InterviewThe element of suspense in the Malayalam film to be released in Ott platform begins when one among the friends suggests a game that is supposed to be fun but soon turns dark.A Dubai dweller for years, Thamar Kv is used to spending weekends with a circle of friends and family there, much like the protagonists of his film 1001 Nunakal. The story idea for the film, one he has been thinking about for long, came from these gatherings of friends, he tells Tnm in an interview. In the script he co-wrote with Hashim Sulaiman, he even used some of their names. Thamar, who has been making a living out of ad films for years, is no novice to the art of filmmaking. His well-made debut feature holds proof of this. "I have been lucky to get Salim Ahamed – a reputed filmmaker – on board as producer. I also got a...
- 8/16/2023
- by Cris
- The News Minute
AwardsThe ninth edition of the Siima Awards ceremony will be held on September 18 and 19 in Hyderabad, and will include nominations for both 2019 and 2020. Tnm Staffhttps://siima.in/The nominees for the South Indian International Movie Awards (Siima) 2019 and 2020 have been announced under various categories for all four south Indian languages— Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. The ninth edition of this award ceremony will be held on September 18 and 19 in Hyderabad. The 2020 ceremony was cancelled due to the pandemic, and the awards for 2019 and 2020 will be held in September. Under the category of Best Film for 2019, Ajith and Nayanathara’s Viswasam, Mammootty’s Peranbu, Dhanush and Manju Warrier starrer Asuran, Karthi’s Kaithi and Sivakarthikeyan’s Namma Veettu Pillai are the nominees. In Telugu, Mahesh Babu’s Maharshi, Nani’s sports drama Jersey, Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Akkineni’s Majili, Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy and F2, which featured an ensemble cast of actors.
- 8/28/2021
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
A few years back, when I was walking along the Kozikhode beach, a young man approached me. That part of Kerala (a small coastal state in South India) rarely attracts foreign tourists, so he was curious about my homeland. His face lit up when I answered, and he started naming past and present football players from my country, the achievement I myself wouldn’t be able to unlock, not caring much about my national team. The experience was not as surreal as it may seem, because that part of Kerala is one of little regions in India where football craze equals — if not overshadows — cricket craze.
“Sudani from Nigeria” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
The variation of the game developed there, Football Sevens, isn’t recognized by FIFA or Indian game’s federation, but its tournaments, played by teams of 7 on smaller pitches, provide entertainment in...
“Sudani from Nigeria” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
The variation of the game developed there, Football Sevens, isn’t recognized by FIFA or Indian game’s federation, but its tournaments, played by teams of 7 on smaller pitches, provide entertainment in...
- 6/14/2021
- by Joanna Kończak
- AsianMoviePulse
Film commentaryThese three recent south Indian releases, belonging to different genres, engage with ideas on faith and religious values. Sowmya RajendranNetflix series A Suitable Boy recently ran into trouble for showing a Muslim man and a Hindu woman kissing in a temple. Apart from the expected outrage on social media from right wing handles, an Fir was also filed against officials of the Over the Top (Ott) platform. The representation of religion on screen has periodically run into controversy with religious groups and the government, as in the case of films like Mani Ratnam's Bombay, Rahul Dholakia's Parzania, Kamal Haasan's Vishwaroopam, Rajkumar Hirani's Pk or more recently Raju Murugan's Gypsy. In the current political climate, such outrage and censorship have become the norm, with a communal angle given to characters, scenes and subjects even if the film ostensibly does not deal with religion or communalism. In such a scenario,...
- 11/30/2020
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
Opinion The movie questions our easy assumptions about freedom and agency, and makes us rethink our impressions of Muslims and Muslim women, in particular.Anu KarippalHalal Love Story is a film directed by Zakariya Mohammed and co-written with Muhsin Parari, where two art enthusiasts of a local Muslim organisation in Kerala set out to make a movie within the moral boundaries of Islam. I must confess that I am not a Muslim. I am a Christian by birth. A Christian writing about a Muslim might probably be looked at as partial, unfair and limited. But, I have been following the over-appreciation of Western modernity and the casting of Muslim women in poor countries as those in need of upliftment. Anthropologist Lila Abu Lughod has laid this out elegantly in her book Do Muslim Women Need Saving. The moment we see a woman in a hijab, we imagine them as the oppressed section,...
- 10/31/2020
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
Director Zakariya Mohammed opened up about his new film, the Malayalam comedy drama Halal Love Story, saying he developed a thread of an idea into a full story and then decided to make the film.
This is his second directorial feature after the 2018 sports drama, "Sudani From Nigeria", which was a critical and commercial success.
"Muhsin Parari and I were working on his directorial film, 'Kakkathollayirathi Irupathi Onnu', while we were in Calicut. I went for a commemorative programme of a late poet and I heard a speech. I got a thread of story for 'Halal Love Story' from the speech," Mohammed recalled.
"It was about a poet from a particular area. I shared the story idea with Muhasin. Then, with our co-writer Ashif Kakkodi, we developed the thread of an idea into a full story, and decided to make it my second directorial effort," the filmmaker added.
This is his second directorial feature after the 2018 sports drama, "Sudani From Nigeria", which was a critical and commercial success.
"Muhsin Parari and I were working on his directorial film, 'Kakkathollayirathi Irupathi Onnu', while we were in Calicut. I went for a commemorative programme of a late poet and I heard a speech. I got a thread of story for 'Halal Love Story' from the speech," Mohammed recalled.
"It was about a poet from a particular area. I shared the story idea with Muhasin. Then, with our co-writer Ashif Kakkodi, we developed the thread of an idea into a full story, and decided to make it my second directorial effort," the filmmaker added.
- 10/15/2020
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
Halal Love Story crafts humour out of the sensitive issue of Islamic belief without being trivial about it. If that balancing act seems accomplishment enough, director Zakariya Mohammed and his co-writer Muhsin Parari reveal plenty of other cinematic qualities along the way.
The story is set against the backdrop of a village in Kerala. A local Muslim group believes in the power of art to reach out to people, and they use street theatre as their medium. Zakariya uses the folk art only briefly in his screenplay, to underline the fact that despite staunch religious diktats ruling the community there is a dormant aesthetic sensibility embedded somewhere in their minds.
The street theatre artistes use their craft to talk of the essence of Islam, as well as denounce George Bush's decision to attack Iraq and the capitalism that American cola brands represent. The group looks for a wider reach, and...
The story is set against the backdrop of a village in Kerala. A local Muslim group believes in the power of art to reach out to people, and they use street theatre as their medium. Zakariya uses the folk art only briefly in his screenplay, to underline the fact that despite staunch religious diktats ruling the community there is a dormant aesthetic sensibility embedded somewhere in their minds.
The street theatre artistes use their craft to talk of the essence of Islam, as well as denounce George Bush's decision to attack Iraq and the capitalism that American cola brands represent. The group looks for a wider reach, and...
- 10/15/2020
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
InterviewThe director of ‘Sudani from Nigeria’ is ready with his second film ‘Halal Love Story’ that will release on Amazon Prime next Thursday.CrisLooking back, the month of October might bring with it a load of memories to Zakariya Mohammed and Muhsin Parari, two filmmakers from Kerala, known for their respective works. Three Octobers have given them stories to think about in years to come. The first one came two years ago, when a renowned poet passed away in Kozhikode. Zakariya and Muhsin were there for a commemoration of the writer and heard people talk about him. One of those speeches would bring the idea of a story to their minds. A year later, on another October day, they would make a film of that story. Yet another year later, again in October, the film would release. That’s the short version of how Halal Love Story got made. From...
- 10/10/2020
- by Cris
- The News Minute
Amazon Prime Video today announced a brand new slate of 9 highly-anticipated movies that will premiere directly on the streaming service. Spanning five Indian languages, the diverse line-up features titles such as Coolie No. 1 starring Varun Dhawan and Sara Ali Khan (Simmba), Chhalaang starring Rajkummar Rao and Nushrat Bharucha (Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety), Durgavati starring Bhumi Pednekar, Bheema Sena Nala Maharaja (Kannada) starring Aravinnd Iyer, Middle Class Melodies (Telugu) starring Anand Devarakonda, Maara (Tamil) starring R Madhavan, and Manne Number 13 (Kannada) starring Varsha Bollamma (Bigil), Chetan Gandharva (Melody) along with previously announced Zakariya Mohammed’s Halal Love Story ( Malayalam) and Suriya starrer Soorarai Pottru (Tamil). The movies will premiere exclusively on Prime Video within 2020 and will be available in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.
The new slate follows the successful launch of the first wave of direct-to-service premieres of 10 films across 5 languages, which led to Amazon Prime Video expanding...
The new slate follows the successful launch of the first wave of direct-to-service premieres of 10 films across 5 languages, which led to Amazon Prime Video expanding...
- 10/10/2020
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
Focus Features has struck a deal for Wolf, an Irish drama starring George MacKay and Lily-Rose Depp. The Screen Ireland-backed picture recently wrapped after a Covid-19-safe shoot. Focus has acquired the world excluding Russia, Turkey, Taiwan and the Middle East, and will distribute in the U.S. with Universal Pictures International distributing their territories internationally. Sales were handled by Bankside Films and CAA. In the film, MacKay plays a man who believes he is a wolf trapped in a human body, a real-life condition known as species dysphoria. Paddy Considine and Eileen Walsh also star.
Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan has boarded director Nag Ashwin’s upcoming untitled sci-fi project, starring alongside Baahubali’s Prabhas and xXx: Return Of Xander Cage’s Deepika Padukone. Billed as a big budget, multi-lingual production, the film, which is also known as #Prabhas21, hails from Vyjayanthi Movies. Aswini Dutt produces. “I feel lucky and...
Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan has boarded director Nag Ashwin’s upcoming untitled sci-fi project, starring alongside Baahubali’s Prabhas and xXx: Return Of Xander Cage’s Deepika Padukone. Billed as a big budget, multi-lingual production, the film, which is also known as #Prabhas21, hails from Vyjayanthi Movies. Aswini Dutt produces. “I feel lucky and...
- 10/9/2020
- by Tom Grater and Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
EntertainmentHere’s the list of new releases on Amazon Prime Video to keep you entertained during the upcoming festival season.Tnm StaffWe’re in the last leg of 2020 and Amazon Prime Video has come up with an exciting list of nine new Indian films for you to stay entertained. We have festivals like Dussehra, Milad Un-Nabi, not to forget Halloween, followed by Deepavali and Christmas lined up and the new films could not have come at a better time. Fresh content will begin streaming on the platform in five different Indian languages like Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam starting October 15. The platform already has 10 regional content in five different languages such as Penguin, Ponmagal Vandhal, Law, French Biriyani, Sufiyum Sujatayum, C U Soon, V, Gulabo Sitabo, Shakuntala Devi and Nishabdham, which released over the course of the year. From Suriya’s Soorarai Pottru (Tamil) to Parvathy Thiruvothu-Indrajith Sukumaran...
- 10/9/2020
- by Anjana
- The News Minute
Highly anticipated theatrical titles “Coolie No 1,” with Varun Dhawan, and “Chhalaang,” starring Rajkummar Rao, are amongst films across five Indian languages that will bow directly on Amazon Prime Video India, bypassing cinemas.
The films were due to release over the summer, but the spread of the coronavirus pandemic saw Indian cinemas shutter in March. They will begin reopening Oct. 15, after seven months.
Beginning with Amazon acquiring “Gulabo Sitabo,” starring Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana in May, several films originally meant for theatrical release have been diverted to Amazon, and rival streamers Netflix, Disney Plus Hotstar and Zee5, among others, while cinemas remained closed.
Amazon’s new slate includes three films from the Hindi-language Bollywood industry. David Dhawan’s comedy “Coolie No 1” also stars Sara Ali Khan (“Kedarnath”), while Ashok G’s thriller “Durgavati” stars Bhumi Pednekar (“Bala”). Social comedy “Chhalaang” (pictured) is by Hansal Mehta (“Aligarh”), and besides Rao, who...
The films were due to release over the summer, but the spread of the coronavirus pandemic saw Indian cinemas shutter in March. They will begin reopening Oct. 15, after seven months.
Beginning with Amazon acquiring “Gulabo Sitabo,” starring Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana in May, several films originally meant for theatrical release have been diverted to Amazon, and rival streamers Netflix, Disney Plus Hotstar and Zee5, among others, while cinemas remained closed.
Amazon’s new slate includes three films from the Hindi-language Bollywood industry. David Dhawan’s comedy “Coolie No 1” also stars Sara Ali Khan (“Kedarnath”), while Ashok G’s thriller “Durgavati” stars Bhumi Pednekar (“Bala”). Social comedy “Chhalaang” (pictured) is by Hansal Mehta (“Aligarh”), and besides Rao, who...
- 10/9/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
MollywoodThe Malayalam film revolves around a group of men who decide to make a ‘Halal’ film which conforms to the rules of their faith. Tnm StaffThe trailer of the much-awaited Halal Love Story sums up the crux of the film and promises a laugh riot with more than a few sweet moments. The nearly three-minute-long video features Indrajith Sukumaran, Sharaf U Dheen, Joju George, Grace Antony, Soubin Shahir, Parvathy and others, who have been roped in for the movie. The film is about a group of deeply religious men, who are sick of all the films with ‘Haram’ content, coming together to make a 100% ‘Halal’ film which conforms to all the rules of their faith. The story details the chaos and confusion that follows this endeavour. Sharaf U Dheen plays Thoufeek, a school teacher, who has been assigned the job of writing the plot of the Halal film. Indrajith is...
- 10/7/2020
- by Sreedevi
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe film stars Indrajith, Grace Antony, Parvathy, Joju George, Soubin and others.Tvs SasidharA smiling Indrajith Sukumaran peeps into a classroom and waves at a teacher (Sharaf U Dheen) who is playing a film to the class. As he gets momentarily distracted, a visual of a woman's bare back appears, and an embarrassed Sharaf U Dheen blocks the projector immediately. This is the first scene in the newly released teaser of Malayalam film Halal Love Story, which is about a group of passionate filmmakers attempting to make a film which is 'halal' and conforms to the Islamic organisation they are a part of, and the chaos and confusion that follows. The 40-second teaser hints at a promising love story with oodles of comedy. Starring Indrajith Sukumaran, Joju George, Grace Antony, Parvathy (in guest appearance), Soubin and others, the fim is set to release on Ott platform Amazon Prime Video on...
- 10/6/2020
- by Sreedevi
- The News Minute
EntertainmentThis is by no means an exhaustive list and is only a starter pack! Tnm StaffMahesh Narayanan's C U Soon, released directly on Amazon Prime Video, has been getting rave reviews from viewers. Of special significance is the fact that the film was shot in under 20 days with an iPhone camera and the entire story is told through screens. These factors have piqued the curiosity of viewers and as a consequence, the film has attracted several people who may not have watched a south Indian — let alone Malayalam — film before this. Even film critics who don't usually review south Indian films have been lavish in their praise of C U Soon. Although there are four big film industries in the south, Indian cinema is often equated to Bollywood. Among those who haven't watched south Indian films, there exists a perception that "down south", the films made are all loud, unrealistic and grossly exaggerated.
- 9/8/2020
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
MollywoodWhether it's Ayyappan and Kannamma from 'Ayyappanum Koshiyum' or Aju and Sarah from 'Bangalore Days', these relationships move away from the conventional.Tnm Staff There are many love stories and romances in Malayalam cinema which have left an indelible mark in the hearts of the audiences. In contemporary cinema, from the start of the new decade, we have seen a shift in how these relationships are portrayed. From conventional man-woman love where the goal is marriage or confronting the problems within a marriage, new films explore and question what it means to be in a relationship in the first place. The couples take their time to think about what they want from each other and how they should prioritise romance in their relationship. The problems that they confront together have also seen a shift -- from family and livelihood matters to larger issues. Here are some new Malayalam...
- 5/8/2020
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
MollywoodThis is the second film directed by Zakariya Mohammed, whose first 'Sudani from Nigeria' was critically acclaimed as well as popular. Digital NativeActor Indrajith has finished shooting his part for the film Halal Love Story, directed by Zakariya Mohammed. On wrapping up his part, he is reported to have told in a statement: “Always loved portraying humour on screen, and this one probably is going to be the most layered character among that lot. Thank you, Zakariya, Muhsin Parari, Aashiq Abu for giving me Shereef. Loved working with this team.” Zakaria, who debuted with the critically acclaimed and much popular film Sudani from Nigeria, has roped in Joju George, Indrajith, Grace Antony and Sharaffuddeen to play the main leads in his second film. The core technical crew includes Ajay Menon for cinematography, Saiju Sreedharan for editing, Bijibal and Shahabas Aman for music. Halal Love Story is bankrolled by Aashiq Abu,...
- 12/17/2019
- by Cris
- The News Minute
CAA'Long Live Secularism’, ‘Don’t divide peaceful nation based on religion’ and other messages were shared by the actors and filmmakers.Shiba KurianWhen protests against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act erupted across the country, Kerala made headlines when the ruling Cpi(M)-led Left Democratic Front as well as the Opposition — Congress-led United Democratic Front — came together to call out the Bjp at the Centre. Not just politicians, activists and student groups but celebrities of the Malayalam film industry, too, have spoken up at a time when those in other film industries are being exhorted to speak up. From actors like Parvathy, Rima Kallingal, Mammootty, Kunchacko Boban, Prithviraj, Indrajith, Dulquer Salmaan and Tovino Thomas to filmmakers like Aashiq Abu and Zakariya Mohammed, a host of prominent figures from the industry have spoken up against the Act and have lent support to those protesting against it. Some took to social media to express their dissent,...
- 12/17/2019
- by Shiba
- The News Minute
MollywoodTitled ‘Halal Love Story’, the film will star Joju George, Indrajith Sukumaran, Grace Antony and Sharafudheen in lead roles.Digital NativeDigital NativeZakariya Mohammed, the director of the hit film Sudani from Nigeria, has revealed that the title of his next film would be Halal Love Story. He has roped in Joju George, Indrajith Sukumaran, Grace Antony and Sharafudheen to play the main leads in this flick. The core technical crew will include Ajay Menon for cinematography, Saiju Sreedharan for editing, and Bijibal and Shahabaz Aman for music. Halal Love Story will be bankrolled by Aashiq Abu, Jesna Ashim and Harshad Ali. Aashiq Abu and Zakariya Mohammed share a good rapport, as the latter played a role in the former’s critically acclaimed film Virus. Incidentally, the film also had Indrajith in an important role. On being a part of Halal Love Story, Indrajith Sukumaran was quoted in an interview to...
- 10/16/2019
- by Vidya
- The News Minute
MollywoodTo be directed by Muhsin Parari, the film will also have Soubin Shahir playing another lead.Digital NativeTovino Thomas’s next movie was revealed on Saturday. To be directed by Muhsin Parari, the film is titled Thallumaala. Tovino took to social media and unveiled the title. The film also has Soubin Shahir playing another lead in the film. The film marks the first time collaboration of Tovino and Soubin. The film is the second directorial venture of Muhsin Parari, who started his career by directing Kl 10 Patthu released in 2015. Though the film was critically acclaimed it did not perform well at the box-office. He later co-wrote Sudani from Nigeria with director Zakariya Mohammed, which became a blockbuster hit. His recent work is Virus, directed by Aashiq Abu. Muhsin co-wrote the script with Suhas and Sharafu. To be bankrolled by Aashiq Abu and Rima Kallingal under the banner Opm, the technical...
- 10/6/2019
- by Vidya
- The News Minute
MollywoodSamuel Abiola Robinson has alleged that he was paid less than Rs 5 lakh and that the producer had not kept his promise of paying him more.Tnm StaffNineteen-year-old Nigerian actor Samuel Abiola Robinson, who recently starred in the Malayalam film Sudani from Nigeria has alleged that he was paid less because of racism. The actor, who plays the role of a footballer in Sudani, put up the allegations on his social media pages. Stating that he experienced racial discrimination from producers in Kerala, Samuel wrote, "I'm saying this now because i cannot sit back and allow it happen to another helpless young black actor. I believe that i was a victim of racial discrimination while in Kerala. It was nothing violent or directly in my face but for my role in Sudani from Nigeria, the producers offered me far less money than Indian actors who are not half as popular or accomplished as i am would normally earn. I only became better enlightened after meeting with several young actors and discussing payment with them. I am of the opinion that this happened purely because of my skin color and the assumption that all africans are poor and don't know the value of money (sic)." Samuel added that the director and writer of the film, Zakariya, had done his best but that he couldn't change things much because he wasn't financing the film himself. In Nigeria, Samuel is a popular actor who has featured in films and TV series, including Desperate Housewives Africa. Calling Zakariya a brilliant director with a "good heart", Samuel went on to say, "Promises were made to me by the producers while shooting to pay me more if the movie eventually becomes successful but no promise has been honoured and now i am back in Nigeria. I believe the promises were simply tools of Manipulation to get me to eagerly commit the 5 months of availability for work being October, November, December 2017, January and March 2018 for the shoot and promotion of the movie (sic)." The actor pointed out that despite the success of the film, the promises made to him had allegedly not been kept: "The movie is a huge commercial success now and i am grateful for all the love that the fans have shown me and i have been privileged to experience the warm culture of Kerala but i can no longer suffer in silence about this. As i am black, it is my responsibility to speak up because it could ease the suffering of the next generation of black actors. Say no to racial or caste discrimination (sic)." In an earlier interview to Tnm before the release of the film, Samuel was asked whether he'd experienced racism in India. At the time, the actor had said, "Well, racism is a problem all around the world. I'd say that for the most part of my stay in Kerala, I've had a very pleasant experience. I haven't experienced any sort of direct racism. I felt very comfortable here. Nobody has treated me badly… no direct discrimination anyway. There may have been some subtle things. But nothing directly, in my face, for the most part. I don't want to dwell on that. I've had a wonderful experience in Kerala." Also read: From people to porotta, I love Kerala: African actor Samuel of 'Sudani from Nigeria' Speaking to Tnm, Samuel said that he'd decided to open up now because the producers had gone back on their word. "I was paid less than the Rs 5-15 lakhs that Indian newcomers receive in Kerala and this is why I believe it is racial discrimination," he said. Samuel further added that he was promised payment before he returned to Nigeria but that he still hasn't received the money. "The producers are acting like the promise didn't exist and this is what prompted me to go to the media," he said. Samuel has also put up a video in which he says he was offended by how he was treated and says he feels he was singled out this way only because of his colour. Sudani from Nigeria released on March 23 in Kerala. It has been produced by Happy Hours Entertainment and distributed by E4 Entertainment. Popular actor Soubin Shahir is also part of the cast. The makers of the film are yet to offer their comments on the issue. Read Samuel's post here:...
- 3/31/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
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