -

Mammootty - 'Paleri Manikyam Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha', 'Loud Speaker', 'Puram Kazhchakal' from 'Kerala Cafe'
Mohanlal - 'Bhramaram'
Jagathi - 'Raamaanam', 'Happy Journey' from 'Kerala Cafe'
Sasikumar - 'Loud Speaker'
Innocent - 'Patham Nilayile Theevandi'

Santha Devi - 'Bridge' from 'Kerala Cafe'
Archana Kavi - 'Neelathaamara'
Rima Kallingal - 'Rithu'








Special Mention -

Sharath Kumar - ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja')
Jayasurya - ('Gulumaal', 'Ivar Vivahitharaayaal', 'Vairam')
Prithviraj - ('Puthiya Mukham')
Suresh Menon - ('Bhramaram')
Kailash - ('Neelathaamara')
Baby Niveditha - ('Moz and Cat', 'Kaana Kanmani')
Padmapriya - ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja', 'Bhoomi Malayalam', 'Kaana Kanmani')

Lal Jose - (director of 'Neelathaamara')
Lal - (script writer / director of 'To Harihar Nagar')


Best Comedian -

Suraaj Venjarammood (different films)






Best Script -

Ranjith / TP Rajeevan ('Paleri Manikyam Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha')
TV Chandran ('Bhoomi Malayalam')
Unni R ('Bridge' from 'Kerala Cafe')
MT Vasudevan Nair ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja', 'Neelathaamara')
Ranjith Shankar ('Passenger')











Best Cinematography -

Ramnath Shetty / Venu / Manoj Pillai ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja')
Ajayan Vincent ('Bhramaram')
Suresh Rajan ('Bridge' from 'Kerala Cafe')
Manoj Pillai ('Paleri Manikyam Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha')
Amal Neerad ('Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded')


Best Editing -

Sreekar Prasad ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja')
Venugopal ('Bhoomi Malayalam')
Samjith ('Red Chillies', 'Puthiya Mukham')
Vivek Harshan ('Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded')
Don Max ('Black Dhalia')


Best Sound Designing -

Rasool Pookkutty ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja')


Best Art Direction -

Muthuraj ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja')


Best Film Posters / Publicity Stills -

'Keralavarma Pazhassiraja'
'Ivar Vivahitharaayaal'
'Rithu'


Technically Sound Films -

'Keralavarma Pazhassiraja'
'Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded'
'Red Chillies'


Super Hit / Hit Films -

'Keralavarma Pazhassiraja'
'To Harihar Nagar'
'Bhagyadevatha'
'Puthiya Mugham'

'Robinhood'
'Passenger'
'Bhramaram'
'Ivar Vivahitharaayaal'
'Makante Achan'
'My Big Father'
'Gulumaal'
'Loud Speaker'
'Paleri Manikyam Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha'



Big Flops / Flops -

'Bhagavan'
'Angel John'
'Moz and Cat'
'Hailesa'
'Colors'
'Seetha Kalyanam'
'Black Dhalia'
'Kancheepurathe Kalyanam'
'Vellathooval'
'Rahasya Police'
'Kaana Kanmani'
'Winter'
'Nammal Thammil'
'Aayirathil Oruvan'
'Keralolsavam 2009'
'Meghatheertham'
'Chemistry'
'Shudharil Shudhan'
'Decent Parties'
'Kadha Samvithanam Kunjakko'
'Dr.Patient'
'Sulthan'
'Currency'
'Malayali'
'Bharya Swantham Suhruthu'
'Banaras'
'Love In Singapore'
'Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonnu'
'IG'
'Kappalu Muthalaali'
'Vairam'
'Calendar'
'Swa. Le.'
'Uthara Swayamvaram'
'Samastha Keralam PO'
'Red Chillies'
'Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded'
'Rithu'
'Daddy Cool' etc etc...


The future of last releases of 2009, 'Ividam Swargamaanu' & 'Chattambinaadu' can be judged only after two weeks. Some films like 'Neelathaamara', 'Kerala Cafe', 'Duplicate', 'Ee Pattanathil Bhootham', 'Oru Black and White Kudumbam' etc has not been included in either of the groups...

Flashback 2009 - Malayalam Songs

A review on songs from the films released in 2009 -

We are lucky to hear some good songs this year also. Different from the previous years, there were some remake and remix songs also happened in 2009. It include hits like 'Alliyaambal...' and 'Poomukha Vathilkkal...'. Music director Alex Paul remixed fast hits like 'Ekantha Chandrike...' and 'Unnam Maranna...' and made it vulgar.









Best Songs -

Anuraaga Vilochananaai ('Neelathaamara')
Kunnathe Konnaykkum ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja')
Pichavacha Naal ('Puthiya Mukam')
Priyanu Mathram ('Robinhood')
Chandhu Thottille ('Banaras')
Koovaram Kili ('Banaras')
Annarakkanna Vaa ('Bhramaram')
Enikku Padanoru ('Ivar Vivahitharaayaal')
Aadiyusha Sandhya ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja')
Swapnangal Kannezhuthiya ('Bhagyadevatha')
Junile Nilamazhayil ('Nammal Thammil')
Cheruthinkal Thoni ('Swa. Le')
Chirakaarnna Mounam ('Calendar')
Alliyambal (remade for 'Loud Speaker')
Poomukha Vaathilkkal (remade for ''Ivar Vivahitharaayaal')









Best Singers -

Jayachandran - Kattarinu, Kadhayamama ('Loud Speaker', 'Kerala Cafe')
Shankar Mahadevan - Pichavacha, Naattu Pattu ('Puthiya Mukam', 'Vairam')
Sainoj - Enikku Padanoru ('Ivar Vivahitharaayaal')
V Sreekumar - Anuraaga Vilochananaai ('Neelathaamara')
Biji Bal - Paalerum Naadaya ('Paleri Manikyam Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha')


Chitra - Kunnathe, Swapnangal ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja', 'Bhagyadevatha')
Shreya Ghoshal - Chaandhu Thottille, Anuraagavilochana ('Banaras', 'Neelathaamara')
Swetha - Koovaramkili, Priyanu Mathram ('Banaras', 'Robinhood')
Sujatha - Doore Doore, Kuzhaloothum ('Seetha Kalyanam', 'Bhramaram')









Best Music Directors -

Ilayaraja ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja', 'Bhagyadevatha')
M Jayachandran ('Banaras', 'Robinhood', 'Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonnu', 'Nammal Thammil')
Vidyasagar ('Neelathaamara')
Biji Bal ('Paleri Manikyam Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha', 'Loud Speaker', 'Swa. Le.')
Mohan Sithara ('Bhramaram')
Deepak Dev ('Puthiya Mukham')










Best Lyrics -

ONV - Kunnathe, Aadiyushasandhya ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja')
Anil Panachooraan - Annarakkanna, Chruthinkal ('Bhramaram', 'Swa. Le')
Kaithapram- Pichavacha, Priyanu Mathram ('Puthiya Mukham', 'Robinhood')
Vayalar Sharath - Anuraagavilochana, Swapnangal ('Neelathaamara', 'Bhagyadevatha')
Gireesh Puthenchery - Chaandhu Thottille, Iniyum ('Banaras', 'Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonnu')







Best Background Score -

Ilayaraja ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja')
Biji Bal ('Paleri Manikyam Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha', 'Passenger', 'Daddy Cool')
Gopi Sundar ('Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded', 'Ividam Swargamaanu')
Mohan Sithara ('Bhramaram')







Best Song Visuals -

Pichavacha Naal...('Puthiya Mukham')
Priyanu Maathram...('Robinhood')
Enikku Paadanoru...('Ivar Vivahitharaayaal')
Anuraaga Vilochananaai...('Neelathaamara')
Allippoove...('Bhagyadevatha')
Aadhiyusha Sandhya...('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja')

Flash Back 2009 - Other Languages

Notable films from other languages that got released in 2009 -


Best Tamil films in 2009 -

Nadodikal
Pasanga
Abhiyum Naanum
Kancheevaram
Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu
Yaavarum Nalam
Eeram
Unnaippol Oruvan
Kandein Kathale
Ayan


Best / Hit Tamil Songs in 2009 -

Padapadavena...(Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu)
Nenje Nenje...(Ayan)
Vaarayo Vaaraayo...(Aadhavan)
Lesa Parakkuthu Manassu...(Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu)
Vizhi Moodi...(Ayan)
Oru Vetkam Varuthe...(Pasanga)
Paathi Kaathal Pathi Mutham...(Modhi Vilayadu)
Etho Seikiray... (Vaamanan)
Daddy Mummy...(Villu)
Oyayiye...(Ayan)
Karigaalan... (Vettaikkaran)
Excuse Me...(Kanthasamy)
Rangi Rangamaa...(Padikkathavan)
Odo Ododi...(Kandein Kathale)
Nee Kopappettal...(Villu)



Best Hindi Films in 2009 -

3 Idiots
Paa
Delhi 6
Wake Up Sid
Rocket Singh : Best Salesman of the Year
Luck By Chance
Kaminey
Kurbaan
Whats Your Rashee
Wanted


Best / Hit Hindi Songs in 2009 -

Mazakkali... (Delhi 6)
Chor Bazari... (Love Aaj Kal)
Shukran Alla... (Kurbaan)
Udi Udi... (Paa)
Jao Na... (Whats Your Rashee)
Tu Hi Haqeeqat... (Tum Mile)
Main Tera Dhadkan Teri... (Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani)
Aasma Odhkar... (13B)
Kyun Phoolon Ke... (Kambaqt Isq)
Pyari Pyari... (Whats Your Rashee)
Dhan Te Nan... (Kaminey)
Bebo Main Bebo... (Kambaqt Isq)
Genie Rep... (Aladin)
Aa Jao Meri Tamanna... (Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani)
Pyar Ki Dastaan... (Luck By Chance)
Chiggy Wiggy... (Blue)
Sau Janam... (Whats Your Rashee)
Twist We Twist... (Love Aaj Kal)
Duniya Firangi... (Dil Bole Hadippa)
Marjaani... (Billu)



Best English Films in 2009 -

Avatar (3D)
Slumdog Millionaire
Taking Of Pelham 123
2012
Angels and Demons
Fast and Furious 4
This Is It
G.I.Joe: the Rise of Cobra
X Men Origins: Wolverine
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

3 Idiots

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Amir Khan, Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Bomman Irani, Kareena Kapoor
Director : Rajkumar Hirani
Music : Shanthanu Moitra


The most distinguished bollywood actor in the last 10years, in terms of selecting variety themes for his projects and also creating success from it is none other than Amir Khan. Nobody will argue in this matter. It is relevant when we take the examples of projects like 'Sarfarosh', '1947 - Earth', 'Lagaan', 'Dil Chahtha Hai', 'Mangal Pandey', 'Rang De Basanthi', 'Fanaa', 'Tare Zameen Par'(director also) and 'Ghajini'. Now Amir Khan's new project has got a different title, '3 Idiots'.

'3 Idiots' has also got successful names to project on the technical side. The team who had given films like 'Munna Bhai MBBS' & 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai', Rajkumar Hirani (director) and Vidhu Vinod Chopra (producer) join once again for this film. Abhijit Joshi who was there in the last movie is the co-script writer along with the director. '3 Idiots', distributed by Big Pictures, is adapted from a novel named 'Five Point Someone' by Chetan Bhagat.

The film tells the story of three friends, Racho (Amir Khan), Farhan (Madhavan) and Raju (Sharman Joshi) who were room mates while studying in ICE Institution, Delhi. All of them were fed up by the vigorous training there and the extra pressure and stress given by the Principal (Bomman Irani). Racho doesn't like the spoon feeding type of coaching and the style of by-hearting prevailed there. He always supported the practical knowledge and was against giving extra pressure on the students. His theory is that a student should be given the right to select his future.

Raju, who belongs to a poor family reached there to study and to get a job, so that he can fulfill his family's interests and Farhan joined the college as per his father's wish as he was not allowed to choose his ambitious way. As a companion, Racho has inspired others to choose their own way. In between he was also black marked by the principal for questioning his style and extra disciplinary methods. He meets the latter's daughter (Kareena Kapoor) in a wedding ceremony and she was soon impressed by his behavior. What happens to their college life, their friendship, their ambitions, their love, their career etc are shown in the later portions of '3 Idiots'.

The film gives a message by questioning the educational system exists in our country. The central character done by Amir Khan gives inspiration for those who are interested in practical knowledge and thus to achieve greater heights. The friendship between those three are portrayed well. The romance episode given here also felt realistic. The so called brilliant student named 'Silencer', who doesn't even know how to speak the national language is a real example we can witness in our school/college days. The humor is neatly handled by the director here. The black and white shade given for the Raju's family scenes is the best example.

All the actors have done exceptionally well, especially Amir Khan who did the central character is very athletic and lovable. His body language suits well for an engineering student. Cinematography by CK Muraleedharan, songs and bg score by Shanthanu Moitra etc also goes with the mood.

The Head of the Institution role handled by Bomman Irani had got the shades of his role from the movie 'Munna Bhai MBBS'. The scene where the pregnancy handled by the doctor through web cam felt cinematic, but it is also acceptable as we are living in the modern technical era and no body can guarantee that a movie should be 100% realistic. The coincidence thing happened in the climax area and hospital scenes are other examples.


'3 Idiots' is an entertainer made humorously in the backdrop of an educational institution and at the same time it gives a message for all ambitious people...


Rating : 9 / 10 (revised)

Ividam Swargamaanu

Medium : Malayalam
Starring : Mohanlal, Shankar, Srenivasan, Thilakan, Lalu Alex, Lakshmi Rai, Priyanka, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy
Director : Roshan Andrews
Music : Gopi Sundar

May be the young director Roshan Andrews has done two films only ('Udayanaanu Thaaram' & 'Notebook') in the last four years, it is a fact that he has proved his caliber through those two projects which were big hits. Now his new project named 'Ividam Swargamaanu' has got Mohanlal once again in the lead role. The film is produced by the actor himself under the banner of Ashirwad Cinemas. This is a family subject in which the lead actor comes in the role of a farmer and has also has got the senior actor Thilakan coming as Mohanlal's father after a long gap. James Albert has written the script after giving youthful films like 'Classmates' and 'Cycle'.

The film opens when the reporter (Priyanka) of Asia Vision channel reaches The village for a program shoot. She happens to meet Mathews (Mohanlal), who is a notable farmer in the locality. His big farm has got large amount of cattles, paddy fields, vegetable plantations etc. A crooked rich man, Chandy (Lalu Alex) who lives in the village is also engaged in real estate business; he wants to buy the land owned by Mathews. Since the owner was not willing to sell the plot, Chandy uses his political and money powers to get his wish done. At one stage the local police and the different administrative departments acted against the hero. Chandy gave a wrong impression to the villagers, telling that the proposed land is the site for a new township. How the hero fought against the land mafia group without using his physical strength is shown in a realistic way in the second half.

The film with a duration of 2.45hrs is too lengthy. As a result the first half areas is lagging. The area where the farm house of the hero is shown in detail has got a documentary effect here and there. The family portions of the hero (Thilakan, Kaviyoor Ponnamma and Sukumari) doesn't gave the true feel which was there in the films belonging to 80's and beginning 90's. Even after doing some films in malayalam, it looks like the kannada girl Lakshmi Rai now also struggles to speak the language. Shankar, who started his malayalam film career with Mohanlal, is coming here as the hero's friend, but he doesn't have much to do.

Gopi Sundar had given an excellent background score (the chorus opera piece for the father character that repeated twice should have been avoided). Diwakar's cinematography is also good. The performance of Lalu Alex and Jagathi were notable. Mohanlal has also done well.The second half areas where the revenge episode comes has been neatly handled by the director.

The story of the film is simple and good. The title of the film is also important as its theme; in that sense this title 'Ividam Swargamaanu' is not a catchy one. A stability in scripting in the first half by cut shorting the length, adding a couple of good songs and giving little more heroism to the central character should have been done here. But the film discusses certain situations that anybody should face in his real life.

Time has changed; these days the audience don't want to see realistic subjects. Even if a film like 'Varavelpu' is releasing now, it won't be a big hit as before. On the Christmas day of its release, 'Ividam Swargamaanu' ran with around 70% attendance in the capital city for the second show, the same situation happened a day before for another super star's release also...

'Ividam Swargamaanu' is a film with a realistic story, targeting family audiences. Though it lags in the beginning areas, it takes its usual pace later and is interesting towards the end.


Rating : 7.5 / 10 (revised)