Melvilasom
Encyclopedia
Melvilasom is a 2011 Malayalam courtroom drama
film directed by Madhav Ramdasan and written by Soorya Krishna Moorthy
. It stars Suresh Gopi
and Parthiban
in the lead roles, and features Ashokan
, Thalaivasal Vijay
, Nizhalgal Ravi
, Krishnakumar and Sanjay in other pivotal roles. An adaptation of Soorya Krishna Moorthy's stage play of the same name, which itself was based on the Hindi play Court Martial by Swadesh Deepak
, the film reached theatres on 29 April 2011. It received wide critical acclaim upon release. It gets a dubbed release in Tamil
as Ulvilaasam.
The film notably does not feature any woman character or songs. The entire film was shot inside a room and filming was completed in just nine days. Another noteworthy feature about the film is that the film evolves in real-time. Sticking close to the Aristotelian unities, the screen time of two hours dovetails perfectly with real time. Melvilasom was the debut Malayalam film of Tamil actors Parthiban
and Nizhalgal Ravi
.
of a Dalit
soldier, Sawar Ramachandran (Parthiban
), who has been accused of killing Capt. Verma and attempting to kill Capt. Kapoor (Krishnakumar), while on guard duty. There are eyewitnesses who have noted that the incident happened in a fit of rage but are clueless about what actually transpired before Ramachandran used his weapon and even Ramachandran has pleaded guilty without being ready to disclose anything else. Prosecutor Capt. Ajay Suri (Nizhalkal Ravi) has every intention to set the noose hanging and ready for Ramachandran. From the outset, Captain Vikas Ray (Suresh Gopi
), who defends the accused, is pessimistic about his chances of saving his client. But, still, he is bent on finding the truth behind the incident. And the truth is an eye opener for the army as well as society.
. It was staged for the first time at Gorky Bhavan in 2005. It became a major success, and has been staged at more than 400 stages around the world. The play was based on the Hindi play Court Martial (1991) by Swadesh Deepak
. It was also inspired by real-life incidents narrated by Krishnamoorthy's mentor Gopi Poojapura, a former soldier in the Indian army. The film also gives credit to Court Martial and Gopi Poojapura.
, in ten days.
labelled the film a "welcome experiment in Malayalam". The film is described as "technically brilliant".Film director Madhav Ramadasan giving a good contribution as a dissimilar making style in Malayalam typical film making. This film appears a big blow in film making traditional line of attack in India and Kerala. In regard to performances, the critic praises Suresh Gopi
saying he "is absolutely brilliant as Captain Vikas Roy and he scores with his amazing dialogue delivery." Parthiban
is appreciated as "he gives subtle acting an altogether different meaning, even though his dialogues are limited to only a few minutes. His lines towards the end can leave you with a lump in the throat."
Veeyen of Nowrunning.com stated, "Melvilasom is a reflection of the staunch belief that a film maker has on his script. It displays a fine sensibility in whatever it has to say, and is peppered all over with real enthusiastic performances."
G. Jayakumar of The Hindu
also published an extremely positive review stating, "the story is effectively told with well crafted dialogues and riveting performances by the main actors."
Paresh C. Palicha rated the film three in a scale of five and said, "Melvilasom is exciting as it experiments with new ways of storytelling. Melvilasom is the kind of film that leaves you happy for simply surpassing your expectations."
'Melvilasom' got selected to the 16th Busan International Film Festival, in Busan
( BIFF ), South Korea
.
Melvilasom has been selected to the Indian Panorama section of the 42nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI)in Goa.
Legal drama
A legal drama is a work of dramatic fiction about crime and civil litigation. Subtypes of legal dramas include courtroom dramas and legal thrillers, and come in all forms, including novels, television shows, and films. Legal drama sometimes overlap with crime drama, most notably in the case of Law...
film directed by Madhav Ramdasan and written by Soorya Krishna Moorthy
Soorya Krishnamoorthy
Nataraja Krishnamoorthy, better known as Soorya Krishnamoorthy , is the founder-director of the SOORYA Stage and Film Society. The Society, based in Thiruvananthapuram, India promotes Indian arts and culture and is now renowned for organizing the Soorya Festival - the longest and one of the most...
. It stars Suresh Gopi
Suresh Gopi
Suresh Gopinathan Nair , often credited as Suresh Gopi , is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Malayalam cinema; he is famous for his roles in police dramas. He is noted for his leading roles as much as his character roles...
and Parthiban
Parthiban
Parthiepan is a Tamil film actor, director, film producer and writer. Parthiepan is known for having directed critically acclaimed films like Pudhiya Paadhai and Housefull and for his performances in films like Bharathi Kannamma, Vetri Kodi Kattu, Azhagi and Aayirathil Oruvan.-Career:He came from a...
in the lead roles, and features Ashokan
Ashokan (actor)
Ashokan is Malayalam actor who is best known for his roles in Peruvazhiyambalam, In Harihar Nagar and Amaram.-Career:He made debut in 1978 was Peruvazhiyambalam was directed by Padmarajan where he played as a 15 year old boy who becomes fugitive after killing of bully...
, Thalaivasal Vijay
Thalaivasal Vijay
Thalaivasal Vijay is a Tamil film actor. He is noted for his character roles, especially in R. Sukumaran's 2010 Malayalam film Yugapurushan as Narayana Guru...
, Nizhalgal Ravi
Nizhalgal Ravi
Nizhalgal Ravi is an Indian actor who has performed in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films. He started his career in 1980 with the film Nizhalgal.-Career:...
, Krishnakumar and Sanjay in other pivotal roles. An adaptation of Soorya Krishna Moorthy's stage play of the same name, which itself was based on the Hindi play Court Martial by Swadesh Deepak
Swadesh Deepak
Swadesh Deepak is a popular Indian playwright, novelist and short-story writer. Deepak has been active on the Hindi literary scene since the mid 1960s and is best known for Court Martial, a pathbreaking play that he published in 1991. Deepak's most recent book is Maine Mandu Nahin Dekha, a...
, the film reached theatres on 29 April 2011. It received wide critical acclaim upon release. It gets a dubbed release in Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
as Ulvilaasam.
The film notably does not feature any woman character or songs. The entire film was shot inside a room and filming was completed in just nine days. Another noteworthy feature about the film is that the film evolves in real-time. Sticking close to the Aristotelian unities, the screen time of two hours dovetails perfectly with real time. Melvilasom was the debut Malayalam film of Tamil actors Parthiban
Parthiban
Parthiepan is a Tamil film actor, director, film producer and writer. Parthiepan is known for having directed critically acclaimed films like Pudhiya Paadhai and Housefull and for his performances in films like Bharathi Kannamma, Vetri Kodi Kattu, Azhagi and Aayirathil Oruvan.-Career:He came from a...
and Nizhalgal Ravi
Nizhalgal Ravi
Nizhalgal Ravi is an Indian actor who has performed in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films. He started his career in 1980 with the film Nizhalgal.-Career:...
.
Plot
The film traces the progress of a court martialCourt-martial
A court-martial is a military court. A court-martial is empowered to determine the guilt of members of the armed forces subject to military law, and, if the defendant is found guilty, to decide upon punishment.Most militaries maintain a court-martial system to try cases in which a breach of...
of a Dalit
Dalit
Dalit is a designation for a group of people traditionally regarded as Untouchable. Dalits are a mixed population, consisting of numerous castes from all over South Asia; they speak a variety of languages and practice a multitude of religions...
soldier, Sawar Ramachandran (Parthiban
Parthiban
Parthiepan is a Tamil film actor, director, film producer and writer. Parthiepan is known for having directed critically acclaimed films like Pudhiya Paadhai and Housefull and for his performances in films like Bharathi Kannamma, Vetri Kodi Kattu, Azhagi and Aayirathil Oruvan.-Career:He came from a...
), who has been accused of killing Capt. Verma and attempting to kill Capt. Kapoor (Krishnakumar), while on guard duty. There are eyewitnesses who have noted that the incident happened in a fit of rage but are clueless about what actually transpired before Ramachandran used his weapon and even Ramachandran has pleaded guilty without being ready to disclose anything else. Prosecutor Capt. Ajay Suri (Nizhalkal Ravi) has every intention to set the noose hanging and ready for Ramachandran. From the outset, Captain Vikas Ray (Suresh Gopi
Suresh Gopi
Suresh Gopinathan Nair , often credited as Suresh Gopi , is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Malayalam cinema; he is famous for his roles in police dramas. He is noted for his leading roles as much as his character roles...
), who defends the accused, is pessimistic about his chances of saving his client. But, still, he is bent on finding the truth behind the incident. And the truth is an eye opener for the army as well as society.
Cast
- Suresh GopiSuresh GopiSuresh Gopinathan Nair , often credited as Suresh Gopi , is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Malayalam cinema; he is famous for his roles in police dramas. He is noted for his leading roles as much as his character roles...
as Captain Vikas Ray - ParthibanParthibanParthiepan is a Tamil film actor, director, film producer and writer. Parthiepan is known for having directed critically acclaimed films like Pudhiya Paadhai and Housefull and for his performances in films like Bharathi Kannamma, Vetri Kodi Kattu, Azhagi and Aayirathil Oruvan.-Career:He came from a...
as Sawar Ramachandran - AshokanAshokan (actor)Ashokan is Malayalam actor who is best known for his roles in Peruvazhiyambalam, In Harihar Nagar and Amaram.-Career:He made debut in 1978 was Peruvazhiyambalam was directed by Padmarajan where he played as a 15 year old boy who becomes fugitive after killing of bully...
as Dr. Gupta - Thalaivasal VijayThalaivasal VijayThalaivasal Vijay is a Tamil film actor. He is noted for his character roles, especially in R. Sukumaran's 2010 Malayalam film Yugapurushan as Narayana Guru...
as Colonel Surat Singh - Nizhalgal RaviNizhalgal RaviNizhalgal Ravi is an Indian actor who has performed in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films. He started his career in 1980 with the film Nizhalgal.-Career:...
as Captain Ajay Suri - Krishna KumarKrishna Kumar (actor)KK is an Indian film actor who has appeared in Tamil and Malayalam films in supporting roles.-Filmography:- References :...
as Captain B. D. Kapoor - Sanjay as Lieutenant Cololel Brajrendra Rawat
Play
The film is based on the play of the same name that marked the theatre debut of Soorya Krishna MoorthySoorya Krishnamoorthy
Nataraja Krishnamoorthy, better known as Soorya Krishnamoorthy , is the founder-director of the SOORYA Stage and Film Society. The Society, based in Thiruvananthapuram, India promotes Indian arts and culture and is now renowned for organizing the Soorya Festival - the longest and one of the most...
. It was staged for the first time at Gorky Bhavan in 2005. It became a major success, and has been staged at more than 400 stages around the world. The play was based on the Hindi play Court Martial (1991) by Swadesh Deepak
Swadesh Deepak
Swadesh Deepak is a popular Indian playwright, novelist and short-story writer. Deepak has been active on the Hindi literary scene since the mid 1960s and is best known for Court Martial, a pathbreaking play that he published in 1991. Deepak's most recent book is Maine Mandu Nahin Dekha, a...
. It was also inspired by real-life incidents narrated by Krishnamoorthy's mentor Gopi Poojapura, a former soldier in the Indian army. The film also gives credit to Court Martial and Gopi Poojapura.
Filming
The film was shot from in a single room at the University Men's Hostel in ThiruvananthapuramThiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
, in ten days.
Critical reception
The film received wide critical acclaim. A critic from SifySify
Sify Technologies Limited is an Internet service provider established in 1998, based in Chennai, India.-Company profile:...
labelled the film a "welcome experiment in Malayalam". The film is described as "technically brilliant".Film director Madhav Ramadasan giving a good contribution as a dissimilar making style in Malayalam typical film making. This film appears a big blow in film making traditional line of attack in India and Kerala. In regard to performances, the critic praises Suresh Gopi
Suresh Gopi
Suresh Gopinathan Nair , often credited as Suresh Gopi , is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Malayalam cinema; he is famous for his roles in police dramas. He is noted for his leading roles as much as his character roles...
saying he "is absolutely brilliant as Captain Vikas Roy and he scores with his amazing dialogue delivery." Parthiban
Parthiban
Parthiepan is a Tamil film actor, director, film producer and writer. Parthiepan is known for having directed critically acclaimed films like Pudhiya Paadhai and Housefull and for his performances in films like Bharathi Kannamma, Vetri Kodi Kattu, Azhagi and Aayirathil Oruvan.-Career:He came from a...
is appreciated as "he gives subtle acting an altogether different meaning, even though his dialogues are limited to only a few minutes. His lines towards the end can leave you with a lump in the throat."
Veeyen of Nowrunning.com stated, "Melvilasom is a reflection of the staunch belief that a film maker has on his script. It displays a fine sensibility in whatever it has to say, and is peppered all over with real enthusiastic performances."
G. Jayakumar of The Hindu
The Hindu
The Hindu is an Indian English-language daily newspaper founded and continuously published in Chennai since 1878. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it has a circulation of 1.46 million copies as of December 2009. The enterprise employed over 1,600 workers and gross income reached $40...
also published an extremely positive review stating, "the story is effectively told with well crafted dialogues and riveting performances by the main actors."
Paresh C. Palicha rated the film three in a scale of five and said, "Melvilasom is exciting as it experiments with new ways of storytelling. Melvilasom is the kind of film that leaves you happy for simply surpassing your expectations."
'Melvilasom' got selected to the 16th Busan International Film Festival, in Busan
Busan
Busan , formerly spelled Pusan is South Korea's second largest metropolis after Seoul, with a population of around 3.6 million. The Metropolitan area population is 4,399,515 as of 2010. It is the largest port city in South Korea and the fifth largest port in the world...
( BIFF ), South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
.
Melvilasom has been selected to the Indian Panorama section of the 42nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI)in Goa.