Ottaal
Theatrical poster
Directed byJayaraj
Screenplay byJoshy Mangalath
Story byJoshy Mangalath
Based onVanka
by Anton Chekhov
Produced by
  • K. Mohan (Seven Arts Mohan)
  • Vinod Vijayan
Starring
  • Ashanth K. Sha
  • Kumarakom Vasudevan
  • Shine Tom Chacko
  • Sabitha Jayaraj
  • Thomas J. Kannampuzha
CinematographyM. J. Radhakrishnan
Edited byB. Ajithkumar
Music byKavalam Narayana Panicker, Sreevalsan J. Menon (Background music)
Production
company
Director Cutz Film Company Ltd
Distributed byQube India
Reelmonk
Release date
  • 6 November 2015 (2015-11-06) (India)
Running time
81 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguagesMalayalam
English

Ottaal (English: The Trap) is a 2015 Indian Malayalam film directed by Jayaraj, an adaptation of the short story "Vanka" by Russian author Anton Chekhov.[1] This film stars Ashanth K Sha and Kumarakom Vasudevan, as well as actors Shine Tom Chacko, Sabitha Jayaraj and Thomas G. Kannampuzha.[2]

It became the first movie in India to be released online on the same day as its theatrical release.[3] The film made history, becoming the first ever Malayalam movie to have swept all the top awards in the 20-year history of the International Film Festival of Kerala.[4] The film was one of four Malayalam films selected to be a part of the Indian Panorama at the International Film Festival of India in Goa in November 2015.[5]

Plot

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.

Cast

  • Master Ashanth K Sha as Kuttappai
  • Kumarakaom Vasudevan as Vallyappachayi
  • Shine Tom Chacko as Mesthri
  • Thomas J Kannampuzha as Betty
  • Sabitha Jayaraj as Moly
  • Master Hafis Muhammed as Tinku
  • Vavachan as Outha

Soundtrack

The film has one song, "Aa Manathilirrunnu",[7] composed by Padma Bhushan Kavalam Narayana Panicker.[8] The background score composed by Sreevalsan J. Menon was praised by the jury when the film won the Crystal Bear at the Berlinale 2016.[9]

Release and reception

The film was released in theaters in Kerala on 6 November 2015 and online on the same day through Reelmonk, making it the first Indian film to be released simultaneously in theaters and on the internet.[10][11][12][13]

Accolades

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

References

  1. ↑ "'OTTAAL': JAYARAJ ADAPTS CHEKHOV'S STORY". YTalkies. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  2. ↑ "When a photo inspired a film". The Hindu. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  3. ↑ "'Ottaal' to have simultaneous release in theatres, online". Business Standard. 5 November 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  4. ↑ "Jayaraj's 'Ottaal' sweeps top honours". Manorama Online. 11 November 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  5. ↑ "Four Malayalam Films to be Screened at International Film Festival". New Indian Express. 4 November 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  6. ↑ "'Ottal' is more than an environmental film: Jayaraj". Manorama Online. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  7. ↑ "Ottaal Multiple Award Winning Movie Review". Youtube. 8 November 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  8. ↑ "Ottaal Multiple Award Winning Movie Review". Saj Media. 8 November 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  9. ↑ "Malayalam film wins Crystal Bear at Berlinale". The Hindu. 21 February 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  10. ↑ "Exploring online market for movie release". The Hindu. 4 November 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  11. ↑ "Ottaal releasing this Friday". JanmaBhumi Daily. 5 November 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  12. ↑ "Malayalam film Ottaal to release in theatres, online on same day". 5 November 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  13. ↑ "'Ottaal' First Indian Film to be Released Online in Real-time". 6 November 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  14. ↑ "National Awards: Kangana Ranaut Collects Best Actress Award". NDTV. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  15. ↑ "Kerala State Film Awards 2014 - Winners List". Now Running. 10 August 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  16. ↑ "JIO MAMI 2015: 'Haraamkhor', 'Chauthi Koot' bag top honours; complete list of winners". IB Times. 6 May 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  17. ↑ "Malayalam film 'Ottaal' sweeps all awards ar International Film Festival of Kerala". DNA India. 11 May 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  18. ↑ "Malayalam film wins Crystal Bear at Berlinale". The Hindu. 21 February 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
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