The Malayalam multi-starrer with Nivin Pauly in the lead role focuses on the early history of the Kochi port. Thurmukham to release on June 10
The Malayalam multi-starrer with Nivin Pauly in the lead role focuses on the early history of the Kochi port. thuramukham release on June 10
Cinematographer-director Rajeev Ravi says, “For me, filmmaking is a document of sorts, directing critically acclaimed films such as Kammati Padam, Njan Steve Lopez And Anayam Rasoolam.
Over the phone, on his way to the sets in Mumbai early in the morning, he elaborates: “I am not unnecessarily worried about the box office. Success and money will come and go. I want to document forgotten events and incidents in the recent past that are being erased from our collective memory. Also, current events should also be documented.”
The films directed by Rajiv are hitting the theaters after six years. Kuttavam ShikshayumStarring Asif Ali, released on 27 May.
His thuramukhamA multi-starrer, which has been waiting in the wings for two years, is releasing on June 10. Meanwhile, Rajeev is busy filming in Bollywood, working with some of the front rankers of the Hindi film industry.
for workers
talking about Thuramukham, They say that it is set on a broad canvas and tells the story of the port of Kochi; It spans the period from the 1930s to the 1950s, when a protest at the port was brutally suppressed by the authorities on September 15, 1953, and three workers were killed in a shootout.
“Migrant workers of various backgrounds, many fleeing the fallout of the Moplah rebellion in Malabar (1921–22) and some from places like Kollam have made Mattancherry their home. Kochi and Mattachery have an interesting history, says Rajeev.
A strike was organized in 1953 by the undivided Communist Party, which first formed a union at the port. Chithira Tirunal Balarama Varma, the last king of the then Travancore, was the main investor in the port. The film begins and ends with a strike before work begins on the port. “A crude method of selecting casual workers for the day, known as the Chappa system, existed at that time, in which a metal token was thrown at the workers and those who managed to obtain one were asked to work. was allowed. In the early stages of the port, the Chappa system was controlled by? moopons And Till then the protest against the arbitrary selection of workers by the unions had not been organized. thuramukham Covers that period,” says Rajiv.
Nivin Poly In thuramukham, directed by Rajeev Ravi. photo credit: special arrangement
Although there were protests in nearby Mattancherry, not many people in Kochi were aware of the incident, what led to it and what followed. “Despite being in Kochi, I had never heard of the protests and firing. The only time I’ve seen it mentioned was by author John Abraham. amma arianOne scene in which the characters are shown walking through walls ravaged by bullets and they talk about the shootouts there,” explains Rajeev.
Later, he heard about a play, thuramukham Written by his friend’s father KM Chidambaram. Hailing from Pallurathi in Kochi, Chidambaram knew people who had participated in the protests and had heard about it firsthand.
remember 1953
In 2018, the play was staged in Kochi in association with Uru Art Haber and Rajeev recalls how pleasantly he was surprised to see the response to the play. The residents of Mattancherry welcomed the audience to the play. “He was proud of his memories. This memory is what triggers this film. I wanted to show that Mattancherry is a place with beautiful memories,” says Rajeev.
With a screenplay by Gopan Chidambaram, the film’s cast includes Nivin Pauly, Indrajit, Joju George, Nimisha Sajayan, Poornima Indrajit, Manikandan R Acharya, Sudev Nair, Arjun Ashokan and Darshan Rajendran.
His casting depends on the characters of his films. Rajeev says films like his would not have been made in Malayalam cinema without the support of a youth brigade who enjoy working out of their comfort zones.
Nivin Poly In thuramukham, directed by Rajeev Ravi. photo credit: special arrangement
Nivin living in the limelight thuramukham, is a “powerful actor whose potential has not been tapped by the directors”. Actors like Dulquer, Fahad and Asif are ready to play characters outside the mainstream, says Rajeev.
“If I think an actor is a good fit for a role, I have no problem with him being the star.”
calling thuramukham A cautionary tale, he says, it tells us that history repeats itself and that people can only be pushed to an extent before they react. , thuramukham Dedicated to those who have fallen in many protests around the world,” he says.
Reality bites are the strength of Rajiv’s films. Kuttavam ShikshayumRajiv’s previous film was also based on a real incident. According to him, the film is basically a kind of reportage. Theft in a temple is investigated by a team of officers who have to travel to another state to track down the thieves. “What I want to convey in the film is not on your face. It is subtle and one has to read between the lines and pay attention to what is happening,” says Rajeev.
He says that though he loves directing, he wants to work on his ideas and develop them into scripts. “I can’t dictate a script written by someone to explore their ideas.”