Adrishya Jalakangal Explained

Director:Dr. Biju
Producer:Naveen Yerneni
Yalamanchili Ravi Shankar
Tovino Thomas
Radhika Lavu
Starring:Tovino Thomas
Nimisha Sajayan
Indrans
Cinematography:Yedhu Radhakrishnan
Editing:Davis Manuel
Music:Ricky Kej
Studio:Mythri Movie Makers
Tovino Thomas Productions
Ellanar Films
Distributor:Rd Illuminations LLP
Country:India
Language:Malayalam

Adrishya Jalakangal is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language anti war film written and directed by Dr. Biju featuring Tovino Thomas, Nimisha Sajayan and Indrans in prominent roles.[1] The film is produced by Radhika Lau's Ellanar Films, Naveen Yerneni, Y Ravi Shankar's Mythri Movie Makers and Tovino Thomas' Tovino Thomas Productions.[2] The film's music is composed by Ricky Kej.[3] Davis Manuel is the editor and the cinematography is handled by Yedhu Radhakrishnan.

The film premiered at the 27th Tallinn Black Nights International Film Festival (TBNIFF) in Estonia in November 2023, becoming the first Malayalam film in the official selection and the only Indian film this year to be selected.[4] [5]

The film was theatrically released on 24 November 2023.[6] [7] [8] [9]

Cast

Production

Development

The film was announced by Dr. Biju in July 2022.[10] According to Dr. Biju, the film is a surrealist film that captures the war and the story is not focused on a particular place or language but is equally important all over the world.[11] He said "I have opted for a different treatment for the film, especially the choice of music, which has more of an esoteric, universal flavour."[12]

Radhika Lavu has led the production of the film after producing two successful Telugu web series under the Ellanar Films banner.[13] The film also marks the maiden production of Mythri Movie Makers in Malayalam cinema. Indian American composer Ricky Kej was signed to compose the music marking his first Malayalam film.[14]

Casting

Tovino Thomas and Nimisha Sajayan are reuniting after the 2018 release of Oru Kuprasidha Payyan.[15] [16] Tovino Thomas is playing a role with no name.[17] To prepare for his role, he reduced his body weight by 15 kg.[18] [19]

Filming

Filming commenced in August 2022.[20] Touted to be the biggest film helmed by Dr. Biju, which was expected to have a lengthy schedule, shooting began in August 2022 in Kasaragod. Kannur is the next main location where the makers have erected sets, which took them two months to complete.[21] Tovino joined the set after wrapping up his portions for 2018 and Neelavelicham.[22]

Release

Theatrical

Following the film's premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights International Film Festival (TBNIFF), it was theatrically released on 24 November 2023.[23]

Home media

Netflix has acquired its digital streaming rights.[24]

Reception

Critical response

Princy Alexander of Onmanorama wrote, "Adrishya Jalakangal is unequivocally an art-house film. Much like its title suggests, it revolves around individuals who are invisible yet cast shadows on the real world, praising the performance of Nimisha Sajayan and Tovino Thomas."[25] Times Now gave a rating of 3 out of 5 stars and wrote, "A concoction of so many themes may leave some viewers scratching their heads. The anti-war message, despite being much-needed, seems preachy and fails to strike a chord. Despite combining multiple elements, the story of the film flows smoothly, courtesy of Dr Biju's vision and the effortless performances of the cast."[26]

Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave 4 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Adrishya Jalakangal can surely be dubbed as a movie that we did not know we needed."[27] Shilpa Nair Anand of The Hindu wrote, "The cinematography by Yedhu Radhakrishnan reinforces the bleakness we feel, and the camera captures the loneliness of their lives; the music by Grammy-winner Ricky Kej is on point with the mood of the film. This film is political and is not an easy watch. It moves at a leisurely pace, seemingly meandering at times, but held together cohesively. Watching it is like reading a difficult book."[28]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ramachandran . Naman . 2022-12-27 . Tovino Thomas Wraps Bijukumar Damodaran’s Anti-War Indian Film ‘Invisible Windows’ (EXCLUSIVE) . 2023-11-18 . Variety . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118162037/https://variety.com/2022/film/global/tovino-thomas-bijukumar-damodaran-adrishya-jalakangal-1235473048/ . live .
  2. Web site: Tovino Thomas and Nimisha Sajayan commence filming of Adrishya Jalakangal . 2023-11-18 . www.indulgexpress.com . en . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118075010/https://www.indulgexpress.com/entertainment/cinema/2022/aug/18/tovino-thomas-and-nimisha-sajayan-commence-filming-of-adrishya-jalakangal-43305.html . live .
  3. Web site: Two time Grammy-award winner Ricky Kej roped in for this Malayalam film! . 2023-11-18 . www.onmanorama.com . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118073749/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/music/2022/06/21/grammy-award-winner-ricky-kej-malayalam-film.html . live .
  4. Web site: ചരിത്രം കുറിച്ച് ‘അദൃശ്യജാലകങ്ങൾ’; പ്രിമിയറിൽ തിളങ്ങി ടൊവിനോയും ഭാര്യ ലിഡിയയും . 2023-11-18 . www.manoramaonline.com . ml . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118071534/https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2023/11/17/adrishya-jalakangal-tovino-thomas-nimisha-sajayan-dr-biju-film-premier-at-tallinn-black-nights-film-festiva.html . live .
  5. Web site: 2023-10-14 . Tovino Thomas-starrer Adrishya Jalakangal To Be Screened At This International Film Festival . 2023-11-18 . News18 . en . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118162039/https://www.news18.com/movies/tovino-thomas-starrer-adrishya-jalakangal-to-be-screened-at-this-international-film-festival-8617690.html . live .
  6. News: Adrishya Jalakangal . The Times of India . 2023-11-12 . 0971-8257 . 12 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231112005833/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-details/adrishya-jalakangal/movieshow/91940283.cms?from=mdr . live .
  7. Web site: Tovino Thomas' Adrishya Jalakangal trailer is here . 2023-11-12 . CinemaExpress . 12 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231112005833/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/nov/09/tovino-thomas-adrishya-jalakangal-trailer-is-here-49391.html . live .
  8. Web site: Staff . T. N. M. . 2023-11-07 . Tovino Thomas’s Adrishya Jalakangal trailer suggests a surreal film . 2023-11-12 . The News Minute . en . 12 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231112005833/https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/tovino-thomass-adrishya-jalakangal-trailer-suggests-a-surreal-film . live .
  9. News: 2023-11-08 . Tovino Thomas' 'Adrishya Jalakangal' trailer draws praise from fans and critics . The Times of India . 2023-11-12 . 0971-8257 . 12 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231112040002/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/tovino-thomas-adrishya-jalakangal-trailer-draws-praise-from-fans-and-critics/articleshow/105071297.cms . live .
  10. Web site: Malayalam film forms ICC committee ahead of shooting - The Week . 2023-11-18 . www.theweek.in . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118073212/https://www.theweek.in/news/entertainment/2022/07/14/malayalam-film-forms-icc-committee-ahead-of-shooting.amp.html . live .
  11. Web site: 2023-11-08 . ടൊവിനോ തോമസ് നായകനാകുന്ന ഡോ. ബിജു ചിത്രം; ‘അദൃശ്യ ജാലകങ്ങൾ’ ട്രെയിലർ പുറത്തിറങ്ങി . 2023-11-18 . Mathrubhumi . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118073212/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/amp/movies-music/news/tovino-thomas-in-dr-biju-movie-adrishya-jalakangal-trailer-released-1.9055348 . live .
  12. Web site: Films like 'Adrishya Jalakangal' offer more space to perform: Tovino Thomas . 2023-11-24 . The New Indian Express . 24 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231124142238/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2023/nov/15/films-like-adrishya-jalakangal-offer-more-space-to-perform-tovino-thomas-2632868.html . live .
  13. Web site: Tovino Thomas and Nimisha Sajayan commence filming of 'Adrishya Jalakangal' . 2023-11-18 . Free Press Journal . en . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118075010/https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/regional-film-news/tovino-thomas-and-nimisha-sajayan-commence-filming-of-adrishya-jalakangal . live .
  14. Web site: Rickey Kej, Grammy award-winner, to compose music for Tovino Thomas's Adrishya Jalakangal . 2023-11-18 . CinemaExpress . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118100205/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2022/jun/21/rickey-kej-grammy-award-winner-to-compose-music-for-tovino-thomas39s-adrishya-jalakangal-32239.html . live .
  15. Web site: 2022-08-18 . Adrishya Jalakangal: Tovino Thomas and Nimisha Sajayan's Malayalam Film's Shooting Begins (Watch Video) LatestLY . 2023-11-18 . LatestLY . en . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118075008/https://www.latestly.com/socially/entertainment/south/adrishya-jalakangal-tovino-thomas-and-nimisha-sajayans-malayalam-films-shooting-begins-watch-video-4095711.html . live .
  16. Web site: First look of ‘Adrishya Jalakangal’ starring Tovino Thomas, Nimisha Sajayan out now . 2023-11-18 . Free Press Journal . en . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118075005/https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/regional-film-news/first-look-of-adrishya-jalakangal-starring-tovino-thomas-nimisha-sajayan-out-now . live .
  17. Web site: 2022-12-28 . Tovino Thomas shares first look of Adrishya Jalakangal: ‘My favourite character…rooted in surrealism that represents zillions around us’ . 2023-11-18 . The Indian Express . en . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118162038/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tovino-thomas-shares-first-look-of-adrishya-jalakangal-photos-8347826/ . live .
  18. Web site: ടൊവിനൊ തോമസ് കുറച്ചത് 15 കിലോ, ആളെ മനസിലാകുന്നേയില്ലെന്ന് ആരാധകര്‍ . 2023-11-18 . www.asianetnews.com . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118070944/https://www.asianetnews.com/amp/entertainment-news/award-winning-director-dr-biju-about-adrishya-jalakangal-actor-tovino-thomas-rou365 . live .
  19. Web site: 2022-05-31 . Tovino Thomas shares first look of Adrishya Jalakangal, calls it an ‘intriguing story’ . 2023-11-18 . The Indian Express . en . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118100204/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/tovino-thomas-shares-first-look-of-his-next-titled-adrishya-jalakangal-7945801/ . live .
  20. Web site: Tovino-Nimisha’s Dr Biju feature begins filming - The New Indian Express . 2023-11-18 . www.newindianexpress.com . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118075005/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2022/aug/20/tovino-nimishas-dr-biju-feature-begins-filming-2489257.amp . live .
  21. Web site: Tovino Thomas begins shooting for Dr Biju’s Adrishya Jalakangal in Kasaragod . 2023-11-18 . www.ottplay.com . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118080455/https://www.ottplay.com/amp/news/tovino-thomas-begins-shooting-for-dr-bijus-adrishya-jalakangal-in-kasaragod/31826904ba52 . live .
  22. Web site: Tovino Thomas begins shooting for Dr Biju’s Adrishya Jalakangal in Kasaragod . 2023-11-18 . www.ottplay.com . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118080455/https://www.ottplay.com/amp/news/tovino-thomas-begins-shooting-for-dr-bijus-adrishya-jalakangal-in-kasaragod/31826904ba52 . live .
  23. Web site: 2023-11-20 . Tovino Thomas starrer Adrishya Jalakangal creates history as it becomes first Malayalam film screened at TBNFF . 2023-11-22 . PINKVILLA . en . 22 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231122084820/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/tovino-thomas-starrer-adrishya-jalakangal-creates-history-as-it-becomes-first-malayalam-film-screened-at-tbnff-1259880 . live .
  24. Web site: Tovino Thomas Starring Adrishya Jalakangal Movie Trailer Released Adrishya Jalakangal Movie : വേറിട്ട ലുക്കിൽ ടൊവീനോ തോമസ്; അദൃശ്യ ജാലകങ്ങൾ ട്രെയിലർ Movies News in Malayalam . 2023-11-18 . zeenews.india.com . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118073749/https://zeenews.india.com/malayalam/movies/tovino-thomas-starring-adrishya-jalakangal-movie-trailer-released-168900/amp . live .
  25. Web site: Alexander . Princy . 24 November 2023 . Tovino's 'Adrishya Jalakangal' casts shadows on the world Movie Review . Onmanorama . 24 November 2023 . 24 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231124140912/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2023/11/24/adrishya-jalakangal-dr-biju-tovino-thomas-nimisha-sajayan.html . live .
  26. Web site: 24 November 2023 . Adrishya Jalakangal Movie Review: Tovino Thomas' 'Invisible Windows' Is NOT Unseeable . Times Now . en . 24 November 2023 . 24 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231124140912/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/reviews/malayalam/adrishya-jalakangal-movie-review-tovino-thomas-invisible-windows-is-not-unseeable-review-105408928 . live .
  27. Web site: Suresh . Anandu . 24 November 2023 . Adrishya Jalakangal movie review: Tovino Thomas, Nimisha Sajayan deliver an exceptional anti-war film . The Indian Express . en . 25 November 2023 . 25 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231125060111/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/adrishya-jalakangal-movie-review-tovino-thomas-nimisha-sajayan-deliver-an-exceptional-anti-war-film-9040547/ . live .
  28. News: Anand . Shilpa Nair . 25 November 2023 . 'Adrishya Jalakangal' movie review: Tovino Thomas delivers a firecracker performance in this anti-war film. . en-IN . The Hindu . 0971-751X . 26 November 2023 . 26 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231126191256/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/adrishya-jalakangal-movie-review-tovino-thomas-delivers-a-firecracker-performance-in-this-anti-war-film/article67572649.ece . live .