Chanthupottu (2005) : A Controversy

                           Chanthupottu is a Malayalam movie directed by Lal Jose and released in 2005. It tells the story of Radhakrishnan, a man who was brought up by his grandmother as a girl and the social stigma he faces due to his mannerisms and his transformation into the traditional masculine hero beating up a bunch of people at a go..

The movie has become  a matter of discussion in the recent times in the social media. A movie released 15 years ago invoking discussions and analysis right now by itself shows the influence and the success it had made in the industry at the time of its release. The discussions surrounding it show Malayali (local community of Kerala) audiences' drastic change in thought processes and evaluation of movies as a medium of entertainment and also as a medium for propagation of strong ideas which evidently reflects in the changed formula of success of movies. It is safe to say Malayalam film industry can be regarded at high standards when compared to the Bollywood industry in this aspect. Kudos to the demanding local audience of the state.

Lets get down to the discussion

                                  The criticizers of the movie emphasize on the negative impression it can make in a viewer's mind on their approach towards LGBT community and to an extent, it has. The name 'Chanthupottu' has entered into Malayalam colloquial dictionary and since then it had been used to refer (or rather tease) to men with a feminine character or transgenders in general.

                                 The movie was a huge commercial success in 2005 running for over 125 days. It shows how the mindset of the majority audience was back then, who viewed Cinema as a means of pure entertainment without considering their political implications in the society. This meant that the society itself didn't care much about the feelings (might have cared but had never been voiced out loud) and the social status of transgenders or LGBT community as a whole back then. 

                                The Director of the movie, Lal Jose, had responded to the negative comments saying he had not committed any  mistakes and would stand by his work. He also retaliated saying such comments are an intrusion into his right to freedom of expression.

                                On the same note, the scriptwriter, Benny P. Nayarambalam, in an interview stated that he was still sad about how some communities perceived the movie and its subject. He also noted he never meant to target or hurt the feelings of any community intentionally.

                               Though it was bold of the Director (and the actor too) to portray such a never-before-seen protagonist in a movie, he failed to address the real problems of the people the protagonist represents. Rather, he had drawn out a caricature out of them, which itself, is an art. The movie didn't catalyze a perception of transgenders as a joke as such, it probably just marketed on the already existing mindset of the people. The director being from the same society might have created the movie intentionally to capitalize at the sake of the above said mindset of the people or might have never really understood the political implications of the same (which is very unlikely with a Director of his caliber and knowledge). 

                               The protagonist of the movie Radhakrishnan played by versatile actor Dileep is biologically a man with feminine mannerisms. Opening act of the movie show his birth and childhood. Being brought up by a woman might have led to his feminine mannerisms and he not really a transgender. This fact, to some extend justifies the director's take on the character and the journey of his life in the movie. The final act in which the character caves into the society's expectation from him and transform into the 'masculine' hero does send a wrong message. Ultimately, the movie is a product of deep seated patriarch-ism and a social stigma towards the LGBT community. 

Are the filmmakers really the culprit here? Is it the audience they address? or the society they live in?

                             15 years later, Chanthupottu is still being discussed on social media based on feminist ideas and concerns of the LGBT community. The fact that a movie such as this might not be a commercial success right now is definitely an indicator of how the thought processes and perceptive of the audience and society as a whole has changed towards such controversial issues. The reflection of this can be seen in movies like Super Deluxe, Moothon etc. 

Hoping for even more such Indian movies focused on liberation and empowerment of LGBT community.

Cheers!!!

Comment down your thoughts

Kammath and Kammath Malayalam Movie Review and Box Office Collection Report

  Featuring Mammootty and Dileep in the lead, 'Kammath and Kammath' is second directional venture of Thomson K. Thomas. Scripted by Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas duo, the film has Karthika Nair, Rima Kallingal , Baburaj and Narain in supporting roles. Danush appears as himself in the film for a cameo role.

PLOT :

        The film tells the story of Kammath brothers - Raja Raja Kammath ( role played by Mammootty) and Deva Raja Kammath (role played by Dileep) - who runs a chain of restaurant all over kerala. They opens a new branch in palakkad and the story develops narrating the problems they face in palakkad. There they meet Mahalakshmi (role played by Rima Kalingal), the municipal commissioner in palakkad and Sree Rekha (role played by Kartika Nair), her sister. Babxuuraj plays a full length role as driver gopi.

REVIEW :

      The film was expected to be yet another 'Pokkiri Raja' with mass introductions, songs, comedy sequences and action. But the director Thomson should have taken some better tips from Vyshakh. Thomson wasn't successful enough in exploiting Mammootty's talent and mass appeal. 
          Mammootty has nothing much to do in the script. Dileep is a big saving factor for the film. He is comfortable in his role and a grace to watch. Surprisingly, Baburaj appeared in a mass image this time with sound action and punch comedies. Most of the time Mammootty was seated on his car while Baburaj does all the stunts for him. Female leads, Rima Kallingal and Karthika Nair has lengthy roles to do. Rima has done convincingly but Karthika seemed to be over expressive. Narain was good in his short appearance.
      The storyline of the movie was the biggest let down which is hollow without any depth or imagination. The first half seems good with a decent twist at the interval. The second half takes off generating few laughs but soon the movie nosedives.
       The songs are hummable and my pick is 'Dosa song'. Visuals by Anil Nair suits the mood of the film. The background score of the film was impressive as well. The direction could have been better with many nuisance scenes trimmed out. Editing is good in the first half but lets down in the second half.

POSITIVES :                                                                 NEGATIVES :
- Mammootty - Dileep combo                                        - Storyline
- Baburaj                                                                       - Narain - Karthika combination song
- Action sequences                                                        - Second half
- Background music

BOXOFFICE :
 Kammath and Kammath was released in 96 theatres in kerala and in around 60 theatres rest of kerala.
The film whose satellite rights was sold for record price has already been a huge crowd puller.
The movie is receiving massive response with the initial day collection figured to be 1.5 Crores.
Reportedly, the film has collected around 3 Crores from it's two day run itself.
3 days collection of Kammath and Kammath has reached 4.47 Crores.
The movie has acquired a gross collection of 8.7 Crores in it's two week run. The movie is already a profitable venture for the producers.
17 days collection is figured to be 9.57 crores. The movie is likely to hit the 10 crore mark due to less competition in the box office.
New releases including celluloid has affected Kammath and Kammath adversely. However, KnK has become the first movie in 2013 to touch the 10 crore (30 days) mark.
10.28 Crores collection in 38 days theatrical run.
The final gross of Kammath and Kammath all over india is figured out to be 10.45 Crores.

My Boss Malayalam Movie Review and Boxoffice Collection Report

PLOT :

                Dileep plays the role of a young IT professional, Manu Varma. He is appointed as an executive assistant to Priya (Mamta Mohandas) in Mumbai. The film tells the story of the conflict between the boss and her subordinate. Dileep who is brought up in kerala, mainly aims to work abroad. Whereas Mamta, an Australian citizen dreams of leading a normal life in kerala. The conflict between them is mainly due to varied cultural backgrounds.
Priya is bold and abuses her subordinates for even a slightest mistake. She gets into trouble when some visa problems arises. She seeks help of Manu and asks him to act as her husband. Both of them moves to kerala. As the story proceeds, there are some usual comic situations and with some predictable twists and turns.


REVIEW :

           First of all, let me say that it is pakka blatant copy of the Hollywood movie 'The Proposal' (2009) starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. At times, the film also reminded me of Priyadarshan-Mohanlal team's Chithram.
         This movie is entirely different from 'Mayamohini' or 'Mummy & Me'. The main positive side of the movie is Janapriyanayakan Dileep himself. As usual he makes us laugh with his one-liners, expressions, movements and steals the show entirety. To an extent Mamta did justice to her role, but at some parts she seems lost especially during emotional scenes. Sai Kumar and Mukesh also needs special mentioning for their roles.
          Cinematographer Anil Nair has done an appreciable job. Jithu Joseph with a neat direction and with the help of an appreciable script, My Boss can be stated as a decent entertainer.


BOXOFFICE :

Initial reports shows that My Boss is gonna have a decent business in the Boxoffice. Dileep proves again with 'My Boss' that he is Janapriyanayakan. My Boss is receiving highly encouraging word of mouth from all around.
2 days collection is estimated to be 1.04 crores.
5 days collection is estimated to be 2.40 crores (1400 theatrical shows).
14 days collection is estimated to be 4.7 crores.
19 days collection is estimated to be 6.30 crores.
30 days collection is estimated to be 10.38 crores.. Another superhit for Dileep in 2012
My Boss is second blockbuster for Dileep in 2012. My Boss which is nearing its 50 days run has collected around 12 Crores with 9000 number of shows. It still holds up in 15 theaters even after 4 Christmas releases which includes 2 superstar releases.
The total number of shows has reached 9,500. My Boss is one among the highest grossers of 2012.