Thirakkatha
Encyclopedia
Thirakkatha is a 2008
Malayalam romantic drama film co-produced, written, and directed by Ranjith.
The film is a tribute to the yesteryear actresses who had been graceful, popular figures in cinema during their younger age with patronage and later got completely disregarded by the industry, media and the masses alike. Ranjith has drawn inspiration from the life of many actresses but especially from the romantic link-up of the late actress Srividya
with actor Kamal Haasan
. He has adopted a special narrative style for the film. The story shifts between the present and flash back through the perspective of different characters. The story is divided into three monologues which meet in the climax. The film has garnered positive reviews from the critics and audiences alike.
The film won the National Film Award
for Best Feature Film in Malayalam
(Ranjith and Maha Subair). And Priyamani
won the Filmfare Awards South
for Best Actress
.
) is a film director. Friends call him 'Akky'. After his highly successful first film, he becomes the most wanted director in the Malayalam film industry. Akky and his girl friend Devayani (Samvrutha Sunil
) along with a group of friends all share a passion for cinema. It was with them that Akbar directed and produced his first film, which went on to become a huge success. Akbar also runs a cafe called Casablanca named after the classic Hollywood
film. For Akbar cinema is not a job, it is his passion. Akbar decides to choose a very different kind of story for his second film and he sets on a journey in search of it.
Akbar decides to base his second film on the life of yesteryear actress Malavika (Priyamani
), who was once a very popular actress and whose present whereabouts are unknown. Akbar and his friends go tracking Malavika’s biography. Her husband was Ajaya Chandran (Anoop Menon). Currently Ajayachandran is the reigning super star of the industry. Akbar starts his search from the late film director Aby Kuruvila’s (Ranjith) house. Kuruvila’s son gives his father’s old letters and diaries to Akbar from which he starts learning about the whirlwind romance of Malavika and Ajayachandran which led to marriage. How differences between them led to a breakup and how this affected their careers along with Akbar's efforts to find Malavika form the major plot of the film. The film ends in a touching yet marvelous climax with a poetic narration.
,Anoop Menon and Prithviraj
.
The film fetched Anoop Menon the State Government award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role and Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Priyamani.
. The soundtrack featured five songs and has received positive reviews.
Rendition of Oduviloru by K. S. Chithra
got huge appreciation and she got a Filmfare Award for her extremely soulful rendition. The song Onnodonnu was sung by Renjini Haridas, a popular Television anchor from Kerala.
2008 in film
This is a list of all major films made in 2008.-Highest-grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2008...
Malayalam romantic drama film co-produced, written, and directed by Ranjith.
The film is a tribute to the yesteryear actresses who had been graceful, popular figures in cinema during their younger age with patronage and later got completely disregarded by the industry, media and the masses alike. Ranjith has drawn inspiration from the life of many actresses but especially from the romantic link-up of the late actress Srividya
Srividya
Srividya was a leading Indian film actress of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s in the Tamil film Industry, in addition to being a good singer. In the latter part of her career, she concentrated on Malayalam films. Her brilliant portrayals as a mother in many films were highly acclaimed....
with actor Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan is an Indian film actor, screenwriter and director, considered to be one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema. He is widely acclaimed as an actor and is well known for his versatility in acting...
. He has adopted a special narrative style for the film. The story shifts between the present and flash back through the perspective of different characters. The story is divided into three monologues which meet in the climax. The film has garnered positive reviews from the critics and audiences alike.
The film won the National Film Award
National Film Awards
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...
for Best Feature Film in Malayalam
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam
The National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam winners:...
(Ranjith and Maha Subair). And Priyamani
Priyamani
Priya Vasudev Mani Iyer, better known by her stage name Priyamani is an Indian film actress and model who has appeared in several Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada films...
won the Filmfare Awards South
Filmfare Awards South
Filmfare Awards South is the South Indian segment of the annual Filmfare Awards, presented by The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the South Indian film industry. The awards are separately given for Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films...
for Best Actress
Filmfare Award for Best Actress (Malayalam)
The Filmfare Best Actress Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Malayalam film lead actors. The award was first given in 1972 with Roja Ramani being the first recipient....
.
Plot summary
Akbar Ahmed (PrithvirajPrithviraj Sukumaran
Prithviraj Sukumaran credited mononymously as Prithviraj, is an Indian film actor and producer best known for his work in Malayalam cinema....
) is a film director. Friends call him 'Akky'. After his highly successful first film, he becomes the most wanted director in the Malayalam film industry. Akky and his girl friend Devayani (Samvrutha Sunil
Samvrutha Sunil
Samvrutha Sunil is a South Indian actress from Kerala. She was introduced to the film industry through a Malayalam film Rasikan opposite Dileep. She had acted in several films in Tamil and Malayalam...
) along with a group of friends all share a passion for cinema. It was with them that Akbar directed and produced his first film, which went on to become a huge success. Akbar also runs a cafe called Casablanca named after the classic Hollywood
Casablanca (film)
Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid, and featuring Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Dooley Wilson. Set during World War II, it focuses on a man torn between, in...
film. For Akbar cinema is not a job, it is his passion. Akbar decides to choose a very different kind of story for his second film and he sets on a journey in search of it.
Akbar decides to base his second film on the life of yesteryear actress Malavika (Priyamani
Priyamani
Priya Vasudev Mani Iyer, better known by her stage name Priyamani is an Indian film actress and model who has appeared in several Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada films...
), who was once a very popular actress and whose present whereabouts are unknown. Akbar and his friends go tracking Malavika’s biography. Her husband was Ajaya Chandran (Anoop Menon). Currently Ajayachandran is the reigning super star of the industry. Akbar starts his search from the late film director Aby Kuruvila’s (Ranjith) house. Kuruvila’s son gives his father’s old letters and diaries to Akbar from which he starts learning about the whirlwind romance of Malavika and Ajayachandran which led to marriage. How differences between them led to a breakup and how this affected their careers along with Akbar's efforts to find Malavika form the major plot of the film. The film ends in a touching yet marvelous climax with a poetic narration.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Priyamani Priyamani Priya Vasudev Mani Iyer, better known by her stage name Priyamani is an Indian film actress and model who has appeared in several Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada films... |
Malavika Srividya Srividya was a leading Indian film actress of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s in the Tamil film Industry, in addition to being a good singer. In the latter part of her career, she concentrated on Malayalam films. Her brilliant portrayals as a mother in many films were highly acclaimed.... |
| Anoop Menon Anoop Menon Anoop Menon is a Indian film actor and screenwriter. He worked in television before achieving success as an actor in films. He won the 2008 Kerala State Film Award for second best actor and also the filmfare award 2009 for the same film.-Career:... |
Ajayachandran Kamal Haasan Kamal Haasan is an Indian film actor, screenwriter and director, considered to be one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema. He is widely acclaimed as an actor and is well known for his versatility in acting... |
| Prithviraj Prithviraj Sukumaran Prithviraj Sukumaran credited mononymously as Prithviraj, is an Indian film actor and producer best known for his work in Malayalam cinema.... |
Akbar Ahmed |
| Samvrutha Sunil Samvrutha Sunil Samvrutha Sunil is a South Indian actress from Kerala. She was introduced to the film industry through a Malayalam film Rasikan opposite Dileep. She had acted in several films in Tamil and Malayalam... |
Devayani |
| Ranjith | Director Aby |
| Praveena & Jyotsna | Special Appearance |
| Nishanth Sagar | Kevin |
| Mallika Sukumaran | Sarojam |
| Cochin Haneefa | Krishnadas |
| N L Balakrishnan | Baletan |
| Augustine |
Reception
The film was received well with the audiences and critics alike. Some of the major reviews in the media were all praises for the film. Nowrunning.com opined that "It is a charming film that's plainly life-affirming without being overly pretentious or markedly melodramatic". Paresh C Palicha at Rediff.com opined that "It is exciting to see Ranjith bounce back to form with his best effort so far." Almost all reviewers were unanimous about the brilliant performances of the lead stars, especially of PriyamaniPriyamani
Priya Vasudev Mani Iyer, better known by her stage name Priyamani is an Indian film actress and model who has appeared in several Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada films...
,Anoop Menon and Prithviraj
Prithviraj Sukumaran
Prithviraj Sukumaran credited mononymously as Prithviraj, is an Indian film actor and producer best known for his work in Malayalam cinema....
.
The film fetched Anoop Menon the State Government award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role and Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Priyamani.
Music
The score and soundtrack of the movie were composed by SharrethSharreth
Sujith Vasudevan I, better known by his stage name Sharreth , is a music director and singer.He began by composing film scores mainly for Malayalam films, but has gone on to compose for Tamil and Telugu films too. Most recently, he scored the music for the Tamil-Telugu bilingual 180.He won the...
. The soundtrack featured five songs and has received positive reviews.
- Oduviloru - K. S. ChithraK. S. ChithraK. S. Chithra often credited as Chithra , is an Indian playback singer who has made her mark in the Indian music playback industry. Popularly known as Chinna Kuyil of South India, she has lent her voice to Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Badaga and Punjabi films...
- Oduviloru - SharrethSharrethSujith Vasudevan I, better known by his stage name Sharreth , is a music director and singer.He began by composing film scores mainly for Malayalam films, but has gone on to compose for Tamil and Telugu films too. Most recently, he scored the music for the Tamil-Telugu bilingual 180.He won the...
- Palappoovithalil - Swetha Mohan, Nishad
- Onnodonnu - Haridas, Shankar MahadevanShankar MahadevanShankar Mahadevan is an Indian music composer and singer. He is a part of the Shankar Ehsaan Loy trio team that composes for Indian films and a playback singer.-Early life:...
, Renjini Haridas - Arikil - Madhu BalakrishnanMadhu BalakrishnanMadhu Balakrishnan is an Indian playback singer, who sings in Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil and Kannada languages.-Biography:Madhu Balakrishnan is from Tripunithura, Cochin, Kerala in India. A Graded artist in All India Radio and Doordarshan, he has performed with all major playback singers in Kerala...
- Arikil - Teenu Telence
- Manjuneeril - Kalpana
Rendition of Oduviloru by K. S. Chithra
K. S. Chithra
K. S. Chithra often credited as Chithra , is an Indian playback singer who has made her mark in the Indian music playback industry. Popularly known as Chinna Kuyil of South India, she has lent her voice to Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Badaga and Punjabi films...
got huge appreciation and she got a Filmfare Award for her extremely soulful rendition. The song Onnodonnu was sung by Renjini Haridas, a popular Television anchor from Kerala.