Vela (film) explained

Vela
Director:Syam Sasi
Producer:George Sebastian
Cinematography:Suresh Rajan
Editing:Mahesh Bhuvanend
Music:Sam C. S.
Runtime:148 minutes
Country:India
Language:Malayalam

Vela is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language crime drama film directed by Syam Sasi in his directorial debut. It stars Shane Nigam and Sunny Wayne in the lead roles, alongside Sidharth Bharathan and Aditi Balan. The story is set in a police control room in Palakkad.

Principal photography commenced in June 2022 in Palakkad. The music was composed by Sam C. S., while the cinematography and editing were handled by Suresh Rajan and Mahesh Bhuvanend.

Vela was released in theatres on 10 November 2023.

Production

The script was written by M. Sajas, who previously worked in Mandharam (2018).[1] In an interview with The New Indian Express, M. Sajas said that he wrote the script for the film based on some real-life incidents faced by his father, who was a former police officer.[2] He also got information from some active police officers. The film was produced by George Sebastian under the banner of Cyn-Cyl Celluloid.[3] Suresh Rajan and Mahesh Bhuvanend were recruited as the cinematographer and editor.[4] In an interview with OTTPlay, Sidharth Bharathan said that he was offered the role of a sub-inspector by Syam Sasi before the release of his directorial Chathuram (2022).[5] Principal photography began on 18 June 2022 in Palakkad with a customary puja ceremony.[6] The film also marks the directorial debut of Syam Sasi.[7]

Music

The music and background score was composed by Sam C. S.[8] The audio rights were acquired by T-Series.[9] The first song "Paathakal" was sung by Haricharan and written by Anwar Ali.[10]

Release

It was previously reported that the film would be released in 2022.[11] The film was released in theatres on 10 November 2023.[12] It was distributed in Kerala by Dulquer Salmaan's Wayfarer Films and internationally by Truth Global Films.[13]

Reception

Critical response

S. R. Praveen of The Hindu wrote, "Vela sets up an intriguing premise, but fails to make use of it with things fizzling out in the end."[14] Princy Alexander of Onmanorama wrote, "Vela' delves into the mystery of the missing boy case by placing two policemen with contrasting ethics at the heart of the drama."[15]

Cris of The News Minute gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote, "'Vela is the kind of film that you'd tell someone about as, alright, nothing huge, but keeps you interested."[16] Times Now gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote, "With a well-crafted screenplay and dialogues by M. Sajas, expert editing by Mahesh Bhuvanend, and captivating cinematography by Suresh Rajan, Vela is poised to leave a lasting impression as a standout thriller."[17]

Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Vela is one of those movies that offers a rare experience, thanks in large part to Shane Nigam and Sunny Wayne's remarkable performances, but is hindered by a scarcity of engaging moments."[18] Sajin Shrijith of Cinema Express gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Vela is most gripping when the two actors spew venom at each other."[19]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Staff . Onmanorama . 17 September 2022 . Sunny Wayne plays a cop in 'Vela'. First look poster out . 10 November 2023 . Onmanorama . 10 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231110155833/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2022/09/17/sunny-wayne-vela-character-poster-george-s-police-roles-shane-nigam.html . live .
  2. Web site: Shrijith . Sajin . 28 September 2022 . Vela will present a different side of Shane Nigam: Writer M Sajas . 10 November 2023 . The New Indian Express . 8 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221008072816/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2022/sep/28/vela-will-present-a-different-side-of-shane-nigam-writer-m-sajas-2502536.html . live .
  3. Web site: 30 August 2022 . Sunny Wayne, Shane Nigam team up for crime drama 'Vela' . 10 November 2023 . The New Indian Express . 2 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220902134832/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2022/aug/30/sunny-wayne-shane-nigam-team-up-for-crime-drama-vela-2492765.html . live .
  4. Web site: 24 August 2023 . Vela trailer: RDX actor Shane Nigam's film is a thrilling police drama . 10 November 2023 . OTTPlay . en . 10 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231110174320/https://www.ottplay.com/news/vela-trailer-rdx-actor-shane-nigams-film-is-a-thrilling-police-drama/9edacc215c608 . live .
  5. Web site: Sidhardhan . Sanjith . 27 December 2022 . Exclusive! Vela: Sidharth Bharathan explains why he decided to sign Shane Nigam, Sunny Wayne-starrer . 10 November 2023 . OTTPlay . en . 10 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231110174349/https://www.ottplay.com/news/exclusive-vela-sidharth-bharathan-explains-why-he-decided-to-sign-shane-nigam-sunny-wayne-starrer/0b2510ef77188 . live .
  6. Web site: Vela വേല (2023) . 10 November 2023 . Mallu Release . en . 4 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230604182052/https://www.mallurelease.com/2022/08/vela-movie.html . live .
  7. Web site: ലേഖകൻ . മനോരമ . 3 December 2022 . സണ്ണി വെയ്‌നും ഷെയ്ൻ നിഗമും; വേല ടൈറ്റിൽ പോസ്റ്റർ . 10 November 2023 . Manorama Online . ml . 7 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221207130454/https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2022/12/03/vela-movie-title-poster.html . live .
  8. Web site: Features . CE . 20 October 2023 . Shane Nigam-Sunny Wayne film Vela gets a release date . 10 November 2023 . . en . 4 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231104154936/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/oct/20/shane-nigam-sunny-wayne-film-vela-gets-a-releasedate-48795.html . live .
  9. Web site: 13 October 2023 . ഷെയ്ൻ നിഗവും സണ്ണി വെയ്നും പ്രധാന വേഷത്തിലെത്തുന്ന 'വേല'; ലിറിക്കൽ ഗാനം മമ്മൂട്ടി റിലീസ് ചെയ്തു . 10 November 2023 . Mathrubhumi . ml . 28 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028174442/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/shane-nigam-sunny-wayne-movie-vela-lyrical-song-released-1.8983761 . live .
  10. News: 15 October 2023 . Shane Nigam's 'Vela' unveils romantic melody 'Paathakal' – A Sam CS musical magic! . The Times of India . 10 November 2023 . 0971-8257 . 25 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231025103009/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/shane-nigams-vela-unveils-romantic-melody-paathakal-a-sam-cs-musical-magic/articleshow/104438533.cms . live .
  11. News: 30 August 2022 . Shane Nigam and Sunny Wayne to play cops in the crime drama 'Vela' - EXCLUSIVE! . The Times of India . 10 November 2023 . 0971-8257 . 31 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220831173905/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/shane-nigam-and-sunny-wayne-to-play-cops-in-the-crime-drama-vela-exclusive/articleshow/93882318.cms . live .
  12. Web site: 21 October 2023 . Shane Nigam And Sunny Wayne's Vela Gets A Release Date . 10 November 2023 . News18 . en . 29 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029181520/https://www.news18.com/movies/shane-nigam-and-sunny-waynes-vela-gets-a-release-date-8627897.html . live .
  13. Web site: 8 November 2023 . കൊമ്പ് കോര്‍ത്ത് ഷെയ്നും, സണ്ണി വെയിനും: വേല പ്രീറിലീസ് ടീസർ റിലീസായി . 10 November 2023 . Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd . ml . 10 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231110155907/https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment-news/shane-nigam-and-sunny-wayne-as-cops-vela-pre-release-teaser-released-vvk-s3sih9 . live .
  14. News: Praveen . S. R. . 10 November 2023 . 'Vela' movie review: This Shane Nigam-starrer fails to make use of its intriguing premise . en-IN . The Hindu . 10 November 2023 . 0971-751X . 10 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231110155756/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/vela-movie-review-this-shane-nigam-starrer-fails-to-make-use-of-its-intriguing-premise/article67521116.ece . live .
  15. Web site: Alexander . Princy . 10 November 2023 . 'Vela' review: Plot twists drive this gripping police drama . 10 November 2023 . Onmanorama . 10 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231110155756/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2023/11/10/vela-movie-review-shane-nigam-sunny-wayne.html . live .
  16. Web site: Cris . 10 November 2023 . Vela review: Shane Nigam and Sunny Wayne are great in an average police thriller . 10 November 2023 . The News Minute . en . 10 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231110155920/https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/vela-review-shane-nigam-and-sunny-wayne-are-great-in-an-average-police-thriller . live .
  17. Web site: 10 November 2023 . Vela Movie Review: Shane Nigam, Sunny Wayne Film Weaves Complex Narrative In Enthralling Manner . 10 November 2023 . Times Now . en . 10 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231110054805/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/reviews/malayalam/vela-movie-review-shane-nigam-sunny-wayne-film-weave-complex-narrative-in-enthralling-manner-review-105107745 . live .
  18. Web site: Suresh . Anandu . 10 November 2023 . Vela movie review: Shane Nigam, Sunny Wayne deliver superb performances . The Indian Express . en . 10 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231110174320/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/vela-movie-review-shane-nigam-sunny-wayne-deliver-superb-performances-9020645/ . live .
  19. Web site: Shrijith . Sajin . 10 November 2023 . Vela Movie Review: Sunny Wayne and Shane Nigam excel in a suitably tense ride . . en . 10 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231110174225/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/review/2023/nov/10/vela-movie-reviewsunny-wayne-and-shane-nigam-excel-in-a-suitably-tense-ride-49435.html . live .
  20. News: Kerala Film Critics Awards announced, Aattam adjudged best film. thehindu.com. en.