Olavum Theeravum (transl. Ripples and the shore) is an upcoming Indian Malayalam-language period drama featurette written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by Priyadarshan, based on the 1957 short story of the same name by Nair. It also serves as a remake of the 1970 film adaptation. The featurette is part of the web series Manorathangal, which is an anthology of nine featurettes adapted from nine short stories of Nair. It stars Mohanlal and Durga Krishna as Bapootty and Nabeesa, two star-crossed lovers in a riverside hamlet in Kerala.
| Olavum Theeravum | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Priyadarshan |
| Written by | M. T. Vasudevan Nair |
| Based on | Olavum Theeravum by M. T. Vasudevan Nair |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | Mohanlal Durga Krishna |
| Cinematography | Santosh Sivan |
| Edited by | M. S. Aiyappan Nair |
| Music by | Bijibal |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | ZEE5 |
Release date |
|
Running time | 50 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Principal photography for the featurette began in July 2022 in Thodupuzha and its surroundings, completing within the same month. The featurette, following the style of the 1970 film, was made in black-and-white format. The release was delayed for two years due to the anthology series, originally commissioned for Netflix, being turned down by the platform reportedly due to cost overrun. Olavum Theeravum is scheduled to be released on ZEE5 for digital streaming from 15 August 2024.
Premise
editSet in a riverside hamlet in mid-20th century Kerala, Bapootty, a timber trader falls in love with his dead friend's sister Nabeesa. However her mother, a prostitute, wants to marry her off to Kunjali, a wealthy trader.
Cast
edit- Mohanlal as Bapootty
- Durga Krishna as Nabeesa
- Mamukkoya as Abdu
- Hareesh Peradi as Kunjali
- Surabhi Lakshmi
- Vinod Kovoor
- Appunni Sasi
- Jayaprakash Kuloor
Production
editDevelopment
editOlavum Theeravum is part of an anthology series, Manorathangal (English: Mindscapes), consisting of nine featurettes, based on nine short stories of M. T. Vasudevan Nair, which was originally produced for Netflix.[1] According to Onmanorama, the anthology draws inspiration from Stories by Rabindranath Tagore (2015), a television series based on the works of poet Rabindranath Tagore.[2] Written by Nair himself, Olavum Theeravum is based on his 1957 short story of the same name and serves as a remake of the 1970 film directed by P. N. Menon.[3][4] This new segment in the anthology was initially reported by the media in September 2021, to be directed by Priyadarshan.[5] Nair condensed the original screenplay of the 1970 film for the featurette.[6]
Olavum Theeravum is Priyadarshan's second featurette in the anthology after Silalikhithangal, making him the only director who has directed two featurettes in Manorathangal.[7] With a runtime of 50 minutes, it is the longest featurette in Manorathangal.[8] Srikant Murali served as the associate director. The anthology was produced by Saregama India, with line production handled by Newsvalue Productions. Aswathi V. Nair, Nair's daughter, contributed as the creative producer, with Sudheesh Ambalappadu acting as the line producer.[6]
Casting
editMohanlal plays timber trader Bapootty, the role played by Madhu in the original film. In June 2022, a month before filming began, Priyadarshan said that he is yet to finalize the remaining cast barring Mohanlal.[7] Durga Krishna was cast in the role of Nabeesa, played by Usha Nandini in the original.[9] Hareesh Peradi was cast as the villain Kunjali (played by Jose Prakash in the original) and Mamukkoya in the role of Mammad. The cast also includes Surabhi Lakshmi, Vinod Kovoor, Appunni Sasi, and Jayaprakash Kuloor.[6]
Filming
editThe anthology began filming with its first featurette, Abhayam Thedi Veendum, in 2021.[1] Principal photography for Olavum Theeravum began in early July 2022 in Thodupuzha.[10] According to Priyadarshan, although the original screenplay mentioned the river as a character, the film itself did not prominently feature it, which left him disappointed. This prompted Priyadarshan to prioritize portraying the river as an integral character in the featurette.[6] The featurette was shot in and around various locations including Thommankuthu, Chappathu, Kudayathoor, Kanjar,[11] and the Malankara Dam reservoir.[12] A set was constructed in Kudayathoor.[13] Santosh Sivan was the cinematographer, while Sabu Cyril handled the art direction.[14] Dhanya Balakrishnan was the costume designer, while Libin Mohanan handled the makeup.[15] Filming wrapped up on 17 July 2022 in Thodupuzha.[9] In the same month, it was revealed that the film would be released in black-and-white format, same as the 1970 film.[6] The featurette's dubbing began in August.[16] M. R. Rajakrishnan was the sound designer.[15]
Since the 1984 film Ente Gramam, only two films have been released entirely in black-and-white format—1956, Central Travancore (2019) and Bramayugam (2024).[17] Despite Olavum Theeravum completing production ahead of Bramayugam, the two-year delay caused the latter to release first.[18] In a 2022 interview with Mathrubhumi, actor Madhu, who portrayed Bappootty in the 1970 film adaptation, expressed his indifference towards filming in black-and-white. He noted that in 1970, Malayalam cinema was limited to black and white, despite the world being in colour. He felt the remake should have been in colour to offer a distinct experience for audiences viewing it 50 years later.[19]
Release
editOlavum Theeravum, along with the eight other featurettes, was originally commissioned for Netflix. However, the anthology series faced rejection by the streaming platform, purportedly due to cost overruns resulting from the inclusion of new featurettes, including Olavum Theeravum.[20] The featurette is scheduled to be released on ZEE5 for digital streaming on 15 August 2024.[21]
References
edit- ^ a b Krishna, Gayathri (13 July 2024). "ZEE5 snaps up OTT rights of MT Vasudevan Nair anthology, starring Mohanlal and Mammootty, from Netflix?". OTT Play. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ Thampuran, Atmaja Varma (12 January 2022). "MT Vasudevan Nair, Mollywood A-listers come together for Netflix anthology". Onmanorama. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ C. E. Features (17 July 2022). "Mohanlal, Priyadarshan film Olavum Theeravum wrapped up". Cinema Express. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ Local News Desk (19 July 2022). "Mohanlal Starrer Olavum Theeravum's Shooting Wrapped Up". CNN-News18. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ Web Team (30 September 2021). "'ഓളവും തീരവും' റീമേക്കിന് മോഹന്ലാലും പ്രിയദര്ശനും?". Asianet News (in Malayalam). Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e കോട്ടക്കൽ, ശ്രീകാന്ത് (17 July 2022). "ഓളവും തീരവും വരുന്നത് ബ്ലാക്ക് ആൻഡ് വൈറ്റിൽ, കഥയും ചരിത്രവും ആവർത്തിക്കാൻ പ്രിയദർശൻ". Mathrubhumi (in Malayalam). Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ a b Sidhardhan, Sanjith (14 June 2022). "Exclusive! Mohanlal and Priyadarshan to begin shooting for this star-studded Netflix project in July". OTT Play. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ Correspondent (19 July 2022). "Priyadarshan's 'Olavum Theeravum' shot in black and white". Onmanorama. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ a b ETimes.in (18 July 2022). "It's a wrap for Mohanlal-Priyadarshan's 'Olavum Theeravum'". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ ETimes.in (10 July 2022). "Mohanlal begins shooting for Priyadarshan's 'Olavum Theeravum' in Thodupuzha". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ Correspondent (12 July 2022). "Mohanlal's arrival at Thommankuthu creates a flutter. Here's why". Onmanorama. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ മനോരമ ലേഖകൻ (16 July 2022). "എംടിക്ക് മലങ്കരയുടെ തീരത്ത് പിറന്നാൾ; മോഹൻലാലിനും പ്രിയദർശനുമൊപ്പം". Manorama Online (in Malayalam). Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ "ഓളവും തീരവും മധുരം പകർന്നു; ഒരു ചെറുപുഞ്ചിരിയോടെ എം.ടി". Mathrubhumi (in Malayalam). 16 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Keralakaumudi Daily (9 July 2022). "Mohanlal rowing a raft alone in a raging river, video goes viral". Kerala Kaumudi. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Olavum Theeravum". Newsvalueproductions.com. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ C. E. Features (5 August 2022). "Dubbing works start for Olavum Theeravum". Cinema Express. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ Narayanan, Nijeesh (22 February 2024). "Flash Black & Futuristic White". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ Web Team (22 February 2022). "ആ വ്യത്യസ്താനുഭവവുമായി എത്തി ഞെട്ടിച്ചത് മമ്മൂട്ടി; പക്ഷേ ആദ്യം ഷൂട്ട് പൂർത്തിയാക്കിയത് മോഹൻലാൽ". Asianet News (in Malayalam). Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ ഭാനുപ്രകാശ് (22 September 2022). "'ആ മുറിയുടെ വാതിൽ ഞാൻ ഇപ്പോഴും അടച്ചിട്ടില്ല...'; മധു അഭിമുഖം". Mathrubhumi (in Malayalam). Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ Sidhardhan, Sanjith (2 June 2023). "Netflix drops Mohanlal, Mammootty and Fahadh Faasil's MT Vasudevan Nair anthology?". OTT Play. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ "Mammootty-Mohanlal starrer anthology series based on MT Vasudevan Nair's works set for OTT release". Mathrubhumi. 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
