Kaazhcha
Kaazcha is a 2004 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by Blessy, in his directorial debut. The story revolves around the boy Pavan (Yash) who reaches Kerala after he loses everything in the 2001 Gujarat earthquake. Film projectionist Madhavan (Mammootty) happens to meet the boy and takes him with him. The movie was reported to be inspired by the 1986 Iranian film Bashu, the Little Stranger.[1]
Kazhcha | |
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VCD Cover | |
Directed by | Blessy |
Produced by | Noushad Xavy Mano Mathew |
Written by | Blessy |
Starring | Mammootty Padmapriya Janakiraman Yash Innocent Sanusha Venu Nagavalli Manoj K. Jayan |
Music by | Mohan Sithara |
Cinematography | Alagappan N |
Edited by | Raja Mohammad |
Production company | NX Visual Entertainment |
Distributed by | Liberty Cinemas |
Release date | 27 August 2004 |
Running time | 137 minutes |
Country | India |
Language | Malayalam |
Plot
Madhavan (Mammootty), a simple village man who in childhood got bitten by the film bug, threw up his studies and finally ends up as projectionist Madhavan, who tours the countryside with his 16 mm projector and shows films at temple festivals and other public functions. Madhavan's family consist of his wife (Padmapriya) and a daughter (Sanusha). (Innocent) enacts the role of a priest. Madhavan comes across a six-year-old boy (Yash) who is displaced from his native Gujarat and separated from his family after the devastating earthquake. This boy was taken into a gang of beggars from where he manages to escape. Madhavan takes the boy home and cares for him, just like a son. He and his Family takes a fondness for the boy, later finding out that legally he cannot adopt the boy. The boy is taken away from Madhavan to a juvenile home and allegations of ill treatment is charged on Madhavan, but soon dismissed. The issue gets media coverage. Madhavan then goes to Gujarat with the boy in hopes of finding his family or adopting him. At the disaster camp in Gujarat Madhavan understands that the boys relatives are all most probably dead but due to legal hurdles, the boy must stay on in the hope that his real parents might be traced. Madhavan dejected has to return to his family in Kerala.
Cast
- Mammootty as Madhavan
- Padmapriya Janakiraman as Lakshmi (Voice Dubbed By Bhagalekshmi)
- Master Yash as Pavan aka Kochundapri
- Sanusha as Ambily
- Manoj K. Jayan as Joy
- Innocent as Fr. Kuriakose
- Augustine as Suresh
- Venu Nagavalli as Magistrate
- Hakim Rawther as man at film club society
- T. S. Raju as Police Officer
- Nedumburam Gopi as Madhavan's father
- Pala Aravindan as Mathai mapla-Film Distributor
- Binda as Old mans' daughter
- Vyjayanthi as Sreelatha Menon
Notes
- Initially, actor Vikram had been considered to play the lead role, who was later replaced by Mammootty.[2]
- The film marked the debut of Blessy as an independent director, and Padmapriya as actress. It was also the debut of Ranjith Ambady, who was an assistant of Pattanam Rasheed.[3]
Critical reception
Sify gave a verdict "Excellent" saying "The biggest asset of Kazhcha is the story and screenplay by Blessy, (an associate of Lohithadas) which is perfect. Another plus point of the film is the racy way in which the director has been able to tell the story with right mix of comedy and sentiments woven into the plot." The critic praised Mammootty for his "perfect comedy timing", also saying "Mammooty is the heart and soul of the film and he has proved once again that no actor can match up to him in such roles."[4]
Soundtrack
All lyrics are written by Kaithapram Damodaran; all music is composed by Mohan Sithara.
No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Jugunure" | Anwar Sadat | |
2. | "Kunje Ninakku Vendi" | K. J. Yesudas | |
3. | "Dup Dup Janaki" | ||
4. | "Kuttanadan" | Madhu Balakrishnan, Kalabhavan Mani | |
5. | "Kunje Ninakku Vendi" | Asha Madhu |
Awards
The film won 5 Kerala State Film Awards for the year 2004. These are:
- Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular appeal & Aesthetic quality – Kaazhcha
- Kerala State Film Award for Best Debutant Director -Blessy
- Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor – Mammootty
- Kerala State Film Award for Best Child artist – Baby Sanusha& Master Yash
The film won three Filmfare Awards South for the year 2004. These are
The film won five Asianet Film Awards for the year 2004. These are
- Best Film – Kaazhcha
- Best Actor – Mammootty
- Best New Face of The Year (Female) – Padmapriya
- Best Child artist – Master Yash
- Best Cameraman - Azhagappan[5]
References
- "Row over Kerala State Films Award". The Times of India. 10 January 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
- Aswini (14 November 2015). "കാഴ്ച മമ്മൂട്ടി കൊണ്ടുപോയി ആടുജീവിതം പൃഥ്വിയും; എന്തുകൊണ്ട് വിക്രമിനെ മാറ്റി, ബ്ലെസി പറയുന്നു". Filmibeat.com. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
- Raisun Mathew, Jomon Jose (12 December 2015). "Ranjith Bags Three Kerala State Awards". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
- Moviebuzz. "Kazhcha". Sify. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- "Kazhcha bags Asianet award for best film". The Hindu. 19 March 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2015.