Charlie (2015 Malayalam film)
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''Charlie'' is a 2015 Indian
Malayalam-language 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 ...
adventure An adventure is an exciting experience or undertaking that is typically bold, sometimes risky. Adventures may be activities with danger such as traveling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting, or other extreme ...
drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super- ...
directed by
Martin Prakkat Martin Prakkat is an Indian writer, director and film producer who works in the Malayalam film industry. Career Martin started his career as a celebrity photographer and worked with Vanitha Magazine for 10 years. In 2010, Martin directed ''Be ...
and written by Prakkat and Unni R. Produced by Prakkat,
Joju George Joseph George, better known as Joju George (born 22 October 1977) is an Indian actor, playback singer and producer who works mainly in Malayalam cinema. He has acted in Malayalam films and worked on Tamil projects as well. In 2015, he won the ...
and Shebin Becker, the film stars
Dulquer Salmaan Dulquer Salmaan (born 28 July 1986) is an Indian actor, playback singer and film producer who predominantly works in Malayalam and Tamil films, in addition to Telugu and Hindi films. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business manageme ...
and Parvathy. The music is composed by
Gopi Sundar Gopi Sundar C. S. (born 30 May 1977) is an Indian music director, programmer, playback singer, songwriter, actor and performer who works prominently in Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil film industries. He started his career composing music for tele ...
, while
Jomon T. John Jomon T. John (born 17 February 1982) is an Indian cinematographer and producer who works predominantly in Malayalam cinema. Jomon made his debut with ''Chaappa Kurishu'' (2011). Jomon won the 2015 Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematograp ...
handles the cinematography. The film released on 24 December. It won 8 awards at the
46th Kerala State Film Awards The awards were announced by minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan in Thiruvananthapuram on 1 March 2016. The winners in the fiction category were selected by a jury headed by veteran filmmaker Mohan. The other jury members were George Kithu, M.A ...
, including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Cinematography. It was remade into Marathi and
Tamil Tamil may refer to: * Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia ** Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils **Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia * Tamil language, na ...
as ''
Deva Deva may refer to: Entertainment * ''Deva'' (1989 film), a 1989 Kannada film * ''Deva'' (1995 film), a 1995 Tamil film * ''Deva'' (2002 film), a 2002 Bengali film * Deva (2007 Telugu film) * ''Deva'' (2017 film), a 2017 Marathi film * Deva ...
'' and '' Maara'', respectively.


Plot

Tessa (Parvathy) is a graphic artist who runs away from home to avoid an unwanted matrimonial alliance. With the help of her journalist friend, she acquires a rented apartment in a dilapited house. Initially, she hates the tattered place, but soon she learns that the room was previously occupied by a carefree vagabond named Charlie (Dulquer). When she starts cleaning up, she discovers a photo and a graphic novel of this man. The sketches in the novel depict the events from the previous New Year's Eve when a small-time thief tried to rob the man's room. In a turn-of-events, the man joined him in his nightly theft routine and snuck up on the roof of another house. But there, they encountered something shocking that left them stunned. The novel stops there abruptly with sketches of the dumbstruck faces of Charlie and the thief on the last page. This piques Tessa's curiosity about the rest of the story, as well as the previous occupant of the room. Intrigued, Tessa starts looking for the people in the man's sketches. Backtracking his steps, she meets the man's "father" (who is more of a friend). She also comes across a boat servant named "Pathrose" who tells her the story of Mariya/Queen Mary. Mariya was a middle-aged woman, who was sexually exploited by her procurer husband from youth. Once, Charlie took out the now terminally ill Mariya to the sea at midnight with the help of Pathrose for her birthday. But Mariya jumped into the ocean to her death, that left Charlie stunned with shock and grief. Following up on more clues, Tessa gets news that Charlie is staying in a hotel and rushes to meet him. However, she misses him just by a few seconds. Later a helper boy in the hotel explains to her that Charlie had just rescued Mariya's daughter from her father's exploitation, after creating a ruckus. Few days later, by the stroke of luck, Tessa meets the thief depicted in that man's sketches and inquiries about the rest of the story from New Year's eve. He tells her that on that day, they had encountered a young woman on the verge of suicide and his sir (Charlie) stopped her from hanging herself, after which she escaped from the scene on her bike. Tessa and the thief locate the woman's house and finally identify her as Dr. Kani from the latter's father. Tessa travels to Ooty to find Kani and inquires about her story. Kani explains that she was depressed over her broken relationship when she did her first independent operation, leading to the death of a 10-year-old girl. Further hooked by the media, she was desperate and about to commit suicide on new year eve when she was distracted by that man (Charlie). He brought her to a shelter home maintained by Kunjappan in Ooty and she has been living there since. Kunjappan, an old man, is a hopeless romantic who is waiting for his teenage love Thresia to show up. Tessa spends good time in Ooty but her trip comes to an abrupt end as her brother and mother find her and take her home against her wishes. While a depressed Tessa is on her way back home, Charlie returns with Kunjappan's long lost love Thresia, who is a nun now, and they again miss each other by a few seconds. Later, Kani informs Charlie about Tessa, and he admits knowing about her and her search for him. Though initially reluctant for love, Charlie is forced to rethink after hearing Kunjappan and Kani. Next morning, he sneaks out early and informs Kani that he will be attending the
Thrissur Pooram The Thrissur ''Pooram'' is an annual Hindu temple festival held in Thrissur, Kerala, India. It is held at the Vadakkunnathan (Shiva) Temple in Thrissur every year on the ''Pooram'' (pronounced ) day—the day when the moon rises with the ''P ...
function, and Tessa can find him there if she's looking for him. Tessa reaches the Pooram grounds and finds him performing in a magic show. Afterward, he spots her, approaches, and asks her if she wants to have some drink. At first, she introduces herself as Shruti Raman and lets him think that he has met the wrong person. But as the festival starts, Charlie's antics make her confess that she is indeed Tessa and he too reveals his name to be 'Charlie'. As the credits roll, they are seen wandering together towards a new journey in life.


Cast

*
Dulquer Salmaan Dulquer Salmaan (born 28 July 1986) is an Indian actor, playback singer and film producer who predominantly works in Malayalam and Tamil films, in addition to Telugu and Hindi films. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business manageme ...
as Charlie * Parvathy as Tessa *
Aparna Gopinath Aparna Gopinath is an Indian actress of film actress and theatre artist. She debuted in the Malayalam film '' ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi'' opposite to Dulquer Salmaan. Early life Aparna is born into a Malayali family in Chennai. She was ...
as Kani *
Nedumudi Venu Kesavan Venugopal (22 May 1948 – 11 October 2021), better known by his stage name Nedumudi Venu, was an Indian actor and screenwriter from Kerala, who predominantly worked in Malayalam cinema. He acted in more than 500 films, primarily in Ma ...
as Kunjappan *
Chemban Vinod Jose Chemban Vinod Jose is an Indian actor, film producer, and screenwriter, who predominantly works in Malayalam films. He is a physiotherapist by profession.Kalpana (Malayalam actress), Kalpana as Queen Mary/ Mariya *
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 Sunikuttan/ Mr. D'souza *
Neeraj Madhav Neeraj Madhav (born 26 March 1990), also known by his stage name NJ is an Indian actor, rapper and dancer who predominantly works in Malayalam films. Neeraj is most popular for his role as Moosa Rehman in the Amazon prime web series ''The Fami ...
as Ansari *
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 Usman Ikka * K.P.A.C.Lalitha as Rahel Ammachi *
Seetha Sita (; ) also called as Janaki and Vaidehi is a Hindu goddess and the female protagonist of the Hindu epic, ''Ramayana''. She is the consort of Rama, the avatar of the god Vishnu, and is regarded as a form of Vishnu's consort, Lakshmi. She ...
as Tessa's mother * Reshma Sebastian as Shahina (Tessa's friend) * Master Minon as Balan Pillai/Room Boy *
Ramesh Pisharody T. V. Ramesh (born 1 October 1983), professionally credited as Ramesh Pisharody, is an Indian stand-up comedian, impressionist, television presenter, actor and film director. He works in Malayalam television shows, stage, and cinema. Early ...
as Sojan *
Jayaraj Warrier Jayaraj Warrier is an Indian actor, stand-up comedian, Ottamthullal performer, and caricaturist. He appears in Malayalam films in supporting and comedic roles. Personal life He hails from Thrissur, began his career as an amateur theater artist ...
as Vaattu Jose * Surjith as Aadu Abootty *
Renji Panicker Renji Panicker (born 23 September 1960) is an Indian actor, scriptwriter, director, film producer, and journalist best known for his Malayalam films. He made his debut as a director with ''Bharatchandran IPS'' in 2005. Early life He did his ...
as Panicker Doctor (guest appearance) *
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 Abr ...
as Umer (guest appearance) *
Tovino Thomas Tovino Thomas (born 21 January 1989) is an Indian actor and film producer who prominently works in Malayalam films. He made his debut in 2012 with the film ''Prabhuvinte Makkal''. His breakthrough roles were in the films ''ABCD'' (2013), '' 7t ...
as Georgy (guest appearance) *
Nassar Nassar ( ar, نصار, lit=helper, protector, supporter, victory-maker), is a given name and surname, commonly found in the Arabic language. Alternative spellings of this name, possibly due to transliteration include Naser, Nasser, Nasir, Naseer ...
as magician (guest appearance) * Rajesh Sharma as Queen Mary's Husband


Remakes


Production

Principal photography Principal photography is the phase of producing a film or television show in which the bulk of shooting takes place, as distinct from the phases of pre-production and post-production. Personnel Besides the main film personnel, such as actor ...
began on 25 May 2015 in Idukki.
IBTimes The ''International Business Times'' is an American online news publication that publishes five national editions in four languages. The publication, sometimes called ''IBTimes'' or ''IBT'', offers news, opinion and editorial commentary on busi ...
reported that it will be an experimental film and each actor will be spotted in a new look. The film was shot at various locations in Kochi, Munnar and Gujarat. The filming was completed by September 2015.


Music

The film's soundtrack was composed by
Gopi Sunder Gopi Sundar C. S. (born 30 May 1977) is an Indian music director, programmer, playback singer, songwriter, actor and performer who works prominently in Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil film industries. He started his career composing music for tel ...
and the lyrics were written by
Rafeeq Ahamed Rafeeq Ahmed (born 17 December 1961) is a Malayalam poet, lyricist and novelist. He has won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry and is a five-time winner of the Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyrics. With more than 600 songs in his cr ...
and Santhosh Varma. The songs were released on 7 December 2015. "Chithirathira" sung by
Vijay Yesudas Vijay Yesudas (born 23 March 1979) is an Indian playback singer and actor. He has sung over 1000 film songs. Vijay works predominantly in the South Indian film industry, mostly in Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi. He is the son of ...
was released separately on 21 December. A promotional video of Dulquer Salmaan singing "Chundari Penne" was released on 24 December.


Reception


Box office

The film collected 20 million on the first day from
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 ...
box office, and grossed 144 million in 22 days of release. The film completed a 100-day theatrical run in Kerala and grossed 224.2 million at the Kerala box office. In its lifetime, Charlie grossed 420 million at the global box office.


Critical reception

Describing the film as a "tantalizing love tale", ''Vishnu Varma'' of
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 ...
rated it 4 stars out of 5 and stated, "‘Charlie’ is a feel-good movie, but it does not stop there. It plays around brilliantly with raw emotions centered around a character who wants to be free." ''Litty Simon'' of
Malayala Manorama ''Malayala Manorama'' is a morning newspaper in Malayalam published from Kottayam, Kerala, India by the Malayala Manorama Company Limited. Currently headed by Mammen Mathew; it was first published as a weekly on 22 March 1888, and currently has ...
rated it 3.25 out of 5, concluding "Dulquer's Charlie is a simple, feel good film that will make you smile this festive season. Although not an out-and-out entertainer, Charlie has the elements to be tagged as a wacky entertainer, filled with all what is needed — celebration, surprises, patience, faith, care, and above, all love!" Website Nowrunning gave the film 2.5 stars out of 5, stating "Charlie could be termed an audacious attempt but grandiose visions don't necessarily translate into well-crafted cinema. Pared down expectations could make it a reasonable weekend watch."


Accolades


Notes


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Charlie 2015 films 2010s Malayalam-language films 2015 romantic drama films Indian romantic drama films Films shot in Gujarat Films shot in Kochi Films shot in Munnar Films scored by Gopi Sundar Malayalam films remade in other languages Films directed by Martin Prakkat Films shot in Thrissur