Virus (2019 film)

2021-08-03T13:26:51Z

103.165.167.152: /* Cast */

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2019}}
{{short description|2019 film directed by Aashiq Abu}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Virus
| image = Virus Malayalam Movie.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Aashiq Abu]]
| producer = Aashiq Abu [[Rima Kallingal]]
| writer = [[Muhsin Parari]] Sharfu Suhas
| starring = {{ubl|[[Kunchacko Boban]]|[[Tovino Thomas]]|[[Indrajith Sukumaran]]|[[Revathi]]|[[Parvathy Thiruvothu]]}}
| music = [[Sushin Shyam]]
| cinematography = [[Rajeev Ravi]] '''Additional Cinematography''': [[Shyju Khalid]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shrijith |first1=Sajin |title=Doing Virus felt like doing a medical crash course: Aashiq Abu |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2019/jun/11/doing-virus-felt-like-doing-a-medical-crash-course-aashiq-abu-12216.html |access-date=18 October 2019 |publisher=[[Cinema Express]] |date=11 June 2019}}</ref>
| editing = Saiju Sreedharan
| studio = OPM Cinemas
| distributor = Tricolor ent
| released = {{Film date|2019|06|07|df=y}}
| runtime = 152 minutes
| country = India
| language = Malayalam
| budget = ₹ 6.5 crore
| gross = ₹ 27.5 crore
}}
'''''Virus''''' is a 2019 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language medical [[thriller film]] co-produced and directed by [[Aashiq Abu]] set against the backdrop of the [[2018 Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala]]. The film was written by [[Muhsin Parari]], Sharfu, and Suhas. It stars an [[ensemble cast]] that includes [[Kunchacko Boban]], [[Tovino Thomas]], [[Asif Ali (actor)|Asif Ali]], [[Parvathy Thiruvothu]], [[Rahman (actor)|Rahman]], [[Indrajith Sukumaran]], [[Indrans]], [[Jinu Joseph]], [[Sreenath Bhasi]], [[Dileesh Pothan]], [[Rima Kallingal]], [[Madonna Sebastian]], [[Ramya Nambeeshan]], [[Joju George]], [[Soubin Shahir]] and [[Revathi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/virus-first-look-aashiq-abu-5338629/|title=Virus first look: Is Aashiq Abu's next based on Nipah outbreak?|publisher=indianexpress.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/aashiq-abu-announces-virus-featuring-revathy-asif-ali-parvathy-film-to-tentatively-release-in-2019-5109181.html|title=Aashiq Abu announces Virus, featuring Revathy, Asif Ali, Parvathy; film to tentatively release in 2019|publisher=firstpost.com}}</ref>

Principal photography took place from January to February 2019 in a single schedule shot extensively in [[Government Medical College, Kozhikode]] and [[Government Homoeopathic Medical College, Kozhikode]] . The film was released worldwide on 7 June 2019, receiving critical acclaim and was a major box office success. It was included in [[The Hindu]]'s top 25 Malayalam films of the decade.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/the-25-best-malayalam-films-of-the-decade-premam-maheshinte-prathikaram-kumbalangi-nights-and-more/article30349548.ece|title=The 25 best Malayalam films of the decade|website=The Hindu|date=19 December 2019|access-date=29 May 2020}}</ref>

==Plot==
{{Expand section|date=September 2019}}
A man named Zakariya Mohammed is infected and brought to the [[Government Medical College, Kozhikode]], where he suffers from the symptoms of an unknown virus and, after a few hours, dies. Geetha, who was taking Zakariya's CT scan, got infected by the virus. As nurses and doctors checked her blood pressure, the scale was going up and down which led the doctors there worried and confused. A nurse Akhila who treated Zakariya gets affected too. Slowly more cases are identified in the surrounding areas. Dr. Salim (a neurologist) while checking on Zakariya's father, Razak, notices symptoms related to poisoning and Japanese encephalitis and other such infections on Razak. Dr. Salim also asked Dr. Suresh Rajan to conduct a sample test for Nipah virus. The samples were collected from Suhana, sister of Zakariya.

As the death toll begins to rise, Dr. Suresh Babu confirms the unknown virus to be Nipah. Nipah spreads across Kozhikode and the neighbouring districts. Sister Akhila (the nurse who treated Zakariya), dies after a long battle with the virus and before she died, she wrote a letter to her husband. The film progresses with real life experiences of people who we are aware of when it has happened and also creates a backstory for each affected patient and generates an interest in the narration.

In an emergency situation, a team of medical practitioners and healthcare professionals, led by the [[Health Minister of Kerala]] C K Prameela and District Collector Paul V Abraham IAS, camp in Kozhikode to tackle the crisis. There is an attempt made to justify that this is not a bio-weapon used by any country or organisation. While the film is ending, the film pays tribute to scientists, medical professionals, hospital staff, volunteers and the people who came forward to support the team to solve the virus attack. Health minister, CK Prameela announces Kozhikode Nipah virus free. In the end, it is shown that Zakariya saw a [[Pteropus|flying fox]] (a breed of bats) that was on the ground. He went there and before coming in contact with the bat, he took a picture of the bat for his Instagram story.

==Cast==
{{div col}}
*[[Kunchacko Boban]] as Dr. Suresh Rajan, Chief doctor
*[[Indrajith Sukumaran]] as Dr. Baburaj
*[[Tovino Thomas]] as Paul V Abraham IAS, [[district collector]]
*[[Parvathy Thiruvothu]] as Dr. Annu
*[[Asif Ali (actor)|Asif Ali]] as Vishnu Bhaskaran
*[[Revathi]] as C K Prameela, Minister of Health & Social Welfare (role of Minister [[K. K. Shailaja|Shailaja Teacher]])
*[[Poornima Indrajith]] as Dr. Smrithy Bhaskar, Director of Health Services
*[[Rahman (actor)|Rahman]] as Dr. Salim
* [[Rima Kallingal]] as Nurse Akhila
* [[Sharaf U Dheen]] as Sandeep, husband of Akhila
*[[Zakariya Mohammed]] as Zakariya, the first patient
*[[Indrans]] as Razak, father of Zakariya
*[[Savithri Sreedharan]] as Jameela, mother of Zakariya
*[[Sreenath Bhasi]] as Dr. Abid Rahman
*[[Jinu Joseph]] as Dr. John Jacob, Dr Annu's husband
*Sreekanth Murali as Dr. Moopan
*[[Senthil Krishna]] as Excise Minister CP Bhaskaran(role of Minister [[T. P. Ramakrishnan|T. P. Ramakrishnan]])
*[[Joju George]] as Babu (Attender)
*[[Dileesh Pothan]] as Prakashan, traffic police Constable
*[[Madonna Sebastian]] as Dr. Sara Yakub, a survivor and also Dr.Abid Rahman's lover
* [[Remya Nambeeshan]] as Raji, Babu's wife
* [[Basil Joseph]] as Dr. Mithu
* [[Soubin Shahir]] as Unnikrishnan
* [[Zeenath]] as Nurse Akhila's mother
* [[Sudheesh]] as Radhakrishnan
* [[Vettukili Prakash]] as Sadashivan (ambulance driver)
* [[Sajitha Madathil]] as Dr. Sreedevi
* [[Sarasa Balussery]] as Khadeeja
*Binu Pappu as Dr.Sudevan
* [[Nilambur Ayisha]] as Application Agent at Medical College
*[[Darshana Rajendran]] as Anjali Vasudevan, Vishnu's Wife
*[[Unnimaya Prasad]] as Dr. Nirmala
*Lukman as Dr. Sajith
*[[Street Academics|Haris Saleem]] as Dr. Haris
* [[Leona Lishoy]] as Paul's Wife
* [[Shebin Benson]] as Yahiya, Zakariya's brother
*Kozhikode Jayaraj as Nasar, Zakariya's uncle
* [[Sreedevi Unni]] as Dr. Abid's mother
*Anjali as Suhana
*Ann Saleem as Haifa
*Divya Gopinath as Geetha, attender at Radiology dept.
*Ambika Rao as Head nurse
*Ramesh Kottayam as Medical College Superintendent
*Jolly Chirayath as Pradeep's mother
*Sundar Pandyan as Grade 4 Cleaning Staff
*Noushad Ali as Vipin
*[[Dileesh Nair]] as Shanthan Vaidyar
*Neeraja Rajendran as Unnikrishnan's mother
*Ajayan Adat as Vipin's friend
*Vaisakh Shankar as Vaisakh Nair
*Preethi Nambiar as Preethy Varma
*Abhilash Mohanan as Himself (news reader)
*Shani Prabhakaran as Herself (news reader)
*Vivek Varrier as House surgeon
*[[Sidheeque N]] as Cameo Appearance(Cameraman)
{{div col end}}

==Production==
The film is based on the [[2018 Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/virus-is-about-how-kerala-tackled-nipah-outbreak-unitedly/articleshow/65667550.cms|title=Virus is about how Kerala tackled Nipah outbreak unitedly|publisher=timesofindia.indiatimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2018/09/04/aashiq-abu-makes-film-on-nipah-virus-multistar.html|script-title=si:നിപ്പ 'വൈറസ്' വെള്ളിത്തിരയിൽ; താരപ്പടയുമായി ആഷിഖ് അബു|title=Nippa 'Vaiṟas' Veḷḷittirayil; Tārappaṭayumāyi Āṣikh Abu|trans-title=Nippa 'virus' on silver screen; Aashiq Abu with Tarapada|publisher=manoramaonline.com}}</ref> Principal photography began in [[Kozhikode]] on 6 January 2019, [[Kalidas Jayaram]] was supposed to appear in the film in a supporting but pivotal role, but was replaced by [[Sreenath Bhasi]] after the former did not ultimately accept it. ''Virus'' was shot extensively in and around [[Government Medical College, Kozhikode]]. Filming wrapped on 26 February 2019 after 52 days shoot in a single schedule.

== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
| name = Virus
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Sushin Shyam]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 17 May 2019
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length = 54:03
| label = OPM Records
| producer = [[Sushin Shyam]]
| prev_title = [[Kumbalangi Nights]]
| prev_year = 2019
| next_title = [[Anjaam Pathiraa]]
| next_year = 2020
| misc = {{external media
| audio1 = {{YouTube|96uju9zP3tU|Audio Jukebox}}
}}
}}
The original soundtrack is composed, programmed, and arranged by [[Sushin Shyam]]. The film features a promotional song titled "Spread Love" sung by Shelton Pinheiro, [[Madonna Sebastian]], [[Muhsin Parari]] and Sushin Shyam, which was not included in the film, but was listed in the original soundtrack album, which features 17 instrumental numbers, which released on 17 May 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/virus-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1468248312|title=Virus (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Sushin Shyam|website=Apple Music}}</ref>
{{tracklist
| headline = ''Virus'' (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/virus-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1468248312|title=Virus (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Sushin Shyam|website=Apple Music}}</ref>
| extra_column = Artist(s)
| title1 = Spread Love
| length1 = 03:38
| extra1 = Shelton Pinheiro, [[Madonna Sebastian]], [[Muhsin Parari]], Sushin Shyam
| title2 = Heal
| length2 = 05:56
| extra2 =
| title3 = Orbit
| length3 = 02:02
| extra3 =
| title4 = Virus
| length4 = 02:48
| extra4 =
| title5 = Vision
| length5 = 01:29
| extra5 =
| title6 = Outbreak
| length6 = 02:12
| extra6 =
| title7 = Heroes
| length7 = 03:33
| extra7 =
| title8 = Dharmam
| length8 = 01:52
| extra8 =
| title9 = Humanity
| length9 = 02:34
| extra9 =
| title10 = Roots
| length10 = 05:09
| extra10 =
| title11 = Quest
| length11 = 04:16
| extra11 =
| title12 = Spreading Rapidly
| length12 = 04:37
| extra12 =
| title13 = Love for mother nature
| length13 = 02:05
| extra13 =
| title14 = A departure without amends
| length14 = 02:13
| extra14 =
| title15 = Consumed by fear
| length15 = 01:28
| extra15 =
| title16 = Festering within
| length16 = 01:14
| extra16 =
| title17 = The truth unfolding
| length17 = 02:36
| extra17 =
| title18 = Rise
| length18 = 06:21
| extra18 =
}}

==Release==
The film was released worldwide on 7 June 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/virus-to-hit-the-screens-on-june-7/articleshow/69162509.cms|title='Virus' to hit the screens on June 7 - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=16 June 2019}}</ref>The film dubbed in Telugu as Nipah Virus and released on [[Aha (streaming service)|Aha]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Kulfibuzz|title=Nipah Virus Telugu movie cast|url=https://kulfibuzz.com/nipah-virus-telugu-movie-trailer-cast-release-date|access-date=2020-12-06|website=Kulfi Buzz|language=en}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Box office===
The film grossed ₹3.9 [[crore]] in the opening weekend (7 – 9 June) from [[Kerala]] box office.<ref>{{cite news|author=Surendhar M. K.|title=Kolaigaran pulls in Rs 6.8 cr from opening weekend in Tamil Nadu; Virus earns Rs 6 cr worldwide|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kolaigaran-pulls-in-rs-6-8-cr-from-opening-weekend-in-tamil-nadu-virus-earns-rs-6-cr-worldwide-6820291.html|access-date=25 June 2019|work=[[Firstpost]]|date=16 June 2019}}</ref> It collected a worldwide total of over ₹15 crore in 12 days, with ₹11.74 crore from Kerala alone. By collecting $65,000 in 10 days from the [[United States]], ''Virus'' became the fourth highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2019 in the US, behind ''[[Lucifer (film)|Lucifer]]'', ''[[Kumbalangi Nights]]'', and ''[[Uyare]]''. And as of 21 June, it is also the fourth highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2019 in the rest-of-India territories, behind ''Lucifer'', ''Kumbalangi Nights'', and ''Uyare''.<ref>{{cite news|author=Surendhar M. K.|title=Unda earns Rs 11.9 cr in Kerala in 6 days; Kolaigaran tops Tamil Nadu box office for second consecutive weekend|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/unda-earns-rs-11-9-cr-in-kerala-in-6-days-kolaigaran-tops-tamil-nadu-box-office-for-second-consecutive-weekend-6859151.html|access-date=25 June 2019|work=[[Firstpost]]|date=21 June 2019}}</ref> It earned ₹2,60,058 in [[Chennai]] from 18 shows in the opening weekend,<ref>{{cite web|title=Virus box office collection|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/virus/virus-box-office-jun-09.html|publisher=Behindwoods|access-date=25 June 2019|date=9 June 2019}}</ref> and ₹4,82,715 in two weeks.<ref>{{cite web|title=Virus box office collection|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/virus/virus-box-office-jun-16.html|publisher=Behindwoods|access-date=25 June 2019|date=17 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Upadhyaya|first=Prakash|title=Box office collection: Kolaigaran overpowers Game Over in Chennai|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/box-office-collection-kolaigaran-overpowers-game-over-chennai-799827|access-date=25 June 2019|work=[[International Business Times]]|date=18 June 2019}}</ref>

In the opening weekend, the film grossed $342,527 from the [[United Arab Emirates]] (UAE) and $9,098 from [[Australia]]. It grossed €2,749 (₹2.16 lakh) in [[Germany]] in two weeks. The film was released a week later (on 14 June) in the United Kingdom and [[New Zealand]] where it collected £14,991 (₹13.2 lakh) and NZ$12,409 (₹5.65 lakh) in the opening weekend,<ref>{{cite web|title=Bharat slows down in second weekend; collects approx. 9.13 mil. USD [Rs. 63.82 cr.] in overseas|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-overseas/bharat-slows-down-in-second-weekend-collects-approx-9-13-mil-usd-rs-63-82-cr-in-overseas/|publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=4 July 2019|date=17 June 2019}}</ref> and £28,809 (₹25.56 lakh) and NZ$16,099 (₹7.4 lakh) in two weeks. In three weeks, it collected A$23,868 (₹11.56 lakh) in Australia and $587,960 in the UAE.<ref>{{cite web|title=Virus (2019)|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/intl/?page=&country=00&wk=2019W23&id=_fVIRUS201|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=25 June 2019}}</ref> In the US, it made $68,244 (47.13 lakh) in four weeks.<ref>{{cite web|title=Article 15 collects approx. 1 mil. USD [Rs. 6.89 cr] in overseas|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-overseas/article-15-collects-approx-1-mil-usd-rs-6-89-cr-in-overseas/|publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=7 July 2019|date=1 July 2019}}</ref>

===Critical reception===
Sowmya Rajendran of ''[[The News Minute]]'' called the movie, "A compassionate, gripping medical thriller" and rated it 4/5 stars.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/virus-review-compassionate-gripping-medical-thriller-103183|website=www.thenewsminute.com|title='Virus' review: A compassionate, gripping medical thriller|first=Sowmya|last=Rajendran|date=7 June 2019|access-date=8 June 2019}}</ref>

Meera Manu of [[News18]] rated the movie 4/5 stars and said, "For its 152-minute duration, Virus will take you through many emotional roller-coasters. This one is contagious enough to make you skip a heartbeat or evoking tears. It's more than just a film, it's humans joining hands to beat a deadly disease. No reason to not watch this one."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/virus-movie-review-this-film-about-nipah-outbreak-slowly-grows-on-you-2176345.html|title=Virus Movie Review: This Film About Nipah Outbreak Slowly Grows on You|website=News18|access-date=16 June 2019}}</ref> Manu of the Filmibeat rated the movie 4/5 stars and reviewed, "Virus is a mind-blowing movie and as its tagline says it rightly conveys the fear, fight and the survival during the Nipah outbreak. A well-crafted movie, which could be ranked as one among the best movies of all-time. Kudos to the team."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/reviews/2019/virus-movie-review-and-rating-a-brilliantly-crafted-film-that-is-mighty-impressive-on-all-terms-286589.html|title=Virus Movie Review: A Brilliantly Crafted Film That Is Mighty Impressive On All Counts!|last=Manu|date=7 June 2019|access-date=16 June 2019}}</ref>

Anjana George of ''[[The Times of India]]'' rated the movie 3.5/5 stars and reviewed, "On the whole, the film can be called as a well-crafted multi-starrer, fictional documentation of news reports on the Nipah virus attack that shocked Kerala and still looms over us."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/virus/movie-review/69688873.cms|title=Virus Movie Review {3.5/5}: A well-crafted multi-starrer, fictional documentation on the Nipah virus attack|access-date=16 June 2019|via=timesofindia.indiatimes.com}}</ref> Behindwoods rated the movie 3.25/5 stars and wrote, "With Virus, Aashiq Abu cements his top form as a filmmaker. Overall, Virus is a straightforward, detailed and uncompromising retelling of an unbelievable story of humanity."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/malayalam-movies/virus/virus-review.html|title=Virus (aka) Virues review|date=7 June 2019|website=Behindwoods|access-date=16 June 2019}}</ref> [[Film Companion]] called the movie, "A Screenwriting Miracle" and praised the performances of the actors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/virus-movie-review-a-screenwriting-miracle-parvathy-ashiq-abu/|title=Virus with several great performances is a screenwriting miracle|first=Vishal|last=Menon|date=7 June 2019|website=Film Companion|access-date=16 June 2019}}</ref>

==Accolades==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|-
! Award
! Category
! Recipient
! Notes
|-
|rowspan=4|[[CPC Cine Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2020/cpc-cine-awards-2019-virus-and-kumabalangi-nights-bag-the-top-honours-294457.html|title=CPC Cine Awards 2019: Virus And Kumabalangi Nights Bag Top Honours!|date=30 January 2020|website=www.filmibeat.com}}</ref>
|Best Director
|[[Aashiq Abu]]
|
|-
|Best Background Score
|[[Sushin Shyam]]
|
|-
|Best Editor
|Saiju Sreedharan
|
|-
|Best Production Designer
|Jothish Shankar
|
|-
|rowspan=4|[[Vanitha Film Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2020/vanitha-film-awards-2020-mohanlal-prithviraj-sukumaran-parvathy-win-top-honours-294884.html|title=Vanitha Film Awards 2020: Mohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Parvathy Thiruvothu Win Top Honours!|date=11 February 2020|website=www.filmibeat.com}}</ref>
|Best Film on Social Issues
|
|
|-
|Best Supporting Actor
|[[Soubin Shahir]]
|
|-
|Social Responsible Actor
|[[Kunchacko Boban]]
|
|-
|Social Responsible Actress
|[[Rima Kallingal]]
|
|-
|[[Asianet Film Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2020/asianet-film-awards-2020-here-is-the-complete-winners-list-294778.html|title=Asianet Film Awards 2020: Here Is The Complete Winners List!|date=8 February 2020|website=www.filmibeat.com}}</ref>
|Best Actress
|[[Parvathy Thiruvothu]]
|
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|8941440}}

[[Category:2019 films]]
[[Category:2019 thriller drama films]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:2010s Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Indian thriller drama films]]
[[Category:Indian films based on actual events]]
[[Category:Medical-themed films]]
[[Category:Films about viral outbreaks]]
[[Category:2019 drama films]]

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Virus (2019 film)