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{{short description|2013 Indian film}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Amen
| image = Amen_2013_poster.jpg
| caption = Film poster
| alt =
| director = [[Lijo Jose Pellissery]]
| producer = Fareed Khan
| writer = [[P. S. Rafeeque]]
| story = Lijo Jose Pellissery
| starring = {{ubl|[[Fahadh Faasil]]|[[Indrajith Sukumaran]]|[[Kalabhavan Mani]]|[[Swathi Reddy]]}}
| music = [[Prashant Pillai]]
| cinematography = [[Abinandhan Ramanujam]]
| editing = [[Manoj (film editor)|Manoj]]
| studio = Whitesands Media House Production
| distributor = Kochin Talkies
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2013|03|22}}
| runtime = 159 minutes<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Amen |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/amen-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0znzayodm |access-date=14 October 2023 |website=[[British Board of Film Classification]] |language=en}}</ref>
| country = India
| language = Malayalam
| budget = 35 million<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=15027491&cid=14625530|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503214722/http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=15027491&cid=14625530|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 May 2013|title=Kerala Box-Office - April 2013|website=[[Sify]]|date=29 April 2013|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref>
| gross = 
}}

'''''Amen''''' is a 2013 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[Musical film|musical]] [[romantic comedy]] directed by [[Lijo Jose Pellissery]] and written by [[P. S. Rafeeque]] from a story by Pellissery. The film revolves around the events in a picturesque [[Kuttanad]] village, following the arrival of a young priest and a pair of [[star-crossed]] lovers. The film stars [[Fahadh Faasil]], [[Indrajith Sukumaran]], [[Kalabhavan Mani]], and [[Swathi Reddy]] (in her Malayalam debut). The film's songs and [[background score]] was composed by [[Prashant Pillai]].

The film was released on 22 March 2013, receiving widespread positive reviews from critics. The film was also a commercial success at the box-office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/swati-reddy-signs-lijo-joses-amen/288431-71-210.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919083133/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/swati-reddy-signs-lijo-joses-amen/288431-71-210.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 September 2012 |title=Swati Reddy signs Lijo Jose's 'Amen' |publisher=CNN-IBN |date=4 September 2012 |accessdate=22 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Swati-Reddy-to-make-Mwood-debut-with-Amen/articleshow/15490643.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331080420/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-14/news-and-interviews/33200752_1_m-wood-debut-malayalam-film-industry-important-roles |url-status=live |archive-date=31 March 2013 |title=Swati Reddy to make M'wood debut with Amen |date=14 August 2012 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=22 October 2012}}</ref><ref name="Release" /><ref name="indiaglitz.com" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/malayalam-cinema-first-half-of-2013-progress-report-news-malayalam-nhgry4ccbfg.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708062540/http://www.sify.com/movies/malayalam-cinema-first-half-of-2013-progress-report-news-malayalam-nhgry4ccbfg.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-07-08|title=Malayalam cinema – First Half of 2013 Progress Report|work=Sify}}</ref><ref>Deepa Gauri. ''The best of Malayalam cinema in 2013'' 26 December 2013 [[Khaleej Times]] [http://www.khaleejtimes.com/citytimes/inside.asp?xfile=/data/citytimes/2013/December/citytimes_December198.xml&section=citytimes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102124957/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/citytimes/inside.asp?xfile=%2Fdata%2Fcitytimes%2F2013%2FDecember%2Fcitytimes_December198.xml&section=citytimes|date=2 January 2014}}</ref>

==Plot==
The plot revolves around the lives of a few people around an ancient [[Syrian churches of Kerala|Syrian church]] in a [[Kuttanad]]an village called Kumarankari. Solomon is in love with Shoshanna who is the daughter of a wealthy contractor. Solomon is a failed band member however he is the son of the famous Estapan, who was renowned in Kerala for his clarinet playing abilities, and died in a boat accident.

Fr. Vincent Vattoli comes to the church as a new recruit to the parish. He learns about the relationship and tries to unite the couple. At this time, the marriage of Shoshanna gets fixed. Solomon attempts to elope, in vain. They are caught by Shoshana's parents and Solomon is mercilessly beaten up.

The people of Kumanamkari and the neighboring town then place a bet in which the St. George's band has to win in order for Solomon's marriage to occur. It was said that Shoshanna would be married to Solomon if they win the competition with Solomon leading the band.

The band takes intense practices and wins the bet, while Solomon's band master, Louis Paapan dies. At that night Shosana's father backs out of the bet. Him, the evil old parish priest and Solomons uncle are haunted at night by St. George at the time when they were destroying the church. They all came to the realisation that Solomon had divine powers on his side and they stood aside from Solomon's life as obstacles.

Solomon marries Shosana and the band continues to participate in other competitions. Later a call comes to the church informing that the new Priest [[Priest|Fr]]. Vincent Vattoli is taking charge. The Kumarangiri folks now come to know that Fr. Vincent Vattoli was actually the [[Saint George]] himself who appeared in front of them.

==Cast==
{{colbegin}}
* [[Fahadh Faasil]] as Solomon
* [[Indrajith Sukumaran]] in a [[dual role]] as :
**Father Vincent Vattolli
**Allegedly [[St. George]] in disguise
* [[Kalabhavan Mani]] as Louis Paapan
* [[Swathi Reddy]] as Shoshanna
* [[Nandu (Malayalam actor)|Nandu]] as Philipose
* [[Rachana Narayanankutty]] as Clara
* [[Joy Mathew]] as Father Abraham Ottaplakan
* [[Sunil Sukhada]] as Kappiyar Kochousep
* [[Chemban Vinod Jose]] as Paily
* [[Anil Murali]] as Thommeni Davis
* [[Makarand Deshpande]] as Shevaliyar Pothachan
* [[Sandra Thomas]] as Mariyama
* [[Sasi Kalinga]] as Chachappan
* [[Rajesh Hebbar]] as Esthappan/Esthappanasan
* [[Sudheer Karamana]] as Mathachan
* [[Sudhi Koppa]] as Sebastian (Clara's lover)
* [[Chali Pala]] as Mathews
* [[Kulappulli Leela]] as Therutha
* [[Nisha Sarang]] as Leenamma /Mathachan's Wife
* Natasha Sahgal as Michelle
* Kainakary Thankaraj as Chali Pappan
* Jayasanker Karimuttam as Vishakol Pappy
* Shobha Singh as Solomon's Mother
* V K Unnikrishnan as Kamlasanan Engineer
* Rukmini Amma as Shoshanna's Grandmother
* Vinod Calicut as Vikraman
* [[Gokulan (actor)|Gokulan]] as Coconut Tree Climber
* Nimral Benny
{{colend}}

==Production==
The film is scripted by PS Rafeeque, who also wrote Lijo's debut feature film ''[[Nayakan (2010 film)|Nayakan]]'' (2010). [[Abinandhan Ramanujam]] is the cinematographer who also wielded the camera for {{YouTube|9uPhC2mmTgM|''The Postman''}}, a [[National Film Award (India)|national award]] winning non-feature film from [[Chennai]] and shot the vivid TV series for MTV, ''The Rush''.<ref name="Sathyendran">{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/shotcuts-amen-to-that/article3987946.ece |title=Shotcuts: Amen to that |newspaper=The Hindu |date=11 October 2012 |accessdate=22 October 2012 |location=Chennai, India |first=Nita |last=Sathyendran}}</ref>

[[Indrajith Sukumaran|Indrajith]] was selected play the role of Father Vincent Vattolli, the young priest of a church in a village called Kumaramkari. This film is the actor's third film with Lijo after stellar performances in the critically acclaimed ''Nayakan'' and ''[[City of God (2011 film)|City of God]]'' (2011). [[Fahadh Faasil]] plays the other lead character named Solomon, who is in love with Shoshanna. Shoshanna is played by [[Andhra Pradesh]]-born actress [[Swathi Reddy]], known for her role in the Tamil film ''[[Subramaniapuram]]''. Meanwhile, scriptwriter-turned-actor Natasha Sahgal, plays the part of a French lady, come to study the music and local culture.<ref name="Sathyendran"/>

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name = Amen
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Prashant Pillai]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 2013
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length =
| label = Mathrubhumi Music
| producer = [[Prashant Pillai]]
| prev_title = [[David (2013 Hindi film)|David]]
| prev_year = 2013
| next_title = [[5 Sundarikal]]
| next_year = 2013
}}

{{Track listing
| extra_column = Artist(s)
| all_lyrics = [[Kavalam Narayana Panicker]] except where noted
| all_music = [[Prashant Pillai]]
| title1 = Aathmavil
| extra1 = Kavita Mohan, [[Shweta Mohan]], Preeti Pillai, Sankar Sharma
| title2 = Karuthiku Thithai
| extra2 = Sopanam Anil, Sopanam Satheesh, Nithin Raj, Sankar Sharma
| title3 = Meen
| extra3 = [[Alyssa Mendonsa]]
| title4 = Pampara Pa Pa
| extra4 = Sopanam Anil, Sopanam Satheesh, [[Remya Nambeesan]], Nithin Raj
| title5 = Ee Solomanum Shoshannayum
| lyrics5 = P. S. Rafeeque
| extra5 = Preeti Pillai, Shreekumar Vakkiyil
| title6 = Spirit of Amen
| extra6 = Sankar Sharma, [[Alphons Joseph]], Prashant Pillai
| title7 = Vattolli
| extra7 = [[Lucky Ali]]
}}

==Awards==
* 2013 - [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Costume Designer]] - Siji Thomas Nobel
* 2013 - [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Art Director]] - M. Bawa
* 2013 - TTK Prestige-Vanitha Film Awards - Most Popular film<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kerala9.com/news-category/news/movie-news/ttk-prestige-vanitha-film-awards-shobhana-prithviraj-win-best-actor-actress-awards|title=TTK Prestige-Vanitha Film Awards: Shobhana, Prithviraj win best actor, actress awards|work=kerala9.com|access-date=7 January 2014|archive-date=7 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307082405/http://kerala9.com/news-category/news/movie-news/ttk-prestige-vanitha-film-awards-shobhana-prithviraj-win-best-actor-actress-awards|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 2013 : [[Kerala Film Critics Association Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/Drishyam-Bags-Kerala-Film-Critics-Association-Awards/2014/01/30/article2027269.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221232342/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/Drishyam-Bags-Kerala-Film-Critics-Association-Awards/2014/01/30/article2027269.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 February 2014|title='Drishyam' Bags Kerala Film Critics Association Awards|work=The New Indian Express}}</ref> - Best Popular film
* 2013 : [[Asianet Film Awards|16th Asianet Film Awards 2014]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmelon.com/posts/16th-ujala-asianet-film-awards-2014-winners-list|title=16th Ujala Asianet Film Awards 2014 - Winners List|work=Filmelon|access-date=27 March 2015|archive-date=4 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404075334/http://www.filmelon.com/posts/16th-ujala-asianet-film-awards-2014-winners-list|url-status=dead}}</ref> - Best Music Director - Prashant Pillai

==Release==
''Amen'' reached theatres on 22 March 2013, receiving positive reviews from critics. It was declared as a blockbuster.<ref name="Release" /><ref name="indiaglitz.com"/>

===Critical reception===
Upon its release, ''Amen'' received widespread positive reviews from critics. Paresh C Palicha of [[Rediff.com]] stated that ''Amen'' is "brilliant" and concluded that "Director Lijo Jose Pellissery can be proud of making a brilliant film that has an intelligent story, a multi-layered screenplay, excellent cinematography and powerful performances from the actors."<ref name="Review 5" /> Aswin J Kumar of ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave the movie 3.5 stars in a scale of 5, stating that "In ''Amen'', director Lijo Jose Pallisserry dabbles in a newly-found realm. He does the act joyfully with a tinge of absurdity and he derives laughter that sometimes wobbles on sheer madness. The good part is that the joy stays, warm and pleasant, all through the film."<ref name="Review 6" />

Jo of ''[[Malayala Manorama]]'' gave the film a favourable review praising the cinematography of Abinandhan Ramanujam and direction.<ref name="reviewMM" /> ''[[Mathrubhumi]]'s entertainment website [[Mathrubhumi|mb4frame]] also wrote a positive review saying ''<nowiki/>'''Amen'' is visually and technically brilliant.<ref name="reviewMB" /> [[Sify.com]] gave the movie a verdict of "brilliant" and concluded the review, saying that "When most films move out of your mind minutes after you leave the theaters, Amen just grabs you in a fantastic way. It has its flaws for sure, but just don't miss this gem. Two big thumbs up and a must watch recommendation for ''Amen''!"<ref name="Review 3" />

Smitha of [[Oneindia.in]] also gave the movie 3.5 stars and recommended to watch the movie "only if you enjoy watching different and experimental cinema."<ref name="Review 7" /> Veeyen of Nowrunning.com gave the movie 3 stars out of 5 and appreciated the movie, commenting that "The flavor, spirit and fun of ''Amen'' make it buoyantly unpretentious, and the sheer exuberance that it lets out renders it a movie of the magical kind. A feel-good, jovial and unfussy musical experience, it's a sunny gem of a film that drops down from the heavens above, as the Lord parts the clouds to take a look at the world down below.'''"<ref name="Review 8" />'''

===Box office===
''Amen'' was commercial success at the Kerala box office.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newindianexpress.com/magazine/Direct-hits/2013/05/12/article1582607.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629185343/http://newindianexpress.com/magazine/Direct-hits/2013/05/12/article1582607.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 June 2013|title=Direct hits|newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]]|author1=Chandrakanth Viswanath|author2=Sunita Raghu|author3=Swati Sharma|author4=A Sharadhaa}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/angamaly-diaries-meet-the-director-whose-malayalam-film-is-probably-the-best-this-year/story-BBFwlYgca6sVnDY1g5LtoM.html|title=Angamaly Diaries: Meet the director whose Malayalam film is probably the best this year|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=30 April 2017}}</ref> On 12 May, [[IBN Live]] reported that the film has made a clear profit of {{INR}} 30 million in 50 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/malayalam-comedy-flick-amen-completes-50-days-in-theaters/391157-71-210.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724211034/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/malayalam-comedy-flick-amen-completes-50-days-in-theaters/391157-71-210.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-07-24|title=Malayalam film 'Amen' completes 50 days in theaters|work=IBNLive}}</ref> ''Amen'' completed 100 days in theatres across Kerala.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-03/news-and-interviews/40350857_1_fahadh-faasil-swati-reddy-indrajith | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029211039/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-03/news-and-interviews/40350857_1_fahadh-faasil-swati-reddy-indrajith | url-status=dead | archive-date=29 October 2013 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Amen completes 100 days in theatres | date=3 July 2013}}</ref> Overall it had a gross of {{Indian Rupee}} 8.12 crore with a satellite right of {{Indian Rupee}} 2.90 crore and {{Indian Rupee}} 2.7 million as other rights.<ref name="cs" />

==Remake==
There were reports that it is to be remade in [[Bollywood]] with [[Ranbir Kapoor]] playing the lead role.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-26/news-and-interviews/38817781_1_bollywood-filmmakers-fahadh-faasil-movie|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501031608/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-26/news-and-interviews/38817781_1_bollywood-filmmakers-fahadh-faasil-movie|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-05-01|work=[[The Times of India]]|title='Amen' heads to Bollywood}}</ref>

==References==
<references>

<ref name="Release">{{cite web|title=Amen to hit theaters 22, successful movie. March|url=http://www.nowrunning.com/malayalam/amen-to-hit-theatres-tomorrow/67094/story.htm|publisher=NowRunning|date=21 March 2013|accessdate=22 March 2013|archive-date=29 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193630/http://www.nowrunning.com/malayalam/amen-to-hit-theatres-tomorrow/67094/story.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="indiaglitz.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/article/92312.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403112132/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/article/92312.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 April 2013|title=Amen leads the pack|website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref>
<ref name="Review 3">[https://web.archive.org/web/20130326122458/http://www.sify.com/movies/amen-review-malayalam-15024056.html "Movie Review: Amen"] ''[[Sify]]''. 23 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013. ''Brilliant''</ref>
<ref name="Review 5">[https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-review-amen-is-brilliant/20130325.htm "Amen is brilliant"] ''[[Rediff]]''. 25 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013. {{Rating|3.5|5}}</ref>
<ref name="Review 6">[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/malayalam/movie-reviews/Amen/movie-review/19254492.cms "Amen movie review"] ''[[The Times of India]]''. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013. {{Rating|3.5|5}}</ref>
<ref name="Review 7">[https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/reviews/2013/amen-movie-review-106001.html "Amen Movie Review – Experimental and unconventional!"] ''[[Oneindia.in|OneIndia]]''. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013. {{Rating|3.5|5}}</ref>
<ref name="Review 8">[http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/10866/malayalam/amen/4168/review.htm "Amen Review"] ''NowRunning''. 24 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013. {{Rating|3|5}}</ref>
<ref name="reviewMM">{{cite news|author=Jo|title=ആമേന് സ്തുതി ചൊല്ലാം|url=http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=13702715&programId=1074209438&channelId=-1073750705&BV_ID=@@@&tabId=3|accessdate=7 April 2013|newspaper=[[Malayala Manorama]]|language=Malayalam|date=23 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409055856/http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=13702715&programId=1074209438&channelId=-1073750705&BV_ID=@@@&tabId=3|archive-date=9 April 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="reviewMB">{{cite news|author=M.K|title=ആമേന് സ്തുതി|url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies/review/350146|accessdate=7 April 2013|newspaper=[[Mathrubhumi]]|date=28 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407102317/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies/review/350146/|archive-date=7 April 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="cs">{{cite web | url=http://oi39.tinypic.com/11b7ocw.jpg | title=2013 Half Malayalam films hit status | publisher=[[Cine Shore]] | accessdate=19 July 2013}}</ref>

</references>

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|2786278}}

{{Lijo Jose Pellissery}}

[[Category:2013 films]]
[[Category:2013 Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic musical films]]
[[Category:Films about Christianity]]
[[Category:Films about interclass romance]]
[[Category:Films shot in Alappuzha]]
[[Category:2010s romantic musical films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery]]
[[Category:2013 musical films]]

Amen (2013 film) - Revision history

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