This week’s Tamil releases are Vanjagar Ulagam and Torch Light, while the Malayalam releases include the long-awaited Ranam and Theevandi which got postponed due to the floods in Kerala. Halkaa, Laila Majnu, Paltan and In The Shadows: Gali Guliyaan are the Bollywood releases.
Vanjagar Ulagam
Vanjagar Ulagam is a crime thriller directed by Manoj Beedha. The film revolves around the murder of a young woman. Produced by Labyrinth Films, the movie has an ensemble cast with the likes of Cibi Bhuvana Chandran, Guru Somasundharam, Chandimi Tamilarasan, John Vijay, Anisha Ambrose, Hareesh Peradi cast in pivotal roles. The film’s cinematography is by Rodrigo del Rio Herrera. Lyrics have been penned by Madhan Karky while the music is composed by Sam CS.
Actor Guru Somasundharam, who impressed with his acting in Aranya Kaandam and Joker, will be seen as a gangster in the film. Talking about it, he said, “I was shocked when I was told that I’m a gangster in the film. But, Beedha has made sure that there are no unnecessary characters in the movie. That said, I have to admit that this film and role are completely different from what I have done thus far.”
Torch Light
Torchlight, directed by Majith of Tamizhan fame, is said to be a period film set in the 1990s and addresses the issues faced by women sex workers. The film will portray how women are exploited by the society due to their poverty. It stars Sadha and Rythvika. The director said that while many actress were not willing to play the role of a sex worker, actress Sadha of Jayam fame agreed to be a part of the film.
“Sex workers usually think that they’re beyond redemption. I have met and had conversations with several of these women in my attempt to understand the choices they made that led them to this situation. They’re ostracised from society, and many of them still find strength to soldier on. But when someone does offer them a different life, a chance at happiness, they are reluctant to take it up. They think that they cannot be redeemed by such a thing. That’s what I wanted to showcase in Torch Light,” the director told Silverscreen.
The film is jointly produced by Abdul Majith, M. Antony Edward, Ranganathan Raju and Kannan Basker, while the music is composed by JV and the lyrics are by Vairamuthu.
Ranam
This film is directed by Nirmal Sahadev, bankrolled by Anand Payyanur and Biju–Rani Lawson under the banners Yes Cinema Production and Lawson Entertainment. Ranam – Detroit Crossing is based on true stories, focusing on Tamil street fights. The lead character gets involved with some gangs and the rest forms the story. Prithviraj plays a gang leader shuttling between Detroit and Michigan. The film also stars Rahman and Isha Talwar.
“Ranam is about survival, and second chances. It’s about a bunch of characters who are trying to overcome an unpleasant past. It is set in Detroit, a city which is also recuperating from a period of violence. The city and characters mirror each other. There is no definite villain or a hero in Ranam,” the director told Silverscreen.
Shot extensively in various locations across US, the film has Prithviraj playing a mechanic who had recently moved to Detroit to start life afresh.
Theevandi
The film is a political drama directed by debutant Fellini T. P and written by Vini Vishwa Lal. The story revolves around the life of a chain smoker. The film stars Tovino Thomas and newcomer Samyuktha Menon in the lead and Surabhi Lakshmi, Rajesh Sharma, Suraaj Venjarammoodu and Shammi Thilakan in pivotal roles.
“I choose a script if I feel I have something good to do, and also, if I find the team interesting. For me, the process of filming is as important as how the film turns out to be. That experience is important,” said Tovino in an earlier interview with Silverscreen.
Halkaa
Directed by Nila Madhab Panda, the film is about eight-year-old Pichkoo (Tathastu) who craves a little privacy and dreams of having a toilet of his own. It tackles the subject of open defecation. Presented by Shiv Nadar Foundation and Akshay Kumar Parija Films, the movie had its world premiere at the 21st Montreal International Children’s Film Festival in March, where it won the Grand Prix Award.
Talking about the film, Panda told The Hindu, “It is not part of some government policy but an independent story. As it is related to the idea of cleanliness, the government wanted to come and do something for it and later got associated with it.”
Laila Majnu
Directed by Sajid Ali and written by Imtiaz Ali, Laila Majnu is a contemporary retelling of the classic love story set against the backdrop of Kashmir. Presented by Imtiaz Ali and co-produced by Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor and Preety Ali, the film stars Avinash Tiwari and Tripti Dimri.
Talking about the film’s location, Sajid told The Times Of India, “I aim to tell the story of Kashmiri youth. Setting the film Laila Majnu in Kashmir gives me a chance to do that. Of course, the place holds an old world charm that goes perfectly with the theme of the story.”
Paltan
Directed by JP Dutta, Paltan is an Indian epic war drama which is based on the 1967 Nathu La and Cho La clashes along the Sikkim border, after 1962 Sino-Indian War. It stars Jackie Shroff, Arjun Rampal, Sonu Sood, Harshvardhan Rane, Esha Gupta, Sonal Chauhan and others.
In The Shadows: Gali Guleiyan
Directed by Dipesh Jain, the film is a psychological thriller starring Manoj Bajpayee, Ranvir Shorey, Neeraj Kabi, Shahana Goswami and debutant Om Singh. The film revolves around tehe story of a man who is stuck in a self-imposed mental prison and is completely detached from reality.
