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Nizhal (2021 film)
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| Nizhal | |
|---|---|
| File:Nizhal 2021.jpg Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Appu N. Bhattathiri |
| Produced by | Anto Joseph Abhijith M. Pillai Badusha Fellini T. P. Ginesh Jose |
| Screenplay by | S. Sanjeev |
| Starring | Kunchacko Boban Nayanthara |
| Music by | Sooraj S. Kurup |
| Cinematography | Deepak D. Menon |
| Edited by | Appu N. Bhattathiri Arunlal S. P. |
Production company | Anto Joseph Film Company Melange Film House Tentpole Movies |
| Distributed by | Aan Mega Media |
Release date |
|
Running time | 124 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Nizhal (transl. Shadow) is a 2021 Indian mystery thriller film directed by Appu N. Bhattathiri and written by S. Sanjeev. It stars Kunchacko Boban and Nayanthara and also features Izin Hash,[1] 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.[2] The film is produced by Anto Joseph Film Company and Melange Film House in association with Tentpole Movies.[3][4] Boban plays the role of a first-class Judicial Magistrate.[5]
Plot[edit]
The film starts with a rain scene where John Baby, a magistrate getting into a car accident. 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 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 of her late investigator husband, Sachin's case files. 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 back home, leaving them behind, to share this discovery to Shalini and her husband. Baby reveals this fact to Sharmila after she returns. He questions her about her Mother to find any connection, to her annoyance. Finally, 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 goes with Baby. Sharmila feels sorry for the old Vishwanath, given how much he seemed to repent and how much time had passed, and so helps him leave before the cops were 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 he knew the story about Radhamma's death. Realisation hits Baby and he rushes to Sharmila's house.
In the meantime, Vishwanath 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 had 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 at the balcony and falls to his death.
At the end Baby is free from his visions whereas Sharmila has started to hallucinate.
Cast[edit]
- Kunchacko Boban as Magistrate John Baby
- Nayanthara as Sharmila (voice by Shakthisree Gopalan)
- Izin Hash as Nitin
- Divya Prabha as Dr. Shalini (voice by Anne Amie)
- Lal as Viswanathan
- Rony David as Rajan
- Prashant Narayanan as Mathiyas Pandian
- Saiju Kurup as 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 as Michel
- Renjit Shekar Nair as a bus conductor
- Dixon Poduthas as SP
- Hariprashanth as Commissioner
- Remya Suresh as Bhanu
Production[edit]
Development[edit]
Nizhal is the directorial debut of Kerala State Film Award winning editor Appu N. Bhattathiri.[6] The film is financed by five producers, Anto Joseph, Abhijith M. Pillai, Badusha, Fellini T. P. and Ginesh Jose.[7] It is through producer Fellini, the director approached Kunchacko Boban.[8] Boban was finalized for his role at the beginning and he suggested Nayanthara to play the female lead.[2][9] After reading the script, Nayanthara was impressed and signed the project.[4]
Filming[edit]
The principal photography of the film began on 19 October 2020 at Kalamassery following the COVID-19 protocols.[2][10] The filming continued at various locations of Ernakulam and Alappuzha districts.[11][12] The first schedule was completed on 4 December 2020.[13][14] After wrapping up its Kerala schedule, the team headed to Karnataka for its second schedule and continued filming at Bangalore and Hogenakkal.[15]
Release[edit]
The film was released on 9 April 2021.[16] 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."[17]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Official Website of Izin Hash". Izin Hash. 17 August 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 M., Athira (20 October 2020). "Appu N Bhattathiri on directing 'Nizhal' with Nayanthara and Kunchacko Boban". The Hindu.
- ↑ "First look of Nayanthara from Nizhal unveiled". The New Indian Express. 19 November 2020.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Nayanthara heads back to Mollywood, this time with Kunchacko Boban for Nizhal". OnManorama. 18 October 2020.
- ↑ "Kunchacko Boban to portray a Judicial Magistrate in 'Nizhal'". The Times of India. 3 November 2020.
- ↑ "'Nizhal' poster shows a mysteriously masked Kunchacko Boban". The News Minute. 2 November 2020.
- ↑ "Nayanthara and Kunchacko Boban in Appu Bhattathiri's debut directorial 'Nizhal'". The News Minute. 18 October 2020.
- ↑ "'Accidental' editor Appu Bhattathiri on directing 'Nizhal', his first film". The News Minute. 24 October 2020.
- ↑ Rajan, Silpa (21 October 2020). "Exclusive! Appu Bhattathiri: Kunchacko Boban suggested Nayanthara's name for 'Nizhal'". The Times of India.
- ↑ Krishnakumar, G. (10 November 2020). "Filming plans go for a toss, thanks to COVID curbs". The Hindu.
- ↑ Shrijith, Sajin (18 October 2020). "Kunchacko Boban, Nayanthara to lead thriller Nizhal". Cinema Express.
- ↑ "Nayanthara-Kunchacko photo from 'Nizhal' shooting released online". The News Minute. 11 November 2020.
- ↑ "Kunchacko Boban and Nayanthara starrer 'Nizhal' calls it a wrap". The Times of India. 4 December 2020.
- ↑ "Nayanthara and Kunchacko Boban's 'Nizhal' filming wrapped up". The News Minute. 5 December 2020.
- ↑ "Kunchacko Boban shoots in Hogenakkal for Nizhal". The Times of India. 11 December 2020.
- ↑ "Nizhal". The Times of India. 9 April 2021.
- ↑ "Nizhal, On Amazon Prime Video With Kunchacko Boban and Nayanthara, Is An Underwhelming Thriller With Interesting Ideas That Don't Come Together". FilmCompanion. 15 May 2021.