Thuramukham (2023 film) explained

Thuramukham
Director:Rajeev Ravi
Cinematography:Rajeev Ravi
Editing:B. Ajithkumar
Distributor:Magic Frames
Country:India
Language:Malayalam

Thuramukham is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language period drama film directed and filmed by Rajeev Ravi and written by Gopan Chidambaran. It is based on the play of the same name by K. M. Chidambaran, Gopan's father.[1] [2] [3] The film stars Nivin Pauly, Indrajith Sukumaran, Joju George, Arjun Ashokan, Sudev Nair, Manikandan R. Achari, Senthil Krishna, Nimisha Sajayan, Poornima Indrajith, and Darshana Rajendran in prominent roles. It presents the harbor workers protest against the Chappa labor allocation system practiced during the 1940s and 50s in Cochin district of Kerala.

After multiple delays, Thuramukham was theatrically released on 10 March 2023.[4]

Plot

The story is set in the backdrop of workers' struggles and protests against the infamous 'Chappa' system of casual labour allocation and the primitive "work guarantee" scheme that was practiced at the Mattancherry harbor in Kochi during the 1940s and 50s. Metal tokens called chappa were thrown into the waiting crowds of labourers who would fight for them. Whoever managed to get one would be given work for the day at the wharves or godowns. Protests against this system had resulted in the police shooting and the killing of three labourers. The story further revolves around two brothers on opposing sides on the day of labourers' epic struggle against dock bosses.

Cast

Production

The principal photography of the film was completed in January 2020 but the release was delayed for a long time due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

Release

Theatrical

Thuramukham was scheduled for worldwide theatrical release in summer 2021 but was postponed due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Kerala.[5] The film was later scheduled to be released on 10 December 2021,[6] but was postponed again, to avoid the clash with Mohanlal starrer Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham which released on 2 December 2021.[7] Later, the film was announced to be released on 24 December 2021 during the festival time of Christmas but was again postponed.[8] The film was postponed yet again after being scheduled to be released on 7 January 2022. The film was finally released in theatres on 10 March 2023.

Marketing

On 13 May 2021, the makers released the first teaser trailer.[9]

Accolades

Awards associated with Thuramukham
YearAwardCategoryRecipientResult
2021Kerala State Film AwardsBest ActorJoju George[10]
Best Art DirectorA. V. Gokuldas

Music

The film features songs and background score composed by K and Shahabaz Aman.[11]

Thuramukham [12]
Type:Soundtrack
Artist:K, Shahabaz Aman
Released:23 March 2023
Recorded:2019–2020
Genre:Feature film soundtrack
Length:17:05
Language:Malayalam
Label:Magic Frames Music
Producer:K, Shahabaz Aman
Chronology:K
Prev Title:Panni Kutty
Prev Year:2022

Reception

Anna Mathews, a critic of The Times of India, gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote that "Director Rajeev Ravi infuses his usual atmospheric heft to the film".[13] Anandu Suresh, critic of The New Indian Express, stated that "But for those who enjoy the slow pace, this movie is unquestionably a gem", and gave 4 out 5 stars.[14] The Hindu critic S.R.Praveen wrote that "Rajeev Ravi’s film is an important document of the struggles to unionise for rights".[15] Firstpost critic wrote that "Thuramukham is, nevertheless, significant for playing spoilsport in a world where it is the eternal goal of oppressors to ensure that their stories are never told by those with empathy for the oppressed", and gave 2.75 rating out of 5.[16] Princy Alexander, critic of Onmanorama, stated that "The narration is slow-paced and jerky at times."[17] The Quint critic gave 3 stars out of 5, in a review headlined "Rajeev Ravi & Nivin Pauly Mount a Strong Film on Communism".[18] OTTplay critic gave 3.5 out of 5 and wrote that "The powerful performances and the electrifying ending make it an engrossing watch."[19]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nivin Pauly-Rajeev Ravi's Thuramukham first look out . OnManorama . 2020-01-06 . 4 July 2020. 4 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200704074549/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2020/01/06/nivin-pauly-rajeev-ravi-thuramukham-first-look-poster.html. live.
  2. News: Rajeev Ravi's Thuramukham completed . . 7 October 2019. 14 June 2021. 5 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200705021745/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2019/oct/07/rajeev-ravis-thuramukham-completed-2044142.html. live.
  3. Web site: First look: Nivin Pauly-Rajeev Ravi's Thuramukham . . 5 March 2019. 4 July 2020. 3 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190403120842/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/nivin-pauly-rajeev-ravi-thuramukham-first-look-5611932/. live.
  4. Web site: 2021-05-13 . Thuramukham teaser: Nivin Pauly promises high-octane political drama . 2023-03-01 . . en . 26 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210526151124/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/thuramukham-teaser-nivin-pauly-promises-an-high-octane-political-drama-7313307/ . live.
  5. Web site: Thuramukham teaser out. Nivin Pauly's film is an intense political thriller . 2023-03-01 . India Today . en . 1 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230301125504/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/thuramukham-teaser-out-nivin-pauly-s-film-is-an-intense-political-thriller-1802116-2021-05-13 . live .
  6. Web site: 11 November 2021. Thuramukham Movie നിവിന്‍ പോളി ചിത്രം 'തുറമുഖം'; റിലീസിങ് തീയതി പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു. News 18 മലയാളം. 12 November 2021. 12 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211112073233/https://malayalam.news18.com/news/film/nivin-pauly-film-turamukham-release-date-announced-js-470759.html. live.
  7. Web site: 11 November 2021. Mohanlal's Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham will release in theatres on December 2, confirms Kerala minister Saji Cherian. The New Indian Express. 12 November 2021. 11 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211111150312/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/mohanlal-marakkar-arabikadalinte-simham-will-release-in-theatres-7618579/. live.
  8. Web site: 11 November 2021. Thuramukham 'മരക്കാറി'നു പിന്നാലെ 'തുറമുഖം'; റിലീസ് പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ച് നിവിന്‍ പോളിയുടെ ബിഗ് ബജറ്റ് ചിത്രം. Asianet News. 12 November 2021. 12 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211112060850/https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment-news/nivin-pauly-starring-thuramukham-announced-release-date-rajeev-ravi-r2ezrh. live.
  9. Web site: 2021-05-13 . Thuramukham teaser: Nivin Pauly promises high-octane political drama . 2023-03-01 . The Indian Express . en . 26 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210526151124/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/thuramukham-teaser-nivin-pauly-promises-an-high-octane-political-drama-7313307/ . live .
  10. Web site: 2022-05-28 . 52nd Kerala State Film Awards: The complete winners list . 2022-06-01 . The Indian Express . en . 15 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220615072227/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/52nd-kerala-state-film-awards-the-full-winners-list-live-updates-7939205/ . live .
  11. Web site: Thuramukham (2023) . 29 March 2023 . 29 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230329203349/https://letterboxd.com/film/thuramukham/crew/ . live.
  12. Web site: Thuramukham (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) . . 29 March 2023 . 29 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230329203350/https://open.spotify.com/album/4qNCLqAbvo6fhEkLZZCDlj . live.
  13. News: Thuramukham Movie Review: A fictional recounting of port trade unionism . The Times of India . 2023-04-07 . 0971-8257.
  14. Web site: 2023-03-10 . Thuramukham movie review: This Rajeev Ravi film is an epic we didn't know we needed or deserved . 2023-04-07 . The Indian Express.
  15. News: Praveen . S. R. . 2023-03-10 . Thuramukham movie review: Rajeev Ravi's film is an important document of the struggles to unionise for rights . The Hindu . 2023-04-07 . 0971-751X.
  16. Web site: 2023-03-14 . Thuramukham movie review: Documenting dehumanisation and rebellion with uneven results . 2023-04-07 . Firstpost.
  17. Web site: Thuramukham Review: A powerful ode to struggle against chaapa system in Mattancherry . 2023-04-07 . OnManorama.
  18. Web site: Athimuthu . Soundarya . 2023-03-12 . Thuramukham Review: Rajeev Ravi & Nivin Pauly Mount a Strong Film on Communism . 2023-04-07 . TheQuint.
  19. Web site: Thuramukham review: A powerful Nivin Pauly film . 2023-04-07 . OTTPlay.