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{{Short description|Indian epic historical drama film written and directed by Jayaraj.}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Veeram
| image = Veeram film poster.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Official English poster
| director = [[Jayaraj]]
| producer = {{plainlist|
* Chandramohan D. Pillai
* Pradeep Rajan
}}
| screenplay = {{plainlist|
* Jayaraj
* '''Dialogues:'''
* Dr. Gokulnath Ammanathil
* Mary Ryan
}}
| based_on = {{based on|''[[Macbeth]]''|[[William Shakespeare]]}}
| starring = {{plainlist|
* [[Kunal Kapoor (actor, born 1977)|Kunal Kapoor]]
* [[Shivajith Padmanabhan]]
* [[Ahran Choudhary]]
* [[Divina Thakur]]
* [[Himarsha Venkatsamy]]
* [[Ketaki Narayan]]
* [[Bilas Nair]]
* Satheesh Menon
}}
| narrator = 
| music = [[Jeff Rona]]
| cinematography = [[S. Kumar (cinematographer)|S. Kumar]]
| editing = Appu N. Bhattathiri
| studio = Chandrakala Arts
| distributor = 
| released = {{Film date|df=y|2016|12|12|[[New Delhi]]|2017|2|24|India}}
| runtime =
| country = India
| language = {{plainlist|
* [[Malayalam]]
* [[Hindi]]
* English
}}
| budget = {{currency|36|INR}} [[crore]]<ref name="budget"/>
| gross = {{currency|15|INR}} [[crore]]
}}

'''''Veeram''''' ({{lang-en|Valour}}) is a [[List of Malayalam films of 2016|2016]] Indian [[Epic film|epic]] [[historical drama]] film written and directed by [[Jayaraj]]. It is an adaptation of [[William Shakespeare]]'s play, ''[[Macbeth]]'', and is the fifth installment in Jayaraj's [[Rasa (aesthetics)|Navarasa]] series. The film, which also takes inspirations from the [[Vadakkan Pattukal]] (Northern [[Ballad]]s) of [[North Malabar]] region in [[Kerala]] tells the story of [[Chandu Chekavar]] ([[Kunal Kapoor (actor, born 1977)|Kunal Kapoor]]), an infamous warrior in the 13th century North Malabar.

''Veeram'' is simultaneously made in [[Malayalam]], [[Hindi]], and in English with the same title. [[Principal photography]] commenced on 5 January 2016 in [[Thiruvananthapuram]], where it was mostly shot, with other locations being [[Agra]] and [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra|Aurangabad]]. The film premiered at the [[BRICS]] Film Festival on 2 September 2016 in [[New Delhi]], and was released on 24 February 2017.

==Cast==
* [[Kunal Kapoor (actor, born 1977)|Kunal Kapoor]] as [[Chandu Chekaver]]
* [[Shivajith Padmanabhan]] as [[Aromal Chekaver]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Anand|first=Shilpa Nair|title=Chandu, the warrior|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/chandu-the-warrior/article9062179.ece|access-date=2 September 2016|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2 September 2022}}</ref>
* [[Himarsha Venkatsamy]] as [[Unniyarcha]]<ref>{{cite news|author=Indo-Asian News Service|author-link=Indo-Asian News Service|title=Indian films can potentially reach Rs 1,000 cr mark, says Director Jayaraj|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/indian-films-can-potentially-reach-rs-1000-cr-mark-says-director-jayaraj-3009631/|access-date=2 September 2016|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=2 September 2022}}</ref>
* Satheesh Menon as Raman Chekaver (Kunhiraman)
* Shiyas Kareem as Warrior (killer)
* [[Ashraf Gurukkal]] as Kannappachekavar
* [[Ketaki Narayan]] as Kunjuneeli
* Divina Thakur as Kuttimani<ref name="mathrubhumi">{{cite news|last=Madhavan|first=Anusree|title=What is common between Macbeth, Chandu and Veeram?|url=http://english.mathrubhumi.com/features/specials/what-is-common-between-macbeth-chandu-and-veeram-english-news-1.1336336|access-date=17 September 2016|work=[[Mathrubhumi]]|date=6 September 2022}}</ref>
* Aaran as Aringodar Chekaver<ref name="mathrubhumi"/>
* Bilas Nair as Komappan
* Gopan Mavelikkara (Gopakumar) as Vazhunor
* Justin Antony 'Jetta' as [[Aromalunni]]
*Monichan as Malayan
*Atul as Paanan
*Jayadeep.V.Nair as Chandappan

==Production==
===Development===
After the film ''[[Ottaal]]'', [[Jayaraj]] announced in an interview in March 2015 that he is planning to adapt [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Macbeth]]'' and [[Fyodor Dostoyevsky]]'s ''[[The Brothers Karamazov]]'' for a feature film. Jayaraj had earlier adapted two of Shakespeare plays ''[[Othello]]'' and ''[[Antony and Cleopatra]]'' into feature films in [[Malayalam]].<ref>{{cite news|agency=[[Press Trust of India]]|title=Jayaraj wants to adapt 'Macbeth', 'The Brothers Karamazov'|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/jayaraj-wants-to-adapt-macbeth-the-brothers-karamazov-115032900137_1.html|access-date=19 August 2016|work=[[Business Standard]]|date=29 March 2022}}</ref> ''Veeram'', an adaptation of ''Macbeth'' was officially announced by Jayaraj in October 2015. The announcement was held during a function in [[Doha]], organised by the executives of Chandrakala Arts, a newly formed film production company based in [[Qatar]], who are also the investors of ''Veeram''. Jayaraj said, the film's story is set in the 13th century [[Kerala]] and will features newcomers as actors, and most of the technical crew will be from the American film industry. Apart from Malayalam, the film is also made in English and [[Hindi]] for attracting an international audience. The film was planned to start production in November 2015 for a mid-2016 release.<ref name="doha">{{cite news|last=Ravindran|first=C. P.|title=Doha-based expats seek to blaze a trail with film company|url=http://www.gulf-times.com/story/457338/Doha-based-expats-seek-to-blaze-a-trail-with-film-|access-date=19 August 2016|work=[[Gulf Times]]|date=3 October 2022}}</ref>

===Pre-production===
[[Pre-production]] underwent until early December 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last=K. S.|first=Aravind|title=Director Jayaraj creates history|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/151213/entertainment-mollywood/article/director-jayaraj-creates-history|access-date=19 August 2016|work=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|date=13 December 2022}}</ref> ''Veeram'' is the fifth film in Jayaraj's [[Rasa (aesthetics)|Navarasa]] series, the story adapted from ''Macbeth'' will be set in [[North Malabar]] and Jayaraj also takes inspiration from [[Vadakkan Pattukal]] (Northern [[Ballad]]s). The film will abundantly use the martial art, [[Kalarippayattu]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Sahani|first=Alaka|title=The Loss of Innocence|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/the-loss-of-innocence/|access-date=20 August 2016|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=17 January 2022}}</ref>

Jayaraj calls the film his dream project. After completing the screenplay and conceptualising a production plan, he put a newspaper advertisement in search of producers. Chandramohan D. Pilai, a Qatar-based banker and an old friend of Jayaraj, replied to the ad. In fact, almost thirty years ago, Pillai already had a discussion with Jayaraj about producing a film, and Jayaraj was interesting in directing it. The deal was finalised, after which Jayaraj invited him to India for further discussions about the film's production plans, which likely requires a high budget. Pillai formed the production company, Chandrakala Arts in India, for producing the film with collaboration from two of his friends, though they do not wanted to credit their names in the film. Jayaraj himself traveled to the United States in search of technical assistance for the film.<ref name="cast">{{cite news|last=Nangiana|first=Umer|title=Fetching a dream|url=http://www.gulf-times.com/story/459424/Fetching-a-dream|access-date=19 August 2016|work=[[Gulf Times]]|date=18 October 2022}}</ref>

Jayaraj did not want to cast [[superstar]]s or experienced actor for the film as he does not want to compromise his directorial freedom as star actors often demand alterations in the script to glamourise their characters. Audition for actors was conducted in three rounds, with the first one conducted in [[Mumbai]] in October 2015, and second round in [[Chennai]], and third in [[Kerala]]. Over 4500 candidates participated in the audition.<ref name="cast"/>

Despite the search for a newcomer, [[Bollywood]] actor [[Kunal Kapoor (actor, born 1977)|Kunal Kapoor]] was selected to portray the protagonist. He plays the role of [[Chandu Chekavar]], an infamous warrior in the Vadakkan Pattukal (Northern Ballads) of North Malabar region in [[Kerala]]. Kapoor's name was confirmed in late December 2015. Preparing for the role, Kunal attended a Kalaripayattu training schedule in Mumbai, who was taught by a [[Gurukkal (kalaripayattu)|Gurukkal]] from [[Kollam]] in a strict schedule which started in October 2015.<ref name="shoot">{{cite news|last=George|first=Anjana|title=Kunal Kapoor as Chandu Chekavar|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Kunal-Kapoor-as-Chandu-Chekavar/articleshow/50382105.cms|access-date=20 August 2016|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=31 December 2022}}</ref> He also underwent [[weight training]] and increased {{cvt|12|kg}} muscle weight for the role.<ref>{{cite news|last=Arya|first=Mridula|title=Weight and watch|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/weight-and-watch/article8585519.ece|access-date=20 August 2016|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=11 May 2022}}</ref> Kapoor said, it is every actors wish to play [[Macbeth (character)|Macbeth]] and he had a long time wish to do an action film, so when he was offered the role he immediately signed it. During preparation period, apart from his martial art training, he had a regular reading workshop with Jayaraj and also learned Malayalam. His character was reported to have a beard and a [[Bun (hairstyle)|man-bun]].<ref name="locations">{{cite news|last=Lohana|first=Avinash|title=Kunal is a warrior in trilingual Macbeth|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Kunal-is-a-warrior-in-trilingual-Macbeth/articleshow/50444338.cms|access-date=20 August 2016|work=[[Mumbai Mirror]]|date=5 January 2022}}</ref> ''Veeram'' is Kapoor's debut film in Malayalam cinema.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jayaram|first=Deepika|title=Kunal Kapoor bruised while shooting for Veeram|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Kunal-Kapoor-bruised-while-shooting-for-Veeram/articleshow/50664966.cms|access-date=20 August 2016|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=20 January 2022}}</ref> Most of the other characters in the film were done by newcomers from Mumbai and Kerala.<ref name="shoot"/>

===Filming===
[[Principal photography]] commenced on 5 January 2016 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.<ref name="shoot"/> The film is mostly based in the Southern region of India, the filming locations were in [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Agra]], and [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra|Aurangabad]].<ref name="locations"/> ''Veeram'' was simultaneously made in Malayalam, Hindi and English. Kapoor's scenes were shot in such a way that they will first shoot it in Hindi, then the same scene will be re-shoot in English and finally in Malayalam, as he was most comfortable with Hindi and the least with Malayalam. The filming hours normally went up to 16 hours a day. The film was mostly shot in Thiruvananthapuram, some portions were shot in [[Ajanta Caves|Ajanta]] and [[Ellora Caves]] in Aurangabad, [[Maharashtra]] and in Agra, [[Uttar Pradesh]]. The filming was completed in mid-April 2016. The film will not feature any songs, unlike other Indian films.<ref>{{cite news|last=Iyer|first=Sanyukta|title=Kunal pulls off a trilingual|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Kunal-pulls-off-a-trilingual/articleshow/51834995.cms|access-date=20 August 2016|work=[[Mumbai Mirror]]|date=15 April 2022}}</ref>

The film's stunt choreography was done by Allan Poppleton, [[Trefor Proud]] was make-up artist, music was composed by [[Jeff Rona]], and film's [[color grading|colour grading]] was supervised by [[Jeff Olm]]. Poppleton researched on the martial art Kalaripayattu for the film for almost two months at various teaching centres. Along with the various Kalari movements, he incorporated his on style to adjust it to the camera angles. For the costumes and makeup, Trefor researched for several months. The costumes represent the clothes worn by 13th century warriors in North Malabar. Body paints and tattoos were also used to get a fierce look. The colours used resemble the ones used in various dance forms in Kerala, that including [[Kathakali]]. The film's soundtrack was an orchestral combination of traditional [[Maratha]] folk music.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lohana|first=Avinash|title=Hollywood makeover for Kunal Kapoor's film|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/bollywood/Hollywood-makeover-for-Kunal-Kapoors-film/articleshow/53641368.cms?|access-date=20 August 2016|work=[[Mumbai Mirror]]|date=11 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Srivatsan|title=Veeram: Kunal Kapoor gets Avengers technicians on board for his next film|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/veeram-kunal-kapoor-jayaraj-period-drama-hollywood-technicians/1/738891.html|access-date=20 August 2016|work=[[India Today]]|date=12 August 2022}}</ref> ''Veeram'' is the most expensive films made in Malayalam until date, made on a budget close to {{INR}}35 [[crore]] ({{INR}}350 [[million]]).<ref name="budget">{{cite news|author=Manoj Kumar R.|title=Kunal Kapoor's Veeram teaser trailer is sensuous and bold, watch video|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/kunal-kapoor-veeram-teaser-trailer-video-malayalam-hindi-film-3100830/|access-date=8 November 2016|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=24 October 2022}}</ref><ref name="macbeth">{{cite news|last=Sreenivasan|first=Deepthi|title=Fusion of Chandu and Macbeth|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/290816/fusion-of-chandu-and-macbeth.html|access-date=31 August 2016|work=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|date=30 August 2022}}</ref>

==Music==
Former [[Hans Zimmer]] associate [[Jeff Rona]], who debuted as an independent film composer with [[Ridley Scott]]'s ''[[White Squall (film)|White Squall]]'' has composed and produced the [[film score]]. The film marks Rona's debut in [[Malayalam cinema]] and [[Bollywood]].

==Release==
The film was initially planned as a mid-2016 release.<ref name="doha"/> ''Veeram'' was premiered as the opening film at the [[BRICS]] Film Festival on 2 September 2016 at the [[Siri Fort Auditorium]] in [[New Delhi]], India.<ref name="release">{{cite news|title=Kunal Kapoor-starrer Veeram to Open BRICS Film Festival|url=http://www.news18.com/news/movies/kunal-kapoor-starrer-veeram-to-open-brics-film-festival-1285256.html|access-date=25 August 2016|work=[[News18]]|agency=[[Press Trust of India]]|date=25 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author1=Express Web Desk|title=Kunal Kapoor's Veeram to open at BRICS Film Festival|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/kunal-kapoor-veeram-brics-film-festival-2995756/|access-date=25 August 2016|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=25 August 2022}}</ref> The film's theatrical release was on 24 February 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=വീരം ഫെബ്രുവരി 24 ന് തിയേറ്ററുകളില്‍|url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/veeram-jayaraj-kunalkapoor-1.1675507|access-date=23 January 2017|work=[[Mathrubhumi]]|date=22 January 2022}}</ref> The movie was then released on Amazon Prime on January 17, 2022.

==Reception==
The film opened to brilliant reviews all over. Veeyen lauded the film as exceptionally good, and wrote that "it is no ordinary canvas that Jayaraj has mounted his epic film ‘Veeram’ on, and as such it evolves into an ambitious demonstration of an idea that amazingly blends two classic tales together. Atypical in conception and phenomenal in implementation, ‘Veeram’ presents you with one of the most memorable cinematographic experiences that you have witnessed ever in contemporary Malayalam cinema."<ref>{{cite news|last=Veeyen|title=Veeram: Malayalam Film Review by Veeyen|url=http://veeyen.com/film-reviews/veeram-2017-malayalam-movie-review-veeyen/|access-date=25 February 2017|work=[[Veeyen Unplugged]]|date=25 February 2022}}</ref>

Even though the film opened to rave reviews, with some hailing this film as Malayalam cinema's [[Baahubali (franchise)|Baahubali]], Veeram was a box office failure.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.inuth.com/entertainment/malayalam-movies/why-has-veeram-turned-out-to-be-the-biggest-disaster-at-kerala-box-office-veeram-box-office/|title=Why Veeram turned out to be the biggest disaster at Kerala Box Office|date=2017-03-11|work=InUth|access-date=2018-02-19|language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.movieveeram.com}}
* {{IMDb title|5886216|Veeram}}
{{Jayaraj}}
{{Macbeth}}

[[Category:Films about royalty]]
[[Category:2010s Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:2016 films]]
[[Category:Indian historical drama films]]
[[Category:2010s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:2016 war drama films]]
[[Category:Indian epic films]]
[[Category:Indian war drama films]]
[[Category:Indian martial arts films]]
[[Category:2010s historical drama films]]
[[Category:Kalarippayattu films]]
[[Category:Indian multilingual films]]
[[Category:English-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Films based on Macbeth]]
[[Category:Films scored by Jeff Rona]]
[[Category:Films set in the 13th century BC]]
[[Category:Films based on Indian folklore]]
[[Category:Films shot in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Films shot in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Films shot in Agra]]
[[Category:Films shot in Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:Films shot in Kerala]]
[[Category:2016 martial arts films]]
[[Category:2016 multilingual films]]

Veeram (2016 film) - Revision history

Bot at 11:23, 23 December 2022