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{{Short description|2023 film directed by Shaji Kailas}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Alone
| image = Alone 2023 film.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Shaji Kailas]]
| producer = [[Antony Perumbavoor]]
| writer = Rajesh Jayaraman
| starring = [[Mohanlal]]
| music = [[4Musics]]
| cinematography = [[Abinandhan Ramanujam]]<br />Pramod K. Pillai
| editing = [[Don Max (film editor)|Don Max]]
| studio = [[Aashirvad Cinemas]]
| distributor = Aashirvad Release
| released = {{Film date|df=y|2023|1|26}}
| runtime =
| country = India
| language = Malayalam
| budget = ₹2.5 crore<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-01-31 |title=‘Alone’ box office collection day 4: Mohanlal starrer stays low, mints only Rs 65 lakhs|work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/alone-box-office-collection-day-4-mohanlal-starrer-stays-low-mints-only-rs-68-lakhs/articleshow/97484057.cms}}</ref>
| gross = ₹1.1 crore<ref name="bo">{{cite web |title=Box Office: Analyzing theatrical performance of Mohanlal's post-pandemic movies, Marakkar to L2 Empuraan |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/box-office-analysing-theatrical-performance-of-mohanlals-post-pandemic-movies-from-marakkar-to-l2-empuraan-1384093 |website=PINKVILLA |access-date=26 April 2025 |language=en |date=23 April 2025}}</ref>
}}
'''''Alone''''' is a 2023 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[thriller film|mystery thriller film]] directed by [[Shaji Kailas]], written by Rajesh Jayaraman, and produced and distributed by [[Antony Perumbavoor]] through [[Aashirvad Cinemas]]. The story is set during the 2020 [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]]. It stars [[Mohanlal]] as the only character appearing in the film which otherwise features [[Voice acting|voice roles]] as supporting cast. [[4Musics]] composed the film's [[background score]] and songs.

The film was developed during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]] as a small film that can be made within pandemic restrictions to help unemployed workers in [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam film industry]]. [[Principal photography]] lasted 18 days from September to October 2021. The film was originally meant to be a [[Over-the-top media services in India|direct-to-OTT]] release.

''Alone'' was released in theatres on 26 January 2023 and received negative reviews from critics and audiences. The film was a [[box office bomb]].<ref name="reviews">{{cite web |title='Alone' on OTT platform: Release date, where to watch, cast and plot |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/alone-on-ott-platform-release-date-where-to-watch-cast-and-plot-2341131-2023-03-01 |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=India Today |date=March 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

==Premise==
Kalidas is a [[motivational speaker]] who starts living in a prominent flat in [[Kochi]] during the [[COVID-19 lockdown in India|COVID-19 lockdown]], with a need for something. As it is a COVID-affected area, no contact with anyone is possible, Kalidasan experience [[Paranormal|paranormal activities]] in the flat and begins to unravel the mystery. He tries to find out the mystery behind the paranormal activities seen in his flat. He seeks help from Yamuna, who arranged him the flat.

==Cast==

* [[Mohanlal]] as Kalidas, the only character seen on-screen, is stranded in an [[apartment]] building during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]].<ref name="teaser"/>

===Voice cast===
* [[Prithviraj Sukumaran]] as Hari Bhai
* [[Manju Warrier]] as Yamuna
* [[Annie Shaji Kailas]] as [[Doctor of Medicine|Dr]]. Susan
* [[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]] as Karthavu (Association President)
* [[Nandu (Malayalam actor)|Nandu]] as Santhosh, the apartment's Chief security guard
* [[Baiju Santhosh]] as ASI Rasheed
* [[Shankar Ramakrishnan]] as Vinod
* [[Renji Panicker]] as Colonel
* [[Mallika Sukumaran]] as Kalidas's Neighbour
* [[Suresh Krishna (actor)|Suresh Krishna]] as Thomas Kuruvila, the caretaker of the apartment
* [[Rachana Narayanankutty]] as Sreedevi
* [[Zeenath]] as Sheela Varky
* [[Jose (actor)|Jose]] as Binoy

==Production==
===Development===
[[Shaji Kailas]] said that ''Alone'' was developed after [[Mohanlal]] put forward a proposal to make a "small film" during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]] to help unemployed workers in film industry during the pandemic. For which, producer [[Antony Perumbavoor]] enquired for potential stories, to whom Kailas suggested a single character film about a man named Kalidas who gets trapped in [[Kerala]] during the pandemic while travelling from [[Coimbatore]].<ref name="MM">{{cite news|last=കുര്യാക്കോസ്|first=റെഞ്ചി|title=കടുവയിൽ പൃഥ്വിക്കൊപ്പം മോഹന്‍ലാലിനെ കൊണ്ടുവരാൻ ആഗ്രഹിച്ചു, പക്ഷേ: ഷാജി കൈലാസ് അഭിമുഖം|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/interview/2022/06/26/interview-with-shaji-kailas.html|access-date=26 June 2022|work=[[Manorama Online]]|date=26 June 2022|language=ml}}</ref> Mohanlal and Kailas were collaborating for a film after 12 years. The screenplay was written by Rajesh Jayaraman. The title was announced on 4 October 2021. By then, filming had already begun.<ref name="TOI">{{cite news|title=Mohanlal-Shaji Kailas film titled 'Alone'|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mohanlal-shaji-kailas-film-titled-alone/articleshow/86802578.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=6 October 2021}}</ref> The title comes with the tagline "real heroes are always alone".<ref name="TNIE">{{cite news|author=Express News Service|title=Mohanlal-Shaji Kailas' new film titled Alone|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2021/oct/07/mohanlal-shaji-kailas-new-film-titled-alone-2368483.html|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=7 October 2021|accessdate=}}</ref>

===Filming===
[[Principal photography]] of the film began on 27 September 2021.<ref name="TOI"/> Filming was concluded on 22 October. The whole filming process was completed in 18 days.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mohanlal starrer 'Alone' finishes its shoot in just 18 days!|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mohanlal-starrer-alone-finishes-its-shoot-in-just-18-days/articleshow/87223483.cms|access-date=2021-12-01|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> Kailas took the project after he had begun the production of ''[[Kaduva]]'' and was shot during its break.<ref name="MM"/> [[Abinandhan Ramanujam]] and Pramod K. Pillai were the cinematographers.<ref name="teaser">{{cite news|author=CE Features|title=Mohanlal's Alone teaser promises a one-man show|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/videos/2022/oct/21/mohanlals-alone-teaser-promises-a-one-man-show-35859.html|access-date=26 October 2022|work=[[Cinema Express]]|date=21 October 2022}}</ref> Production design was done by Santhosh Raman.<ref name="TOI"/> Kailas' son Jagan Kailas worked as an associate director on the film.<ref name="TNIE"/> Mohanlal began [[dubbing]] for his role in May 2022.<ref>{{cite news|author=ETimes.in|title=Mohanlal starts dubbing for Shaji Kailas' movie 'Alone'|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mohanlal-starts-dubbing-for-shaji-kailas-movie-alone/articleshow/91592987.cms|access-date=26 October 2022|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=16 May 2022}}</ref> In November 2022, Kailas said the film's post-production was in its final stage.<ref>{{cite news|author=ETimes.in|title=Mohanlal's 'Alone': Director Shaji Kailas drops a major update|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mohanlals-alone-director-shaji-kailas-drops-a-major-update/articleshow/95371818.cms|access-date=23 January 2023|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=8 November 2022}}</ref>

==Music==
Initially, [[Jakes Bejoy]] was attached as the music composer.<ref name="TNIE"/> He was replaced by [[4Musics]], who composed the film's [[background score]] and songs.<ref name="teaser"/> Originally, the filmmakers had no plans to include any songs until filming was completed. After watching the visuals, 4Musics suggested two songs that would fit the narrative. Kailas wanted more [[string instrument]]s. 4Musics chose [[Western music (North America)|Western style]] feeling it suits the film's theme, but they could not fully implement it since Kailas had his own views on the kind of music he wanted. For the second track, a [[rock song]] was added in the climax portion where the [[character arc]] of Kalidas is defined, which serves as the film's theme.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sidhardhan|first=Sanjith|title=Mohanlal's Alone theme music has a rock as its climax veers to 'mass': 4 Musics|url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/mohanlals-alone-theme-music-has-a-western-rock-influence-as-its-climax-veers-towards-massy-territory-4-musics/a555e19647543|publisher=OTT Play|access-date=23 January 2023|date=23 January 2023}}</ref>

The first [[Single (music)|single]] "Life Is A Mystery" was sung by Irish musician Mick Garry who also wrote the lyrics, with additional lyrics added by Biby Mathew and Eldhose Alias; its [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]] and [[Mastering (audio)|mastering]] was done by Vivek Thomas. The song was recorded in [[Spain]]. ''[[The Times of India]]'' wrote that the song has "a [[funk]]y style that takes us back to retro [[American popular music|American music]]".<ref>{{cite news|author=ETimes.in|title='Alone': Makers unveil the lyrical video 'Life is a Mystery' from the Mohanlal starrer|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/alone-makers-unveil-the-lyrical-video-life-is-a-mystery-from-the-mohanlal-starrer/articleshow/97087729.cms|access-date=20 January 2023|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=18 January 2023}}</ref> It was released on 18 January 2023 by Aashirvad Cinemas label.<ref>{{cite web|title=Life Is A Mystery (From "Alone") - Single by 4 Musics & Mick Garry|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/life-is-a-mystery-from-alone-single/1665911326 |publisher=[[Apple Music]]|access-date=20 January 2023|date=18 January 2023}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline =
| extra_column = Singer

| title1 = Life Is A Mystery
| lyrics1 = Mick Garry
| extra1 = Mick Garry
| note1 = From "Alone"
| length1 = 2:08

| title2 = He's Moving
| lyrics2 = Biby, Eldhose (4 Musics) & Megha Mary Binu, Rony Philip
| extra2 = Rony Philip
| note2 = From "Alone"
| length2 = 3:36
}}

==Release==
===Theatrical===
In November 2021, it was reported that ''Alone'' would be released on a [[digital streaming]] platform.<ref>{{cite web |date=6 November 2021 |title=Four more Mohanlal films to be released on OTT platforms |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2021/nov/06/four-more-mohanlal-films-to-be-released-on-ott-platforms-2380016.html |website=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref> In June 2022, Kailas revealed that the film would be released in August 2022 on an OTT platform, which did not happen.<ref name="MM"/> Having had a change of plan, in October that year, a teaser was released announcing the film will have a theatrical release.<ref name="teaser"/> The film received certification from the [[Central Board of Film Certification|CBFC]] in December 2022.<ref>{{cite news|author=Onmanorama staff|title=Mohanlal's 'Alone' gets clean U certificate. Film won't be an OTT release|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2022/12/11/mohanlal-shaji-kailas-alone-u-certificate-ott-theatrical-release.html|access-date=30 December 2022|work=[[Onmanorama]]|date=11 December 2022}}</ref> In a January 2023 interview, Kailas said ''Alone'' was meant to be a direct-to-OTT release.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kuriakose|first=Renji|title=Prithviraj suggested that I make 'Kaduva' in the 1990s style: Shaji Kailas|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2023/01/08/prithviraj-shaji-kailas-movies-kaapa-kaduva-bhavana-hunt-variety-films.html|access-date=20 January 2023|work=[[Onmanorama]]|date=8 January 2023}}</ref> ''Alone'' was released in theatres on 26 January 2023.<ref>{{cite news|author=Onmanorama staff|title=Trailer of 'Alone' starring Mohanlal alone released|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2023/01/01/trailer-alone-starring-mohanlal-alone-released.html|access-date=1 January 2023|work=[[Onmanorama]]|date=1 January 2023}}</ref>

===Home media===
The satellite and digital rights of the film were acquired by [[Disney+ Hotstar]] and [[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]]. The film started streaming on 3 March 2023 on Disney+ Hotstar.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.keralatv.in/alone-movie-ott-release-date/ | title=Alone Movie OTT Release Date Announced by Disney+Hotstar - Streaming from 3rd March 2023 | date=24 February 2023 }}</ref>

==Reception==
''Alone'' received negative reviews upon release.

Janani K. of ''[[India Today]]'' gave 3 out of 5 and wrote "Director Shaji Kailas’ Alone, starring Mohanlal, is a one-actor film that tries to be a thriller with a twist. But, it neither offers thrills nor the so-called twists have an impact on you."<ref>{{cite web|title=Alone Movie Review: Mohanlal's one-actor film is a tedious watch|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/alone-movie-review-mohanlals-one-actor-film-is-a-tedious-watch-2326798-2023-01-26|website=India Today|date=26 January 2023 |access-date=27 January 2023}}</ref> A critic from ''[[IndianExpress.com]]'' gave 1.5 rating out of 5 and stated, "But sadly, this film doesn't even have a glimpse of the good old vintage Mohanlal or Shaji Kailas."<ref>{{cite web |title='Alone' movie review: A daring experiment that becomes a tiring experience |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2023/jan/28/alone-movie-review-a-daring-experiment-that-becomes-a-tiring-experience-2541917.html |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=The New Indian Express|date=28 January 2023 }}</ref> S.R.Praveen of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "Mohanlal's solo act not enough to save this stretched-out thriller".<ref>{{cite news |last=Praveen |first=S. R. |date=2023-01-26 |title='Alone' movie review: Mohanlal's solo act not enough to save this stretched-out thriller |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/alone-movie-review-mohanlals-solo-act-not-enough-to-save-this-stretched-out-thriller/article66435415.ece |access-date=2023-04-29 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> ''[[Firstpost]]'' critic gave 0 out of 5 and noted that "''Alone'' is zero-impact, zero-purpose fare. The point of its existence is a far bigger mystery than the occurrences in the flat where the story unfolds."<ref>{{cite web |date=2023-01-28 |title=Alone movie review: Is Mohanlal in a race to give us the worst Mohanlal film yet? |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/alone-movie-review-is-mohanlal-in-a-race-to-give-us-the-worst-mohanlal-film-yet-12062912.html |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=Firstpost |language=en}}</ref>

==Box office==
This movie was made with a budget of 3 crore and only managed to collect 1.1 crore worldwide as a final collection and was one of biggest [[Box office bomb|box office failure]] in Malayalam cinema industry.<ref name="bo"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|15387128}}

{{Shaji Kailas}}
{{Aashirvad Cinemas}}

[[Category:2023 Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:One-character films]]
[[Category:Films set in apartment buildings]]
[[Category:Indian films about the COVID-19 pandemic]]
[[Category:Films shot in Kochi]]
[[Category:Films directed by Shaji Kailas]]
[[Category:Aashirvad Cinemas films]]

Alone (2023 film) - Revision history

KaleyCountryman: creating some article w/ sources