Neelathaamara
Encyclopedia
Neelathamara (English
: The Blue Lotus) is a 2009 Malayalam romantic drama film written by M.T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by Lal Jose
. It is the remake
of the 1979 film of the same name
, scripted by M.T. himself and directed by Yusuf Ali Kechery
. The film was produced by Suresh Kumar under the banner of Revathy Kalamandir. It stars Kailash
and newcomer Archana Kavi
in the lead roles. The film received mixed reviews and was a box office hit.
), a program producer with NDTV 24x7, is in her ancestral village for a television program. She wants her fiancé to meet her grandmother, who has just been discharged from hospital. Beena, the daughter of K.P. Haridas, who died a few years back is not in good terms with her mother Ratnam over her second marriage. Ratnam happens to visit the house at the same time. There she meets Kuttimalu, a middle-age lady, who was once a housemaid in her teenage days. Kuttimalu is welcomed by grandmother with the same warmth that she enjoyed long back, and she says that her daughters are now well settled and are leading a happy lives. Ratnam is also affectionate towards Kuttimalu, who had once had an affair with Haridas.
In the night, while arranging the old books of Haridas, Ratnam comes across the snaps of Kuttimalu, which he had taken in his college days. She hands them over to Kuttimalu, which takes her back to the old days. The story switches to the late 1970s, when Kuttimalu (Archana Kavi
) had arrived as a maid with Appukuttan, her cousin and her grandmother. Kuttimalu succeeds in winning the heart of Haridas's mother in no time. She was an innocent village girl who always found fun in sharing secrets with Ammini (Rima Kallingal
), a girl of her age.
Ammini informs her about the myth of Neelathamara (blue lotus). According to believers, if they offer a one rupee note at the temple pond and prays deeply to the god, the flower will blossom the next morning and his/her wish will turn into truth. The arrival of Haridas (Kailash
), a final-year law student, adds more color to her life. He succeeds in alluring Kuttimalu in a short span, which she believes is real. She fails to understand that its was just fun that Haridas is looking for. Her prayer at the river pond results in blossoming of Neelathamara, which takes her to cloud nine. But news of the engagement of Haridas to Ratnam comes in as a shock, which breaks her down mentally. She slowly realizes that Haridas was never serious in his affair with her and tries to overcome the grief by silently serving Ratnam, his new wife. Ratnam one day comes to know about the affair and, when asked, Haridas replies casually, which makes her go berserk. Ratnam orders Kuttimalu to leave the house' she accepts silently. She is taken home by Appukuttan, whom she married.
Now years have passed and Haridas is no more and both ladies have matured. The film ends with Kuttimalu once again with full heart preparing to take care of the octogenarian mother of Haridas.
with lyrics penned by Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma
. Vijay Prakash
, famous through recent A. R. Rahman
songs, was introduced to Malayalam through this film. The track "Anuraga Vilochananayi", sung by Shreya Ghoshal and V. Sreekumar, turned out to be one of the most successful songs of the year. It was the chart topper for many continuous weeks.
Vidyasagar won the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director
and Mathrubhumi-Amrita Film Award for Best Music Director, for his work in the film. The track "Anuraga Vilochananayi" won the Most Popular Song of the Year Award at 2009 Vanitha Film Awards.
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
: The Blue Lotus) is a 2009 Malayalam romantic drama film written by M.T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by Lal Jose
Lal Jose
Lal Jose is an Indian film director. His debut film as a director is Oru Maravathoor Kanavu . His popular films include Meesa Madhavan , Classmates and Arabikkatha .- Biography :...
. It is the remake
Remake
A remake is a piece of media based primarily on an earlier work of the same medium.-Film:The term "remake" is generally used in reference to a movie which uses an earlier movie as the main source material, rather than in reference to a second, later movie based on the same source...
of the 1979 film of the same name
Neelathamara (1979 film)
Neelathamara is a 1979 Malayalam language romance film directed by Yusuf Ali Kechery and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair. Produced at a shoe string budget of 5 lakhs, the film stars Ambika and Ravikumar in the lead roles. The film deals with the romance between a housemaid and the employer...
, scripted by M.T. himself and directed by Yusuf Ali Kechery
Yusuf Ali Kechery
Yusuf Ali Kecheri is a poet and film director from Kerala, India.He is the former president of the Kerala Sahitya Academy. Professor K. P. Narayana Pisharody, the eldest scholar, was Yousuf Ali's Sanskrit teacher...
. The film was produced by Suresh Kumar under the banner of Revathy Kalamandir. It stars Kailash
Kailash (actor)
Siby Varghese, better known by his stage name Kailash, is an Indian film actor. He debuted in the Malayalam film Neelathaamara by Lal Jose.- Biography :...
and newcomer Archana Kavi
Archana Jose Kavi
Archana Jose Kaviyil is an Indian film actress. She made her acting debut in Neelathaamara scripted by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by Lal Jose.- Early life :...
in the lead roles. The film received mixed reviews and was a box office hit.
Plot
Beena (Amala PaulAmala Paul
Amala Paul is an Indian film actress, who works primarily in the Tamil film industry. After appearing in supporting roles in a few low budget ventures, she was acclaimed for the portrayal of a controversial character in the film, Sindhu Samaveli...
), a program producer with NDTV 24x7, is in her ancestral village for a television program. She wants her fiancé to meet her grandmother, who has just been discharged from hospital. Beena, the daughter of K.P. Haridas, who died a few years back is not in good terms with her mother Ratnam over her second marriage. Ratnam happens to visit the house at the same time. There she meets Kuttimalu, a middle-age lady, who was once a housemaid in her teenage days. Kuttimalu is welcomed by grandmother with the same warmth that she enjoyed long back, and she says that her daughters are now well settled and are leading a happy lives. Ratnam is also affectionate towards Kuttimalu, who had once had an affair with Haridas.
In the night, while arranging the old books of Haridas, Ratnam comes across the snaps of Kuttimalu, which he had taken in his college days. She hands them over to Kuttimalu, which takes her back to the old days. The story switches to the late 1970s, when Kuttimalu (Archana Kavi
Archana Jose Kavi
Archana Jose Kaviyil is an Indian film actress. She made her acting debut in Neelathaamara scripted by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by Lal Jose.- Early life :...
) had arrived as a maid with Appukuttan, her cousin and her grandmother. Kuttimalu succeeds in winning the heart of Haridas's mother in no time. She was an innocent village girl who always found fun in sharing secrets with Ammini (Rima Kallingal
Rima Kallingal
Rima Kallingal is an Indian model and film actress, predominantly appearing Malayalam films. After being named First Runner Up in the Miss Kerala 2008 contest, she went to pursue a career in acting...
), a girl of her age.
Ammini informs her about the myth of Neelathamara (blue lotus). According to believers, if they offer a one rupee note at the temple pond and prays deeply to the god, the flower will blossom the next morning and his/her wish will turn into truth. The arrival of Haridas (Kailash
Kailash (actor)
Siby Varghese, better known by his stage name Kailash, is an Indian film actor. He debuted in the Malayalam film Neelathaamara by Lal Jose.- Biography :...
), a final-year law student, adds more color to her life. He succeeds in alluring Kuttimalu in a short span, which she believes is real. She fails to understand that its was just fun that Haridas is looking for. Her prayer at the river pond results in blossoming of Neelathamara, which takes her to cloud nine. But news of the engagement of Haridas to Ratnam comes in as a shock, which breaks her down mentally. She slowly realizes that Haridas was never serious in his affair with her and tries to overcome the grief by silently serving Ratnam, his new wife. Ratnam one day comes to know about the affair and, when asked, Haridas replies casually, which makes her go berserk. Ratnam orders Kuttimalu to leave the house' she accepts silently. She is taken home by Appukuttan, whom she married.
Now years have passed and Haridas is no more and both ladies have matured. The film ends with Kuttimalu once again with full heart preparing to take care of the octogenarian mother of Haridas.
Production
- Neelathamara, though was announced as a remake of the old film with the same name, had several changes. While the old film was a love story between Kunjimalu and Haridas, the remake focused more on the contemporary lives of both Ratnam and Kunjimalu. M. T. Vasudevan NairM. T. Vasudevan NairMadathil Thekkepaattu Vasudevan Nair , popularly known as MT, is an Indian author, screenplay writer and film director. He was born in Kudallur, a small village in the present day Palakkad District, which was under the Malabar District in the Madras Presidency of the British Raj...
himself re-worked on the script. - This film had mostly newcomers, which was more like an experiment by Lal Jose.
- The camera work by Vijay Ulaganath was well appreciated.
- The performance of Archana KaviArchana Jose KaviArchana Jose Kaviyil is an Indian film actress. She made her acting debut in Neelathaamara scripted by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by Lal Jose.- Early life :...
also received positive remarks from both critics and masses. - This was actress Amala PaulAmala PaulAmala Paul is an Indian film actress, who works primarily in the Tamil film industry. After appearing in supporting roles in a few low budget ventures, she was acclaimed for the portrayal of a controversial character in the film, Sindhu Samaveli...
's first film. Her next release was her debut as Anaka in Tamil; the critically acclaimed and box office hit Tamil film Mynaa. - The main villain role was played by Suresh Nair, the younger brother of AmbikaAmbika (actress)Ambika is an Indian film actress. She was worked in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu films. Ambika's sister Radha was also an actress. Both of them acted in a number of south Indian films in 80s and they have a movie studio called "ARS Studios"....
, who portrayed Kunjimalu in the original film. - Noted Malayalm poet and lyricist MullanezhiMullanezhiMullanezhi Neelakandan Namboothiri , popularly known as Mullanezhi, was a Malayalam poet, lyricist and actor from Thrissur in Kerala State of India. He had been awarded the Kerala Sahithya Academy award in 1995 and 2010 and also received the state award for Best Lyricist in 1981 for the film...
played a small role, as an old man sitting under the banyan tree near the temple.
Cast
- Archana KaviArchana Jose KaviArchana Jose Kaviyil is an Indian film actress. She made her acting debut in Neelathaamara scripted by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by Lal Jose.- Early life :...
as Kunjimalu - KailashKailash (actor)Siby Varghese, better known by his stage name Kailash, is an Indian film actor. He debuted in the Malayalam film Neelathaamara by Lal Jose.- Biography :...
as Haridas - Suresh Nair as Appukuttan
- Rima KallingalRima KallingalRima Kallingal is an Indian model and film actress, predominantly appearing Malayalam films. After being named First Runner Up in the Miss Kerala 2008 contest, she went to pursue a career in acting...
as Shaarathe Ammini - Samvrutha SunilSamvrutha SunilSamvrutha Sunil is a South Indian actress from Kerala. She was introduced to the film industry through a Malayalam film Rasikan opposite Dileep. She had acted in several films in Tamil and Malayalam...
as Rathnam - Jaya Menon
- Amala PaulAmala PaulAmala Paul is an Indian film actress, who works primarily in the Tamil film industry. After appearing in supporting roles in a few low budget ventures, she was acclaimed for the portrayal of a controversial character in the film, Sindhu Samaveli...
as Beena - Sreedevi Unni as Maluamma
- Joy Mathai as Karyasthan Achuthan Nair
- MullanezhiMullanezhiMullanezhi Neelakandan Namboothiri , popularly known as Mullanezhi, was a Malayalam poet, lyricist and actor from Thrissur in Kerala State of India. He had been awarded the Kerala Sahithya Academy award in 1995 and 2010 and also received the state award for Best Lyricist in 1981 for the film...
as the old man sitting under the banyan tree
Soundtrack
This film features a successful soundtrack composed by VidyasagarVidyasagar (music director)
Vidyasagar is an Award-Winning Indian film music director and music composer in the Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi film industry. He is very popular in South Indian music industry and best known for his soulful melodies. His fast numbers to many films have earned him much fame too. He has...
with lyrics penned by Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma
Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma
Vayalar Sarathchandravarma is a noted Malayalam film lyricist. His lyrics have proved that he has inherited his father, Vayalar Ramavarma’s gift of poetry. He is a youthful entertainer by penning soothe romantic songs. All his recent contribution has got a large amount attention among Malayalam...
. Vijay Prakash
Vijay Prakash
Vijay Prakash , is a playback singer from Mysore who moved to Mumbai in 1996. He has sung in Hindi films such as Blue, Yuvvraaj, Swades, Kaal, Lakshya, Matrubhoomi, Tere Naam, Cheeni Kum, Raavan and Force. He has also performed in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam movies...
, famous through recent A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
songs, was introduced to Malayalam through this film. The track "Anuraga Vilochananayi", sung by Shreya Ghoshal and V. Sreekumar, turned out to be one of the most successful songs of the year. It was the chart topper for many continuous weeks.
Vidyasagar won the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director
Filmfare Award for Best Music Director (Malayalam)
The Filmfare Best Music Director Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Malayalam films....
and Mathrubhumi-Amrita Film Award for Best Music Director, for his work in the film. The track "Anuraga Vilochananayi" won the Most Popular Song of the Year Award at 2009 Vanitha Film Awards.
| # | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Anuraga Vilochananayi" | Shreya Ghoshal, V Sreekumar | 4:36 |
| 2 | "Neelathamare" | Karthik Karthik (singer) Karthik is an Indian playback singer.Karthik started his professional singing career as a backing vocalist and has since been a playback singer in Tamil cinema while also single in other Indian languages for various composers... |
4:24 |
| 3 | "Pakalonnu" | Vijay Prakash Vijay Prakash Vijay Prakash , is a playback singer from Mysore who moved to Mumbai in 1996. He has sung in Hindi films such as Blue, Yuvvraaj, Swades, Kaal, Lakshya, Matrubhoomi, Tere Naam, Cheeni Kum, Raavan and Force. He has also performed in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam movies... , Balaram |
4:51 |
| 4 | "Entho Mudo" | Cherthala Ranganatha Sharma | 2:57 |
| 5 | "Needhaya Radha" | Cherthala Ranganatha Sharma | 3:11 |