EmanuelNathan: put up a stub more to come

2026-03-03T09:44:05Z

put up a stub more to come

New page

{{Short description|2021 film by Appu N. Bhattathiri}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Nizhal
| image = Nizhal 2021.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Appu N. Bhattathiri]]
| producer = [[Anto Joseph]] Abhijith M. Pillai Badusha Fellini T. P. Ginesh Jose
| writer = S. Sanjeev
| screenplay =
| starring = [[Kunchacko Boban]] [[Nayanthara]]
| music = [[Sooraj S. Kurup]]
| cinematography = Deepak D. Menon
| editing = Appu N. Bhattathiri Arunlal S. P.
| studio = Anto Joseph Film Company Melange Film House Tentpole Movies
| distributor = Aan Mega Media
| released = {{Film date|2021|04|09|df=yes}}
| runtime = 124 minutes
| country = [[India]]
| language = [[Malayalam]]
| budget =
| gross =
}}
'''''Nizhal''''' ({{IPA|ta|n̪iɻal|pron}}; {{Translation|Shadow}}) is a [[List of Malayalam films of 2021|2021]] Indian [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam]]-language [[mystery film|mystery]] [[Thriller film|thriller]] film directed by [[Appu N. Bhattathiri]] in his debut and written by S. Sanjeev. It stars [[Kunchacko Boban]] and [[Nayanthara]]. It also features [[Izin Hash]], [[Rony David]], [[Saiju Kurup]] and [[Divya Prabha]] in supporting roles. Appu N. Bhattathiri with Arunlal S. P. edited the film while Deepak D. Menon handled the cinematography. [[Sooraj S. Kurup]] composed the original songs and [[background score]].<ref name="hindu">{{Cite news |last=M. |first=Athira |date=20 October 2020 |title=Appu N Bhattathiri on directing 'Nizhal' with Nayanthara and Kunchacko Boban |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/appu-n-bhattathiri-on-directing-nizhal-with-nayanthara-and-kunchacko-boban/article32898864.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203043512/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/appu-n-bhattathiri-on-directing-nizhal-with-nayanthara-and-kunchacko-boban/article32898864.ece |archive-date=3 December 2020 |access-date=28 March 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The film is produced by Anto Joseph Film Company and Melange Film House in association with Tentpole Movies.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 November 2020 |title=First look of Nayanthara from Nizhal unveiled |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2020/nov/19/first-look-of-nayanthara-from-nizhal-unveiled-2225097.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185123/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2020/nov/19/first-look-of-nayanthara-from-nizhal-unveiled-2225097.html |archive-date=9 July 2021 |access-date=28 March 2021 |website=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref><ref name="manorama">{{Cite web |date=18 October 2020 |title=Nayanthara heads back to Mollywood, this time with Kunchacko Boban for Nizhal |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2020/10/18/nayanthara-kunchacko-boban-team-up-for-nizhal.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417082112/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2020/10/18/nayanthara-kunchacko-boban-team-up-for-nizhal.html |archive-date=17 April 2021 |access-date=28 March 2021 |website=[[Malayala Manorama|OnManorama]]}}</ref> Kunchacko Boban plays the role of a [[Courts of Judicial Magistrate of First Class|first-class Judicial Magistrate]] for the first time in his career.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 November 2020 |title=Kunchacko Boban to portray a Judicial Magistrate in 'Nizhal' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/kunchacko-boban-to-portray-a-judicial-magistrate-in-nizhal/articleshow/78995454.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518085654/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/kunchacko-boban-to-portray-a-judicial-magistrate-in-nizhal/articleshow/78995454.cms |archive-date=18 May 2021 |access-date=28 March 2021 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

In the film, John Baby, who is recovering from a traumatic accident, meets Nitin, a young boy who interests him with murder stories. When John explores the possibility of Nitin's stories by mapping the events, it corresponds with the actual incidents.

== Plot ==
The film starts with John Baby, a [[magistrate]], getting into a [[car accident]] in the rain. After being discharged, he is told to temporarily wear a protective face mask until his nose is stable for it to get better. As he resumes his life as a [[Courts of Judicial Magistrate of First Class|first-class Judicial Magistrate]], strange things start to happen as he hallucinates, probably from the accident. On the other hand, his friend Shalini, a [[child psychologist]], approaches him with the case of her patient. Nitin, an eight year old [[schoolboy]], shares with his class a murder story. This strikes Baby's interest and he, along with Shalini visits the boy's mother, Sharmila, in order to talk to the boy. Hostile at first, she lets them as he says that the case should have been reported to the police. The boy appears energetic and normal like any other child. Baby decides to search the place mentioned in the boy's story with the help of the police and finds a human skull submerged in a pond.

Following the investigation, Baby gets close to Nitin and Sharmila. Nitin tells another story, and Baby follows the lead and finds out that it is another actual crime. In order to find the source of these stories, Sharmila, Baby and Nitin travel to the house of a person who kept some case files of her late investigator husband, Sachin. That night, when Baby gets disturbing visions again, he walks to Sharmila and Nitin's room only to discover that it was Sharmila who was telling the boy stories of murder in her sleep. After rushing to share this discovery with Shalini and her husband, Baby reveals this fact to Sharmila after he returns. He questions her about her deceased mother to find any connection, much to her annoyance. They meet Viswanathan, the man who took care of Sharmila after her mother's untimely demise. Vishwanathan faints upon recognising her. At the hospital, he reveals that Sharmila's mother was his love interest; however he did not marry her due to her only being recently widowed. He also confesses that he was the one who had committed the murders in the name of the political party in which he was working, and used to confess to Sharmila's mother while she cradled her baby to sleep, thus transmitting the stories to Sharmila's subconscious mind. Baby decides to get him arrested as soon as he is discharged from the hospital. As Sharmila had to go for a video conference, Nithin went with Baby. Sharmila feels sorry for the elderly Vishwanathan, given how much he seemed to repent and how much time had passed, and so she helps him leave before the cops are called. Upon hearing that he has escaped, Baby is dissuaded from calling for a search, for the aforementioned reason, as well as the fact that the party could target them too. Nithin, having overheard some of the conversation, asks who Radhamma (Sharmila's mother) was. He reveals that he knew the story about Radhamma's death. Realisation hits Baby, and he rushes to Sharmila's house.

In the meantime, Vishwanathan shows up at Sharmila's house and reveals to Sharmila that he was the one who killed her mother. As he found out that both she and her son now know the truth, he needs to get rid of them. He attempts to kill her. Luckily, Baby reaches in time to save her from being strangled, but Viswanathan accidentally loses his footing on the balcony and falls to his death.

Baby is free from his visions, whereas Sharmila has started to hallucinate.

== Cast ==
{{colbegin}}
* [[Kunchacko Boban]] as [[Magistrate]] John Baby
* [[Nayanthara]] as Sharmila (Voice dubbed by [[Shakthisree Gopalan]])
* [[Izin Hash]] as Nitin
* [[Divya Prabha]] as Dr. Shalini
* [[Lal (actor)|Lal]] as Viswanathan
* [[Rony David]] as Rajan
* [[Prashant Narayanan]] as Mathiyas Pandian
* [[Saiju Kurup]] as CJM Ajith Kumar
* [[Rajesh Hebbar]] as Dr. Basheer
* [[Jolly Chirayath]] as Vathsala
* [[Sreelatha Namboothiri]] as Lisamma, Baby's Mother
* Siyad Yadu as Kaif
* Aadhya Prasad as Megha
* Aina as Catherine
* [[Vinod Kovoor]] as Constable Sainudheen
* [[Aneesh Gopal]] as Police who spies John Baby
* Shersha Sherief as Police Officer Aftab who helps with swamp case
* [[Sadiq (Indian actor)|Sadiq]] as Michel
* Renjit Shekar Nair as a [[bus conductor]]
* Dixon Poduthas as SP
* Hariprashanth as Commissioner
* [[Remya Suresh]] as Bhanu
{{colend}}

== Production ==
=== Development ===

''Nizhal'' is the directorial debut of [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Editor|Kerala State Film Award]] winning editor Appu N. Bhattathiri.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 November 2020 |title='Nizhal' poster shows a mysteriously masked Kunchacko Boban |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/nizhal-poster-shows-mysteriously-masked-kunchacko-boban-136736 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622200313/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/nizhal-poster-shows-mysteriously-masked-kunchacko-boban-136736 |archive-date=22 June 2021 |access-date=28 March 2021 |website=[[The News Minute]]}}</ref> The film is financed by five producers, Anto Joseph, Abhijith M. Pillai, Badusha, Fellini T. P. and Ginesh Jose.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 October 2020 |title=Nayanthara and Kunchacko Boban in Appu Bhattathiri's debut directorial 'Nizhal' |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/nayanthara-and-kunchacko-boban-appu-bhattathiri-s-debut-directorial-nizhal-135611 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415021404/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/nayanthara-and-kunchacko-boban-appu-bhattathiri-s-debut-directorial-nizhal-135611 |archive-date=15 April 2021 |access-date=28 March 2021 |website=[[The News Minute]]}}</ref> It is through producer Fellini, the director approached Kunchacko Boban.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 October 2020 |title='Accidental' editor Appu Bhattathiri on directing 'Nizhal', his first film |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/accidental-editor-appu-bhattathiri-directing-nizhal-his-first-film-136069 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509180015/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/accidental-editor-appu-bhattathiri-directing-nizhal-his-first-film-136069 |archive-date=9 May 2021 |access-date=28 March 2021 |website=[[The News Minute]]}}</ref> Boban was finalized for his role at the beginning and he suggested Nayanthara to play the female lead.<ref name="hindu" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajan |first=Silpa |date=21 October 2020 |title=Exclusive! Appu Bhattathiri: Kunchacko Boban suggested Nayanthara's name for 'Nizhal' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/exclusive-appu-bhattathiri-kunchacko-boban-suggested-nayantharas-name-for-nizhal/articleshow/78790276.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211110859/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/exclusive-appu-bhattathiri-kunchacko-boban-suggested-nayantharas-name-for-nizhal/articleshow/78790276.cms |archive-date=11 December 2020 |access-date=28 March 2021 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> After reading the script, Nayanthara was impressed and signed the project.<ref name="manorama" />

=== Filming ===
The [[principal photography]] of the film began on 19 October 2020 at [[Kalamassery]] following the [[COVID-19]] protocols.<ref name="hindu" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Krishnakumar |first=G. |date=10 November 2020 |title=Filming plans go for a toss, thanks to COVID curbs |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/filming-plans-go-for-a-toss-amidst-covid-restrictions/article33066889.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125042409/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/filming-plans-go-for-a-toss-amidst-covid-restrictions/article33066889.ece |archive-date=25 November 2020 |access-date=28 March 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The filming continued at various locations of [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]] and [[Alappuzha district]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shrijith |first=Sajin |date=18 October 2020 |title=Kunchacko Boban, Nayanthara to lead thriller Nizhal |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2020/oct/18/kunchacko-boban-nayanthara-to-lead-thriller-nizhal-20846.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509175841/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2020/oct/18/kunchacko-boban-nayanthara-to-lead-thriller-nizhal-20846.html |archive-date=9 May 2021 |access-date=28 March 2021 |website=[[The New Indian Express|Cinema Express]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 November 2020 |title=Nayanthara-Kunchacko photo from 'Nizhal' shooting released online |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/nayanthara-kunchacko-photo-nizhal-shooting-released-online-137396 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305073803/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/nayanthara-kunchacko-photo-nizhal-shooting-released-online-137396 |archive-date=5 March 2021 |access-date=28 March 2021 |website=[[The News Minute]]}}</ref> The first schedule was completed on 4 December 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 December 2020 |title=Kunchacko Boban and Nayanthara starrer 'Nizhal' calls it a wrap |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/kunchacko-boban-and-nayanthara-starrer-nizhal-calls-it-a-wrap/articleshow/79561671.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115222031/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/kunchacko-boban-and-nayanthara-starrer-nizhal-calls-it-a-wrap/articleshow/79561671.cms |archive-date=15 January 2021 |access-date=28 March 2021 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 December 2020 |title=Nayanthara and Kunchacko Boban's 'Nizhal' filming wrapped up |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/nayanthara-and-kunchacko-boban-s-nizhal-filming-wrapped-139052 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614173223/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/nayanthara-and-kunchacko-boban-s-nizhal-filming-wrapped-139052 |archive-date=14 June 2021 |access-date=28 March 2021 |website=[[The News Minute]]}}</ref> After wrapping up its [[Kerala]] schedule, the team headed to [[Karnataka]] for its second schedule and continued filming at [[Bangalore]] and [[Hogenakkal Falls|Hogenakkal]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 December 2020 |title=Kunchacko Boban shoots in Hogenakkal for Nizhal |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/kunchacko-boban-shoots-in-hogenakkal-for-nizhal/articleshow/79679724.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207002055/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/kunchacko-boban-shoots-in-hogenakkal-for-nizhal/articleshow/79679724.cms |archive-date=7 February 2021 |access-date=28 March 2021 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

== Release ==
The film was released on 9 April 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 April 2021 |title=Nizhal |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/previews/nizhal/articleshow/81980461.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509174838/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/previews/nizhal/articleshow/81980461.cms |archive-date=9 May 2021 |access-date=9 April 2021 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

== Reception ==
[[Baradwaj Rangan]] of ''Film Companion South'' wrote "Kunchacko Boban and Nayanthara are in fine form but ''Nizhal'' is another example of how stars alone cannot make a movie."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rangan |first=Baradwaj |author-link=Baradwaj Rangan |date=15 May 2021 |title=Nizhal, On Amazon Prime Video With Kunchacko Boban and Nayanthara, Is An Underwhelming Thriller With Interesting Ideas That Don't Come Together |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/malayalam-review/nizhal-malayalam-movie-review-amazon-prime-has-a-few-interesting-ideas-that-dont-come-together-kunchacko-boban-nayanthara-baradwaj-rangan |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230224091600/https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/malayalam-review/nizhal-malayalam-movie-review-amazon-prime-has-a-few-interesting-ideas-that-dont-come-together-kunchacko-boban-nayanthara-baradwaj-rangan |archive-date=24 February 2023 |access-date=24 February 2023 |website=[[Film Companion]]}}</ref>

''[[The Indian Express]]'' gave the film 2 out of 5 writing "There are a few glaring logical holes in the narration that cannot be discussed without spoiling the suspense. The tone of the movie dull as the story fails to live up to the suspense created by the visuals. The script is so weak that it doesn't demand a lot from the actors. While cinematographer Deepak D. Menon's frames move around, the characters remain mostly stationary. For some time it adds to the suspense but as the movie progresses, it sort of becomes repetitive. Especially, Nayanthara remains a pretty face on the screen; an expensive cosmetic addition to the cast. She hardly tries to mimic the nightmarish feeling of a single mother, whose boy is trapped in some kind of a mysterious tangle."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-12 |title=Nizhal movie review: Nayanthara, Kunchacko Boban thriller is high on promise and low on delivery |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/nizhal-movie-review-nayanthara-kunchacko-boban-starrer-thriller-is-disappointing-7311024/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124074600/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/nizhal-movie-review-nayanthara-kunchacko-boban-starrer-thriller-is-disappointing-7311024/ |archive-date=24 November 2021 |access-date=2021-11-24 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

''[[The Times of India]]'' gave the film 3 out of 5 writing "The background score by Sooraj S. Kurup is an interesting aspect of this movie. It is fresh and innovative and blends well with the core of the movie. One instance where he uses the boy's words as background score lifts the entire atmosphere. The well-edited movie has some delightful shots by cinematographer Deepak D. Menon. Go for it if you are a fan of stories involving mind-games."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Nizhal Movie Review: A thriller that will keep you guessing |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/nizhal/movie-review/81988933.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124074557/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/nizhal/movie-review/81988933.cms |archive-date=24 November 2021 |access-date=2021-11-24 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

''[[Firstpost]]'' gave the film 2.75 writing "It's a pity that ''Nizhal''’s unusual premise wrestles with so many scripting flaws because the atmospherics in the narrative are on the ball and the mystery remains engaging till the finale. Oh well..."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-17 |title=Nizhal movie review: A solid premise wrestles with flawed scripting in this Nayanthara-Kunchacko Boban thriller |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/nizhal-movie-review-a-solid-premise-wrestles-with-flawed-scripting-in-this-nayanthara-kunchacko-boban-thriller-9629101.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124074601/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/nizhal-movie-review-a-solid-premise-wrestles-with-flawed-scripting-in-this-nayanthara-kunchacko-boban-thriller-9629101.html |archive-date=24 November 2021 |access-date=2021-11-24 |website=Firstpost |language=en}}</ref>

''[[The Hindu]]'' gave the film a negative review writing "Managing to build up the anticipation and to keep the audience guessing until the time of the scriptwriter's choosing would mean half the job done in constructing an effective thriller. But much of the other half rests on how potent that final reveal is. Imagine the feeling when you expect a lion to walk out of a cave, after listening to its majestic roars for some time... and you see a mouse crawling out instead! In ''Nizhal'', in the end, after much anticipation, we get to see something much better than a mouse, but something less than a lion too."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Praveen |first=S. r |date=2021-04-09 |title='Nizhal' movie review: Starts with a bang, ends with a whimper |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/nizhal-movie-review-starts-with-a-bang-ends-with-a-whimper/article34283340.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124074557/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/nizhal-movie-review-starts-with-a-bang-ends-with-a-whimper/article34283340.ece |archive-date=24 November 2021 |access-date=2021-11-24 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

[[Sify]] gave the film 3/5 writing "''Nizhal'' has its moments for sure but one gets the feeling that it could have been much more with better writing. Having said that, this one is a fine one-time watch."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nizhal: .Could have been an engaging watch, with better writing! |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/nizhal-could-have-been-an-engaging-watch-with-better-writing-review-malayalam-vemeuBihhhbdf.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412070715/https://www.sify.com/movies/nizhal-could-have-been-an-engaging-watch-with-better-writing-review-malayalam-vemeuBihhhbdf.html |archive-date=12 April 2021 |access-date=2021-11-24 |website=[[Sify]] |language=en}}</ref>

''[[The Free Press Journal]]'' gave the film 3 out of 5 writing "In all, ''Nizhal'' certainly scores due to its fresh and novel plot involving a talented kid, but it doesn't deliver more than a decent watch that can surely be seen as a promising directorial debut with controlled expectations."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nizhal review: An engaging mystery that could have ended better |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/movie-review/nizhal-review-an-engaging-mystery-that-could-have-ended-better |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124074557/https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/movie-review/nizhal-review-an-engaging-mystery-that-could-have-ended-better |archive-date=24 November 2021 |access-date=2021-11-24 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en}}</ref>

''[[The New Indian Express]]'' gave the film a negative review writing "There is no doubt about Aneesh's comic abilities, but his inclusion felt forced. I wasn't blown away by the final twist either. After the film ended, I asked myself, “That's it?”<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 April 2021 |title='Nizhal' movie review: Kunchacko Boban shines in a bland investigative drama |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2021/apr/10/nizhal-movie-review-kunchacko-boban-shines-in-a-bland-investigative-drama-2288056.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124074601/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2021/apr/10/nizhal-movie-review-kunchacko-boban-shines-in-a-bland-investigative-drama-2288056.html |archive-date=24 November 2021 |access-date=2021-11-24 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|13298992}}

[[Category:2021 Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:2021 films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Sooraj S. Kurup]]
[[Category:Films shot in Alappuzha]]
[[Category:Films shot in Bengaluru]]
[[Category:Films shot in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Films shot in Kochi]]
[[Category:Indian mystery thriller films]]

Nizhal (film) - Revision history

EmanuelNathan: put up a stub more to come