Classmates (film)

Infobox_Film
name = Classmates

| director = Lal Jose
producer =
writer = James Albert
starring = Prithviraj
Indrajith
Kavya Madhavan
Narain
Jayasurya
music = Alex Paul
cinematography =
editing =
production_company =
distributor =
released = 25 August 2006
runtime =
rating =
country = India
awards =
language = Malayalam
budget = 1.5 crores
gross =
imdb_id = 0867145|

Classmates (2006) is a movie about the alumni of a college re-uniting after 15 years. The film was directed by Lal Jose. It features Prithviraj, Indrajith, Kavya Madhavan, Narain, Jayasurya and others as the eponymous classmates. The screenplay was written by James Albert. According to The Hindu & Sify, 'Classmates' is one of the biggest blockbusters in the history of Malayalam cinema which, according to trade reports, may collect a distributors' share of Rs.10 crore!. [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2006/12/29/stories/2006122900200100.htm] [http://sify.com/movies/malayalam/fullstory.php?id=14360444] . The songs of the movie were an all-time hit.

Plot

The film opens with the efforts of a college professor, Iyer, and his wife to arrange a reunion of the batch of 1991. As these former classmates gather to relive their memories of college life and share with each other their stories, some unforeseen events occur.

The film portrays the coming together of the chemistry class of 1991 from CMS college. They are gathered together for the opening of a music hall in memory of their classmate Murali(Narain) who had died in the final year of college. After the ceremony is over, the friends retire back to their old hostel rooms, where they recollect their college life. However, later that night, Sukumaran(Prithviraj), one of the former college students, is found strangled with a piece of wire tied to his bed. Is it a suicide attempt in the wake of his divorce, or was it an attempted homicide? This forms the crux of the story.

As Sukumaran lies in the hospital struggling for his life, Pious, Sukumaran's best friend, recounts their college life to Professor Iyer, in the hope some event might provide a clue to what happened that night.

Sukumaran(PrithviRaj) and Satheesan Kanjhikuzhi(Jayasurya) were the leaders of two rival political parties at the college.They had an intense dislike for each other on the grounds of politics as well as personal rivalry.Thara Kurup(Kavya Madhavan)was a student of the college.She and Sukumaran were enemies initially, but later they fall in love with each other.Satheesan,who was a trouble maker, plans to separate Thara and Sukumaran. He succeeds in this by placing a love letter written by Thara in the ballot box amongst other votes polled in the college elections. This results in Thara and Sukumaran separating with Thara leaving the college and joining an Arts and Dance school in Chennai while Sukumaran drops out of college.

In the end ,after analysis of the story and other investigation, the person who strangled Sukumaran is found, which is totally different from what the storyline tells us.It turns out to be Rasiya, a classmate of Sukumaran who strangled him, avenging for the death of Murali,her lover.Sukumaran unknowingly had suffocated Murali with chloroform on the night he tried to steal the love letter in the ballot box,thinking that he might some hitman send by Satheesan Kanjhikuzhi.Rasiya hears this when Sukumaran confesses this to Thara on the night of their reunion.

However, Sukumaran escapes death and forgives Rasiya.Also, Sukumaran and Thara rediscover their love for each other.The final scene shows Sukumaran seeing an image of their college gang along with Murali waving goodbye as he leaves.

Cast

Awards

* Radikha ... Best Supporting Actress In Amrita Films Awards 2006
* James Albert... Best Script writer in Asianet film awards
* Kerala state award for the best wholesome entertaintment movie given to Producer PK Murali.
* Vineeth Sreenivasan....Best Male Playback singer

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box office

it had a comfortable 150 days run in all releasing centers and 250 days in kerala's capital town.the film collected 40 million in theaters.

Critical acclaim

Despite being released alongside much-hyped Mohanlal star movie, Classmates managed to garner much critical acclaim and mass popularity. The well-told story showcases very believable characters, who are wonderfully portrayed by the ensemble cast of a younger generation of artists. However, the immense popularity of the movie can be mainly attributed to the portrayal of college life in Kerala, which most of the target audience were able to identify with. Many viewers responded that the movie was almost like a walk down memory lane. Also, the elegant technique of flashback, used throughout the movie, added to the suspense and visual charm that Lal Jose had managed to maintain. Fact|date=February 2007

Rather than giving importance to a pivotal character, the movie incorporated many prominent young actors of malayalam cinema and was a mix of all essential parts of a successful campus movie such as Romance, politics, songs, action and comedy. All of the songs in this movie were very popular and especially "Ente Khalbile", who won critical acclaim among the music lovers.

The performance of actress Radhika (Raziya) was highly appreciated.

Classmates is being re-made into Tamil, with Prithviraj playing the lead again. Narain is replaced by Shakthi Vasu & Kavya is replaced by Priyamani. The movie is tentatively titled, 'Ninaithaale Inikkum'. [http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/apr-08-03/ninaithale-inikkum-14-04-08.html]

Radikha Won Best Supporting Actress As "Raziya" In Amrita Films Awards 2006