Ennum Eppozhum

Ennum Eppozhum

Theatrical poster
Directed by Sathyan Anthikad
Produced by Antony Perumbavoor
Screenplay by Ranjan Pramod
Story by Raveendran
Starring Mohanlal
Manju Warrier
Innocent
Lena
Reenu Mathews
Jacob Gregory
Music by Vidyasagar
Cinematography Neil D'Cunha
Edited by K. Rajagopal
Production
company
Distributed by Maxlab Entertainments
(Kerala)
Four Brother's Release
(India)
MAS Film and Entertainment Ltd
(Europe)
ACHU & ACHU'S CREATIONS
(Australia, New Zealand )
Singapore Coliseum (Singapore )
Celluloid Japan
(Japan)
Aashirvad
UK (Rest of the World)
Release dates
  • March 27, 2015

(India)

  • April 10, 2015

(Europe)

Running time
 147 minutes
Country India
Language Malayalam

Ennum Eppozhum (Malayalam:എന്നും എപ്പോഴും) (English: Forever Always), is a 2015 Malayalam comedy family drama film directed by Sathyan Anthikad and produced by Antony Perumbavoor under the banner of Aashirvad Cinemas.[1] It stars Mohanlal, Manju Warrier, Innocent, Reenu Mathews, Jacob Gregory, Lena Abhilash and Renji Panicker in the main roles.[2] It is written by Ranjan Pramod based on a story by actor Raveendran. Mohanlal and Manju Warrier are acting together after a gap of 17 years since Kanmadam and Summer in Bethlehem which were released in 1998.[3]

The film was released all over India on March 27, 2015 and met with positive reviews from audience and mixed reviews from critics.[4] The film became one of the two first major success films of 2015 in Malayalam cinema along with Oru Vadakkan Selfie.[5]

Premise

Ennum Eppozhum tells the story of two people - Vineeth N Pillai (Mohanlal) the senior reporter of Vanitharatnam magazine, who lacks commitment to his work and Deepa (Manju Warrier), a family court lawyer; she is always eager to do something for the society. Vineeth is holding on to this job due to his mother's rapport with the magazine management.[6] Vineeth's new boss Kalyani (Reenu Mathews) wants to throw out Vineeth from his position due to his negligence in duty. He has to interview Deepa as part of his profession. But he cannot get an appointment with her due to her busy schedule as a lawyer and her social commitments. If Vineeth is not able to make the interview happen within the allotted period of time, he will lose his job. The resulting events are narrated in the film.

Cast

Production

Development

Sathyan Anthikad announced that his next film after Oru Indian Pranayakadha will be a Mohanlal starrer for Aashirvad Cinemas. Mohanlal & Sathyan Anthikad joined hands for Rasathanthram (2006) after a gap of 12 years. Their previous movie was Pingami (1994). Antony Perumbavoor has been the producer of all Sathyan Anthikad-Mohanlal movies since Rasathanthram which includes Innathe Chintha Vishayam (2008) & Snehaveedu (2011)[7] Initially it was rumoured to be the comeback of Sathyan Anthikad-Sreenivasan-Mohanlal team. Sathyan later denied the reports and claimed that he is planning a different project for Aashirvad Cinemas even though a project with Sreenivasan is also in pipeline.[8] Sathyan Anthikkad and Joshiy are the only survivors who maintained consistency in the Malayalam film industry which has discarded all its 1970 and 80’s directors.[9]

After Snehaveedu, Sathyan made it clear that he will not be again writing scripts for his own films. Since 2006, he has been writing his own scripts, which led to criticism that he has been rehashing his earlier hits.[9] In March, Sathyan Anthikad announced that Ranjan Pramod will be scripting the film based on actor, Raveendran's story. This will be the third film for Sathyan by Ranjan after Manassinakkare (2003) and Achuvinte Amma (2005). Ranjan has earlier scripted Mohanlal starrers, Naran (2005) and Photographer (2006) (which marked his directorial debut). Sameer Thahir was initially announced as the cinematographer, who was later replaced by Neil D'Cunha of Philips and the Monkey Pen (2013) fame. Vidyasagar & Rafeeq Ahammed returns for Sathyan Anthikad after Oru Indian Pranayakadha.

Writng the script Ranjan said "It is a challenge for any writer to pen a script to accommodate two brilliant actors like Mohanlal and Manju with such huge fan-followings." It was Antony Perumbavoor who called Ranjan to script the film. Earlier, Aashirvad Cinemas, had an agreement with Ranjan to make a film with Manju, which did not materialise. So Antony asked him whether he would be able to write a script for her and Mohanlal. So Ranjan had to postpone a film that he was planning to direct for scripting the film.[10]

Casting

In August, Manju Warrier was confirmed to play the female lead, Adv. Deepa. Manju Warrier was supposedly make her comeback through Mohanlal-Ranjith film for Aashirvad which got shelved in pre-production stage.[7] Reenu Mathews was roped in to play the role of Kalyani. This is her first film with Mohanlal after working with Mammootty & Prithviraj Sukumaran. She joined the sets in second schedule on January.[11] Innocent plays the role of Kariachan, a retired postmaster while Lena plays Deepa's best friend cum boutique owner, Farah. Jacob Gregory of ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi (2013) fame plays the role of videographer, Maathan who assists Vineeth in his assignments.[12] Drama artiste, Usha S Karunagapally plays the role of Kariachan's wife Rosy, a radio announcer while Baby Adhwika was chosen for the role of Deepa's daughter, Miya.

Filming

The filming commenced on November 1, 2014 at Kochi.[13] The film took a schedule break on November 15 when Mohanlal went for his Antarctica trip along with his family.[14][15] The second schedule commenced on December 4. By the end of January 2015, the shooting got completed and entered into post production stage.[16] The makers officially announced the title, Ennum Eppozhum on February 8, Sathyan Anthikkad is known for naming his films only in the post-production stage or during its filming.[17][18]

Release

Ennum Eppozhum Theater List

The film released on March 27, 2015 in 215 centers all over India (89 centers in Kerala), making it the biggest release for a Sathyan Anthikad cinema.[19]

Marketing

The first look poster was released by Mohanlal and Manju Warrier through their official facebook pages on February 20, 2015. The poster featured Mohanlal & Manju Warrier having conversation on a bench.[20] A 35 second teaser was released in youtube on February 26. The teaser contained a light hearted moment where Vineeth comes in search of Adv. Deepa at her house and features a funny conversation between Vineeth and a Hindi speaking gurkha. The Hindi conversation was a nostalgic reminder of Sathyan Anthikad's Mohanlal starrer classic Gandhinagar 2nd Street. The teaser was gone viral within seconds of its release.[21] Another 35 second teaser was released on March 4, which introduced the various images of Manju Warrier's character, Adv. Deepa and focusing more on her boldness and strong perception towards life.[22]

The official website was launched on March 14, 2015.[23] The trailer was released on March 19, 2015 which indicated the film to be a typical Sathyan Anthikad light hearted cine experience.

Censoring

The film undergone censoring on March 19, 2015. As expected the film attained a "U" certificate with a running time of 2 hours 27 minutes. The censor board suggested the film to be a clean family entertainer. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) passed the film uncut and awarded a 12A certificate in Europe.[24]

Reception

Critical Response

The film mostly received generally positive to mixed reviews.[4][25]

Malayala Manorama rated 3.5 out of 5 stars and said "The highlight of the film is its director-actors combo". "Ennum Eppozhum is for you, if you belong to that set of people who believe that films should be as light as possible since life is unbearably heavy".[26] Gulf News wrote "Ennum Eppozhum is a clean family drama. Ennum Eppozhum makes no lofty pretensions but narrates a simple story that could be yours, or your neighbour’s or maybe the woman up the alley".[27] The Hindu stated "Ennum Eppozhum is a family drama that sans the drama. Ennum Eppozhum is buoyed by its star cast and a host of light moments though not particularly funny. Its romance is subtly treated, making one feel it may last ‘forever, always.’.[28]

Box office

Unlike other Sathyan Anthikad films, Ennum Eppozhum was given a huge release all over India. This is mainly due to the hype created by the casting of Mohanlal and Manju Warrier. Despite of the mixed to positive theatrical response, the movie was able to attain tremendous theatrical attendance, majorly from the family audience.

As a result, a little over Rs.5 crore came in on its First week.[29] According to Film Producers Association of Kerala, Ennum Eppozhum and Oru Vadakkan Selfie is the first two major success films of Malayalam in 2015, which brings profit to its producer.[30]

Soundtrack

Ennum Eppozhum
Soundtrack album Ennum Eppozhum by Vidyasagar
Released 15 March 2015
Recorded 2015
Genre Film soundtrack
Length 17:42
Language Malayalam
Label Satyam Music
Producer Antony Perumbavoor
Vidyasagar chronology

Mariyam Mukku
(2015)		 Ennum Eppozhum
(2015)		 Anarkali
(2015)

The film features a soundtrack composed by Vidyasagar with lyrics penned by Rafeeq Ahammed. The audio rights of the film were purchased by Satyam Music. The full album was released on 15 March 2015 and received hugely positive response from critics as well as audience.

Track Song Artist(s) Duration
1 "Malarvaka Kombathu" P. Jayachandran, Rajalakshmy 4:48
2 "Nilavum Mayunnnu" K. S. Harishankar 4:19
3 "Dhithiki Dhithiki" Binni Krishnakumar 4:32
4 "Pularipoo Penne" Vijay Yesudas 3:58

References

  1. ↑ "Mohanlal-Manju-Sathyan movie 'Ennum Eppozhum'". Mathrubhumi. February 8, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Cast and Crew". Filmibeat.com.
  3. ↑ P. K. Ajith Kumar (August 6, 2014). "Mohanlal, Manju to team up". The Hindu.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "'Ennum Eppozhum' Review: Live Audience Response". IBTimes.
  5. ↑ G. KRISHNAKUMAR (April 5, 2015). "Selfie clicks, becomes year’s first super-hit".
  6. ↑ Ennum Eppozhum fdfs Review and box office analysis, March 27, 2015
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Bangalore Mirror Bureau (August 6, 2014). "Manju Warrier’s next with Mohanlal". Bangalore Mirror.
  8. ↑ Raj Vikram (February 27, 2014). "No Mohanlal Manju Warrier movie says Sathyan Anthikkad.". Metro Matinee.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Moviebuzz (October 31, 2011). "Sathyan to go for another scriptwriter". Sify.com. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  10. ↑ P. K. Ajith Kumar (August 6, 2014). "Mohanlal, Manju to team up". The Hindu.
  11. ↑ Nicy V. P (January 9, 2015). "Reenu Mathews Joins Mohanlal on the Sets of Sathyan Anthikkad Movie". International Business Times.
  12. ↑ indiaglitz (January 10, 2015). "Mohanlal - Gregory team in Sathyan Anthikkad film". indiaglitz.com.
  13. ↑ NR (November 1, 2014). "Satyan Anthikkad-Mohanlal-Manju Warier film to start shoot on Kerala Day". nowrunning.com.
  14. ↑ SJ (November 21, 2014). "Mohanlal takes a break for a trip to Antarctica". nowrunning.com.
  15. ↑ moviebuzz (November 10, 2014). "Mohanlal is ready for his trip to Antarctica". Sify.com. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  16. ↑ moviebuzz (January 30, 2015). "Dileep and Manju Warrier go ahead with divorce proceedings". Sify.com. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  17. ↑ Correspondent (February 9, 2015). "Sathyan Anthikkad's Mohanlal-Manju movie gets its title". Manoramaonline.com. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  18. ↑ Mathrubhumi (February 8, 2015). "Mohanlal-Manju-Sathyan movie 'Ennum Eppozhum'". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  19. ↑ indiaglitz (February 19, 2015). "Ennum Eppozhum for March 27". indiaglitz.com. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  20. ↑ "First look poster of Manju's Ennum Eppozhum'". The Times of India. 21 February 2015.
  21. ↑ Online Desk (February 27, 2015). "Mohanlal makes us laugh in 'Ennum Eppozhum' teaser". Manoramaonline.com.
  22. ↑ Nicy V. P (March 4, 2015). "Watch 'Ennum Eppozhum' Second Teaser: Manju Warrier is Mother, Dancer, Lawyer in Upcoming Film [VIDEO]". International Business Times. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Ennum Eppozhum". Ennumeppozhumthemovie.com.
  24. ↑ "ENNUM EPPOZHUM (2014)". BBFC.co.uk.
  25. ↑ "Ennum Eppozhum Audience Reviewurl=http://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2015/ennum-eppozhum-audience-review-178177.html". Filmibeat.
  26. ↑ G. Ragesh (27 March 2015). "Always, for fans and families". Malayala Manorama.
  27. ↑ Mythili Ramachandran (April 8, 2015). "Review: ‘Ennum Eppozhum’ a clean family drama". Gulf News.
  28. ↑ Rasmi Binoy (3 April 2015). "Ennum Eppozhum: A family drama sans the drama". The Hindu.
  29. ↑ "Ennum Eppozhum first weekend report". Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  30. ↑ G. KRISHNAKUMAR (April 5, 2015). "Selfie clicks, becomes year’s first super-hit".

External links