Thirakkatha

Infobox Film
name = Thirakkatha

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image_size =
caption = Samvrutha and Prithviraj
director = Renjith
producer = Renjith and Maha Subair
writer = Renjith
narrator =
starring = Prithviraj
Priyamani
Anoop Menon
Samvrutha Sunil
Nishanth Sagar
Renjith
Mallika Sukumaran
Cochin Haneefa
music = Sharath
cinematography = M.J. Radhakrishnan
editing = Vijay Shankar
distributor =
released = 12 September 2008
runtime = 2 Hours
country = India
language = Malayalam
budget =
gross =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website = http://www.varnachithrabigscreen.com/Thirakkada/index.html
amg_id =
imdb_id =

"Thirakkatha" (Screenplay) is a 2008 romantic Malayalam film written and directed by Renjith. Thirakkatha 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. In Thirakkatha, Director Renjith has drawn inspiration from the life of many actresses especially from the romantic link-up of the late actress Srividya with actor Kamal Haasan. He has adopted a special narrative style for the film. The story shifts between the present and flash back through the perspective of different characters. The story is divided into three monologues which meet in the climax. The film has garnered positive reviews from the critics and audiences alike.

Cast

Plot Summary

Akbar Ahmed (Prithviraj) 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 girl friend Devayani (Samvrutha Sunil) along with a group of friends, all share a passion for Cinema. It was with them that Akbar directed and produced his first film, which went on to become a huge success. Akbar also runs a cafeteria called 'Casablanca' named after the classic Hollywood film. For Akbar, Cinema is not a job, it is his passion. Though his first film was a huge success, there were allegations that it was copied from a Hollywood film. So Akbar decides to choose a very different kind of story for his second film and he sets on a journey in search of it.

Akbar decides to base his second film on the life of yesteryear actress Malavika (Priyamani), who was once a very popular actress and whose present whereabouts are unknown. Akbar and his friends go tracking Malavika’s biography. Her husband was Ajaya Chandran (Anoop Menon). Currently Ajayachandran is the reigning super star of the industry. Akbar starts his search from the late film director Aby Kuruvila’s (Augustine) 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 break up 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.

Reception

The film was received well with the 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". [http://nowrunning.com/movie/reviews/moviereview.aspx?movie=5473&rid=1799] Paresh C Palicha at Rediff.com opined that "It is exciting to see Renjith bounce back to form with his best effort so far." [http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/sep/15sst2.htm] Almost all reviewers were unanimous about the brilliant performances of the lead stars, especially of Priyamani, Anoop Menon and Prithviraj.

References