Thirakkatha (transl. Screenplay) is a 2008 Malayalam romantic drama film co-produced, written, and directed by Ranjith. The film is a tribute to the yesteryear actresses who had been graceful, popular figures in cinema during their younger age with patronage and later got completely disregarded by the industry, media, and the masses alike.

Thirakkatha
Theatrical Release Poster
Directed byRanjith
Written byRanjith
Screenplay byRanjith
Story byRanjith
Produced byRanjith
Maha Subair
Starring
Narrated byPrithviraj Sukumaran
CinematographyM. J. Radhakrishnan
Edited byVijay Shankar
Music bySharreth
Distributed byVarnachithra Big Screen
Release date
  • 12 September 2008 (2008-09-12)
Running time
120 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Ranjith emphasized that the film should be seen as a work of fiction and not as the real-life story of Srividya or any other actress.[1] The story shifts between the present and flashbacks through the perspective of different characters. It is divided into three monologues which meet in the climax. The film garnered positive reviews from critics and audiences alike.

The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam (Ranjith and Maha Subair) and Priyamani won the Filmfare Awards South for Best Actress.

Plot

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Akbar Ahmed is a film director. Friends call him 'Akky'. After his highly successful first film, he becomes the most wanted director in the Malayalam film industry. Akky and his girlfriend, Devayani, along with a group of friends share a passion for cinema. Akbar directed and produced his first film with them, which went on to become a huge success. He also runs a cafe called Casablanca named after the classic Hollywood film. For him, cinema is not a job, it is his passion. Akbar decides to choose a very different kind of story for his second film and sets on a journey in search of it.

Akbar decides to base his second film on the life of yesteryear actress Malavika, who was once a very popular actress and whose present whereabouts are unknown. Akbar and his friends go tracking Malavika’s biography. Her husband, Ajaya Chandran, is the reigning superstar of the industry. Akbar starts his search at film director Aby Kuruvila’s house. Kuruvila’s son gives his father’s old letters and diaries to Akbar from which he starts learning about the whirlwind romance of Malavika and Ajayachandran which led to marriage. How differences between them led to a breakup and how this affected their careers along with Akbar's efforts to find Malavika form the major plot of the film. The film ends in a touching yet marvelous climax with a poetic narration.

Cast

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Reception

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The film was received well by audiences and critics alike. Some of the major reviews in the media were all praises for the film. Nowrunning.com opined that "It is a charming film that's plainly life-affirming without being overly pretentious or markedly melodramatic".[2] Paresh C Palicha at Rediff.com opined that "It is exciting to see Ranjith bounce back to form with his best effort so far."[3] Almost all reviewers were unanimous about the brilliant performances of the lead stars, especially of Priyamani, Anoop Menon and Prithviraj.

Accolades

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2008 : Film Awards

National Film Awards
Kerala State Film Awards
Filmfare Awards South

Music

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The score and soundtrack of the movie were composed by Sharreth, who returned to the field after a long gap.

Thirakkatha
Soundtrack album by
Released14 August 2008
Recorded2008
GenreSoundtrack
Length31:59
LabelAnak Audio
ProducerSharreth
Sharreth chronology
Shyaamam
(2006)
Thirakkatha
(2008)
Kalavaramaye Madilo
(2009)
Track-List[4]
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Arikil Nee Illa" (Male)Rafeeq AhammedMadhu Balakrishnan3:15
2."Oduvil Oru" ((Female) (Won Best Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Malayalam))Rafeeq AhammedK. S. Chithra4:10
3."Paalapoovithalil"Rafeeq AhammedShweta Mohan, Nishad4:29
4."Manjuneeril" (Version 1)Rafeeq AhammedKalpana4:25
5."Onnondonnu Chernu"Rafeeq AhammedRanjini Haridas, Shankar Mahadevan3:51
6."Arikil Nee Illa" (Female)Rafeeq AhammedTeenu Tellence3:15
7."Oduvil Oru" (Male)Rafeeq AhammedSharreth4:09
8."Manjuneeril" (Version 2)Rafeeq AhammedKalpana4:25
Total length:31:59

References

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  1. ^ TR (2008). "Wasn't Ranjith telling Sreevidya's tale?". Nowrunning.com. Archived from the original on 26 October 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
  2. ^ "Thirakatha Review - Malayalam Movie Review by VN". Nowrunning.com. 13 September 2008. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Review: Thirakkadha". Rediff.com. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  4. ^ "Thirakkatha (2008)". Music India Online. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2018.

https://www.academia.edu/9204740/When_Ghosts_Come_Calling_Re-projecting_the_Disappeared_Muses_of_Malayalam_Cinema

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