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| Kappela | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Muhammad Musthafa |
| Written by | Muhammad Musthafa |
| Produced by | Vishnu Venu |
| Starring | Anna Ben Sreenath Bhasi Roshan Mathew |
| Cinematography | Jimshi Khalid |
| Edited by | Noufal Abdullah |
| Music by | Sushin Shyam |
Production company | Kadhaas Untold |
| Distributed by | Local Theatres Netflix |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 113 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Kappela (transl. Chapel) is a 2020 Indian Malayalam-language social drama thriller film[1][2] written and directed by Muhammad Musthafa (in his directorial debut). Movie produced by Vishnu Venu Under his banner Kadhaas Untold. Starring Anna Ben, Sreenath Bhasi, and Roshan Mathew. The music was composed by Sushin Shyam. The plot follows a phone call romance between an auto rickshaw driver, Vishnu, and a village girl, Jessy, who have never met each other. This film received positive reviews for the cast's performances and social message. After the huge success of film, it is remade in Telugu as Butta Bomma, which marks the Telugu debuts of Surya Vasishta and Arjun Das.
Plot
[edit]Jessy is the eldest of two daughters from a modest family in the countryside of Wayanad, called Poovaranmala. The lower-middle-class family finds a livelihood by farming and Jessy's mother Mary sews to make money for the family. Jessy has left her studies and helps out doing household chores and embroidery. Benny, who opens up a textile shop, likes Jessy.
One day, when Jessy returns from town Mary tells her to call one of her clients and confirm the measurements for a blouse. Jessy dials a wrong number and is answered by Vishnu, an auto rickshaw driver from Kozhikode. Vishnu calls her back again a few times, and they gradually develop a romantic relationship without seeing each other. Vishnu lives with two sisters. He is depicted as a helpful guy who often helps a family take their sick mother to the hospital.
One day, Vishnu's sisters call Jessy and ask her to call Vishnu so they can "see him happy." Jessy and Vishnu talk every day; one day they decide to finally meet up at her church festival. Vishnu had to take a sick mother to the hospital, hence they could not meet, but they continue to talk over the telephone. Jessy receives a marriage proposal from Benny. Jessy informs Vishnu that Benny and his mother are coming to see her. She asks Vishnu what to do and he suggests that she stay calm. Benny's mother is unimpressed by Jessy's family and their home and storms out when Jessy's mother offers her tea. Benny's mother opposes the marriage.
Jessy is glad and tells Vishnu ; he tells Jessy that his life is hard and she's better off with Benny. They plan on meeting up one day. Benny insists on marrying Jessy despite his mother's opposition. One day he asks the priest for help with persuading his mother. The priest encourages him to do what he wants. Benny tells Jessy's family that he wants to marry Jessy no matter what his mother thinks. Jessy informs Vishnu that her engagement is confirmed. Jessy asks whether Vishnu can come to her hometown but he says that someone who knows her may see them together. When her family goes to invite their relatives to the engagement, Jessy sees this as an opportunity to meet. She travels to Kozhikode by herself to see him.
Once she arrives at Kozhikode, Jessy tries calling Vishnu, as he had promised to meet her at the bus terminal. However, Vishnu loses his phone in a scuffle and a passerby steals it. Roy, who witnessed it, gets the phone from the thief and meets up with Jessy instead. Since Jessy and Vishnu have never seen each other, she thinks Roy is Vishnu. But Vishnu finds her and Roy leaves them, returning the phone.
The couple then tours the city but realises that Roy is following them. Vishnu confronts him and they get into a fight at a park. Vishnu leaves with Jessy and they book a room at a lodge to wash their dirty clothes. The lodge owner, an acquaintance of Vishnu, visits them in the room and asks them if they were going to Mangalore that day. Jessy is confused, but Vishnu pulls the owner out of the room away from her. They then discuss how Vishnu owes money and is now obliged to transport Jessy. The owner also asks him to send pictures of Jessy.
When Vishnu returns, Jessy, who has now become suspicious, tries to leave and go home but Vishnu forces her to stay; however, Roy tracks them down. A fight ensues, during which Roy manages to subdue Vishnu and rescue Jessy. At the same time, the police arrest Vishnu's accomplices from his home. Jessy is unhappy and Roy tries to cheer her up with the help of his cousin. Jessy asks Roy to show her the sea where she washes away her sorrow. The movie ends with her visiting the small mother Mary chapel near her home and offering a candle.
Cast
[edit]- Anna Ben as Jessy[3]
- Sreenath Bhasi as Roy
- Roshan Mathew as Vishnu
- Sudhi Koppa as Benny
- Tanvi Ram as Annie, Roy's cousin
- Vijilesh Karayad as Riyas, Roy's friend
- Nisha Sarang as Mary, Jessy's mother
- James Eliya as Varghese, Jessy's father
- Nilja K Baby as Lakshmi, Jessy's friend, Neighbour Girl
- Muhammad Musthafa as Abu
- Sudheesh as Father Gabriel
- Salam Bappu Palapetty
- Navas Vallikkunnu
- Mohammed Eravattoor as Murali
- Jolly Chirayath as Saramma
- Naseer Sankranthi as Martin
- Smitha Ambu as Saleena
Production
[edit]Kappela was the directorial debut of actor Muhammad Musthafa, who was also the writer and has appeared in a role in the film.[4][5] The film was produced by Vishnu Venu through the production company Kadhaas Untold. Jimshi Khalid was the cinematographer and Sushin Shyam composed the music.[6][7][8] The film was shot in Poovaranthode, Thenjippalam, Alungal, and Chelapram, Kozhikode.
Accolades
[edit]Kappela was selected in International Film Festival of India (Indian Panorama-2020) and In International Film Festival of Kerala-2020 (Malayalam Cinema Today Section). Anna Ben won the Best Actress Award and Musthafa won the best debut director award in the 51st Kerala State Film Awards. Anna Ben won the SIIMA Award for Best Actress- Critics Choice for her role in 2021 and producer Vishnu Venu won best debut producer award. Anees Nadodi won the National Award for best production design at the 68th National Film Awards.[9]
Soundtrack
[edit]| Kappela | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | |||||
| Released | 21 March 2020 | ||||
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack | ||||
| Length | 5:02 | ||||
| Label | Millennium Audios | ||||
| Producer | Sushin Shyam | ||||
| Sushin Shyam chronology | |||||
| |||||
| |||||
The music of the film was composed by Sushin Shyam with lyrics penned by Vishnu Shobhana.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Kannil Vidarum" | Vishnu Shobhana | Sooraj Santhosh, Swetha Mohan | 03:25 |
| 2. | "Kadukumanikkoru" | Vishnu Shobhana | Sithara Krishnakumar | 01:35 |
| 3. | "Dooram theerum neram" | Vinayak Sasikumar | Aavani Malhar | 02:48 |
| Total length: | 05:02 | |||
Release
[edit]The official trailer of the film was launched by Millennium Audios on 18 February 2020.[11] The film was released in theatres on 6 March 2020 but could not continue its theatrical run due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Later on, the film was released through the online streaming platform Netflix on 22 June 2020.[12] It was screened at 51st International Film Festival of India in January 2021 in Indian Panorama section.[13]
Critical reception
[edit]The film received positive reviews from critics. Sajin Shrijith of The New Indian Express rated 4 in a scale of 5 and said that "Kappela is the latest entry from Malayalam cinema that joins the league of films that managed to create something brilliant out of minor incidents. It's yet another testament to the fact that focused writers and directors can do wonders regardless of the scale of the material".[14] Gulf News wrote that "Kappela's writing and screenplay with well-sketched characters is its biggest strength. The narration is simple, the mood and tone rooted in reality, conversations are real as the story glides smoothly like a well-oiled machine lending a fly on the wall experience. [...] The casting is pitch perfect and lead actors Anna Ben, Roshan Mathew and Sreenath Bhasi are fantastic".[15] Baradwaj Rangan of Film Companion South wrote "[These] parts of the film are pure pleasure because “nothing” really happens, and no one is better at capturing and conveying “nothingness” — the unremarkable everydayness of life — than the directors of the Malayalam film industry.".[16]
References
[edit]- ^ Balachandran, Logesh (30 June 2020). "Anurag Kashyap reviews Muhammad Musthafa's Kappela: Such an incredible screenplay". India Today. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
- ^ Express News Service (14 May 2020). "Roshan Mathew's Kappela to soon stream on Netflix, Biju Menon's 41 on Sun Nxt". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
- ^ Sunder, Gautam (30 June 2020). "Anna Ben on the success of 'Kappela': 'Art shouldn't be restricted to a language'". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ^ "Second look of Kappela out". Cinema Express. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
- ^ Soman, Deepa. "National Award-winning actor Musthafa turns director". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
- ^ "Anna Ben-Roshan Mathew film titled 'Kappela'". The New Indian Express. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
- ^ "Anna Ben and Roshan Mathew to romance in 'Kappela'? Here's the second look poster". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
- ^ "'Kappela' to release on February 28". The Times of India. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
- ^ "National award winning art director Anees Nadodi on building a chapel for the Malayalam film Kappela". The Hindu.
- ^ "List of Malayalam Songs from the movie Kappela".
- ^ Kappela - Official Trailer - Anna Ben - Roshan Mathew - Sreenath Bhasi - Muhammad Musthafa. Millennium Audios. YouTube. 18 February 2020.
- ^ "Kappela Movie Review: A well-made story on women's travails". The Times of India. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
- ^ "Indian Panorama announces official selection for 51st International Film Festival of India, 2020". PIB GOI. 19 December 2020 – via Press release.
- ^ Shrijith, Sajin (7 March 2020). "'Kappela' review: A perspective-altering drama". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
- ^ Ramachandran, Mythili (24 June 2020). "'Kappela' excels as a small-town tale with a big heart". Gulf News. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
- ^ "Kappela On Netflix, With Anna Ben, Roshan Mathew And Sreenath Bhasi: A SPOILER-Filled Rewind Of This Tale Filled With Twists". FilmCompanion. 30 June 2020.