''Annayum Rasoolum'' () is a 2013 Indian
Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam was des ...
-language
romantic drama film
Romance films or movies involve romantic love stories recorded in visual media for broadcast in theatres or on television that focus on passion (emotion), passion, emotion, and the affectionate romantic involvement of the main characters. Typica ...
directed by
Rajeev Ravi
Rajeev Ravi is an Indian cinematographer, director, and producer from Kochi, Kerala. He's best known for his work in Hindi and Malayalam films.
After graduating from Film and Television Institute of India, Pune in 1997, he started his career ...
(in his directorial debut) and written by
Santhosh Echikkanam
Santhosh Aechikkanam ( ml, സന്തോഷ് ഏച്ചിക്കാനം) is an Indian writer of Malayalam literature and a screenwriter in Malayalam cinema. He is known for his short stories, which include ''Komala'' and ''Biriyani' ...
from a story by Ravi. Set in
Vypin
Vypin (Malayalam: വൈപ്പിന്, Cochin Portuguese: Isla Santa) is one of the group of islands that form part of the city of Kochi (Cochin), in the Indian state of Kerala. Vypin forms a barrier island which lies between the Ar ...
islands in
Kerala
Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...
, the plot revolves around a
star-crossed
"Star-crossed" or "star-crossed lovers" is a phrase describing a pair of lovers who, for some external reason, cannot be together. The term also has other meanings, but originally means that the pairing is being "thwarted by a malign star" or ...
romance between Rasool (
Fahadh Faasil
Fahadh Fazil (8 August 1982) is an Indian actor and film producer who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema and has appeared in few Tamil and Telugu films. He has acted in more than 50 films and has received several awards, including a Nati ...
), a
Muslim
Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...
taxi driver, and Anna (
Andrea Jeremiah
Andrea Maria Jeremiah is an Indian actress, playback singer, and a musician, who works predominantly in Tamil language, Tamil and Malayalam language films. She made her acting debut in Tamil language, Tamil film ''Pachaikili Muthucharam'' (2007 ...
), a
Latin Christian salesgirl, both from
conservative
Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization i ...
working class
The working class (or labouring class) comprises those engaged in manual-labour occupations or industrial work, who are remunerated via waged or salaried contracts. Working-class occupations (see also " Designation of workers by collar colou ...
families. The songs and background score were composed by
K.
''Annayum Rasoolum'' was released on 4 January 2013, the film received positive critical response and was also a commercial success at the box office. The film won a
National Film Award
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it has been administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directora ...
and three
Kerala State Film Awards
The Kerala State Film Awards are the film awards for a motion picture made in Kerala. The awards started in 1969 by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala and since 1998 the awards have been bestowed by Kerala State Cha ...
.
Plot
The story is told through the narration of Ashley who is working in
merchant navy and is signing off in
Kochi
Kochi (), also known as Cochin ( ) ( the official name until 1996) is a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of K ...
for the second time. Ashley recollects the events happened in his last sign off at Kochi. Rasool is a tourist taxi driver from
Mattancherry
Mattancherry (), is a locality in the city of Kochi, India. It is about 9 km south-west from the city center. It is said that the name Mattancherry comes from "Ancherry Mattom", a ''Namboodiri illam'' which the foreign traders then pronounc ...
, Kochi. He falls in love with Anna, a
Latin Christian girl who works as salesgirl in a popular apparel shop. It takes time for Rasool to convince Anna and make her understand his love for her; he always follows her as she travels regularly to her work place.
One day Ashley has to pick his relative from the textile shop. Using Rasool he plans to pick them up in his taxi and there he finds out that Anna is also going to return home in the same taxi. They make a quick pit stop at a church where Anna leaves her bag in the taxi. Rasool peeks inside and gets her number from the phone. Rasool is nervous and shy at first but his friends persuade him to text her through phone. No replies comes at first. Then one day, Rasool approaches Anna and tells her that he loves her. Anna is surprised and stunned and moves away without an answer.
The following day Rasool is sick and stays home. Anna boards the boat like every other day but is anxious since Rasool was not around anywhere she went that day. Anna seems restless as she cannot stop thinking about Rasool and why he had not come to see her. She can not wait longer and she desperately texts Rasool on the phone. Rasool on receiving the message rushes to see Anna. Anna further tells him that she is scared and tells him it will not work out. Rasool then explains that he loves her no matter what and religion does not affect his affection towards her. Then Anna calls him one day to go to a convent where a nun tries to persuade Rasool to change his religion for marriage which Rasool declines.
In the later part of the film, we find that this nun is Anna's elder sister who had gone to convent after a love failure. Ashley, who had a soft corner for her, does not reveal it to her even after finding out about her love failure. The rest of the part narrates incidents happening around Anna and Rasool, their love for each other and those who are close to them. In the climax, after some events which blocked their relationship, Anna commits suicide, and this takes a toll on Rasool.
The next year Ashley comes back again for another leave and says that he has got back his girl, who is none other than Anna's elder sister to whom he finally reveals his love. She joins him leaving the convent life. He tries to find Rasool, but is not successful. A few scenes are added where the now lone Rasool travels in a local train, suggesting that he left
Vypin
Vypin (Malayalam: വൈപ്പിന്, Cochin Portuguese: Isla Santa) is one of the group of islands that form part of the city of Kochi (Cochin), in the Indian state of Kerala. Vypin forms a barrier island which lies between the Ar ...
for good and moved to
Mumbai
Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the ''de facto'' financial centre of India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the second- ...
.
Cast
*
Fahadh Faasil
Fahadh Fazil (8 August 1982) is an Indian actor and film producer who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema and has appeared in few Tamil and Telugu films. He has acted in more than 50 films and has received several awards, including a Nati ...
as Rasool, a Muslim tourist taxi driver in Fort Kochi
*
Andrea Jeremiah
Andrea Maria Jeremiah is an Indian actress, playback singer, and a musician, who works predominantly in Tamil language, Tamil and Malayalam language films. She made her acting debut in Tamil language, Tamil film ''Pachaikili Muthucharam'' (2007 ...
as Anna, a Latin Christian salesgirl who works in a textile shop (Voice by
Shakthisree Gopalan)
*
Sunny Wayne
Sujith Unnikrishnan (born 19 August 1983), known by his stage name Sunny Wayne is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema
Malayalam cinema is an Indian film industry of Malayalam-language motion pictures. It is based ...
as Ashley, the narrator of the film who works in a merchant navy
*
Soubin Shahir
Soubin Shahir (born 12 October 1983) is an Indian actor and director who works in Malayalam cinema. He began his film career as an assistant director in 2003 and worked under several directors. Soubin made his acting debut in 2013 with a suppo ...
as Collin
*
Ranjith as Usman
*
Shine Tom Chacko
Shine Tom Chacko (born 15 September 1983) is an Indian actor and former assistant director who works in Malayalam cinema. After working as an assistant to director Kamal for about 9 years, he forayed into acting through the film. '' Gaddama'' ...
as Abu
*
Sija Rose
Sija Rose is an Indian actress, who predominantly works in Malayalam Cinema.
Early life
Sija completed her schooling from Indian school al wadi al kabir in Muscat, Oman. Sija Rose wanted to follow her father's footsteps and pursue journalism ...
as Lily
*
Srinda Arhaan as Fazila
*
Joy Mathew
Joy Mathew (born 20 September 1961) is an Indian film and theatre actor.He is also a film director, playwright and screenwriter.He predominantly works in Malayalam cinema.
Career
Joy Mathew is best known for playing the lead role in John Abra ...
as Joseph, Anna's father
*
Shane Nigam
Shane Nigam is an Indian actor who appears in Malayalam films. Having made his debut with the 2013 road film ''Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi'' (2013), he went to receive wider attention for his performances in various successful drama ...
as Kunjumon, Anna's brother
*
Aashiq Abu
Aashiq Abu (born 12 April 1978) is an Indian film director, producer, actor, and distributor, who works in Malayalam cinema.
He is best known for his films such as '' Daddy Cool'' (2009), ''Salt N' Pepper'' (2011), '' 22 Female Kottayam'' (201 ...
as Hyder
*
P. Balachandran
Padmanabhan Balachandran Nair (2 February 1952 – 5 April 2021) was an Indian writer, playwright, scenarist, director, and actor. He was known for his work in Malayalam literature and Malayalam cinema.
Career
Balachandran is best known for ...
as Rasheed
*
Jins Baskar
Jins Baskar is an Indian actor and model. He made his debut in the 2011 Malayalam film '' Swapna Sanchari'' directed by Kamal.
Early life
Jins was born in Kannur, Kerala, India as the second son of his parents and grew up in Wayanad. He is a ...
as Jismon
*
Muthumani
Muthumani Somasundaran is an Indian actress who mainly works in Malayalam films. She made her cinematic debut through the Malayalam film ''Rasathanthram'' directed by Sathyan Anthikkad's in 2006.
Early life and education
Muthumani was born in ...
as Shalu
*
Alencier Ley Lopez as Constable Alencier
*
Rajesh Sharma as Panchi
* KPAC Batrice as Kathrina
*
Pauly Valsan
Pauly Valsan is an Indian actress who has been acclaimed for acting in Malayalam films and plays. She debuted in Malayalam film industry with the supporting roles in the 2008 movie ''Annan Thambi'' In 2017, she won the Kerala State Film Award for ...
*
M. G. Sasi
M. G. Sasi (born 17 January 1964) is a film and drama director from Kerala. His short film ''Kanavumalayilekku'' received National Film Award for Best Educational Film in 2002. His first feature film ''Atayalangal'' (2008) received the Kerala Sta ...
Production
''Annayum Rasoolum'' marks the directorial debut of cinematographer
Rajeev Ravi
Rajeev Ravi is an Indian cinematographer, director, and producer from Kochi, Kerala. He's best known for his work in Hindi and Malayalam films.
After graduating from Film and Television Institute of India, Pune in 1997, he started his career ...
. It was produced by D Cutz Film Company, the screenplay was written by
Santhosh Echikkanam
Santhosh Aechikkanam ( ml, സന്തോഷ് ഏച്ചിക്കാനം) is an Indian writer of Malayalam literature and a screenwriter in Malayalam cinema. He is known for his short stories, which include ''Komala'' and ''Biriyani' ...
.
Ahaana Krishna
Ahaana Krishna (born 13 October 1995) is an Indian actress, who appears primarily in Malayalam films and in ad films. She made her cinematic debut as lead heroine in Rajeev Ravi's ''Njan Steve Lopez'' in 2014 opposite to Farhaan Faasil.
Ear ...
was first offered the role of Anna, who was then a school student, she turned down the offer. Later,
Andrea Jeremiah
Andrea Maria Jeremiah is an Indian actress, playback singer, and a musician, who works predominantly in Tamil language, Tamil and Malayalam language films. She made her acting debut in Tamil language, Tamil film ''Pachaikili Muthucharam'' (2007 ...
was cast in the role, making her debut in
Malayalam cinema
Malayalam cinema is an Indian film industry of Malayalam-language motion pictures. It is based in Kochi, Kerala, India. The films produced in Malayalam cinema are known for their cinematography and story-driven plots. In 1982, ''Elippathayam' ...
. According to Jeremiah, she was the last person to join the film and acted without any makeup.
''Annayum Rasoolum'' began filming in
Kochi
Kochi (), also known as Cochin ( ) ( the official name until 1996) is a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of K ...
,
Kerala
Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...
on 2 August 2012. The film was shot in
Fort Kochi
Fort Kochi, Fort Cochin in English, Cochim de Baixo ("Lower Kochi") in Cochin Portuguese creole, is a neighbourhood of Cochin (Kochi) city in Kerala, India. Fort Kochi takes its name from the Fort Manuel of Cochin, the first European fort ...
and
Vypin Island
Vypin (Malayalam: വൈപ്പിന്, Cochin Portuguese: Isla Santa) is one of the group of islands that form part of the city of Kochi (Cochin), in the Indian state of Kerala. Vypin forms a barrier island which lies between the Ar ...
. No media was allowed on the filming locations. Cinematographer was Madhu Neelakantan.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack was composed by
K, who made his debut in
Malayalam Cinema
Malayalam cinema is an Indian film industry of Malayalam-language motion pictures. It is based in Kochi, Kerala, India. The films produced in Malayalam cinema are known for their cinematography and story-driven plots. In 1982, ''Elippathayam' ...
. It features remix versions of two songs by
Mehboob. The song "Kandu Randu Kannu" was written by P. A. Kasim and set to music by
M. S. Baburaj
Mohammad Sabir Baburaj was an Indian music composer. He is often credited for the renaissance of Malayalam film music. Baburaj has rendered music to many evergreen Malayalam film songs.
Early years
Baburaj was born on 9 March 1929 in Kozhikod ...
for the 1973 film ''
Chuzhi
''Chuzhi'' () is a 1973 Indian Malayalam-language drama film, directed by Triprayar Sukumaran. The film stars Savitri, Salam and Sujatha. It is the only Malayalam film in which Savitri acted as a heroine. The film was released on 7 December 19 ...
'' while the song "Kaayalinarike" was written by Meppalli Balan. Anwar Ali wrote three songs: "Kando Kando", "Yaname" and "Vazhivakkil". Rafeeq Thiruvallur has written "Zammilooni", which is in Arabi-Malayalam dialect.
The audio was released on 12 December 2012. For the audio release held in
Fort Kochi
Fort Kochi, Fort Cochin in English, Cochim de Baixo ("Lower Kochi") in Cochin Portuguese creole, is a neighbourhood of Cochin (Kochi) city in Kerala, India. Fort Kochi takes its name from the Fort Manuel of Cochin, the first European fort ...
that forms the backdrop of his film, Rajeev Ravi organised a
mehfil
Mehfil (also spelled ''mahfil'') is a formal venue where indoor recreational activities such as poetry (mushaira), singing, music, and dance are entertained in parts of the Indian subcontinent. It is part of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb culture.
Histo ...
of Mehboob songs.
Reception
Box office
The film, made at a production cost of 4.5
crore
A crore (; abbreviated cr) denotes ten million (10,000,000 or 107 in scientific notation) and is equal to 100 lakh in the Indian numbering system. It is written as 1,00,00,000 with the local 2,2,3 style of digit group separators (one lakh is e ...
(45 million) did a business of 12 crore (120 million) at the box office, making it one of the financially benefited Malayalam films of the year.
According to ''
IBN Live
Network18 Media & Investments Limited, (formerly SGA Finance and Management Service and Network18 Fincap Limited) commonly referred to as the Network18 Group and sometimes as the Network18–Eenadu Group, is an Indian media conglomerate owned b ...
'', ''Annayum Rasoolum'' was the first commercial success in Malayalam in 2013.
Critical reaction
In
Rediff.com
Rediff.com (stylized as ''rediff.com'') is an Indian news, information, entertainment and shopping web portal. It was founded in 1996. It is headquartered in Mumbai, with offices in Bangalore, New Delhi and New York City.
, it had more than 300 e ...
, Paresh C. Palicha rated three out of five and said: ''Annayum Rasoolum'' "is a tale told in the classical love story mould with the underbelly of
Kochi
Kochi (), also known as Cochin ( ) ( the official name until 1996) is a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of K ...
city as its backdrop. The low lifers of this bulging cosmopolitan urban jungle populate this film" and that "director is more interested in giving us a glimpse of the life led by those in the lower strata of society and we do not complain because whatever he shows is interesting". He concluded "''Annayum Rasoolum'' is a chain of interesting moments woven into the thread of a love story". Palicha also gave thumps-up to the work of Ravi, acting of Abu and Chacko.
S. R. Praveen of ''
The Hindu
''The Hindu'' is an Indian English-language daily newspaper owned by The Hindu Group, headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It began as a weekly in 1878 and became a daily in 1889. It is one of the Indian newspapers of record and the secon ...
'' commented: "''Annayum Rasoolum'' is a tale that moves leisurely. It speaks of love beyond the cosmetic (unlike ''
Thattathin Marayathu
''Thattathin Marayathu'' () is a 2012 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Vineeth Sreenivasan, starring Nivin Pauly and Isha Talwar. The supporting cast includes Aju Varghese, Manoj K. Jayan, Sunny Wayne, Sre ...
''), where the eyes speak rather than
dupatta
The dupattā is a Hindu shawl traditionally worn by women in Indian subcontinent to cover the head and shoulders. The dupatta is currently used most commonly as part of the women's shalwar kameez outfit, and worn over the kurta and the gharara.
...
flutter". Praveen praised the performance of Faasil and the supporting cast that includes "even those who appear
nlyin a handful of scenes" and the cinematography and direction. ''
The Times of India
''The Times of India'', also known by its abbreviation ''TOI'', is an Indian English-language daily newspaper and digital news media owned and managed by The Times Group. It is the third-largest newspaper in India by circulation and largest ...
'' awarded three out of five stars and appreciated Ravi detailed presentation in setting the backdrop of the story, but criticized the running time and characters' minimal speech.
Smitha of
Filmibeat
Oneindia.com is an Indian website established in January 2006 by BG Mahesh. The website provides news updates, information on sports, events, travel, entertainment, business, lifestyle, videos, and classifieds in seven different Indian language ...
described the film as "realistic, refreshingly heart warming and a simple love story narrated in the most fantastic manner", and stated: "the story as such is not a novel plot, but it is the narration and the treatment which needs a standing ovation. Regular day-to-day events and happenings are encapsuled in a beautiful way making the entire experience very enjoyable and memorable. She praised the direction, cinematography, music, and the performances of every cast but criticized the film's running time.
''
The New Indian Express
''The New Indian Express'' is an Indian English-language broadsheet daily newspaper published by the Chennai-based Express Publications. It was founded in 1932 as ''The Indian Express'', under the ownership of Chennai-based P. Varadarajulu Naid ...
'' Anil R. Nair called it a "refreshingly heartwarming simple romantic tale". According to him, the "perfect casting and
synchronized sound recording make the movie more realistic" and lauded the performance of Faasil. Nair said: "the story is not new, but the narration deserves a standing ovation" for that he praised Echikanam "brilliant screenplay" and Neelakhandan "excellent shots", and also the songs"Kandu Randu Kannu" and "Kaayalinarike". However he suggested a tight editing could have been "made the movie more appealing".
Accolades
''Annayum Rasoolum'' was screened at the section "Malayalam Cinema Today" at the
International Film Festival of Kerala
The International Film Festival of Kerala (abbreviated as IFFK) is a film festival held annually in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, India. This film festival started in 1996 and is hosted by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy ...
(IFFK).
For the film, Radhakrishnan S. received a
National Film Award
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it has been administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directora ...
for
Best Audiography, and three
Kerala State Film Awards
The Kerala State Film Awards are the film awards for a motion picture made in Kerala. The awards started in 1969 by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala and since 1998 the awards have been bestowed by Kerala State Cha ...
for Madhu Neelakandan, B. Ajithkumar, and Jayadev Thiruveiyapati respectively for the film's
cinematography
Cinematography (from ancient Greek κίνημα, ''kìnema'' "movement" and γράφειν, ''gràphein'' "to write") is the art of motion picture (and more recently, electronic video camera) photography.
Cinematographers use a lens to focu ...
,
editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, photographic, visual, audible, or cinematic material used by a person or an entity to convey a message or information. The editing process can involve correction, condensation, orga ...
, and
colour grading.
References
External links
*
{{Ranjith
2013 films
2010s Malayalam-language films
2013 romantic drama films
Indian romantic drama films
Films shot in Kochi
Indian interfaith romance films
Films scored by K (composer)
Films that won the Best Audiography National Film Award