Gulumal-The Escape
Encyclopedia
Gulumaal: The Escape is a 2009 Malayalam crime
comedy film
directed by V. K. Prakash
and written by Rajesh Y. V., starring Jayasurya
and Kunchacko Boban
in the lead roles. It is an uncredited remake
of the 2000 Argentine film
Nine Queens. It released on 4 December 2009 and was a super hit at the box office. The film was shot in digital format by cinematographer Fowzia Fathima.
) and Ravi Varma (Kunchako Boban), and Jerry's sister. Jerry has been a con-man from childhood. He and his sister are separated due to Jerry's idea to bring the family house under his own name. His father finds out about his plot, though, and his sister does not approve of his fraudulent activities. Ravi Varma, another conman, enters the scene. Jerry is impressed by Ravi's smartness, and both of them plan a big heist. They get the idea from a thief, Bose. Both plan to trick an NRI
played by Devan.
The story starts with the arrest of Ravi Varma (Kunchako Boban), whose father has just been arrested due to a fraud case. He plans, along with a skilled conman to steal money from a petrol station, and is caught, but he escapes with the help of Jerry (Jayasurya
), who has also been trying to pull off a similar act. After Ravi Varma proves himself to Jerry, an old acquaintance (who is a forger) tells Jerry of a copy painting that he could possibly trick an NRI
into for 50 lakhs. This information creates a rift in the newly formed friendship as they go out and try to outdo each other to get the money. To add a twist to the story, Jerry's sister, who has been against him because of a court case, works at the hotel that the NRI is staying at. Both Ravi Varma and the NRI fall in love with her. They eventually lose the painting and have to buy the original out of fear. They eventually do so, pooling in money they had decided not to use (from mortgages and court), buy the original and sell it to the NRI for 3 crore. Another incident on the same night separates Jerry and his sister further, and then the duo (Jerry and Ravi Varma) learn that the cheque given to them is not valid. They fall into a fight and decide to split up and part ways. The story follows with Jerry, who runs into the master fraud from the beginning of the story, whom he had not known initially. The master fraud brings him to resolve out the story, at which point the plot takes an interesting twist. Jerry realizes he has arrived at the wedding of Ravi Varma and his sister! He also finds out that the entire sequence of events starting from the gas station incident had been completely staged as a form of gentle revenge in return for the scam which had sent Ravi Varma's father to jail. Jerry asks for forgiveness from everyone and leaves the wedding thereafter. As the credits roll out, Jerry is seen pondering into another possible scam, leaving an open end for a possible sequel to the movie.
's 2000 Argentine
crime drama film Nine Queens (Nueve Reinas). When asked about this, director V. K. Prakash said: "I discovered the Nine Queens connection only after I liked the subject of Gulumaal.
Crime film
Crime films are films which focus on the lives of criminals. The stylistic approach to a crime film varies from realistic portrayals of real-life criminal figures, to the far-fetched evil doings of imaginary arch-villains. Criminal acts are almost always glorified in these movies.- Plays and films...
comedy film
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
directed by V. K. Prakash
V. K. Prakash
V.K Prakash is a renowned advertisement film director who has also directed movies in Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi. He is mainly active in Malayalam film industry. He is the director of Bollywood film called Freaky Chakra in 2003 starring Ranvir Shorey and Deepti Naval. Currently based in Bangalore,...
and written by Rajesh Y. V., starring Jayasurya
Jayasurya
Jayasurya is an Indian film actor and comedian. He made his debut in 2001 in the Malayalam film Dosth and has since acted in about 50 films, notable ones being Swapnakkoodu , Pulival Kalyanam , Chathikkatha Chanthu , Classmates , Gulumaal , Happy Husbands and...
and Kunchacko Boban
Kunchacko Boban
Kunchacko Boban is an Indian film actor who works in Malayalam cinema. He is the grandson of film producer Kunchacko of the erstwhile Udaya Studios and the grandnephew of producer Maliampurackal Appachan...
in the lead roles. It is an uncredited remake
Remake
A remake is a piece of media based primarily on an earlier work of the same medium.-Film:The term "remake" is generally used in reference to a movie which uses an earlier movie as the main source material, rather than in reference to a second, later movie based on the same source...
of the 2000 Argentine film
Cinema of Argentina
The cinema of Argentina has a tradition dating back to the late nineteenth century, and continues to play a role in the culture of Argentina....
Nine Queens. It released on 4 December 2009 and was a super hit at the box office. The film was shot in digital format by cinematographer Fowzia Fathima.
Plot
This is the story of two con-artists Jerry (JayasuryaJayasurya
Jayasurya is an Indian film actor and comedian. He made his debut in 2001 in the Malayalam film Dosth and has since acted in about 50 films, notable ones being Swapnakkoodu , Pulival Kalyanam , Chathikkatha Chanthu , Classmates , Gulumaal , Happy Husbands and...
) and Ravi Varma (Kunchako Boban), and Jerry's sister. Jerry has been a con-man from childhood. He and his sister are separated due to Jerry's idea to bring the family house under his own name. His father finds out about his plot, though, and his sister does not approve of his fraudulent activities. Ravi Varma, another conman, enters the scene. Jerry is impressed by Ravi's smartness, and both of them plan a big heist. They get the idea from a thief, Bose. Both plan to trick an NRI
Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin
A Non-Resident Indian is an Indian citizen who has migrated to another country, a person of Indian origin who is born outside India, or a person of Indian origin who resides permanently outside India. Other terms with the same meaning are overseas Indian and expatriate Indian...
played by Devan.
The story starts with the arrest of Ravi Varma (Kunchako Boban), whose father has just been arrested due to a fraud case. He plans, along with a skilled conman to steal money from a petrol station, and is caught, but he escapes with the help of Jerry (Jayasurya
Jayasurya
Jayasurya is an Indian film actor and comedian. He made his debut in 2001 in the Malayalam film Dosth and has since acted in about 50 films, notable ones being Swapnakkoodu , Pulival Kalyanam , Chathikkatha Chanthu , Classmates , Gulumaal , Happy Husbands and...
), who has also been trying to pull off a similar act. After Ravi Varma proves himself to Jerry, an old acquaintance (who is a forger) tells Jerry of a copy painting that he could possibly trick an NRI
Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin
A Non-Resident Indian is an Indian citizen who has migrated to another country, a person of Indian origin who is born outside India, or a person of Indian origin who resides permanently outside India. Other terms with the same meaning are overseas Indian and expatriate Indian...
into for 50 lakhs. This information creates a rift in the newly formed friendship as they go out and try to outdo each other to get the money. To add a twist to the story, Jerry's sister, who has been against him because of a court case, works at the hotel that the NRI is staying at. Both Ravi Varma and the NRI fall in love with her. They eventually lose the painting and have to buy the original out of fear. They eventually do so, pooling in money they had decided not to use (from mortgages and court), buy the original and sell it to the NRI for 3 crore. Another incident on the same night separates Jerry and his sister further, and then the duo (Jerry and Ravi Varma) learn that the cheque given to them is not valid. They fall into a fight and decide to split up and part ways. The story follows with Jerry, who runs into the master fraud from the beginning of the story, whom he had not known initially. The master fraud brings him to resolve out the story, at which point the plot takes an interesting twist. Jerry realizes he has arrived at the wedding of Ravi Varma and his sister! He also finds out that the entire sequence of events starting from the gas station incident had been completely staged as a form of gentle revenge in return for the scam which had sent Ravi Varma's father to jail. Jerry asks for forgiveness from everyone and leaves the wedding thereafter. As the credits roll out, Jerry is seen pondering into another possible scam, leaving an open end for a possible sequel to the movie.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Jayasoorya Jayasurya Jayasurya is an Indian film actor and comedian. He made his debut in 2001 in the Malayalam film Dosth and has since acted in about 50 films, notable ones being Swapnakkoodu , Pulival Kalyanam , Chathikkatha Chanthu , Classmates , Gulumaal , Happy Husbands and... |
Jerry mathew |
| Kunjakko boban Kunchacko Boban Kunchacko Boban is an Indian film actor who works in Malayalam cinema. He is the grandson of film producer Kunchacko of the erstwhile Udaya Studios and the grandnephew of producer Maliampurackal Appachan... |
Ravi Varma |
| Suraj Venjaramood Suraj Venjaramood Suraj Venjaramood is a Malayalam film actor and mimicry artist. He mainly plays comic roles, though he has played some lead roles as well.-Life:... |
ATS Shambhu |
| Ambika Mohan | Ravi's mother |
| Deavan Devan (actor) Devan is an Indian film actor and politician. He started his film career as the producer of the technically brilliant, but box-office flop movie Vellam and then opted to become an actor. Devan is known for his handling of serious roles, though he started his career with supporting roles... |
NRI |
| Nedumudivenu Nedumudi Venu Nedumudi Venu is a popular Malayalam film actor from Kerala, India. He has also written screenplays and has directed one film.- Early life :... |
Prabhakara Varma |
| Mithra kurian Mithra Kurian Dalma Kurian, better known by her stage name Mithra Kurian , is an Indian film actress who appears in Malayalam and Tamil films. After appearing as a child artiste in a film, she starred in two Tamil films, before essaying lead female roles and gaining attention in Malayalam cinema... |
Sera |
| Manian Pilla Raaju | Rangaswami a.k.a Ahmed |
| Bijukkuttan | Constable |
Release
The film opened to mixed reviews. Sify.com commented that "with a tighter script, better music and lesser length the film could have been even more entertaining", but added, "The best thing about the film could be its unconventional narrative style." Indiaglitz.com called it "stylish and crazy entertainment", praising the film's "intense believability" and "unstoppable flow of brilliantly witty one-liners", but criticized the poor selection of voices in Manu Rameshan's songs. VN of Nowrunning.com gave the film 2.5 out of 5, praising "the amazing camaraderie that its lead actors share" but finding fault with the "cacophony" and substandard picturisation of the songs. VN also noted that Gulumal was "a straight lift off the Argentinian film Nueve Reinas (Nine Queens".Accusation of plagiarism
The film was plagiarised from Fabián BielinskyFabián Bielinsky
Fabián Bielinsky was an Argentine film director born in Buenos Aires.He started to make films early in his life, while still a high school student in the Colegio Nacional de Buenos Aires, after graduation he started studying psychology, a career he shortly followed and dropped out in favor to...
's 2000 Argentine
Cinema of Argentina
The cinema of Argentina has a tradition dating back to the late nineteenth century, and continues to play a role in the culture of Argentina....
crime drama film Nine Queens (Nueve Reinas). When asked about this, director V. K. Prakash said: "I discovered the Nine Queens connection only after I liked the subject of Gulumaal.