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

Run Baby Run Malyalam movie review and Boxoffice collection report : Starring Mohanlal, Amala paul

If you liked Twenty20, Christian Brothers surely you gonna enjoy this movie because it is a typical Joshiy film. The script is predictable but made interesting with classic jokes and thrilling twists. Most of the twists are predictable but the skilful execution of the plot by director Joshiy makes it entertaining. It is a good Onam treat from Joshiy - Mohanlal team. The movie is an ultimate commercial combination of genres thriller and comedy.      Venu (Role played by Mohanlal) is internationally acknowledged journalist working even for Reuters. When he returns back to Kerala after a long time, he incidentally meets his former relationship partner Renuka(Role played by Amala Paul). They gets separated after a failure of a plan they works on for the initial launch of a channel by the character played by Biju Menon. They successfully sneaks and shoots a scam taking place between an industrialist played by Siddeque and a senior minister played by Sai Kumar,
  As always our lalettan has done a appreciable job. Amala paul, Biju Menon, Siddeque have done their part convincingly. Cinematographer RD Rajashekhar needs special appreciation for his work. As usual Joshiy has done full justice to the subject at hand and has delivered perfectly well.
POSITIVES :
      Mohanlal
      Cinematography
      Execution
NEGATIVES :
      Predictable script
      Usual Climax
Verdict : A watchable thriller

BOX OFFICE :

Run Baby Run was released in a total of 72 theatres all over Kerala . Apart from Kerala, the movie was released in major cities like Chennai, Mumbai, Pune and Banglore.
The critical responses and word of mouth indicates that Run Baby Run will be a blockbuster.
        Run Baby Run takes a grand opening of 90 lakhs with the support of Mohanlals huge fan following. At Angamaly Carinal cinemas, the film was housefull for all the six shows in the opening day. The film had collected approximately 3.6 Lakhs from the newly opened multiplex at Angamaly.
     2 days collection at 1.47 cr.
     5 days collection at 3.95 cr....fabulous......
     10 days distributor share is 4.25 cr of total 7.25 cr...... SUPER HIT
     12 days collection at whoooping 8.40 cr.......
     26 days collection at 13.02 Crores.... BLOCKBUSTER
     31 days collection at 13.55 Crores....huge removals will effect the collection
     33 days collection at 13.79 Crores.....running in 25 theatres
44 days collection at 14.00 Crores......
50 days collection at 14.33 crores....successfully running in 13 theatres
14.21 Crores from 54 Days.....
A movie which wasn't expected to collect more than 10 crores.
Now it had collected whooping 16.21 crores.

Thappana Malayalam Movie Review and Boxoffice Collection Report : Starring Megastar Mammootty, Charmy kaur

Review : 
            First of all let me remind you, If you wanna watch this malayalam film "Thappana", then don't go with much expectations.
    "Thappana" starts off with Samson (role played by Mammootty) and Mallika (role played by Charmy) released from the jail. Samson is a local criminal and jail term is not new for him, On the other side Mallika is sentenced to prison for killing a man to save her own husband. After the jail term, Samson develops some soft corner for
Mallika. Some strange incidents led Samson to escort Mallika to her home safely.
    Thappana has a simple story. The first half of the movie is interesting and simple with perfect take off ,logical humour, a beautiful song namely 'Oorum Perum' and fine performance from our megastar mammookka. The second half of  Thappana is as well enjoyable with some extremely beautiful shots of karippa village, some laugh-out-loud comedy sequences and an ordinary climax. I am sure that film won't disappoint you and will be liked by family viewers.
          It is good news for Mammootty Fans that Thappana has received the best word of mouth for any Mammootty film over the past 18 months.

POSITIVES :

          Mammootty
          Comedy sequences
          Cast performance
          Song
NEGATIVES :

          Script
          Predictable Climax - not bad at all
          Old wine in new kuppi

BOXOFFICE :

   Released in 77 theatres in kerala and the first day collection is 70 lacks which is above average opening. Thappana has managed a better public opinion which will help in its long run.
     The film is heading towards 3.5 Crore in the opening week with a distributor share of 1.6 cr.
Its known that there had been only 3 removals after 2 weeks run which is highly encouraging.
    Grossed exactly 3.48 crores from 8 days.Thappana is slowly picking up its collection.
        Thappana is getting steady collections in its second week. Trending looks like the film will ends Mammootty’s long wait for a solid hit.
      5.15 crores from 15 days.
      5.77 crores from 22 days..... RBR effect in collection ;)
      Final collection is figured to be around 7.50 crores. Producer Milan Jaleel himself has stated Thappana as a safe venture and a hit. But Thappana didnt perform in BO as expected.