Bonsai is a 2018 Indian Malayalam film written and directed by debutant Santhosh Peringeth. After his critically acclaimed short film Kotti and some other short films Santhosh came up with the film Bonsai. The film stars Manoj K Jayan,[1] Lena, Santhosh Keezhattoor, Ajin Shaji and Anagha Janaki in the lead roles.[2] Bonsai deals with social themes including education, social class and social mobility. The central character of the film is a school going Dalit boy who desires to own a bicycle to go to the far away school. The film was released on 23 February 2018 in Malayalam and produced by Suresh KP under the banner Essar Films.[3]

Bonsai
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySanthosh Peringeth
Written bySanthosh Peringeth
Produced bySuresh KP
StarringManoj K. Jayan
Lena
Santhosh Keezhattoor
Sunil Sukhada
Rajesh Sharma
Ajin Shaji
CinematographyJaleel Badusha
Edited bySobin K Soman
Music bySachin Balu
Production
company
Essar Films
Release date
  • 23 February 2018 (2018-02-23) (Kerala)
Running time
102 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Plot edit

In an apartment in a densely populated city, where the buildings outnumber the trees, a small family arrives, nurturing a pot bearing a tiny tree with stunted growth and regularly chiselled branches. Their daughter always dreams of shifting the bonsai tree from its congested abode and planting it in its original soil. In a forest where trees are huge and men are small, a tribal boy named Krishnan realizes that having a bicycle would strengthen the prospect of joining the high school to pursue his studies after 7th standard. How the society handles his efforts for owning the bicycle, how the use of plastics affect the traditional life style of the people, their attempts, quests and dreams about their anticipation spreads its wings in spite of all the hurdles just like the bonsai tree.[4]

Cast edit

Production edit

After getting the state award for best short film for Kotti [5] Santhosh Peringeth announced his new project named Bonsai. The principal photography took place between August and November 2017 in Payyannur, Kannur, and Thrissur.[6]

The music is composed by Sachin Balu, while Jaleel Badusha handles the cinematography. The song Kaadum Kaattaarum sung by P. Jayachandran and Haritha Hareesh was released separately on 8 January 2018 through Satyam Audios YouTube channel. Second song Chellam Cholli sung by Sreya Jayadeep was released on 3 January. Third song Anthikkoru Choppum sung by Sunil Mathai and Sreekutty was released on 6 February. The songs were composed by Jayachandran Kavumthazha, with lyrics penned by Suresh Ramanthali. A two minutes official trailer of film was released on 20 February through the YouTube channel of Satyam Videos.[7] Bonsai released in Kerala on 23 February 2018 and met with mixed response.[8]

Music edit

The film features three songs composed by Jayachandran Kavumthazha. The lyrics were written by Suresh Ramanthali.[9]

Track list
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Kaadum kaattarum [10]"Suresh RamanthaliP. Jayachandran, Haritha Hareesh4:38
2."Chellam Cholli [11]"Suresh RamanthaliSreya Jayadeep4:31
3."Anthikkoru Choppum [12]"Suresh RamanthaliSunil Mathai, Sreekutty3:56

References edit

  1. ^ Mohandas, Vandana (6 October 2017). "30 years on screen". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Vellinakshathram : Movie Bonsai gives new hope".
  3. ^ "Bonsai Malayalam Movie". Times of India.
  4. ^ "Kerala Kaumudi : Why Bonsai".
  5. ^ "Kerala State Chalachithra Academy : State TV Awards 2014".
  6. ^ "Deshabhimani : Bonsai, A tamed dream".
  7. ^ "Watch Bonsai Official Trailer in Youtube". YouTube.
  8. ^ "Kairali TV : The film of uncut dreams". 18 January 2018.
  9. ^ "Asianet News : Shreya's song".
  10. ^ "Watch the song 'Kaadum Kaattaarum' in YouTube". YouTube.
  11. ^ "Watch the song 'Chellam Cholli' in YouTube". YouTube.
  12. ^ "Watch the song 'Anthikkoru Choppum' in YouTube". YouTube.

External links edit