| Thirakkatha | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical Release Poster | |
| Directed by | Ranjith |
| Written by | Ranjith |
| Screenplay by | Ranjith |
| Story by | Ranjith |
| Produced by | Ranjith Maha Subair |
| Starring | |
| Narrated by | Prithviraj Sukumaran |
| Cinematography | M. J. Radhakrishnan |
| Edited by | Vijay Shankar |
| Music by | Sharreth |
| Distributed by | Varnachithra Big Screen |
Release date |
|
Running time | 120 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Thirakkatha (transl. Screenplay) is a2008Malayalamromantic drama film co-produced, written, and directed byRanjith. The film is a tribute to the yesteryear actresses who had been graceful, popular figures in cinema during their younger age with patronage and later got completely disregarded by the industry, media, and the masses alike.
Ranjith emphasized that the film should be seen as a work of fiction and not as the real-life story ofSrividya or any other actress.[1] The story shifts between the present and flashbacks through the perspective of different characters. It is divided into three monologues which meet in the climax. The film garnered positive reviews from critics and audiences alike.
The film won theNational Film Award forBest Feature Film in Malayalam (Ranjith and Maha Subair) andPriyamani won theFilmfare Awards South forBest Actress.
Akbar Ahmed is a film director. Friends call him 'Akky'. After his highly successful first film, he becomes the most wanted director in theMalayalam film industry. Akky and his girlfriend, Devayani, along with a group of friends share a passion for cinema. Akbar directed and produced his first film with them, which went on to become a huge success. He also runs a cafe calledCasablanca named after the classicHollywood film. For him, cinema is not a job, it is his passion. Akbar decides to choose a very different kind of story for his second film and sets on a journey in search of it.
Akbar decides to base his second film on the life of yesteryear actress Malavika, who was once a very popular actress and whose present whereabouts are unknown. Akbar and his friends go tracking Malavika's biography. Her husband, Ajaya Chandran, is the reigning superstar of the industry. Akbar starts his search at film director Aby Kuruvila's house. Kuruvila's son gives his father's old letters and diaries to Akbar from which he starts learning about the whirlwind romance of Malavika and Ajayachandran which led to marriage. How differences between them led to a breakup and how this affected their careers along with Akbar's efforts to find Malavika form the major plot of the film. The film ends in a touching yet marvelous climax with a poetic narration.
The film was received well by audiences and critics alike. Some of the major reviews in the media were all praises for the film. Nowrunning.com opined that "It is a charming film that's plainly life-affirming without being overly pretentious or markedly melodramatic".[2] Paresh C Palicha at Rediff.com opined that "It is exciting to seeRanjith bounce back to form with his best effort so far."[3] Almost all reviewers were unanimous about the brilliant performances of the lead stars, especially ofPriyamani,Anoop Menon andPrithviraj.
2008 : Film Awards
The score and soundtrack of the movie were composed bySharreth, who returned to the field after a long gap.
| Thirakkatha | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 14 August 2008 | |||
| Recorded | 2008 | |||
| Genre | Soundtrack | |||
| Length | 31:59 | |||
| Label | Anak Audio | |||
| Producer | Sharreth | |||
| Sharreth chronology | ||||
| ||||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Arikil Nee Illa" (Male) | Rafeeq Ahammed | Madhu Balakrishnan | 3:15 |
| 2. | "Oduvil Oru" ((Female) (Won Best Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Malayalam)) | Rafeeq Ahammed | K. S. Chithra | 4:10 |
| 3. | "Paalapoovithalil" | Rafeeq Ahammed | Shweta Mohan,Nishad | 4:29 |
| 4. | "Manjuneeril" (Version 1) | Rafeeq Ahammed | Kalpana | 4:25 |
| 5. | "Onnondonnu Chernu" | Rafeeq Ahammed | Ranjini Haridas,Shankar Mahadevan | 3:51 |
| 6. | "Arikil Nee Illa" (Female) | Rafeeq Ahammed | Teenu Tellence | 3:15 |
| 7. | "Oduvil Oru" (Male) | Rafeeq Ahammed | Sharreth | 4:09 |
| 8. | "Manjuneeril" (Version 2) | Rafeeq Ahammed | Kalpana | 4:25 |
| Total length: | 31:59 | |||