29 January, 2010

Dhrona 2010 Movie Review


Drona ,the most awaiting movie of Superstar Mammootty. The movie just average and its stories is not acceptable.It has to be accepted that Drona is one of the best attempts by Shaji Kailas in recent times. This is unlikely to work in the film's favor though, because the last few of his cinematic outings have been anything but comparable. But the director who had flashed those sparks of brilliance some years back, and who had since disappeared into the shadows is out again in Drona. The film accentuates that all is not lost and the man still has got it in him.

What is it then, that works against this film? It is a real slow starter for one, and it's quite some time before things get gripping. Even then, the kicks that it delivers are not strong enough, and there is always a sense of something seriously lacking throughout. Soon it becomes pretty evident that what is missing is a passion that sometimes makes even the most mediocre of works appear outstanding.

When it comes to the account, there are some grave lapses in continuity that absolutely flusters the viewers. The flashbacks are in abundance and are arranged in a slapdash style, and with the present and past continually intertwining, the logical string that binds them all together eventually gets severed.

Singly though, the past almost appears out of the world in Drona, and Shaji has crafted the scenes with elegance. Thankfully those technical ploys that had almost become a trademark in his films are kept to the minimum here. Ekambaram's camera slithers around like a snake, never letting spookiness out of sight. And of course Don Maax too, who with his slick editing ensures that murder and mayhem could look modish as well.

A K Sajan juggles between a gory tale of revenge and a mystic story that brims over with vedic chants and black magic. It's here that the film loses its grip; there are too many of those crooks and their henchmen to tackle and a screaming ghost to boot. It appears a bit overblown after a while, even as the script goes on with its sermons on Vastu and the mantras and the divine laws of justice. Ultimately Drona is neither the horror caper that it seeks to be nor the action thriller that sends those flickers of excitement flying. The story fails, and massively so.

There is simply no beating Mammootty as Pattazhi Madhavan; garbed in saffron dhotis and long flowing kurtas with solid Rudraksha beads strung around his neck, this strapping sage has the might to burn you down with an intense gaze. Clout is not all about muscles, the actor reiterates.

There are equally competent thespians on the other side as well; Thilakan and Manoj K Jayan match up the lead actor's performance with impressive feats of their own. And last but very certainly not the least, Dhanya Mary Varghese in a special cameo turns out to be the most gorgeous blood thirsty spirit to have roamed around on screen.

Whether you like Drona or not depends a lot on what you look forward to, on your thriller night-out. The film sags down to tedium by the final reel, and by then its too late for a reversal of its (mis)fortunes. Most of the errors that it commits are fatal, and most of its flaws terminal.

28 January, 2010

Audio launch of Yugapurushan


Audio launch function of ‘Yugapurushan’- the biographic movie about Sree Narayana Guru, was held at Dreams hotel in Kochi on Saturday. Audio was released by Mammootty by giving the first copy to Mohanlal. The multi-starred event was inaugurated by Mrs. Preethi Nateshan, wife of SNDP general secretary Sri.Vellappalli Natesan.Producer A.V.Anoop ,Biju Menon, Thalaivasal Vijay and Director Joshi were also present with the cast and crew of the movie.. ‘Yugapurushan’ is directed by Mr.R Sukumar.‘Yugapurushan’ has six songs composed by Mohan Sitara. Songs are written by Kaithapram. The film will release in theaters on 5th Feb under the banner of A V A productions.

24 January, 2010

Mammootty's new film Ganapathi


It was earlier reported that Megastar Mammootty will act in the new movie by Akku Akbar, which will be scripted by Reji Nair. That film was titled as Thappana and was one of the well expected film by the Malayalam film lovers. Unfortunately that film won't work since the director was not happy with the script.

The latest to hear is that the same script by Reji Nair will be directed by the family director, V M Vinu with Mammootty in the main lead. This new film is titled as Ganapathi, and Mammootty will be playing the role of a mahout in this new film. Mammootty is well impressed with the script that he showed interest in starting the film as early as possible.

The rest of the cast for this film is yet to be finalized and this new Malayalam film will be produced by Kala Nair, under the banner of Omkar Nedumbulli Production.

23 January, 2010

First Look: Mammootty in Pramani

This Vishu will see Mammootty in Pramani as Viswanatha Panicker, a corrupt panchayat president of Thazheppadam village.

The Malayalam film is written and directed by B Unnikrishnan. Shooting is currently underway at various locations in Kochi and Alappuzha.

Sneha plays the heroine in Pramani. Her role is that of Janaki, the panchayat secretary who exposes the corruption. Sneha has earlier played Mammootty's heroine in the hit film, Thuruppugulan. She is also the heroine in Vandematharam, which will also star Arjun as the other hero besides Mammootty. Siddique, Suresh Krishna, Fahadh, Janaradhanan and Kaviyoor Ponnamma include the rest of the cast.

Pramani is being produced by B C Joshi under the banner of Soorya Cinema.

The crew consists of camera man Shyamdutt, lyricist Girish Puthanchery and music composer M Jayachandran.

22 January, 2010

Mammootty to get Lifetime Achievement award


Veteran actor Mammootty has been named for the 'Lifetime Achievement' award for his all-round contribution to the Malayalam film industry by Malabar Chamber of Commerce.

The award was announced on the occasion of the Chamber celebrating its 80th anniversary. However, the date and day on which the awards would be presented were not announced. The MCC that came into being in 1929, presently has 1500 members and has an association of another 5000 through 50 odd affiliated organizations of traders and industrialists.

21 January, 2010

Blessy’s story for Mammootty!


Blessy who has directed some of the finest films in Malayalam with Mammootty, has now written a story for the megastar.

Blessy who last worked with Mammootty in Palunku has now written the story of his new film Kayam, which will be scripted by debutant Viju Ramachandran and directed by Sebastin who directed the star in Maya Bazaar

Mammootty agreed to do this realistic film after reading Blessy’s story about a man who was working in Dubai, had to come back to Kerala after recession set in the gulf. Back home he has to look after his two daughters who are going to a convent school and has to complete the work on his unfinished house.

In a nutshell, Blessy wants to show the plight of Lakhs of Malayalee workers who have been left high and dry by the economic turmoil in the gulf. The shoot of Kayam will start once Mammootty completes Pramani and Pokkiri Raja.

20 January, 2010

Drona release postponed!


Mammootty starred movie Drona was slated to get released on January 21 but now the releasing i postponed to 27. Mammootty appears in a different outlook in the movie. Apart from mammootty, the film cast Kaniha, Navya Nair, Manoj K Jayan, Thilakan, Vijayakumar etc.

The film is directed by Shaji Kailas. The film is produced by M Mani on the banner of his Aroma Movies International

19 January, 2010

Mammootty starts shooting ‘Pokkiri Raja’


Mammootty and Prithviraj's second film together ‘Pokkiri Raja’ will kick off its shoot at Pollachi today. The movie will have both of the stars as brothers. Scripted by Udhay Krishna-Sibi K Thomas, the movie will have Shriya Saran for the first time in Malayalam. The songs written by Kaithapram and set to music by Jassie Gift for the movie are said to be potential hits.

Mammootty earlier did a guest role in the Prithviraj movie ‘One Way Ticket’, that didn't fare well at the Box Office.

18 January, 2010

DRONA 2010 [Theatre List]


1.Tvm -- Kripa

2.Tvm - Kairali

3.Ernakulam--Shenoyees

3.Calicut--Kairali

4.Calicut - Sree

5.Kottayam- Abhilash

6.Kollam--Kumar

7.Attingal--Ganga

8.Thrissur--Kairali

9.Thrissur - Sree

10.Palakkad--Priya Complex

11.Changanasser--Abhinaya

12.Kannur--Sagara complex

13.Mavelikkara--SANTOSH

14.Pala--Maharani complex

15.Moovattupuzha--Vettukattil

16.Perumbavoor--EVM

17.Aluva--Matha

18.Aluva - Madhurya

19.Guruvayoor--Jayasree

20.Aleppy--Seethas

21.Thodupuzha--Aiswarya

22.Kothamangalam--Ann

23.Kothamangalam - Jawahar

24.Kodunagalloor--Sree kaleeswari

25.Payyanoor--Archana

26.Mapranam--Varna

27.Vatakara--Mudra

28.Thalasseri--Chithravani

29.Kanjani--Simla

30.Kanjan - Brahmakulam

31.Chalakkudi--Agasthya

32.Chalakkudi - Akkara

33.Shornur--Melam

34.Perinthalmanna--Sangeetha

35.Kattappana--Aiswarya

36.Nilamboor--Jyothi

37.Nedumangadu--Surya

38.Varkala--S.R

39.Pathanamthitta--Anurag

40.Anchal--Archana

41.Kasargod--Mehboob complex

42.Mannarkkad--New prathibha

43.Kanjangadu--Vinayaka complex

44.Thalasseri--Liberty complex

45.Manjeri--Devaki

46.Tirur--Chithrasagar

14 January, 2010

Mammootty to be 'Kaduvakkunnil Kuruvachan'


Mammootty would work with action director Ranji Panicker for a film entitled 'Kaduvakkunnil Kuruvachan'.

Mammootty plays a Christian planter in the film, that marks the coming together of the actor and director after the super hit 'Roudram'.

The new film is rumoredly a revenge drama on the lines of 'Lelam'. The heroine and the supporting cast of the film are yet to be finalised.

The shooting of 'Kaduvakkunnil Kuruvachan' is expected to start in August, and the film would be Mammootty's Christmas release.

13 January, 2010

Mammootty's Drona on Jan 21


Mammootty’s first release of 2010, Drona will release on the 21st of this month. The film, directed by Shaji Kailas, stars Mammootty in a different kind of a role opposite actresses Navya Nair and Kaniha.

The supernatural thriller film will release in 100 centres all over the state. The year 2009 was a successful year for Mammootty and he is hoping the same thing to happen this year too. Drona is a much awaited movie by his fans and other audience.

12 January, 2010

Star of all stars


In a ceremony steeped in tradition, the University of Kerala presented the honorary degree of Doctor of letters (D.Litt) to noted film maker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, actor Mammootty and Mridangam maestro Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman at a special convocation held here on Monday.

The citation of Mr. Mammootty noted him as the star of all stars. Tracing the range of the characters he had portrayed through films, from Ponthanmada to B. R. Ambedkar, it likened his screen presence to that of Hindi filmstar Dileepkumar. The citation also noted that Mr. Mammootty was a former student of the university.

MAMMOOTTY GETS EMOTIONAL



The Malayalam film star Mammootty was recently honored with the doctorate degree. Speaking about this new honor, the actor recalled that his father advised him to opt for the science group during his school days so that he could take up medicine as a profession. However, fate had something else in store for Mammootty and the dream was never realized.

The actor, during his acceptance speech at the university, said that his father’s wish had come true today and he dedicated the doctorate in honor of his late father.

11 January, 2010

Amrita Film Awards 2010 – Results


Best Actor – Mammootty

Best Actress – Kavya madhavan

Best Director – Ranjith

Janapriya Nayakan – Jayaram (BhagyaDevatha)

Special Award – Paleri Manikyam

Best Villan – Lalu Alex (Ividom Swargamanu)

Best Comedian – Suraj

Best Lyrist – O.N.V. (Pazhassiraja)

Music Director – Vidyasagar (Neelathamara)

Best Male Singer – Jayachandran (Loud Speaker)

Best Female Singer Female – Shwetha Mohan

Script – Jayraj (Loud Speaker)

Thara Jodi – Jayasurya – Bhama (Ivar Vivahitharayal)

New Face Director – Saji Surendran (Ivar Vivahitharayal)

Supporting Actor – Manoj.K.Jayan (Pazhassiraja)

Supporting Actress – Padma Priya (Pazhassiraja)

04 January, 2010

Mammootty bag Asianet film awards


Malayalam superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal reigned supreme at the popular Ujala-Asianet Malayalam film awards 2009 announced here Sunday. While Mammootty bagged the ‘Millennium actor award’, Mohanlal was named best actor for his role in “Ividam Swargamanu”.
Mammootty had more reason to cheer as his blockbuster movie “Pazhassi Raja” was adjudged as the best film. Renjith was named best director for “Paleri Manickam”, which also stars Mammootty.

The names of the awardees were announced Sunday by Asianet Television officials. The award ceremony will be held here Jan 18.

Kavya Madhavan was selected as the best actress for her role in “Banares” while Prithviraj was chosen as the Youth Icon for the year.

02 January, 2010

Mammootty as ‘John, Jaffer, Janardhanan’


Mollywood superstar Mammootty is now getting a chance to play the lead in ‘John, Jaffer Janardhanan’. Named after the big multistarrer hit of the eighties, this movie will be directed by actor Jagadheesh, who is debuting to call the shots with this movie. Mammootty will play the three different faces of the same character in this movie. To be scripted by Jagadheesh, the dialogues of the movie will be penned by Krishna Poojappura. ’John, Jafer, Janardhanan’ is expected to kick off its shoot by the mid of May.

01 January, 2010

Mammootty re-elected Kairali TV chief


Malayalam super star Mammootty has been re-elected chairman of Malayalam Communications Limited, which operates a bouquet of channels under the flagship Kairali TV, during the annual general meeting of the company held in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. John Brittas was also re-elected as the managing director of the channel.

The meeting announced 5% dividend for 2008-09. This is the first time since its formation that Kairali TV is announcing a dividend. The company, riding on a 36% increase in revenue over the previous year, logged a total turnover of Rs. 47.86 crores during 2008-09. The revenue during 2007-08 was Rs. 35.21 crores.

Mammootty said that the company, which had launched two channels ‘People’ and ‘We’, had already acquired satellite space for a fourth channel and would launch the channels as early as possible. John Brittas said that from January 1, Kairali TV would switch over to non-linear post production and server-based telecast of programmes.