Pathemari

Pathemari

Film poster
Directed by Salim Ahamed
Produced by Salim Ahamed
Adv. Hashik TK
TP Sudheesh
Written by Salim Ahamed
Starring Mammootty
Jewel Mary
Sreenivasan
Siddique
Salim Kumar
Shaheen Siddique
Music by Bijibal
Cinematography Madhu Ambat
Edited by Vijay Shankar
Production
company
Allens Media
Distributed by Eros International
Release dates
  • 9 October 2015 (2015-10-09)
Running time
 118 minutes
Country India
Language Malayalam

Pathemari (English: Dhow) is a 2015 Indian Malayalam-language period drama film written and directed by Salim Ahamed and starring Mammootty in the lead role, with a supporting cast that includes Jewel Mary, Siddique, Sreenivasan, Salim Kumar, Shaheen Siddique, Viji Chandrasekhar, and Joy Mathew. The plot follows the life of Pallikkal Narayanan (Mammootty) who migrated to the Middle-East in the early 1960s, when the Kerala Gulf boom was just beginning.[1][2][3]

Resul Pookutty handles the sound recording, while music is composed by Bijibal and cinematography is done by Madhu Ambat. The principal photography began in October 2014.[4] The film was shot in Kerala and Middle East.[3] Distributed by Eros International, Pathemari released on 9 October 2015 to both critical and commercial success.[5][6][7] Pathemari was selected for the Indiwood Panorama Competition section at the 2nd edition of Indiwood Carnival 2016 in Hyderabad.[8]

Plot

The film begins with a young Narayanan (Mammootty) and Moideen ( Sreenivasan) along with a group of men travelling by Dhow for Dubai to lead a better life. Launchi Velayudhan (Siddique) is responsible for shifting of the young men to the Gulf illegally through the sea route. In Dubai both Narayanan and Moideen work as construction labourers. They reside along with other labourers. They sacrifice their happiness and work very hard to earn money.

Narayanan visits his home regularly and gifts his family and friends with imported items. During one of his visits Narayanan informs his wife that he would not return to Dubai and would settle in Kerala & earn money by starting a business. However Narayanan realises that his family values money more than him and his wife is also conscious of losing her social image of being a "dubai man's wife". Finally Narayanan returns to Dubai.

In the meanwhile, Chandraettan 's daughter is not getting married since she has no money or property in her name. Chandraettan offers Narayanan a land of 8 cents and in turn asks him to transfer his share of the property house to Chandraettan's daughter. Chandraettan is of the opinion that since Narayanan is rich he can build a plush house for himself. Narayan happily obliges for the same. After few months Chandraettan again informs Narayanan that his son in law would like to rent the house to earn extra income. Narayanan is upset since in the same house his wife and children reside. Narayan informs that he would pay monthly rent to Chandraettan's son in law.

Years pass by and Narayanan's children are now young adults. Even his children are only interested in Narayanan's money and not concerned about him.

Finally one day Narayanan passes away and his dead body is flown to Kerala. After the last rituals are performed the family see a TV interview of Narayanan. Narayanan informs that he is the most successful person since because of him, his family is happy and not hungry. He never informed his family of the various hardships faced by him and he never felt tired working hard since he was earning for his family. He is satisfied when the people smile and if he is responsible for their happiness.Narayan's last wish is to be again be reborn as Narayanan and have the same family and friends & make them happy.

Cast

Production

In November 2013, Salim Ahamed announced that he will be directing a film that deals with the Gulf and various aspects of it. And it will star Mammootty in the lead, in his second collaboration with Ahmed after Kunjananthante Kada (2013). Madhu Ambat was reported to handle the cinematography with the sound recording done by Resul Pookutty.[9] It was in 2013 that Ahamed narrated the story before Mammootty. He expressed the interest, and the total screenplay was finished in a homework of span one year.[10]

In September 2014, Jewel Mary a television anchor was cast as heroine, in her feature film debut as Nalini, while Mammootty's character was revealed to be named Pallickal Narayanan. Sreenivasan was also confirmed to play the role of Moidheen, while Siddique, Salim Kuni, Joy Mathew and Yavanika Gopalakrishnan were signed for other prominent roles.[11] Actress Viji Chandrasekhar was confirmed to play protagonist's mother.[12] Salim Ahamed had earlier denied the rumours that Suresh Gopi and Manju Warrier would be part of the cast.[13]

Filming and post-production

Principal photography of the film commenced in October 2014[4] and was completed by April 2015, in three schedules in and around Khorfakhan, Fujaira, Dubai, Chettuva, Nattika, Thriprayar and Bepur.[3][14] In March third week, Mammootty joined with the crew for a five-day schedule of filming in UAE, which was mainly held in Bur Dubai, Jumeirah and Rola Square in Sharjah.[15] Jyothish Shankar designed the art for the film, collaborating with the director third time. The ninenty percent of the scenes in Pathemari are sets, according to Jyothish. The set for Mumbai Airport of 1980 was erected at the parking area of Greater Cochin Development Authority Building in Marine Drive, Kochi. Every scenes taking place abroad except the outdoors were shot in Eranakulam. The Khader Hotel where the expatriates were used to lend food was also erected at a studio in Kochi. The house was erected at Thriprayar. The scenes in the sloop were shot adopting a water-craft from Beypore.[16] It was during the shoot of Kunjananthante Kada that Resul Pookutty, the Academy Award winning sound designer, was roped in the project by Salim Ahamed. For the film, sounds of air conditioners, traffic and its changing over the time in the Gulf were used by Resul in order to portray the development and transformation of the surroundings there. He says that he did the sound design in such a way same as that of the images are arranged in the film, that "the past is represented colourfully and the present is monochromatic." It was real sounds that used for the scene in which the protagonist’s first voyage aboard a sloop is featured. Resul used the 'gurgling sound of water' on the background for the scene, which, he says, the director had said "was spot on as it conveyed the loneliness and entrapment of the voyagers beautifully." It was only three changes that the director needed to suggest to Resul in the final track of the sounds designed for the film.[17]

Marketing

The production team released a making video of the film which features the creation of the 'storm' that appeared in a prominent scene in the film, where a group of youngsters are migrating illeagally to Middle East by crossing the sea on a sloop and are facing severe difficulties. The video, also featuring the VFX used for the scene, was uploaded by Mammootty on his official Facebook page on 27 October, which IB Times said "has gone viral, with more than 51,000 social media users watching it at the time of reporting."[18][19] In an event organised by World Malayali Council, some emigrants who have gone to Gulf during the 1960s period aboard the dhows were honoured by the makers of the film.[20]

Soundtrack

Pathemari
Soundtrack album Pathemari by Bijibal
Released 14 September 2015
Genre Film soundtrack
Language Malayalam
Label Eros Music
Producer Bijibal
Bijibal chronology
My God
(2015)		 Pathemari
(2015)		 Rani padmini
(2015)

Bijibal composed the score and tracks for the film with lyrics written by Rafeeq Ahamed. The songs were sung by Hariharan, Shahabaz Aman and Jyotsna Radhakrishnan. The music was released by Eros Music on 14 September 2015.[21][22] On 18 September, the first video song "Padiyirangunnu" was released.[23] The Hindu included the song "Padiyirangunnu" in their weekend top-five and commented: "Bijibal makes the phenomenally appropriate decision to rope in Hariharan to sing this incredibly soulful melody. It seems — given it evokes strong memories of Karnan’s ‘Ullathil Nalla Ullam’ — to be set to Chakravakam raga. The result is sheer magic, since the mellow tune goes really well with Hariharan’s deep, sonorous voice."[24]

For the audio launch, 15 Gulf expatriates from Kerala during the Gulf boom were specially invited.[25]

No. Title Singer Length
1 "Padiyirangunnu" Hariharan 3.40
2 "Pathemari" Shahabaz Aman 4.11
3 "Ithu Paro Swargamo" Jyotsna Radhakrishnan 3.11

Release

After several postponments, on 9 October 2015, the film was released in 64 centers in Kerala.[26][27] The distribution rights were acquired by Eros International, marking their second venture in Malayalam after Life of Josutty.[5] The film's premiere in Qatar was held at an event organised by Qubis Events in Doha, during which Malayali emigrants who have been in Qatar for decades were honoured.[28] As part of the 100 days celebration, "Pathemari" was re-released in more than 10 theatres in Kerala on 8 January.[29]

Plagiarism allegations

A UAE based NRI Moidutty filed a complaint in the Additional Sessions Court, Eranakulam against the release of the film, stating that the director Salim Ahmed plagiarised his story titled 'Swapnageham'.[30][31] In July 2015, the release of the film was stayed by the Ernakulam Additional Sessions Court.[30] Salim Ahamed reacted to the allegation saying "It is said to be that about three people have come up with similar claims, one from Irikkur, Kannur and another one who has conducted a press conference about it in Muscat." The director also pointed out that his debut film Adaminte Makan Abu had also faced similar allegations, but it died down when the movie was released. "Pathemari will be felt for each NRI malayalis as their own story, but it is not about a single individual. We will try to solve the plagiarism issue legally," said Salim.[30] Later in an interview Salim Ahamed furthermore clarified the issue said: "Upon reading the story for clarification, I could see that the accuser's own work is a plagiarized tale based on the story titled Swapnangalil Ninnu Swapnangalilekku Oru Kabir, written by T V Kochubava, decades ago. As we pointed it out, the court happened to check it and the observation was included in the final verdict, which was in our favour. We are continuing with the case as false allegations were made." [32]

Reception

The film received positive reviews.[6] It was reported that the film was among the five films shortlisted for India's submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, by the jury headed by Amol Palekar. Citing film director and jury member K. Madhu, Malayala Manorama reported that the film missed the submission to the Marathi film Court in the final round.[33] However, Salim Ahamed talked about the news in an interview with The Times of India that, "I am a filmmaker who makes movies for the Malayali audience and tell stories of their lives, and those outside its realm aren't my focus group. Being considered for Oscars is good enough." [32]

On 12 October, it was reported that the film has been selected to be screened under the category of 'Malayalam Cinema Today' at the 20th edition of International Film Festival of Kerala , which is held at Thiruvananthapuram in December 2015.[6]

Critical reception

Sujatha S of Mathrubhumi called the film "An ode to Gulf Malayali" and appreciated the cinematography, editing and sound mixing by Resul Pookutty, she said "The dialogues on many occasions in the first half sound dramatic, though there were gems of dialogues too".[34] Rating 4 out of 5, Anu James of International Business Times called the performance of Mammootty as one of his career-best and wrote: "As it is a familiar story for many of us, there is no suspense element in it, but we still sit firmly on our seats just to see what happens next."[35] S.R. Praveen of The Hindu wrote "A familiar story, a familiar setting and even actors in predictable roles – on paper, there is nothing really going for Pathemari . But still much can be achieved with a script that shines light on previously unseen details."[36] Rejath RG of Kerala Kaumudi also said, "Salim Ahmed excels as the writer and director in Pathemari and considering the fact that it was such a memorable experience."[37] Behindwoods rated 3/5 and stated, "As far as the narration goes, the film takes you through familiar territory, like what we have seen in films like Arabikkatha, but let's just say that Pathemari is highly laced with empathy. At the end of the film, you can't help feel empathetic about the suffering and chronic homesickness that every Gulf Malayali or any expatriate would be going through for that matter." [38] Paresh C Palicha writing for Rediff.com gave 3/5 and wrote, "The director tries to infuse new life to the dated theme by employing flashbacks and flash forwards, bringing in a larger social perspective rather than restricting it to one person."[39] Rating 3/5, Indiaglitz described the technical aspects as "pretty okay" saying "A more realistic dialogues and novelty factor would have lifted the movie to a new level" and concluded, "The way the movie ends is also quite nice and this adds to the overall good."[40] Praising performances, cinematography and music, G. Ragesh of Malayala Manorama rated the film 3.25/5 and said, "Through episodes that the viewers can easily associate with, Salim tells the tale of the Malayali migrant life in a less dramatic but compelling narrative. The film doesn't have the flavours for a commercial flick. Nor does it compromise anywhere to satiate the tastes of the so-called critics. In short, it's a film made for all."[41]

Box office

The film collected ₹50 lakh (US$74,000) on its opening day.[42] In 15 days, the film collected approximately ₹7.10 crore (US$1.1 million),[18] and in 28 days it collected ₹8.6 crore (US$1.3 million).[43]The film completed 125 days in theatres across Kerala,[44][45][46][47] it crossed four weeks in 60 screens in the United Arab Emirates,[48] and completed five weekends in the United States of America by grossing ₹18.04 lakhs in its final run.[49]

Accolades

Asiavision Awards[50]

Ramu Kariat Film Awards[51]

National Film Awards

Flowers Indian Film Awards[52]

References

  1. ↑ Sanandakumar (3 October 2015). "A fifty year old phenomenon explained: Malayalee migration to Gulf builds the new Kerala". The Economic Times. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  2. ↑ Akhila Menon (3 September 2015). "Mammootty's Pathemari On September 18". Filmibeat.com. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 Sadiq Kavil (3 April 2015). "Mammootty, Salim Ahmed to tell the tale of Malayali diaspora". Malayala Manorama.
  4. 1 2 NR (20 October 2015). "Pathemaari started rolling". Now Running.
  5. 1 2 IANS (6 October 2015). "Eros to release Mammootty's Pathemari on October 9". The Statesman. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 Anu James (12 October 2015). "IFFK 2015: 'Pathemari', 'Ottal', 'Ain' to be screened; 'Ennu Ninte Moideen' backs out". International Business Times. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  7. ↑ Anu James (22 October 2015). "Mammootty's 'Pathemari' in trouble over Siddique's role as Lanchi Velayudhan". International Business Times. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  8. ↑ "Movie list - All Lights India International Film Festival".
  9. ↑ "Mammootty, Salim Ahmed join hands again". The Times of India. 21 November 2013.
  10. ↑ "ഇത്, ഞാന് കണ്ട സങ്കടങ്ങള്". Mathrubhumi. 11 October 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  11. ↑ Nicy V.P (27 September 2014). "'D4 Dance' Show Host Jewel to Star Opposite Mammootty". International Business Times.
  12. ↑ Subha J Rao (12 May 2015). "'I can never let KB down'". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  13. ↑ "Manju Warrier not in my film, Salim Ahamed". Reporter TV. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  14. ↑ NR (20 April 2015). "Mammootty 's ' Pathemari ' shooting completed". Metro Matinee.
  15. ↑ "Mammooty makes film about Malayali expats in UAE". Gulf News. 26 March 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  16. ↑ "ആഴിയിലും ആരണ്യത്തിലും വിരിഞ്ഞ കലകള്". Metro Vaartha. 7 November 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  17. ↑ Saumesh Thimbath (13 October 2015). "Resonating Resul". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  18. 1 2 Anu James (27 October 2015). "'Pathemari' making video released: How a huge storm was created in Mammootty starrer". International Business Times. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  19. ↑ "പത്തേമാരിയുടെ ബ്രഹ്മാണ്ഡ മേക്കിങ്വിഡിയോ". Malayala Manorama. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  20. ↑ "ദുരിത താണ്ടി ഗൾഫിലെത്തിയവരെ പത്തേമാരിഅണിയറപ്രവർത്തകർ ആദരിച്ചു". Malayala Manorama. 14 November 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  21. ↑ Deepa Soman (16 September 2015). "Pathemari team releases songs". TheTimes of India. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  22. ↑ "Mammootty's 'Pathemari' audio launch". International Business Times. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  23. ↑ Sachin Jose (18 September 2015). "'Pathemari', 'Padiyirangunnu' songs featuring Mammootty released". International Business Times. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  24. ↑ Karthik Srinivasan (26 September 2015). "Hitman". The Hindu. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  25. ↑ Priya Sreekumar (18 September 2015). "The NRK story — yet another look". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  26. ↑ Anu James (15 September 2015). "Confirmed: Mammootty-Jewel Mary's 'Pathemari' to be released in October second week". International Business Times. Retrieved 30 September 2015.
  27. ↑ Sachin Jose (8 October 2015). "'Pathemari' release: Check out complete theatre list of Mammootty movie in Kerala". International Business Times. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  28. ↑ "കേരളത്തിന്റെയും ഗൾഫിന്റെയും വികസനത്തിനു കാരണം പ്രവാസികൾ: സലിം അഹമ്മദ്". Malayala Manorama. 28 November 2015.
  29. ↑ http://www.ibtimes.co.in/kerala-box-office-mammoottys-2015-films-pathemari-bhaskar-rascal-complete-100-days-theatres-662603
  30. 1 2 3 Deepa Soman (11 July 2015). "Mammootty's Pathemari in the dock for alleged story theft!". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  31. ↑ "Mammootty's Pathemari runs into trouble". Deccan Chronicle. 5 July 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
  32. 1 2 Deepa Soman (2 October 2015). "My movie wasn't made with the Oscars in mind". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  33. ↑ Tony Mathew (23 September 2015). "'Pathemari' misses Oscar race by a whisker". Malayala Manorama. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  34. ↑ Sujatha S (15 October 2015). "Pathemari – An ode to Gulf Malayali". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  35. ↑ Anu James (10 October 2015). "Mammootty's 'Pathemari' Review: No surprises, but real-life portrayal of struggling Malayalis in Dubai". International Business Times. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  36. ↑ S.R. Praveen (11 October 2015). "Smooth sail on a sea of emotions". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  37. ↑ Rejath RG (10 October 2015). "Pathemari..Salim Ahamed strikes again". Kerala Kaumudi. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  38. ↑ Behindwoods Review Board (9 October 2015). "Pathemari Movie Review". Behindwoods. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  39. ↑ "Pathemari Movie Review". Rediff.com. 12 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  40. ↑ "Pathemari". Indiaglitz. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  41. ↑ G. Ragesh (11 October 2015). "Pathemari: A voyage through the diaspora life". Malayala Manorama. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  42. ↑ Anu James (12 October 2015). "Kerala box office: Prithviraj's 'Ennu Ninte Moideen' stays on top; Mammootty's 'Pathemari' follows". International Business Times. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  43. ↑ "Premam, Ennu Ninte Moideen and other top Malayalam movies that did well at the box office in 2015". International Business Times. 31 December 2015.
  44. ↑ "Pathemari completes 125 days". The Times of India. 7 April 2016.
  45. ↑ "Mammootty back as police officer in Nithin Renji Panicker's untitled film opposite Varalaxmi [PHOTOS]". International Business Times. 30 March 2016.
  46. ↑ Anu James (18 November 2015). "Mammootty's 'Pathemari' to be released in 40 screens in UAE". International Business Times. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  47. ↑ Anu James (6 April 2016). "'Pathemari' team celebrates 125th day of Mammootty starrer in Kochi [PHOTOS]". International Business Times. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  48. ↑ P. K. Ajith Kumar (17 May 2015). "Smooth sailing all the way". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  49. ↑ "'TAMASHA' on a roll". Bollywood Hungama. 30 November 2015.
  50. ↑ Akhila Menon (18 November 2015). "Asiavision Film Awards 2015: Complete Winners List". Filmibeat.
  51. ↑ "രാമു കാര്യാട്ട് ഫിലിം അവാര്ഡ്: പത്തേമാരി മികച്ച ചിത്രം മമ്മുട്ടി നടന്". Mangalam. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  52. ↑ "Kareena Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Mammootty, Prithviraj, Kajal Aggarwal and others attend Flowers Indian Film Awards [PHOTOS]". International Business Times. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
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