Nizhal
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAppu N. Bhattathiri
Screenplay byS. Sanjeev
Produced byAnto Joseph
Abhijith M. Pillai
Badusha
Fellini T. P.
Ginesh Jose
StarringKunchacko Boban
Nayanthara
CinematographyDeepak D. Menon
Edited byAppu N. Bhattathiri
Arunlal S. P.
Music bySooraj S. Kurup
Production
companies
Anto Joseph Film Company
Melange Film House
Tentpole Movies
Distributed byAan Mega Media
Release date
  • 9 April 2021 (2021-04-09)
Running time
124 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Nizhal (pronounced [n̪iɻal]; transl. Shadow) is a 2021 Malayalam-language mystery thriller film directed by Appu N. Bhattathiri in his debut and written by S. Sanjeev. It stars Kunchacko Boban and Nayanthara. It also features Izin Hash, Rony David, Saiju Kurup and Divya Prabha in supporting roles. Appu N. Bhattathiri with Arunlal S. P. edited the film while Deepak D. Menon handled the cinematography. Sooraj S. Kurup composed the original songs and background score.[1] The film is produced by Anto Joseph Film Company and Melange Film House in association with Tentpole Movies.[2][3] Boban plays the role of a first-class Judicial Magistrate.[4] In the film, John Baby, who is recouping from a traumatic accident, meets Nitin, a young boy who interests him with murder stories. When Baby explores the possibility of Nitin's stories by mapping the events, it corresponds with the actual incidents.

Plot

The film starts with a rain scene where John Baby, a magistrate getting into a car accident. After being discharged, he is told to temporarily wear a protective face mask until his nose is stable for it to get better. As he resumes his life as a first-class Judicial Magistrate, strange things start to happen as he hallucinates, probably from the accident. On the other hand, his friend Shalini, a child psychologist, approaches him with the case of her patient. Nitin, an eight year old schoolboy, shares with his class a murder story. This strikes Baby's interest and he, along with Shalini visits the boy's mother, Sharmila, in order to talk to the boy. Hostile at first, she lets them as he says that the case should have been reported to the Police. The boy appears energetic and normal like any other child. Baby decides to search the place mentioned in the boy's story with the help of the Police and finds a human skull submerged in a pond.

Following the investigation, Baby gets close to Nitin and Sharmila. Nitin tells another story and Baby follows the lead and finds out that it is another actual crime. In order to find the source of these stories, Sharmila, Baby and Nitin travel to the house of a person who kept some of her late investigator husband, Sachin's case files. That night when Baby gets disturbing visions again, he walks to Sharmila and Nitin's room only to discover that it was Sharmila who was telling the boy stories of murder in her sleep. After rushing back home, leaving them behind, to share this discovery to Shalini and her husband. Baby reveals this fact to Sharmila after she returns. He questions her about her mother to find any connection, to her annoyance. Finally, they meet Viswanathan, the man who took care of Sharmila after her mother's untimely demise. Vishwanathan faints upon recognising her. At the hospital he reveals that Sharmila's mother was his love interest; however he did not marry her due to her only being recently widowed. He also confesses that he was the one who had committed the murders in the name of the political party in which he was working, and used to confess to Sharmila's mother while she cradled her baby to sleep, thus transmitting the stories to Sharmila's subconscious mind. Baby decides to get him arrested as soon as he is discharged from the hospital. As Sharmila had to go for a video conference, Nithin goes with Baby. Sharmila feels sorry for the old Vishwanath, given how much he seemed to repent and how much time had passed, and so helps him leave before the cops were called. Upon hearing that he has escaped, Baby is dissuaded from calling for a search, for the aforementioned reason, as well as the fact that the party could target them too. Nithin having overheard some of the conversation asks who Radhamma (Sharmila's mother) was. He reveals he knew the story about Radhamma's death. Realisation hits Baby and he rushes to Sharmila's house.

In the meantime, Vishwanath shows up at Sharmila's house and reveals to Sharmila that he was the one who killed her mother. As he found out that both she and her son now know the truth, he had to get rid of them. He attempts to kill her. Luckily, Baby reaches in time to save her from being strangled, but Viswanathan accidentally loses his footing at the balcony and falls to his death.

At the end Baby is free from his visions whereas Sharmila has started to hallucinate.

Cast

Production

Development

Nizhal is the directorial debut of Kerala State Film Award winning editor Appu N. Bhattathiri.[5] The film is financed by five producers, Anto Joseph, Abhijith M. Pillai, Badusha, Fellini T. P. and Ginesh Jose.[6] It is through producer Fellini, the director approached Kunchacko Boban.[7] Boban was finalized for his role at the beginning and he suggested Nayanthara to play the female lead.[1][8] After reading the script, Nayanthara was impressed and signed the project.[3]

Filming

The principal photography of the film began on 19 October 2020 at Kalamassery following the COVID-19 protocols.[1][9] The filming continued at various locations of Ernakulam and Alappuzha districts.[10][11] The first schedule was completed on 4 December 2020.[12][13] After wrapping up its Kerala schedule, the team headed to Karnataka for its second schedule and continued filming at Bangalore and Hogenakkal.[14]

Release

The film was released on 9 April 2021.[15]

Reception

Baradwaj Rangan of Film Companion South wrote "Kunchacko Boban and Nayanthara are in fine form but Nizhal is another example of how stars alone cannot make a movie."[16] Indian Express gave the film 2 out of 5 writing "There are a few glaring logical holes in the narration that cannot be discussed without spoiling the suspense. The tone of the movie dull as the story fails to live up to the suspense created by the visuals. The script is so weak that it doesn’t demand a lot from the actors. While cinematographer Deepak D. Menon’s frames move around, the characters remain mostly stationary. For some time it adds to the suspense but as the movie progresses, it sort of becomes repetitive. Especially, Nayanthara remains a pretty face on the screen; an expensive cosmetic addition to the cast. She hardly tries to mimic the nightmarish feeling of a single mother, whose boy is trapped in some kind of a mysterious tangle."[17] Times of India gave the film 3 out of 5 writing "The background score by Sooraj S Kurup is an interesting aspect of this movie. It is fresh and innovative and blends well with the core of the movie. One instance where he uses the boy's words as background score lifts the entire atmosphere. The well-edited movie has some delightful shots by cinematographer Deepak D Menon. Go for it if you are a fan of stories involving mind-games."[18]

Firstpost gave the film 2.75 writing "It’s a pity that Nizhal’s unusual premise wrestles with so many scripting flaws because the atmospherics in the narrative are on the ball and the mystery remains engaging till the finale. Oh well..."[19] The Hindu gave the film a negative review writing "Managing to build up the anticipation and to keep the audience guessing until the time of the scriptwriter’s choosing would mean half the job done in constructing an effective thriller. But much of the other half rests on how potent that final reveal is. Imagine the feeling when you expect a lion to walk out of a cave, after listening to its majestic roars for some time... and you see a mouse crawling out instead! In ‘Nizhal’, in the end, after much anticipation, we get to see something much better than a mouse, but something less than a lion too."[20]

Sify gave the film 3/5 writing "Nizhal has its moments for sure but one gets the feeling that it could have been much more with better writing. Having said that, this one is a fine one-time watch."[21] Free Press Journal gave the film 3 out of 5 writing "In all, Nizhal certainly scores due to its fresh and novel plot involving a talented kid, but it doesn’t deliver more than a decent watch that can surely be seen as a promising directorial debut with controlled expectations."[22] New Indian Express gave the film a negative review writing "There is no doubt about Aneesh’s comic abilities, but his inclusion felt forced. I wasn’t blown away by the final twist either. After the film ended, I asked myself, “That’s it?”[23]

References

  1. 1 2 3 M., Athira (20 October 2020). "Appu N Bhattathiri on directing 'Nizhal' with Nayanthara and Kunchacko Boban". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 3 December 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  2. ↑ "First look of Nayanthara from Nizhal unveiled". The New Indian Express. 19 November 2020. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Nayanthara heads back to Mollywood, this time with Kunchacko Boban for Nizhal". OnManorama. 18 October 2020. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  4. ↑ "Kunchacko Boban to portray a Judicial Magistrate in 'Nizhal'". The Times of India. 3 November 2020. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  5. ↑ "'Nizhal' poster shows a mysteriously masked Kunchacko Boban". The News Minute. 2 November 2020. Archived from the original on 22 June 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  6. ↑ "Nayanthara and Kunchacko Boban in Appu Bhattathiri's debut directorial 'Nizhal'". The News Minute. 18 October 2020. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  7. ↑ "'Accidental' editor Appu Bhattathiri on directing 'Nizhal', his first film". The News Minute. 24 October 2020. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  8. ↑ Rajan, Silpa (21 October 2020). "Exclusive! Appu Bhattathiri: Kunchacko Boban suggested Nayanthara's name for 'Nizhal'". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 December 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  9. ↑ Krishnakumar, G. (10 November 2020). "Filming plans go for a toss, thanks to COVID curbs". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  10. ↑ Shrijith, Sajin (18 October 2020). "Kunchacko Boban, Nayanthara to lead thriller Nizhal". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  11. ↑ "Nayanthara-Kunchacko photo from 'Nizhal' shooting released online". The News Minute. 11 November 2020. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  12. ↑ "Kunchacko Boban and Nayanthara starrer 'Nizhal' calls it a wrap". The Times of India. 4 December 2020. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  13. ↑ "Nayanthara and Kunchacko Boban's 'Nizhal' filming wrapped up". The News Minute. 5 December 2020. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  14. ↑ "Kunchacko Boban shoots in Hogenakkal for Nizhal". The Times of India. 11 December 2020. Archived from the original on 7 February 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  15. ↑ "Nizhal". The Times of India. 9 April 2021. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  16. ↑ Rangan, Baradwaj (15 May 2021). "Nizhal, On Amazon Prime Video With Kunchacko Boban and Nayanthara, Is An Underwhelming Thriller With Interesting Ideas That Don't Come Together". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  17. ↑ "Nizhal movie review: Nayanthara, Kunchacko Boban thriller is high on promise and low on delivery". The Indian Express. 12 May 2021. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  18. ↑ "Nizhal Movie Review: A thriller that will keep you guessing". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  19. ↑ "Nizhal movie review: A solid premise wrestles with flawed scripting in this Nayanthara-Kunchacko Boban thriller". Firstpost. 17 May 2021. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  20. ↑ Praveen, S. r (9 April 2021). "'Nizhal' movie review: Starts with a bang, ends with a whimper". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  21. ↑ "Nizhal: .Could have been an engaging watch, with better writing!". Sify. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  22. ↑ "Nizhal review: An engaging mystery that could have ended better". Free Press Journal. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  23. ↑ "'Nizhal' movie review: Kunchacko Boban shines in a bland investigative drama". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
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