| Ottaal | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Jayaraj |
| Screenplay by | Joshy Mangalath |
| Story by | Joshy Mangalath |
| Based on | Vanka byAnton Chekhov |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | M. J. Radhakrishnan |
| Edited by | B. Ajithkumar |
| Music by | Kavalam Narayana Panicker,Sreevalsan J. Menon (Background music) |
Production company | Director Cutz Film Company Ltd |
| Distributed by | Qube India Reelmonk |
Release date |
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Running time | 81 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Languages | Malayalam English |
Ottaal (English:The Trap) is a 2015 IndianMalayalam film directed byJayaraj, an adaptation of theAnton Chekhov 1886 short story"Vanka".[1] The film stars Ashanth K Sha and Kumarakom Vasudevan, as well asShine Tom Chacko, Sabitha Jayaraj and Thomas G. Kannampuzha.[2]
It became the first movie inIndia to be released online on the same day as its theatrical release.[3] The film made history, becoming the first ever Malayalam movie to sweep all the top awards in the 20-year history of theInternational Film Festival of Kerala.[4] It was one of fourMalayalam films selected to be a part of theIndian Panorama at theInternational Film Festival of India inGoa in November 2015.[5]
This film tells the story of a young boy (Ashanth K Sha) and his relationship with his grandfather (Kumarakom Vasudevan), his only living relative in the world. Actor Kumarakom Vasudevan is a fisherman in real life, whom Director Jayaraj found during his hunt for actors to play the role. Shine Tom Chacko's character, Mesthri, also has a pivotal role in the story.[6]Ottaal is an adaptation of one of Anton Chekhov's timeless works, Vanka. A story of the 18th century, but one that has travelled the time and space to be retold in the present day at a small village in the South of India.
The film has one song, "Aa Manathilirrunnu",[7] composed by Padma BhushanKavalam Narayana Panicker.[8] The background score composed bySreevalsan J. Menon was praised by the jury when the film won theCrystal Bear at theBerlinale 2016.[9]
The film was released in theatres and online on 6 November 2025. The online platform was Reelmonk. It was the first Indian film to be released simultaneously in theaters and on the internet.[10][11][12][13]
| Award / Film Festival | Category | Recipient(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Film Awards[14] | Best Screenplay Writer (Adapted) | Joshy Mangalath | Won |
| Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation | Ottaal | Won | |
| Kerala State Film Awards[15] | Best Film | Jayaraj | Won |
| Mumbai Film Festival[16] | Golden Gateway of India Award | Ottaal | Won |
| Film for Social Impact Award | Ottaal | Won | |
| International Film Festival of Kerala[17] | Suvarna Chakoram (Best Film) | Ottaal | Won |
| Best Film - International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) jury | Ottaal | Won | |
| Best Malayalam film - Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) jury | Ottaal | Won | |
| Rajatha Chakoram - Audience Prize | Ottaal | Won | |
| Berlin Film Festival[18] | Crystal Bear | Ottaal | Won |