Pranchiyettan & the Saint

Pranchiyettan & the Saint

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Ranjith
Produced by Ranjith
Written by Ranjith
Starring Mammootty
Priyamani
Jesse Fox Allen
Innocent
Master Ganapathy
Siddique
Khushboo
Jagathy Sreekumar
Sasi Kalinga
Music by Ouseppachan
Cinematography Venu
Editing by Vijay Shankar
Studio Play House
Distributed by Play House Release
Release date(s) September 10, 2010 (2010-09-10)
Country India
Language Malayalam
Budget 1.9 crore (US$361,000)[1]
Box office 5.5 crore (US$1.05 million) "Pranchiyetten ' heading for hundred days". CineBuzz. 2 December 2010. http://www.cinebuzz.co.in/news/Pranchiyetten-heading-for-hundred-days.htm. Retrieved 4 December 2010. </ref>

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]

Contents

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

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]
Filmfare Awards[32]
Inspire Film Awards[33][34]
Kairali Film Awards
Kerala Film Critics Awards[35]
Mathrubhumi Film Awards[36]
Nana Film Awards[37]
Vanitha Film Awards[38]
Vellinakshatram Film Awards[39]

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

  1. ^ "Yenthiran leads by a mile". CineBuzz. 11 October 2010. http://www.cinebuzz.co.in/news/Yenthiran-leads.htm. Retrieved 9 November 2010. 
  2. ^ Metromatinee (2010). "Pranchiyettan and The Saint". Metromatinee. http://www.metromatinee.com/movies/index.php?FilmID=3203-Pranchiyettan%20and%20The%20Saint. 
  3. ^ 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. 
  4. ^ 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. 
  5. ^ Reviewscreen (2010). "Pranjiyettan and the Saint Plot Review". Reviewscreen. http://malayalam.reviewscreen.com/2010/07/pranjiyettan-saint_27.html. Retrieved 10 September 2010. 
  6. ^ 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/. 
  7. ^ 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. 
  8. ^ Indiaglitz (2010). "Mammootty with Renjith in ‘Pranchiyettan And The Saint’". Indiaglitz. http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/article/57521.html. Retrieved 3 June 2010. 
  9. ^ a b c The Hindu (2010). "Merchant of Thrissur". The Hindu. India. http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article553427.ece. Retrieved 6 August 2010. 
  10. ^ 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. 
  11. ^ 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. 
  12. ^ a b Cinebuzz (2010). "'Pranchiyetten ' rocks well...". Cinebuzz. http://www.cinebuzz.co.in/news/Pranchiyetten-rocks-well.htm. Retrieved 12 September 2010. 
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  14. ^ "'Pranchiyettan and the Saint'". Filmydum. http://www.filmydum.com/box_office_details.php?Id=160. 
  15. ^ "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. 
  16. ^ "Mammootty’s Pranchiyettan is a sleeper hit". Sify. http://sify.com/movies/malayalam/fullstory.php?id=14957527. Retrieved 25 September 2010. 
  17. ^ "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. 
  18. ^ P. Sangeetha. "Pranchiyettan 50". Times of India. India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Pranchiyettan-50/speednewsbytopic/keyid-465585.cms. Retrieved 1 November 2010. 
  19. ^ "Pranchiyettan Again In London !!!". PJ Entertainments Official website. 29 December 2010. http://pjentertainments.com/pranchiyettan-again-in-london/. Retrieved 5 February 2011. 
  20. ^ Kaaryasthan "Malayalam cinema – 2010: An analysis". Malayalamcinemanews.com. http://www.malayalamcinemanews.com/cinema/view/29 Kaaryasthan. Retrieved 5 February 2011. 
  21. ^ Pranchiyettan and the Saint – 151st day poster. None. Retrieved on 2011-12-20.
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  23. ^ 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. 
  24. ^ Reviewscreen (2010). "Pranchiyettan and the Saint Review". Reviewscreen. http://malayalam.reviewscreen.com/2010/09/pranchiyettan-and-saint-review.html. Retrieved 10 September 2010. 
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  26. ^ 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. 
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  33. ^ ഇന്‍സ്പയര്‍ ഫിലിം അവാര്‍ഡ് പ്രാഞ്ചിയേട്ടന്‍ മികച്ച ചിത്രം. Deshabhimani.com (2011-05-22). Retrieved on 2011-12-20.
  34. ^ ഇന്‍സ്‌പെയര്‍ ചലച്ചിത്ര പുരസ്‌കാരം പ്രാഞ്ചിയേട്ടന്‍ മികച്ച ചിത്രം , Malayalam – Mathrubhumi Movies. Mathrubhumi.com (2011-05-22). Retrieved on 2011-12-20.
  35. ^ "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. 
  36. ^ "Mathrubhumi Kalyan Silks Film Awards 2011 Announced". 18 March 2011. Sanscinema.com. 27 April 2011.
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  40. ^ "A slice of Kerala". Expressbuzz.com. http://expressbuzz.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/A-slice-of-Kerala/340473.html. 

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