Peruchazhi

Peruchazhi
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Arun Vaidyanathan
Produced by	Vijay Babu Sandra Thomas
Written by	Arun Vaidyanathan Ajayan Venugopalan (Dialogues)
Starring	Mohanlal Mukesh Ragini Nandwani Vijay Babu Aju Varghese Baburaj Sean James Sutton
Music by	Navin
Cinematography	Arvind Krishna
Edited by	Vivek Harshan
Production company	Friday Film House
Distributed by	Friday Tickets (Kerala) Fox Star Studios (rest of India) Prime Media (USA)
Release dates	29 August 2014 (2014-08-29) (India, USA) 4 September 2014 (2014-09-04) (UAE)
Running time	154 minutes
Country	India
Language	Malayalam

Peruchazhi (English: Bandicota) is a 2014 Malayalam-language Indian political satire film written and directed by Tamil filmmaker Arun Vaidyanathan. The film originally scripted in Tamil was translated to Malayalam with the dialogue co-written by Ajayan Venugopalan. It features Mohanlal in the lead role, while Mukesh, Ragini Nandwani, Vijay Babu, Baburaj, Aju Varghese feature in supporting roles. The film is produced by Vijay Babu and Sandra Thomas under the banner Friday Film House and distributed by Friday Tickets and Fox Star Studios. The background score and music were composed by Arrora. The film used the Auro 11.1 sound format.

The film is about how Jagannathan (Mohanlal) a young politician from India ends up being the chief political adviser to the California state Governor's election campaign and his use of tactics standard of Indian politics to win the election. The principal photography commenced on 16 April 2014 and wrap filming on 5 July. The major portions of the film was shot in Burbank, California. The film is almost entirely set in the USA, even though some portions were also shot in Kochi and Trivandrum.

Peruchazhi released on 29 August 2014 in 500 screens worldwide, making it the largest release for a Malayalam film. The film released in India and the United States simultaneously, with the US distribution done by Prime Media. Friday Film House's associated distribution company Friday Tickets released the film in Kerala, while Fox Star Studios managed the release in the rest of India.

Plot

In California, the Republican party governor candidate John Kory (Sean James Sutton) is striving to raise his dismal ratings. Sunny Kurishingal (Vijay Babu), the chief campaign officer of John Kory, is failing with his campaign strategies and runs out of ideas to ensure Kory's victory. Sunny is forced to consult a third person's advise and calls Francis Kunjappan (Mukesh), a PWD minister and his native friend in Kerala, for hiring any good political consultant for devising campaign strategies. Kunjappan, initially reluctant, later recommends his friend and political competitor Jagannathan (Mohanlal), thus also hoping to get rid of him as he is a political threat to his ministerial position. Jagannathan, a young politician and a sports enthusiastic, is illiterate in English but has an inborn talent to solve the gravest of issues in the most prudent manner. Even Francis had consulted him for solving his toughest problems. But Francis thinks that Jaganathan’s unorthodox ideas will fail miserably in the US. Kunjappan meets Jagannathan and offers him the job and a remuneration of ₹30 crores which is sufficient to raise Jagannathan's dream project, a sports academy in Kerala. Jagannathan takes up the assignment and flies to the US, together with his assistants Pottakuzhi Jabbar (Baburaj) and Vayalar Varkey (Aju Varghese).

Jagannathan and his pals are received by Sunny Kurinshingal in the US. Within the first hours with them Sunny gets disenchanted, seeing their deeds and behavior as childish. Still, he decides to explain to them about their job and the political system existing there. He tells them that unlike India, there are only two parties in the US, the Republicans and the Democrats. Democratic Party is the leading one in California and George Hopes is their candidate who has more approval from public. Jagannathan has the task to increase the ratings of Republican Party and enable it to win the election. Jagannathan, upon hearing this, decides to use the Indian tactics in politics to increase the rating i.e. by creating riots among people and deceiving them. Criticizing these cheap strategies of Jagannathan, Andy (Shankar Ramakrishnan), the campaign colleague of Sunny leaves Republican Party and joins the Democratic Party. Jagannathan continues with his moves, as he influences the medias and even recruits film script writers to write well crafted speeches. During his stay in the US, he meets new friends and a Chinese guy called Dupli who sells duplicates of electronics.

Meanwhile, Jagannathan is also searching for a girl for him to marry. It was his vow to marry only a foreign girl after his previous love failure. And occasionally, he meets a street hooker Jessy (Ragini Nandwani) and gets emotionally attached with her. They finally fall in love. Also it is shown that John Kory's ratings are increasing swiftly through Jagannathan's smart tricks. But one night unexpectedly, Jagannathan encounters a bad news from Sunny and Kory as they comes overnight seeking his help. Sunny tells him that a scandal video of Kory and a girl has been leaked and they have destroyed all the copies except the hard-copy which is believed to be in the security lock room of George Hopes. Jagannathan decides to get rid of this new threat, robs the hard-copy from Hope's residence with the help of his assistants Pottakuzhi and Vayalar. They gives a message to Sunny that the tape has been destroyed. The election campaign is declared over and John Kory is sure to win the Governor post. Meanwhile, Sunny comes with a bad news that the budget of the campaign had exceeded drastically what was pre-planned of. They decide to cheat Jagannathan and refuse to give him the remuneration they offered, blaming that he had made them cross the budget over the expected. Sunny argues that it's his responsibility to make the campaign cost effective and that then only will he be considered for a cabinet post next day.

Jagannathan asks for his remuneration a last time and states that it is urgent for him to rescue Jessy's child from the kidnappers, but Sunny threatens Jagannathan to leave the place. Jagannathan knowing he has been cheated, warns Sunny that he will make John Kory fail the next day's elections. Jagannathan comes with the money he needs the next day, but is not revealed that from where he got it. At last the elections come and the results shows that John Kory had lost and Democratic Party's George Hope won the elections for the new Governor of California. The results comes as a shock to the Republican Party. Jagannathan calls Sunny and reveals the backstage dramas which occurred last night. He tells that he joined with Andy and George Hope, the Democrats, and that they gave him his remuneration. Jagannathan with the help of his US friend Dupli re-programmed the voting machines with its duplicate models, replacing the original ones. He also tells him that the scandal video was actually not destroyed: Jabbar had made a secret copy of it for his pleasure. They disclosed it to the public and it was being shown it in the medias now. Meanwhile, Jagannathan and his pals returns to India with Jessy and opens his sports academy.

Cast

Production

Development

Indian-American director Arun Vaidyanathan made his Malayalam debut through Peruchazhi. Earlier he had directed some English short films, television dramas and critically acclaimed Tamil film Achchamundu! Achchamundu! (2009). The type of humour used in the film was inspired by Cho Ramaswamy's 1971 Tamil classic political-satire film Muhammad bin Tughluq, but different concept as Peruchazhi has a pan Indian narrative. About the unique title, "The term Peruchazhi obviously refers to a bandicoot but I can't discuss the relevance of the title right now, as there is some suspense involved. A bandicoot has its own instincts. For instance, we have no idea where it comes from and where it vanishes to. It just appears and takes what it wants in the process. Jagannathan, the character played by Lal Sir (Mohanlal), is like that. He will do anything to win." says the director.^[1] Vaidyanathan found the idea for the script during his stay in the United States, when he happened to watch a debate between two political leaders on television. "It was fun and something unheard of in India. I thought that would make an interesting script".^[2] Initially Vaidyanathan wrote the original script in English and Tamil. Ajayan Venugopalan was selected to translate the dialogues into Malayalam, the writer-director who is known for his acclaimed Malayalam comical television sitcom Akkara Kazhchakal set in the US.^[3] Mohanlal was actually not the first choice to play the role, “The script found the actor" says Arun. While scripting, Arun wanted the character to be an international franchise so he named him "Ulaganathan" (conqueror of the world). When it came in Malayalam the name was changed to "Jagannathan" which implise the same meaning.^[4]

In the films post production stage, filmmaker Biju made a sarcastic statement on the report of a suggestion pointed by the committee headed by filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, that the Government of Kerala should make it mandatory for film titles to be in Malayalam in order to get subsidies. He responded "On what criteria should a movie be given subsidy, is it the title or its artistic value?" citing the names of Peruchazhi, Koothara and Nee Ko Njaa Cha in social media. The production house replied it as a senseless comment without knowing the reason behind the title and its relevance.^[5][6][7]

Casting and crew

Mohanlal was chosen for the lead role.^[8] Vaidyanath casted him because he feels that Mohanlal is a "great humourist" and got "great comic timing".^[9] Mukesh was among the first to cast alongside Mohanlal.^[10] During the film's pre-production stage the former Miss India USA and American actress Pooja Kumar was cast as the heroine.^[11][12] But later, Bollywood actress Ragini Nandwani was confirmed as the lead opposite Mohanlal. She is playing an Anglo Indian love interest of Jagannathan alias Peruchazhi played by Mohanlal.^[13][14] Baburaj and Aju Varghese has shared screen space in comic roles. They have been cast as the side-kicks of Mohanlal's character Jagannathan whom they follows anywhere.^[15][16] Ashvin Mathew is also a part of the film being casted in a small comic role.^[17][18] Actress Poonam Bajwa had done an item dance in a song. Taiwanese American actor John Wusah was casted for a significant role.^[19] Besides, producers Sandra Thomas and Vijay Babu were also acted in the movie. They said they decided to act in the movie to save cost.^[20]

The songs and background score for the movie is composed by Arrora (Naveen Iyer),^[21] while the cinematographer is Aravind Krishna. The director Arun Vaidhyanadhan wrote the script and Ajayan Venugopalan along with the director co-wrote the dialogues.^[13] The Oscar nominee Bombay Jayashri had sung a song. N Madhusudhanan has signed on for providing the visual effects.^[22] Preethi S Kanthan designed all the costumes. Mohanlal appears in a totally different getup.^[23] The dothi worn in this movie was designed in roman fashion by M C R. Director Arun Vaidyanathan said the dothi design by Preethi Kanthan was "Inspired by Roman design. This border is used on the togo worn by Julius Caesar and his ministers. The leaf in the border denotes power".^[24] Raymonds made the coats for all characters in the movie.^[25]

Filming and marketing

Principal photography commenced on 16 April 2014.^[26] Mohanlal joined the sets on 18 April 2014. Though the film have many sequences shot in Kochi and Trivandrum^[14] Peruchazhi is set most completely based in the USA. The team went to United States for a 30 days schedule to complete the rest of its shooting.^[27] Peruchazhi became the first Malayalam film to shot in the globally renowned Universal Studios in the Hollywood, US.^[28][29] The film was shot almost entirely in Burbank, California near Hollywood.^[30] Peruchazhi wrapped on 5 July 2014 after the final shooting in Sacred Heart College, Thevara in Kerala.^[31]

This is the second Malayalam film to use the Auro 11.1 sound format, first one being Swapaanam directed by Shaji N. Karun, released in February 2014.^[32]

The first look poster of Peruchazhi was launched at Dreams Hotel, Kochi in conjunction with the 111 day celebration of Friday Film House earlier venture Philips and the Monkey Pen.^[33] The film advertisers presented a campaign in which Mohanlal's character gradually becomes more detailed.^[34] Friday Film House on 21 May 2014 released a 34-second teaser^[35] as a special wish for Mohanlal on his 54th birthday. A full length trailer was released on August 1, 2014 which Zee News said "created a buzz in the social media."^[36][37] The two-minute-long trailer garnered 1,50,000 hits within 12 hours.^[38]

Peruchazhi was promoted in railway Stations on trains with the Parasuram Express and Ernad Express, which the makers claims to be the first of its kind marketing method used in Malayalam film industry, or rather kick started it.^[39][40] The production team launched a game called "Be a Peruchazhi" in google play store in September 2014.^[41][42]

Release

The film released in 500 screens worldwide,^[43] which is the highest release ever by a Malayalam cinema.^[44] Released on 29 August, distributed by Friday Tickets in Kerala and Fox Star Studios distributed in outside Kerala. US distribution is done by Prime Media and screened in 30 theatres in the US with English subtitles outside Kerala. Middle East release is stated to be on 4 September 2014.^[45][46] Achu & Achu's Creations distributed in Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Japan, Singapore and Europe. Singapore Coliseum distributed in Singapore, while P J Entertainments handled the distribution in Europe. The Times of India said that it was probably the first time a Malayalam film was released in US on the same date it was released in Kerala.^[47]

Reception

Critical response

Alternate poster of Peruchazhi

V. P. Nicy of International Business Times gave 4 out of 5 stars for the film and stated that the film is a clean entertainer. She also wrote, "The film has a few moments, which will take you back to good old days of Mohanlal film. If you are a Mohanlal fan, the film will be a feast for you and Arun Vaidyanathan has nailed a good political satire for this festive season."^[48] Nikhil Skaria, writing for Malayala Manorama, stated in his review, "the film is a festival entertainer and a big treat to Mohanlal fans".^[49] IndiaGlitz stated "Though the filmmaker demands the viewers to keep away logic while watching the stuff, at times it stoop down to absurdness which cannot be digested even while you just demand entertainment quotient", while giving the film 6 out of 10 stars.^[50] Akhila Menon of Filmi Beat gave the film 3 stars out of 5 and wrote that the film "is engaging at some places" but that it "shows some real flaws also." She further wrote, "Arun Vaidyanathan succeeds in bringing out the real comic elements from the actors; but fails in molding a real political satire on screen. As a result, the movie looks artificial at places."^[51] Aswin J Kumar of The Times of India also gave the film 3 out of 5 stars, but criticized the film, "The attempt at political satire in this film is feeble, mindless and boring. It's more like a mask over disfigurement, for there is hardly any scope for satire in a narrative riddled with superfluous acts of a star who has begun to show signs of insecurity."^[52]

Sujit Chandra Kumar of Deccan Chronicle gave the film two and a half stars and stated, "Arun Vaidyanathan has packed [the film] with so much spice that even if one ingredient fails to please, there is still something else for that die-hard fan."^[53] Sify stated, "Peruchazhi is meant for hardcore Mohanlal fans. There are some moments that remind us about those good old days of the superstar. If that is all you want from an entertainer, leave your brains back home and try this one at your own risk."^[54]

Box office

Peruchazhi had an opening day gross of ₹3 crore (US$440,000) creating the highest recorded opening for a Malayalam movie worldwide.^[55] Sify stated that, though the film started with a good box office business, it suffered a steep fall off in adjacent weeks.^[56]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack and background score were composed by Arrora. The lyrics were written by Rajeev Nair, R. Venugopal and Blaaze. The audio rights of the film were purchased by Think Music India. On August 13, 2014 unveiled the promo songs of the film and the full album was released on 16 August 2014

Mohanlal's dialogue Nee Po Mone Dinesha from the film Narasimham (2000) became a song in this movie. In popular culture of Kerala the dialogue which is considered as the best example for a punch dialogue in Malayalam.^[57][58][59]

References

External links

• Peruchazhi at the Internet Movie Database