Pranchiyettan & the Saint
Pranchiyettan & the Saint (Malayalam: പ്രാഞ്ചിയേട്ടന് ആന്റ് ദി സെയിന്റ്) is a 2010 Malayalam satirical film written, directed, and produced by Ranjith.[2] The film centres on the fictitious conversation between the Thrissur based rice merchant C.E. Francis aka Pranchiyettan (Mammootty) and St. Francis of Assisi (Jesse Fox Allen). Priyamani, Innocent, Siddique, Khushboo, Jagathy Sreekumar, Ganapathy, Sasi Kalinga, and Biju Menon play the other important roles.
The film features the work of five National Award-winning artists: Mammootty, Priyamani, Ranjith, Venu (the cinematographer of the film) and Ouseppachan, who scored the music for the film. The film met with critical acclaim upon release. It became a box office smash, grossing around 3 crores within fifteen days.[3] It became the longest-running Malayalam film in the last five years.[4]
Plot
Chirammal Enashu Francis, a.k.a. Pranchiyettan (Mammootty), is a successful businessman based in Thrissur. He is a devotee of Saint Francis of Assisi and often has imaginary conversations with the saint. His ancestors were rice traders, but he has grown beyond the small rice shop to expand his business into jewellery, real estate, finance, shopping complexes and lot more. Even with his successful and wealthy life, he is unhappy with his name and wants to become a celebrity. He is called Ari ("rice") Pranchi by everybody, citing his ancestors' business. He wants to change his image from Ari Pranchi to something great and is ready to spend any amount of money for it. The film deals with how Pranchi tries to get a good name and what changes that brings to his life.
The story starts with Francis talking to Saint Francis of Assisi about his own life. It starts with a short flashback to a quarrel between Francis and Jose (Siddique) over their lady love Omana (Khushboo) when they were in school. Francis had an affair with Omana but he had give her up because of Jose's tricks. Now Jose and Omana are married and are leading doctors in the city.
The story progresses with several humorous incidents when Francis, a.k.a. Ari Pranchi, tries to get a good name for himself. He fights a local club election but is defeated by Jose; he then arranges a felicitation for the Oscar award-winner Gafoor Chekutty, but instead of being seated in the front row on the dais is asked to give up his seat for a Padmashri recipient; he helps the needy but fails to get noticed for it; he tries to write a biography, etc. At last he decides to grab a Padma Sri award because that may help in changing his name from Ari Pranchi to Padmasree Pranchi. He bribes officials with 1.5 crore to get a nomination for the Padma Sri, but the corrupt politicians dupe him.
Dejected, he withdraws into his house when a pretty young woman named Padmasree (Priyamani) comes to invite him for an inauguration ceremony. Both become good friends and Pranchiyettan falls in love with her . He helps Padmasree prevent her Tharavadu from being sold off, but is unable to express his love for her and she returns to Mumbai.
Now Pranchiyettan decides to help his friend Antony Mash's school. The problem is that the school fears that it will not get a 100% result due to a single student called Paulie (Ganapathy). Paulie's parents are poor and cannot help with his studies. Pranchiyettan brings the boy to his home, and arranges for a special tutor, Pandit Deenadayal (Jagathy Sreekumar), to teach him. Pandit Deenadayal discovers that the boy has immense talent but lacks concentration due to some personal problems. He tries to teach him using modern techniques like a Rubik's Cube, etc., but the boy in turn mocks him by asking several questions, and performing some gimmicks that the teacher cannot do. Eventually the boy fails in the SSLC examination. Annoyed, Pranchiyettan goes to the boy's home to drop him off, but finds out several unknown facts about the boy. The remaining part of the film deals with how the boy changes Pranchiyettan's life.[5]
Cast
- Mammootty as Chirammal Enashu Francis, a rich rice vendor who is uneducated and is always in search of some easy way to earn respect in society. He is also known as "Pranchiyettan" and "Arippranchi", a nickname he hates. He is based in Thrissur and speaks in the typical Thrissur accent Malayalam. He is a devotee of Saint Francis of Assisi and often holds imaginary conversation with him.
- Priyamani as Padmashree a.k.a. Pappy, a Mumbai-based interior decorator who hails from Thrissur. She meets Pranchiyettan to invite him for an inauguration. Both become good friends when Pranchiyettan prevents her ancestral home from being sold off. Pranchi is unable to tell her of his love for her but she decides to spend the rest of her life with him.[6][7]
- Innocent as Vasu Menon, a close friend of Pranchi. The humour of the film centres around him and Pranchi. He is with Pranchi in all his ventures aimed at earning a good name.
- Ramu as Bahuleyan, a hotelier and liquor baron who is with Praanchi in his attempts to get a good name. Bahuleyan's hotel is also a refuge for Praanchi after each of his misadventures.
- Jesse Fox Allen as the Saint Francis of Assisi. Pranchiyettan is a devotee of Saint Francis of Assisi. Their imaginary conversations are a major motif of the film. This character is voiced by Renjith and played by Australian theatre artist Jesse Fox Allen.
- Master Ganapathy as Paulie. He is adopted and brought home by Pranchiyettan. Pranchi finds out several unknown facts about the boy and he even changes Pranchi's perception of life.
- Sasi Kalinga as Eeyyappan, Pranchi's cook.
- Siddique as Dr. Jose, a former classmate of Pranchi. He is married to Dr. Omana, who was a former fiancee of Pranchi. He harasses Pranchi and always calls him by his nickname, "Arippranchi".
- Khushboo as Dr. Omana, a former classmate of Pranchi and the wife of Dr. Jose. Pranchi had an affair with her but had to give her up because of Jose's trickery.
- Jagathy Sreekumar as Pandit Deena Dayal, an idealistic teacher, who lives by Gandhian principles and leads a simple life. He is appointed by Pranchiyettan as a special tutor to Poly.
- Biju Menon as Joppan: Poly's father, who is in jail for killing his wife and Pauli's teacher
- Jayaraj Varier as Suresh Babu, a politician Pranchi approaches to get the Padmashree awards
- Tini Tom as Supran, Pranchi's driver
- T. G. Ravi as Uthuppu, a friend of Pranchi
- Idavela Babu as Yousuf, Pranchi's private secretary
- Sreejith Ravi as Vargeese, Paulie's caretaker
- Sivaji Guruvayoor as Antony Master, the principal of the school where Paulie studies and a former teacher of Pranchi. He is sure that his school will not get a 100% result if Poly continues to study there, so he tries to throw him out of the school. This prompts Pranchi to adopt the wayward teenager.
- Balachandran Chullikkadu as Ajay Nambiar, a socially influential person whom Pranchi bribes in an attempt to get a Padmashree award
- Chaali Pala as Ravi, warden of the jail where Paulie's father is a prisoner
- Prof. Aliyar as Pranchi's school teacher
Production
Casting
The original cast included Mammootty, who has collaborated with Renjith in many of his parallel films and Priyamani, whose performance in Renjith's Thirakkatha was hugely appreciated. Mammootty plays the role of Chirammal Enashu Francis, a rice vendor in Thrissur. Hafis Firosh plays Mammootty's childhood counterpart. There were rumours that Innocent and Biju Menon would be playing other important characters in the film. However, the final cast included Innocent playing the role of Vasu Menon, friend of Pranchiyettan. Australian theatre artist Jesse Fox Allen was expected to play the role of the Saint, believed to be an important character in the film. Apart from cine-artistes, this film also features many faces from the professional drama world, as in Renjith's Paleri Manikyam.[8] Jagathy Sreekumar plays Deena Dayal. "My character is there only in a few scenes but he makes a definite impact, which is quite exciting for an actor. He is an idealistic teacher, who lives as per Gandhian principles and leads a simple life," says Jagathy Sreekumar.[9] Master Ganapathy, who plays Poly, says, "It is indeed great to be doing such a nice role with some of the big names in the industry. My character is a live wire."[9]
Filming
The film was announced on June 2010. The film is produced by Renjith, under the banner of his Capitol Theatres.[9] Shooting began on 1 July 2010.[6][10] The shooting began at Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur but was later shifted to Regency Club in Kuttanellur. Some parts of the film were shot in Goa. Mammootty joined the crew on 1 July, after completing Martin Prakkat's Best Actor on 26 June and Kannada film Shikari on 31 June. Priyamani joined the set of Pranchiyettan and the Saint in the third week of July.
Music
The score and the only song of the film were composed by Ouseppachan; the lyrics were penned by Shibu Chakravarthy. The music by Ouseppachan was "among the highlights of the film", according to one reviewer.[11] However, the only song featured in the film, "Kinavile", generated mixed responses. It was sung by Gayatri, with male backing vocals provided by Ouseppachan himself. The soundtrack also features a male version of the song "Kinavile", which was sung by Franco. This version was not picturised and was not featured in the film. The soundtrack was released on Mathrubhumi Music.
Release
The first official trailers were released on 2 September. The film was released in 65 centres as a Ramzan release on 10 September 2010. The film registered full houses for all the shows in the initial days and has received overwhelmingly positive responses.[12]
Reception
Box office
The film, made on a low budget,[12][13] grossed 1.5 crore in its first week.[13][14] The film earned a total of around 4 crores in 60 days,[15] and 5.5 crores in 80 days.[3] The film emerged as the box-office winner in many centres, especially in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Thrissur.[16] Its 50th day celebration was held at Thrissur.[17][18] The film completed 100 days in many centres of Kerala,[19][20] In Thrissur , the film completed 200 days to become the longest-running Malayalam film of the last five years.[4][21]
Critical response
The film has received excellent reviews from critics as well as audiences. Some critics rated this film as the best from Renjith and the recent best from Mammootty. Rediff's reviewer rated the film 3.5 out of 5 and said, "Pranchiyettan and the Saint is impressive... the success of [the film] rests on the shoulders of writer director Ranjith who gives a meaty story to actors to dig their teeth into."[22] The performance by Mammootty as well as the supporting cast also earned appreciation from critics. The review on Rediff said, "The film depends heavily on Mammootty's histrionic skills to be convincing and it works. It is this effortless and natural performance that gives Pranchiyettan [its] lifeblood."[22] Nowrunning comments: "Very few films are complex and comic at the same time, but Pranchiyettan achieves this almost impossible feat by employing clever plot devices, a fresh narrative structure and a string of metaphoric scenarios." The review praises Ranjith's work, saying, "There shouldn't be any trouble enthroning Ranjith as the harbinger of change in Malayalam cinema".[23] Another reviewer said, "The movie is a good comedy entertainer from Ranjith and offers more to think than to laugh. One of the best movies in 2010."[24] Sify called the film "Very Good" and rated it 4 out of 5. Their review focused mainly on the apt usage of Thrissur slang by Mammootty.[11] Cinecurry rated the film 3 out of 5. Their review said, "Once in a while along comes a movie that makes your spirits soar and helps you forget the mediocrity that this medium often serves. That [it] does it without seeking recourse to any manipulative tools, that we are all too familiar with, makes [it] even more remarkable. It solely depends on unalloyed storytelling skills."[25]
Accolades
- National Film Awards
Pranchiyettan & the Saint was one of the seven Malayalam films nominated for the Indian National Film Awards for 2010.[26] Mammootty was a hot contender for the best actor award but eventually lost the award to fellow actor Salim Kumar.[27]
- Kerala State Film Awards
- Amrita-FEFKA Film Awards[28][29]
- Asianet Film Awards[30]
- Asiavision Awards[31]
- Best Film – Pranchiyettan & the Saint
- Best Actor – Mammootty
- Best Supporting Actor – Siddique
- Outstanding Performance – Innocent
- Filmfare Awards[32]
- Inspire Film Awards[33][34]
- Best Film – Pranchiyettan & the Saint
- Best Actor – Mammootty
- Best Script – Ranjith
- Kairali Film Awards
- Best Film – Pranchiyettan & the Saint
- Best Actor – Mammootty
- Best Director – Ranjith
- Kerala Film Critics Awards[35]
- Mathrubhumi Film Awards[36]
- Best Film – Pranchiyettan & the Saint
- Best Actor – Mammootty
- Best Director – Ranjith
- Best Screenplay – Ranjith
- Best Cinematographer – Venu
- Best Art Director – Manu Jagad
- Best Costume Design – Sameera Saneesh
- Special Jury Award – Innocent
- Nana Film Awards[37]
- Best Film – Pranchiyettan & the Saint
- Best Actor – Mammootty
- Best Director – Ranjith
- Best Child Artist – Master Ganapathi
- Man of the Year – Mammootty
- Vanitha Film Awards[38]
- Vellinakshatram Film Awards[39]
- Best Film – Pranchiyettan & the Saint
- Best Actor – Mammootty
- Best Director – Ranjith
Pranchiyettan & The Saint was screened in the Malayalam Cinema Today section at the 16th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala in 2011.[40]
See also
References
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- ^ Metromatinee (2010). "Pranchiyettan and The Saint". Metromatinee. http://www.metromatinee.com/movies/index.php?FilmID=3203-Pranchiyettan%20and%20The%20Saint.
- ^ a b "Pranchiyettan And The Saint Turns Out A Safe Hit". Topnews.in. 29 September 2010. http://www.topnews.in/pranchiyettan-and-saint-turns-out-safe-hit-2277767.
- ^ a b Unni R. Nair (18 March 2011). "Pranchiyettan And The Saint still running strong". The Indian Express. India. http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Pranchiyettan-And-The-Saint-still-running-strong/763925/. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ Reviewscreen (2010). "Pranjiyettan and the Saint Plot Review". Reviewscreen. http://malayalam.reviewscreen.com/2010/07/pranjiyettan-saint_27.html. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
- ^ a b Kerals (2010). "Renjith's next venture – Pranchiyettan And The Saint". Kerals. http://www.kerals.com/kerala/renjiths-next-venture-pranchiyettan-and-the-saint/.
- ^ One India (2010). "Priyamani with Mammootty for the first time". One India. http://entertainment.oneindia.in/malayalam/top-stories/2010/priyamani-mammootty-pranchiyettan-250610.html. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
- ^ Indiaglitz (2010). "Mammootty with Renjith in ‘Pranchiyettan And The Saint’". Indiaglitz. http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/article/57521.html. Retrieved 3 June 2010.
- ^ a b c The Hindu (2010). "Merchant of Thrissur". The Hindu. India. http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article553427.ece. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
- ^ Nowrunning (2010). "Mammootty and Ranjith together for 'Pranchiyettan and the Saint". Nowrunning. http://www.nowrunning.com/news/malayalam/mammootty-and-ranjith-together-for-pranchiyettan-and-the-saint/32139/story.htm. Retrieved 3 June 2010.
- ^ a b Moviebuzz (2010). "Pranchiyettan & the Saint". Sify. http://sify.com/movies/malayalam/review.php?id=14956461&ctid=5&cid=2428. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
- ^ a b Cinebuzz (2010). "'Pranchiyetten ' rocks well...". Cinebuzz. http://www.cinebuzz.co.in/news/Pranchiyetten-rocks-well.htm. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
- ^ a b "Kerala Box-Office (September 1 to 16)". Sify. http://sify.com/movies/malayalam/fullstory.php?id=14957248&cid=14625530. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
- ^ "'Pranchiyettan and the Saint'". Filmydum. http://www.filmydum.com/box_office_details.php?Id=160.
- ^ "Three-fold success for Malayalam cinema". The Hindu. India. 1 October 2010. http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/01/stories/2010100152000200.htm. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
- ^ "Mammootty’s Pranchiyettan is a sleeper hit". Sify. http://sify.com/movies/malayalam/fullstory.php?id=14957527. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
- ^ "Pranchiyettan to celebrate 50 days at home". Sify. http://sify.com/movies/pranchiyettan-to-celebrate-50-days-at-home-news-malayalam-kk1mpqaigig.html. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
- ^ P. Sangeetha. "Pranchiyettan 50". Times of India. India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Pranchiyettan-50/speednewsbytopic/keyid-465585.cms. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
- ^ "Pranchiyettan Again In London !!!". PJ Entertainments Official website. 29 December 2010. http://pjentertainments.com/pranchiyettan-again-in-london/. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
- ^ Kaaryasthan "Malayalam cinema – 2010: An analysis". Malayalamcinemanews.com. http://www.malayalamcinemanews.com/cinema/view/29 Kaaryasthan. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
- ^ Pranchiyettan and the Saint – 151st day poster. None. Retrieved on 2011-12-20.
- ^ a b Paresh C Palicha (2010). "Pranchiyettan and the Saint is impressive". Rediff. http://movies.rediff.com/review/2010/sep/10/south-pranchiyettan-and-the-saint-review.htm. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
- ^ VN (2010). "Pranchiyettan and the Saint is a must watch". Nowrunning. http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/7806/malayalam/pranchiyettan-the-saint/review.htm. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
- ^ Reviewscreen (2010). "Pranchiyettan and the Saint Review". Reviewscreen. http://malayalam.reviewscreen.com/2010/09/pranchiyettan-and-saint-review.html. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
- ^ Cinecurry (2010). "Pranchiyettan And the Saint". Cinecurry. http://www.cinecurry.com/movie/malayalam/pranchiyettan-and-saint. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
- ^ Press Trust of India (10 May 2011). "Seven Malayalam Films To Compete For National Award". NDTV Movies. http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=ENTEN20110175298&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&keyword=regional&nid=104721. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
- ^ B. S. Shibu (30 May 2011). "Playing a character with soul". The Indian Express (India). http://expressbuzz.com/entertainment/news/playing-a-character-with-soul/278399.html. Retrieved 9 June 2011. "Others in contention were stalwarts like Naseeruddin Shah, Rituparna Ghosh, Mammootty and Shah Rukh Khan."
- ^ "Amrita FEFKA Film Awards Announced". Best Media Info. 2 June 2011. http://www.bestmediainfo.com/2011/06/amrita-fefka-film-awards-announced/. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
- ^ "Amritha awards for Mammootty, Kavya and T D Dasan". Indiaglitz. 2 June 2011. http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/article/67286.html. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
- ^ "Mammootty, Mohanlal bag Asianet film awards yet again". Indo-Asian News Service. NDTV. 1 January 2011. http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=ENTEN20110165150&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&keyword=regional&nid=76304.
- ^ "Shaji, Ranjith, Mammootty, Meera Bag Asiavision Awards". Outlook. 20 October 2010. http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?698018. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
- ^ "The glitter, the gloss, the razzmatazz". Times of India (India). 3 July 2011. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/The-glitter-the-gloss-the-razzmatazz/articleshow/9083584.cms. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
- ^ ഇന്സ്പയര് ഫിലിം അവാര്ഡ് പ്രാഞ്ചിയേട്ടന് മികച്ച ചിത്രം. Deshabhimani.com (2011-05-22). Retrieved on 2011-12-20.
- ^ ഇന്സ്പെയര് ചലച്ചിത്ര പുരസ്കാരം പ്രാഞ്ചിയേട്ടന് മികച്ച ചിത്രം , Malayalam – Mathrubhumi Movies. Mathrubhumi.com (2011-05-22). Retrieved on 2011-12-20.
- ^ "Critics award: 'Gaddama' adjudged best film". The Indian Express. India. 26 February 2011. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/critics-award-gaddama-adjudged-best-film/755271/. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
- ^ "Mathrubhumi Kalyan Silks Film Awards 2011 Announced". 18 March 2011. Sanscinema.com. 27 April 2011.
- ^ "The Best: 2010". Nana. http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Jp1TMhEilLQ/TRrCH4SLN0I/AAAAAAAAB9M/ITLEUnZLbC8/s512/Nana%20-%20The%20Best%20of%202010%20(Year%20End%20Analysis).JPG. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
- ^ "Mammootty, Mamtha win Vanitha Film award". Manorama Online. 10 February 2011.
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External links
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