Vanaprastham: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|1999 [[Indo-French]] drama film by Shaji N. Karun}}
{{short description|1999 Indo-French drama film by Shaji N. Karun}}
{{For|the third ashrama in the Vedic ashrama system|Vanaprastha}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{For|the third ashrama in the Vedic ashrama system|Vanaprastha}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name          = Vanaprastham
| name          = Vanaprastham
Line 8: Line 8:
| caption        = DVD cover
| caption        = DVD cover
| director      = [[Shaji N. Karun]]
| director      = [[Shaji N. Karun]]
| screenplay    = Shaji N. Karun<br />[[Raghunath Paleri]]<br />{{small|Dialogues:}}<br />Raghunath Paleri
| screenplay    = Shaji N. Karun<br />[[Raghunath Paleri]]
{{Infobox | decat = yes | child = yes
    | label1= Dialogues by
    | data1 = {{Ubl |Raghunath Paleri}}
}}
| story          = [[Pierre Assouline]]
| story          = [[Pierre Assouline]]
| producer      = Pierre Assouline<br />[[Mohanlal]] {{Small|(co-producer)}}
| producer      = Pierre Assouline<br />[[Mohanlal]] {{Small|(co-producer)}}
Line 17: Line 21:
| studio        = Euro American Films<br />[[Pranavam Arts]]<br />CLT-UFA International<br />{{Small|(in association with)}}
| studio        = Euro American Films<br />[[Pranavam Arts]]<br />CLT-UFA International<br />{{Small|(in association with)}}
| distributor    = [[SND Films]] {{Small|([[France]])}}<br />Pranavam Arts {{Small|([[Kerala]])}}
| distributor    = [[SND Films]] {{Small|([[France]])}}<br />Pranavam Arts {{Small|([[Kerala]])}}
| released      = {{Film date|df=y|1999|5|21|[[Cannes Film Festival]]|1999|10|13|France|1999|12|25|India}}
| released      = {{Film date|df=yes|1999|5|21|[[1999 Cannes Film Festival|Cannes]]|1999|12|25|India}}
| runtime        = 119 minutes
| runtime        = 119 minutes
| country        = [[France]]<br />[[India]]
| country        = [[France]]<br />[[India]]
| language      = Malayalam
| language      = Malayalam
| budget        = {{INRConvert|3.8|c}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Radhakrishnan |first=M. G. |date=2013-03-05 |title=Shaji Karun's latest film uses Kathakali as backdrop to tell tormented dancer's tale |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19980119-shaji-karuns-latest-film-uses-kathakali-as-backdrop-to-tell-tormented-dancers-tale-825434-1998-01-19 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821005047/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/19980119-shaji-karuns-latest-film-uses-kathakali-as-backdrop-to-tell-tormented-dancers-tale-825434-1998-01-18 |archive-date=2023-08-21 |access-date=2025-07-08 |work=[[India Today]] |publication-date=19 January 1998}}</ref>
}}
}}


'''''Vanaprastham: The Last Dance''''' ({{lang-fr|'''Vanaprastham: La Dernière Danse'''}}) is a 1999 Indo-French [[psychological drama]] [[Historical drama|period]] film in [[Malayalam]]-language that was directed by [[Shaji N. Karun]]. It was produced by [[Pierre Assouline]] and co-produced by [[Mohanlal]]. The screenplay was written by Karun and [[Raghunath Paleri]] (who also wrote the dialogues) based on a story by Assouline. It features [[Mohanlal]] in the lead role, with [[Suhasini Maniratnam]], [[Mattannur Sankarankutty Marar]], [[Kalamandalam Gopi]], [[Venmani Haridas]], and Kukku Parameshwaram in supporting roles. The film's music was composed by [[Zakir Hussain (musician)|Zakir Hussain]].
'''''Vanaprastham: The Last Dance''''' ({{langx|fr|'''Vanaprastham: La Dernière Danse'''}}) is a 1999 [[Malayalam]] [[psychological drama]] [[Historical drama|period]] film by [[Shaji N. Karun]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/jul/31vaan.htm | title=Illusion vs reality | last=Panicker | first=Prem | access-date=2024-01-14 | website=www.rediff.com | archive-date=2 May 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502114746/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/jul/31vaan.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> It was produced as an Indo-French collaboration by [[Pierre Assouline]], and co-produced by [[Mohanlal]]. The screenplay was written by Karun and [[Raghunath Paleri]] (who also wrote the dialogues) based on a story by Assouline. It features Mohanlal in the lead role, with [[Suhasini Maniratnam]], [[Mattannur Sankarankutty Marar]], [[Kalamandalam Gopi]], [[Venmani Haridas]], and [[Cuckoo Parameswaran]] in supporting roles. The film's music was composed by [[Zakir Hussain (musician)|Zakir Hussain]].
 
Set in the 1950s in [[Travancore]], the plot follows a lower-caste [[Kathakali]] artist Kunjikuttan (Mohanlal). Subhadra (Suhasini), a member of an aristocratic family sees him perform [[Arjuna]]. Lost between reality and fiction she falls in love with the character. Their relationship leads to the birth of a child, who is hidden away by Subhadra from Kunjikuttan for almost a lifetime.


The film premiered at the [[1999 Cannes Film Festival]] on 21 May 1999, where it was selected at the ''[[Un Certain Regard]]'' section, and was theatrically released in France on 13 October 1999 and in India on 25 December 1999. The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the [[American Film Institute]]'s 1999 [[AFI Fest]] (Los Angeles International Film Festival). It won the Special Prize of the Jury at the [[Istanbul International Film Festival]] and the [[FIPRESCI]] prize at the [[Mumbai International Film Festival]]. The film won three awards at the [[47th National Film Awards]]—[[National Film Award for Best Feature Film|Best Feature Film]], [[National Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] (Mohanlal), and [[National Film Award for Best Editing|Best Editing]] ([[A. Sreekar Prasad]]), and six awards at the 1999 [[Kerala State Film Awards]], including [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Director|Best Director]] and [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] (Mohanlal). In 2014, ''Vanaprastham'' was screened retrospective at the [[45th International Film Festival of India]] in the ''Celebrating Dance in Indian cinema'' section.
The film premiered at the [[1999 Cannes Film Festival]] on 21 May 1999, where it was selected in the ''[[Un Certain Regard]]'' section, and was theatrically released in France on 13 October 1999 and in India in January 2000. The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the [[American Film Institute]]'s 1999 [[AFI Fest]] (Los Angeles International Film Festival). It won the Special Prize of the Jury at the [[Istanbul International Film Festival]] and the [[FIPRESCI]] prize at the [[Mumbai International Film Festival]]. The film won three awards at the [[47th National Film Awards]] —[[National Film Award for Best Feature Film|Best Feature Film]], [[National Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] (Mohanlal), and [[National Film Award for Best Editing|Best Editing]] ([[A. Sreekar Prasad]]), and six awards at the 1999 [[Kerala State Film Awards]], including [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Director|Best Director]] and [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] (Mohanlal). In 2014, ''Vanaprastham'' was screened retrospective at the [[45th International Film Festival of India]] in the ''Celebrating Dance in Indian cinema'' section.


==Plot==
==Plot==
{{more plot|date=June 2020}}
{{more plot|date=June 2020}}
The story revolves around a male [[Kathakali]] artist Kunhikuttan, an admirable and respected performer but a member of a lower caste. He struggles to come to terms with the rejection and estrangement of his father, a member of an upper caste who denies his son. Poor, unhappy, and stuck in an arranged marriage that provides no relief, he gets by for the sake of his daughter.
The story revolves around a male [[Kathakali]] artiste Kunjikuttan, an admirable and respected performer but a member of a lower caste. He struggles to come to terms with the rejection and estrangement of his father, a member of an upper caste who denies his paternity. Poor, unhappy, and stuck in an arranged marriage that provides no respite, he gets by for the sake of his daughter.


One night, whilst performing as [[Putana]] from ''Poothanamoksham'' from the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'' on stage, his performance is witnessed by Subhadra, an educated and married upper-caste women, niece of the [[Dewan]] and an aspiring composer. Impressed by his performance she invites him to play [[Arjuna]] in her adaptation of [[Subhadraharanam]]. Defying the norms of India's rigid caste system, the two have an affair which results in a son.
One night, whilst performing as [[Putana]] from ''Poothanamoksham'' from the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'' on stage, his performance is witnessed by Subhadra, an educated and married upper-caste woman, niece of the [[Dewan]] and an aspiring composer. Impressed by his performance she invites him to play [[Arjuna]] in her adaptation of [[Subhadraharanam]]. Defying norms of India's rigid caste system, the two have an affair which results in the birth of a son.


But it soon becomes clear that Subhadra loves the character Arjuna from his stage performances, and not Kunhikuttan the artist. More in love with the valiant, noble hero of the ''Mahabharata'', than the lower-caste dancer Kunhikuttan, she rejects him and refuses to let him see his son.
It soon becomes clear that Subhadra loves the character Arjuna from his stage performances, and not Kunhikuttan the artiste. More in love with the valiant, noble hero of the ''Mahabharata'', than the lower-caste dancer Kunhikuttan, she rejects him and refuses to let him see their son.


Denied access to his son, and rejected by his father, Kunhikuttan returns to the stage, leaving behind his hero roles to play demonic characters, reaching within the dark corners of his mind, becoming increasingly resentful and full of anger, until one last dance which brings the feature to a stunning end Subhadraharanam.
Denied access to his son, and rejected by his father, Kunhikuttan returns to the stage, leaving behind his hero roles to play demonic characters, reaching within the dark corners of his mind, becoming increasingly resentful and full of anger, until one last dance which brings the feature to a stunning end.


==Cast==
==Cast==
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*[[Suhasini Mani Ratnam]] as Subhadra
*[[Suhasini Mani Ratnam]] as Subhadra
*[[Mattannur Sankarankutty Marar]] as Raman
*[[Mattannur Sankarankutty Marar]] as Raman
*Kukku Parameswaran as Savithri
*[[Cuckoo Parameswaran]] as Savithri
*[[Venmani Haridas]] as Vasu Namboothiri
*[[Venmani Haridas]] as Vasu Namboothiri
*[[Kalamandalam Gopi]] as Kunju Nair
*[[Kalamandalam Gopi]] as Kunju Nair
Line 50: Line 53:
*[[Bindu Panicker]] as Bhageerathi
*[[Bindu Panicker]] as Bhageerathi
*Sindhu Shyam
*Sindhu Shyam
*Arun as Child Kunhikuttan
*Dr.Sadanam Arun Babu as Child Kunji kuttan
*Shadhiya Ameer as Kunjikuttan's Daughter


==Release==
==Release==<!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20010617140921/http://www.indiaserver.com/thehindu/1999/11/05/stories/09050224.htm -->
The film premiered at the [[1999 Cannes Film Festival]] on 21 May 1999, where it was selected at the ''[[Un Certain Regard]]'' section.<ref name="Cannes">{{cite web|url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/5384/year/1999.html|title=Festival de Cannes: Vanaprastham|access-date=10 October 2009|publisher=[[Festival-cannes.com]]|date=1999}}</ref> In 2014, the film was screened retrospective during the [[45th International Film Festival of India]] in the ''Celebrating Dance in Indian cinema'' section.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iffi.nic.in/Indian%20Cinema%20Catalogue%202014.pdf|title=45th International Film Festival of Goa|publisher=[[Iffi.nic.in]]|access-date=16 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316163822/http://www.iffi.nic.in/Indian%20Cinema%20Catalogue%202014.pdf|archive-date=16 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Writing for ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', film critic [[Emanuel Levy]] said that "''The Last Dance'', which marks noted Indian cinematographer-director Shaji Karun's third appearance in [[Cannes Film Festival|Cannes]], is an elaborately produced, exceedingly handsome period film about the art form of Kathakali, which combines dance, pantomime and theater [...] Through his meticulous [[mise-en-scene]] and well-crafted production, director Karun offers poignant commentary on the political and mythic role of artists in a rapidly changing society, and the fine line between the characters they play onstage and off".<ref>{{cite web|last=Levy|first=Emanuel|author-link=Emanuel Levy|title=The Last Dance|url=https://variety.com/1999/film/reviews/the-last-dance-3-1117499804/|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=30 June 2020|date=21 May 1999}}</ref>
The film premiered at the [[1999 Cannes Film Festival]] on 21 May 1999, where it was selected in the ''[[Un Certain Regard]]'' section.<ref name="Cannes">{{cite web|url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/5384/year/1999.html|title=Festival de Cannes: Vanaprastham|access-date=10 October 2009|publisher=[[Festival-cannes.com]]|date=1999|archive-date=18 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318202759/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/5384/year/1999.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, the film was screened retrospective during the [[45th International Film Festival of India]] in the ''Celebrating Dance in Indian cinema'' section.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iffi.nic.in/Indian%20Cinema%20Catalogue%202014.pdf|title=45th International Film Festival of Goa|publisher=[[Iffi.nic.in]]|access-date=16 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316163822/http://www.iffi.nic.in/Indian%20Cinema%20Catalogue%202014.pdf|archive-date=16 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
Writing for ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', film critic [[Emanuel Levy]] said that "''The Last Dance'', which marks noted Indian cinematographer-director Shaji Karun's third appearance in [[Cannes Film Festival|Cannes]], is an elaborately produced, exceedingly handsome period film about the art form of Kathakali, which combines dance, pantomime and theater [...] Through his meticulous [[mise-en-scene]] and well-crafted production, director Karun offers poignant commentary on the political and mythic role of artists in a rapidly changing society, and the fine line between the characters they play onstage and off".<ref>{{cite web|last=Levy|first=Emanuel|author-link=Emanuel Levy|title=The Last Dance|url=https://variety.com/1999/film/reviews/the-last-dance-3-1117499804/|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=30 June 2020|date=21 May 1999|archive-date=30 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630164932/https://variety.com/1999/film/reviews/the-last-dance-3-1117499804/|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
Prem Panickar of ''[[Rediff.com|Rediff]]'' wrote, "From a viewer's point of view, it is interesting that after watching the film, you come away talking of the passionate 'virtual love story', of the stunning visuals, of Mohanlal's brilliance and Suhasini's surcharged performance -- but rarely, if ever, of the director. Perhaps that is Shaji N Karun's biggest victory. He is there, in the meticulously etched story and the sparse, telling dialogues. He is there in the use of Kathakali as a medium -- inspired, perhaps, by his mentor, the late Malayalam auteur [[G. Aravindan|Aravindan]]'s 1988 opus, ''Marattam''."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2001-11-08 |title=rediff.com, Movies: The Rediff Review: Vaanaprastham |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jul/31vaan.htm |access-date=2023-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011108051430/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jul/31vaan.htm |archive-date=8 November 2001 }}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
The film has been nominated for the following awards since its release:
The film has been nominated for the following awards since its release:


;[[1999 Cannes Film Festival]]
;[[1999 Cannes Film Festival|Cannes Film Festival]]
Competed at the [[Un Certain Regard]] section
* Competed at the [[Un Certain Regard]] section


;1999 [[AFI Fest]] (United States)
;[[47th National Film Awards|National Film Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Variety staff|title=Film faves win kudos|url=https://variety.com/2000/film/news/film-faves-win-kudos-1117783569/|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=11 June 2020|date=11 July 2000|archive-date=11 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611135902/https://variety.com/2000/film/news/film-faves-win-kudos-1117783569/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Nominated - Grand Jury Prize - [[Shaji N. Karun]]
* [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film|Best Feature Film]] - [[Pierre Assouline]], [[Mohanlal]] (producers)
* [[National Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] - Mohanlal
* [[National Film Award for Best Editing|Best Editing]] - [[A. Sreekar Prasad]], Joseph Guinvarch


;1999 [[Istanbul International Film Festival]]
;[[Kerala State Film Awards]]
*Won - Special Prize of the Jury - [[Shaji N. Karun]]
* [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] - Mohanlal
* [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Director|Best Director]] - [[Shaji N. Karun]]
* [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Editor|Best Editor]] - A. Sreekar Prasad, Joseph Guinvarch
* Best Sound Recordist - [[A. S. Laxmi Narayanan]], Bruno Tarrière
* Best Processing Lab - [[Prasad Studios|Prasad Colour Lab]]
* [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Makeup Artist|Best Make-up Artist]] - M. O. Devasya, Saleem


;1999 [[Mumbai International Film Festival]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Festival awards 2000|url=http://www.fipresci.org/awards/awards/awards_2000.htm|publisher=Fipresci.org|access-date=30 June 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730183153/http://www.fipresci.org/awards/awards/awards_2000.htm|archive-date=30 July 2012}}</ref>
;[[Kerala Film Critics Association Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-17 |title=Film Critics Awards Complete List From 1977 Till 2012 |url=https://www.keralafilmcritics.com/2020/10/film-critics-awards-complete-list-from.html |website=Kerala Film Critics Association}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNFn79LrCqY&t=102s |title=15th Film Critics Award - 1991|date=6 January 2020 |via=[[YouTube]] }}</ref>
*Won - [[FIPRESCI]] prize - [[Shaji N. Karun]]
* [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Film|Best Film]] - Shaji N. Karun (director)
* [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Director|Best Director]] - Shaji N. Karun
* [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] - Mohanlal
* Best Sound Recordist - A. S. Laxmi Narayanan


;[[47th National Film Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Variety staff|title=Film faves win kudos|url=https://variety.com/2000/film/news/film-faves-win-kudos-1117783569/|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=11 June 2020|date=11 July 2000}}</ref>
;[[Filmfare Awards South]]
*Won - [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film|Best Feature Film]] - [[Pierre Assouline]], [[Mohanlal]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam|Best Actor – Malayalam]] - Mohanlal
*Won - [[National Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] - [[Mohanlal]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – South|Best Cinematographer – South]] - Santosh Sivan
*Won - [[National Film Award for Best Editing|Best Editing]] - [[A. Sreekar Prasad]], Joseph Guinvarch
 
;1999 [[Kerala State Film Awards]]
*Won - [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] - [[Mohanlal]]
*Won - [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Director|Best Director]] - [[Shaji N. Karun]]
*Won - [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Editor|Best Editor]] - [[A. Sreekar Prasad]], Joseph Guinvarch
*Won - Best Sound Recordist - Lakshmy Narayana, Bruno Tarrière
*Won - Best Processing Lab - [[Prasad Studios|Prasad Colour Lab]]
*Won [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Makeup Artist|- Best Make-up Artist]] - [[M.O.Devasya]], Saleem
 
;1999 [[Filmfare Awards South]]
* Won - [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Malayalam)|Best Actor in Malayalam]] - [[Mohanlal]]
* Won - [[Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – South|Best Cinematographer – South]] - [[Santosh Sivan]]


;Other awards
;Other awards
*Won - [[Kerala Film Critics Association Awards]] for Best Actor - [[Mohanlal]]
* Won Mathrubhumi Film Award for Best Actor - Mohanlal
*Won - Mathrubhumi Film Award for Best Actor - [[Mohanlal]]
* Won [[FIPRESCI]] prize at the [[Mumbai International Film Festival]] - Shaji N. Karun<ref>{{cite web|title=Festival awards 2000|url=http://www.fipresci.org/awards/awards/awards_2000.htm|publisher=Fipresci.org|access-date=30 June 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730183153/http://www.fipresci.org/awards/awards/awards_2000.htm|archive-date=30 July 2012}}</ref>
* Won Special Prize of the Jury  at [[Istanbul International Film Festival]] - Shaji N. Karun
* Nominated for Grand Jury Prize at [[AFI Fest|American Film Institute Festival]] - Shaji N. Karun


== Soundtrack ==
== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
{{Main|Vanaprastham (soundtrack)}}
| name      = Vanaprastham (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
The music for the film was composed by [[Zakir Hussain (musician)|Zakir Hussain]]. The soundtrack album was distributed by [[Universal Music France]], it was released on 1 October 1999 in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vanaprastham - Zakir Hussain|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/vanaprastham-mw0001462134|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=11 June 2020|archive-date=11 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611114422/https://www.allmusic.com/album/vanaprastham-mw0001462134|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Vanaprastham: Last Dance|url=https://www.amazon.ca/Vanaprastham-Last-Dance-Zakir-Hussain/dp/B00004GLP5|publisher=[[Amazon.com|Amazon.ca]]|access-date=11 June 2020|date=29 February 2000|archive-date=11 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611114426/https://www.amazon.ca/Vanaprastham-Last-Dance-Zakir-Hussain/dp/B00004GLP5|url-status=live}}</ref>
| type      = Film score
| artist    = [[Zakir Hussain (musician)|Zakir Hussain]]
| cover      =
| alt        =
| released  = {{start date|df=yes|1999|10|1}} (Europe)
| recorded  =
| venue      =
| studio    =
| genre      = {{hlist|[[Folk music|Folk]]|[[World music|world]]|[[Country music|country]]|[[Jazz]]}}
| length    = 41:00
| label      = [[Universal Music France]]
| producer  = Zakir Hussain
| prev_title = [[Saaz (film)|Saaz]]
| prev_year  = 1998
| next_title = [[The Mystic Masseur]]
| next_year  = 2001
}}
 
The music for the film was composed by [[Zakir Hussain (musician)|Zakir Hussain]]. The soundtrack album was distributed by [[Universal Music France]], it was released on 1 October 1999 in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vanaprastham - Zakir Hussain|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/vanaprastham-mw0001462134|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=11 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Vanaprastham: Last Dance|url=https://www.amazon.ca/Vanaprastham-Last-Dance-Zakir-Hussain/dp/B00004GLP5|publisher=[[Amazon.com|Amazon.ca]]|access-date=11 June 2020|date=29 February 2000}}</ref>
 
{{Track listing
| headline    = Vanaprastham (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
| total_length = 41:00
 
| title1      = Subhadra
| length1    = 5:56
 
| title2      = Smile
| length2    = 3:44
 
| title3      = Kunhikuttan
| length3    = 3:59
 
| title4      = Elanga
| length4    = 2:31
 
| title5      = Kamini
| length5    = 5:29
 
| title6      = Puskara
| length6    = 3:04
 
| title7      = Dark Melody
| length7    = 4:27
 
| title8      = Subhadra 2
| length8    = 7:18
 
| title9      = Taal Mantra
| length9    = 4:32
}}


==Legacy==
==Legacy==
''Vanaprastham'' was the first Indian film made in [[Panavision]] format.<ref>{{cite web|last=Warrier|first=Shobha|title=Payback time!|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/mar/11moh.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=30 June 2020|date=11 March 1999}}</ref> Mohanlal's performance in the film is often regarded by critics as one of the best performances in his career.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jeshi|first=K.|title=A passion for pain|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/A-passion-for-pain/article14936981.ece|access-date=26 May 2020|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=4 March 2011}}</ref> ''Vanaprastham'' was Karun's third directorial after ''[[Piravi]]'' (1989) and ''[[Swaham]]'' (1994) and it was the third time his film getting selection at the [[Cannes Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Warrier|first=Shobha|title=Hat-trick!|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/jun/16sha.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=30 June 2020|date=16 June 1999}}</ref> After the screening of the film, the [[Government of France]] conferred him with the title [[Ordre des Arts et des Lettres]] (''Chevalier''); Karun responded that "I think they gave me the award because all three of my films were premiered at Cannes - a very rare honour".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Taliculam|first1=Sharmila|last2=Warrier|first2=Shobha|title='Indians go abroad to watch Indian films!|url=https://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/aug/22shaji.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=30 June 2020|date=22 August 2000}}</ref> Impressed with his work in ''Vanaprastham'', A. Sreekar Prasad was hired by [[Mani Ratnam]] for editing ''[[Alaipayuthey]]'' (their first collaboration), who later becomes his regular editor.<ref name="editing">{{cite news|last=Ramnath|first=Nandini|title=The man in the middle: How acclaimed film editor Sreekar Prasad has stood out while blending in|url=https://scroll.in/reel/895699/the-man-in-the-middle-how-acclaimed-film-editor-sreekar-prasad-has-stood-out-while-blending-in|access-date=11 June 2020|work=[[Scroll.in]]|date=25 September 2018}}</ref> In 2005, Mohanlal listed ''Vanaprastham'' in his list of top ten best Indian films of all time.<ref>{{cite web|last=Warrier|first=Shobha|title=India's Best Films: Mohanlal|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/jun/07list.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=30 June 2020|date=7 June 2005}}</ref> In 2013, in an online poll conducted by ''[[CNN-IBN]]'' on their website as part of the 100 years celebration of [[Indian cinema]], ''Vanaprastham'' came ninth in the poll for finding the "greatest Indian film ever".<ref>{{cite news|title='Mayabazar' is India's greatest film ever: IBNLive poll|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/mayabazar-is-indias-greatest-film-ever-ibnlive-poll-608772.html|access-date=24 May 2013|work=[[CNN-IBN]]|date=12 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114100639/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/mayabazar-is-indias-greatest-film-ever-ibnlive-poll-608772.html|archive-date=14 January 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=IBNLive Poll: Vote for India's greatest film of all time|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ibnlive-poll-vote-for-indias-greatest-film-of-all-time/387871-8.html|access-date=24 May 2013|work=[[CNN-IBN]]|date=26 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115043047/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/ibnlive-poll-vote-for-indias-greatest-film-of-all-time-605465.html|archive-date=15 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016, on the occasion of India celebrating its [[Independence Day (India)|70th Independence day]], news agency ''[[NDTV]]'' compiled a list called "70 Years, 70 Great Films" and ''Vanaprastham'' was among the four Malayalam films that found place in the list.<ref>{{cite web|title=Happy Independence Day: 70 Years, 70 Great Films|url=https://movies.ndtv.com/photos/happy-independence-day-70-years-70-great-films-15114#photo-196305|publisher=[[NDTV]]|access-date=30 June 2020|date=15 August 2016}}</ref>
''Vanaprastham'' was the first Indian film shot with [[Panavision]] cameras and lenses.<ref>{{cite web|last=Warrier|first=Shobha|title=Payback time!|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/mar/11moh.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=30 June 2020|date=11 March 1999|archive-date=30 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630090458/https://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/mar/11moh.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Mohanlal's performance in the film is often regarded by critics as one of the best performances in his career.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jeshi|first=K.|title=A passion for pain|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/A-passion-for-pain/article14936981.ece|access-date=26 May 2020|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=4 March 2011|archive-date=11 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611123446/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/A-passion-for-pain/article14936981.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Vanaprastham'' was Karun's third directorial after ''[[Piravi]]'' (1989) and ''[[Swaham]]'' (1994) and it was the third time his film getting selection at the [[Cannes Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Warrier|first=Shobha|title=Hat-trick!|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/jun/16sha.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=30 June 2020|date=16 June 1999|archive-date=30 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630090456/https://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/jun/16sha.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> After the screening of the film, the [[Government of France]] conferred him with the title [[Ordre des Arts et des Lettres]] (''Chevalier''); Karun responded that "I think they gave me the award because all three of my films were premiered at Cannes - a very rare honour".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Taliculam|first1=Sharmila|last2=Warrier|first2=Shobha|title='Indians go abroad to watch Indian films!|url=https://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/aug/22shaji.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=30 June 2020|date=22 August 2000|archive-date=1 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701202453/https://www.rediff.com/entertai/2000/aug/22shaji.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Impressed with his work in ''Vanaprastham'', A. Sreekar Prasad was hired by [[Mani Ratnam]] for editing ''[[Alaipayuthey]]'' (their first collaboration), who later becomes his regular editor.<ref name="editing">{{cite news|last=Ramnath|first=Nandini|title=The man in the middle: How acclaimed film editor Sreekar Prasad has stood out while blending in|url=https://scroll.in/reel/895699/the-man-in-the-middle-how-acclaimed-film-editor-sreekar-prasad-has-stood-out-while-blending-in|access-date=11 June 2020|work=[[Scroll.in]]|date=25 September 2018|archive-date=11 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611122757/https://scroll.in/reel/895699/the-man-in-the-middle-how-acclaimed-film-editor-sreekar-prasad-has-stood-out-while-blending-in|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2005, Mohanlal listed ''Vanaprastham'' in his list of top ten best Indian films of all time.<ref>{{cite web|last=Warrier|first=Shobha|title=India's Best Films: Mohanlal|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/jun/07list.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=30 June 2020|date=7 June 2005|archive-date=9 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109191753/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/jun/07list.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, in an online poll conducted by ''[[CNN-IBN]]'' on their website as part of the 100 years celebration of [[Indian cinema]], ''Vanaprastham'' came ninth in the poll for finding the "greatest Indian film ever".<ref>{{cite news|title='Mayabazar' is India's greatest film ever: IBNLive poll|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/mayabazar-is-indias-greatest-film-ever-ibnlive-poll-608772.html|access-date=24 May 2013|work=[[CNN-IBN]]|date=12 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114100639/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/mayabazar-is-indias-greatest-film-ever-ibnlive-poll-608772.html|archive-date=14 January 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=IBNLive Poll: Vote for India's greatest film of all time|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ibnlive-poll-vote-for-indias-greatest-film-of-all-time/387871-8.html|access-date=24 May 2013|work=[[CNN-IBN]]|date=26 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115043047/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/ibnlive-poll-vote-for-indias-greatest-film-of-all-time-605465.html|archive-date=15 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016, on the occasion of India celebrating its [[Independence Day (India)|70th Independence day]], news agency ''[[NDTV]]'' compiled a list called "70 Years, 70 Great Films" and ''Vanaprastham'' was among the four Malayalam films that found place in the list.<ref>{{cite web|title=Happy Independence Day: 70 Years, 70 Great Films|url=https://movies.ndtv.com/photos/happy-independence-day-70-years-70-great-films-15114#photo-196305|publisher=[[NDTV]]|access-date=30 June 2020|date=15 August 2016|archive-date=30 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630090456/https://movies.ndtv.com/photos/happy-independence-day-70-years-70-great-films-15114#photo-196305|url-status=live}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Films whose editor won the Best Film Editing National Award]]
[[Category:1999 French films]]

Latest revision as of 02:48, 4 March 2026


For the third ashrama in the Vedic ashrama system, see Vanaprastha.

Vanaprastham
DVD cover
Directed byShaji N. Karun
Produced byPierre Assouline
Mohanlal (co-producer)
Screenplay byShaji N. Karun
Raghunath Paleri
Dialogues by
  • Raghunath Paleri
Story byPierre Assouline
StarringMohanlal
Suhasini Maniratnam
Music byZakir Hussain
CinematographyRenato Berta
Santosh Sivan
Edited byA. Sreekar Prasad
Joseph Guinvarch
Production
company
Euro American Films
Pranavam Arts
CLT-UFA International
(in association with)
Distributed bySND Films (France)
Pranavam Arts (Kerala)
Release date
  • 21 May 1999 (1999-05-21) (Cannes)
  • 25 December 1999 (1999-12-25) (India)
Running time
119 minutes
CountryFrance
India
LanguageMalayalam
Budget₹3.8 crore (US$530,000)[1]

Vanaprastham: The Last Dance (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) is a 1999 Malayalam psychological drama period film by Shaji N. Karun.[2] It was produced as an Indo-French collaboration by Pierre Assouline, and co-produced by Mohanlal. The screenplay was written by Karun and Raghunath Paleri (who also wrote the dialogues) based on a story by Assouline. It features Mohanlal in the lead role, with Suhasini Maniratnam, Mattannur Sankarankutty Marar, Kalamandalam Gopi, Venmani Haridas, and Cuckoo Parameswaran in supporting roles. The film's music was composed by Zakir Hussain.

The film premiered at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival on 21 May 1999, where it was selected in the Un Certain Regard section, and was theatrically released in France on 13 October 1999 and in India in January 2000. The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the American Film Institute's 1999 AFI Fest (Los Angeles International Film Festival). It won the Special Prize of the Jury at the Istanbul International Film Festival and the FIPRESCI prize at the Mumbai International Film Festival. The film won three awards at the 47th National Film Awards —Best Feature Film, Best Actor (Mohanlal), and Best Editing (A. Sreekar Prasad), and six awards at the 1999 Kerala State Film Awards, including Best Director and Best Actor (Mohanlal). In 2014, Vanaprastham was screened retrospective at the 45th International Film Festival of India in the Celebrating Dance in Indian cinema section.

Plot[edit | edit source]

The story revolves around a male Kathakali artiste Kunjikuttan, an admirable and respected performer but a member of a lower caste. He struggles to come to terms with the rejection and estrangement of his father, a member of an upper caste who denies his paternity. Poor, unhappy, and stuck in an arranged marriage that provides no respite, he gets by for the sake of his daughter.

One night, whilst performing as Putana from Poothanamoksham from the epic Mahabharata on stage, his performance is witnessed by Subhadra, an educated and married upper-caste woman, niece of the Dewan and an aspiring composer. Impressed by his performance she invites him to play Arjuna in her adaptation of Subhadraharanam. Defying norms of India's rigid caste system, the two have an affair which results in the birth of a son.

It soon becomes clear that Subhadra loves the character Arjuna from his stage performances, and not Kunhikuttan the artiste. More in love with the valiant, noble hero of the Mahabharata, than the lower-caste dancer Kunhikuttan, she rejects him and refuses to let him see their son.

Denied access to his son, and rejected by his father, Kunhikuttan returns to the stage, leaving behind his hero roles to play demonic characters, reaching within the dark corners of his mind, becoming increasingly resentful and full of anger, until one last dance which brings the feature to a stunning end.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Release[edit | edit source]

The film premiered at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival on 21 May 1999, where it was selected in the Un Certain Regard section.[3] In 2014, the film was screened retrospective during the 45th International Film Festival of India in the Celebrating Dance in Indian cinema section.[4]

Writing for Variety, film critic Emanuel Levy said that "The Last Dance, which marks noted Indian cinematographer-director Shaji Karun's third appearance in Cannes, is an elaborately produced, exceedingly handsome period film about the art form of Kathakali, which combines dance, pantomime and theater [...] Through his meticulous mise-en-scene and well-crafted production, director Karun offers poignant commentary on the political and mythic role of artists in a rapidly changing society, and the fine line between the characters they play onstage and off".[5]

Prem Panickar of Rediff wrote, "From a viewer's point of view, it is interesting that after watching the film, you come away talking of the passionate 'virtual love story', of the stunning visuals, of Mohanlal's brilliance and Suhasini's surcharged performance -- but rarely, if ever, of the director. Perhaps that is Shaji N Karun's biggest victory. He is there, in the meticulously etched story and the sparse, telling dialogues. He is there in the use of Kathakali as a medium -- inspired, perhaps, by his mentor, the late Malayalam auteur Aravindan's 1988 opus, Marattam."[6]

Awards[edit | edit source]

The film has been nominated for the following awards since its release:

Cannes Film Festival
National Film Awards[7]
Kerala State Film Awards
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards[8][9]
Filmfare Awards South
Other awards

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

Main article: Vanaprastham (soundtrack)

The music for the film was composed by Zakir Hussain. The soundtrack album was distributed by Universal Music France, it was released on 1 October 1999 in Europe.[11][12]

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Vanaprastham was the first Indian film shot with Panavision cameras and lenses.[13] Mohanlal's performance in the film is often regarded by critics as one of the best performances in his career.[14] Vanaprastham was Karun's third directorial after Piravi (1989) and Swaham (1994) and it was the third time his film getting selection at the Cannes Film Festival.[15] After the screening of the film, the Government of France conferred him with the title Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Chevalier); Karun responded that "I think they gave me the award because all three of my films were premiered at Cannes - a very rare honour".[16] Impressed with his work in Vanaprastham, A. Sreekar Prasad was hired by Mani Ratnam for editing Alaipayuthey (their first collaboration), who later becomes his regular editor.[17] In 2005, Mohanlal listed Vanaprastham in his list of top ten best Indian films of all time.[18] In 2013, in an online poll conducted by CNN-IBN on their website as part of the 100 years celebration of Indian cinema, Vanaprastham came ninth in the poll for finding the "greatest Indian film ever".[19][20] In 2016, on the occasion of India celebrating its 70th Independence day, news agency NDTV compiled a list called "70 Years, 70 Great Films" and Vanaprastham was among the four Malayalam films that found place in the list.[21]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Radhakrishnan, M. G. (5 March 2013). "Shaji Karun's latest film uses Kathakali as backdrop to tell tormented dancer's tale". India Today (published 19 January 1998). Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  2. ↑ Panicker, Prem. "Illusion vs reality". www.rediff.com. Archived from the original on 2 May 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  3. ↑ "Festival de Cannes: Vanaprastham". Festival-cannes.com. 1999. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  4. ↑ "45th International Film Festival of Goa" (PDF). Iffi.nic.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  5. ↑ Levy, Emanuel (21 May 1999). "The Last Dance". Variety. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  6. ↑ "rediff.com, Movies: The Rediff Review: Vaanaprastham". 8 November 2001. Archived from the original on 8 November 2001. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  7. ↑ Variety staff (11 July 2000). "Film faves win kudos". Variety. Archived from the original on 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  8. ↑ "Film Critics Awards Complete List From 1977 Till 2012". Kerala Film Critics Association. 17 October 2020.
  9. ↑ "15th Film Critics Award - 1991". 6 January 2020 – via YouTube.
  10. ↑ "Festival awards 2000". Fipresci.org. Retrieved 30 June 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  11. ↑ "Vanaprastham - Zakir Hussain". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  12. ↑ "Vanaprastham: Last Dance". Amazon.ca. 29 February 2000. Archived from the original on 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  13. ↑ Warrier, Shobha (11 March 1999). "Payback time!". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  14. ↑ Jeshi, K. (4 March 2011). "A passion for pain". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 June 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  15. ↑ Warrier, Shobha (16 June 1999). "Hat-trick!". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  16. ↑ Taliculam, Sharmila; Warrier, Shobha (22 August 2000). "'Indians go abroad to watch Indian films!". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 1 July 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  17. ↑ Ramnath, Nandini (25 September 2018). "The man in the middle: How acclaimed film editor Sreekar Prasad has stood out while blending in". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  18. ↑ Warrier, Shobha (7 June 2005). "India's Best Films: Mohanlal". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  19. ↑ "'Mayabazar' is India's greatest film ever: IBNLive poll". CNN-IBN. 12 May 2013. Archived from the original on 14 January 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  20. ↑ "IBNLive Poll: Vote for India's greatest film of all time". CNN-IBN. 26 April 2013. Archived from the original on 15 November 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  21. ↑ "Happy Independence Day: 70 Years, 70 Great Films". NDTV. 15 August 2016. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.

External links[edit | edit source]

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