Hubbry Logo
Angel JohnAngel JohnMain
Open search
Angel John
Community hub
Angel John
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Angel John
Angel John
Angel John
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Angel John
Directed byS. L. Puram Jayasurya
Written byS. L. Puram Jayasurya
Manaf
Produced byK. K. Narayana Das
StarringMohanlal
Shanthanu Bhagyaraj
Lalu Alex
Nithya Menen
CinematographyAjayan Vincent
Lokanathan
Edited byBijith Bala
Music byOuseppachan
Production
company
Reels on Wheels
Distributed byMaxlaab Entertainments
Release date
  • 22 October 2009 (2009-10-22)
Running time
130 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Angel John is a 2009 Indian Malayalam-language fantasy comedy film co-written and directed by S. L. Puram Jayasurya. It stars Mohanlal and Shanthanu Bhagyaraj (in his debut of Malayalam film) in leading roles Nithya Menen, Lalu Alex, Vijayaraghavan, Jagathy Sreekumar and Salim Kumar in supporting roles.[1][2] The music was composed by Ouseppachan.[3]

Plot

[edit]

Maradonna is an aimless youngster who likes to waste his time doing practically nothing other than fooling around. For him everything in life is "Oru Rasam" (just fun). He likes to take the easy way out and lacks focus in his life. He is the only son of Joseph, a Banker and Mary, who dotes on him. The only person who has a soft corner for him is Sofia who is the daughter of a failed filmmaker, Kuruvilla.

Maradonna messes up his life by getting into company of friends and starting an internet café that fails after a group of goons destroys it and to recoup his losses and attracted by ‘easy money’ he gets into drugs. Soon he is conned and loses everything after pledging his house to a ‘blade’ moneylender Rajan. On hearing the news his father is hospitalised and his mother finally loses faith in him. A shattered Maradonna decides to commit suicide by jumping from a lighthouse into the sea. As he is about to jump, he is held back by a divine force in the form of Angel John, who offers him a new lease on life. Angel John offers him two destinies, the first one is a life filled with good and bad events and the second one being a life with only happiness and he can live the way he want. Angel John also predicts that Maradonna will die aged 66 if he chooses the first offer. If he goes for the second he will die aged 22. The drunken Maradona chooses the second one. The Angel fulfills his desires but the same desires will not be fulfilled again. But as his desires gets fulfilled his death will also be near. Not thinking about the consequences he takes the easy way which starts with Rs.5 lakh to getting his house back from Rajan.

When Kadar Moosa tries to win a world record by holding breath underwater, he gets caught in a fishing net and dies without getting out. Angel, knowing of this incident, tells Maradonna but tells him he will not save Moosa. Maradonna jumps into the water to save Moosa followed by Angel and gives back his life again. Followed by the incident there was a colony get together in which Moosa shares his real intention in record winning was that he wanted his wife Zeenath to come back and followed by Kuruvilla's film which a producer accepted as the script Sofia wrote (script idea by Angel).

Everyone was happy except Maradonna who is sad because he is going to die that day as told by Angel. Maradonna asks Angel "what will he do if it was Angel in his position?". To which Angel replies "He will go to the God's dearest children (meaning handicapped children). When Maradonna goes there he sees the persons who conned many children, Maradonna gets into a fight with one of them who was his friend Chandran. A twelve year old boy tries to stab Chandran but by mistake Maradonna gets stabbed as Angel said. When Angel and Maradonna (soul of Maradonna) goes to the roof Angel waits for God's grace and sends Maradonna (soul) back to his body. Angel explains to him why he is not taking Maradonna with him and departs. The next scene takes us to Maradonna, being an obedient boy who listens to his parents, while Angel comes to Rajan's house and saves him from committing suicide.

Cast

[edit]

Soundtrack

[edit]

The music was composed by Ouseppachan, with lyrics written by Ouseppachan, S. L. Puram Jayasurya, Manaf and Subhash Varma.

No. Song Singers Lyrics Length (m:ss)
1 "Makane" Franco, Rajesh Vijay Ouseppachan, S. L. Puram Jayasurya, Manaf
2 "Thirakkumbol" Franco, Hariharan Subhash Varma

Reception

[edit]

A critic from Sify praised Mohanlal's performance and noted the film's effective blend of sentiment, comedy, and action.[3] A critic from Rediff.com gave two out of five stars, panning the film's lack of originality and subpar performances.[2] A critic from Indiaglitz opined that Angel John falls short due to its cliched narrative, lack of realism, and Mohanlal's star image overshadowing his characterization, despite notable performances from the cast and impressive technical aspects.[4]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Angel John

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Angel John is a 2009 Indian Malayalam-language fantasy comedy film co-written and directed by S. L. Puram Jayasurya, featuring in the titular role of a alongside debutant as the protagonist Maradonna, an aimless young man whose reckless lifestyle leads to a divine intervention that forces him to confront the consequences of his choices. The story centers on Maradonna, a B.Com graduate uninterested in a stable job and drawn to quick-money schemes, including associations with dubious characters, which culminate in financial ruin and a ; rescued by the enigmatic Angel John, he is given a second chance to redeem himself through moral lessons and personal growth. Supporting cast includes , , and , with the film blending elements of humor, , and fantasy to explore themes of responsibility and redemption. Produced by K. K. Narayana Das under the banner of Creative Team Productions and released on October 22, , it marked Jayasurya's directorial debut and Shanthanu Bhagyaraj's entry into . Despite 's charismatic performance as the affable angel, the film received mixed to negative reviews for its uneven pacing, predictable plot, and underdeveloped characters, earning a low rating of 2.8/10 from 448 users, though it found a niche for its lighthearted, feel-good moments and the star's appeal. The soundtrack, composed by , contributed to its commercial viability in theaters, but it underperformed at the compared to expectations for a starrer.

Background and production

Development

S. L. Puram Jayasurya made his directorial debut with the film Speed Track, following a stint as on notable projects such as (1993). Angel John marked his second feature as director, where he also co-wrote the alongside Manaf, incorporating fantasy elements that explore alternate life paths for the protagonist. The film was produced by K. K. Narayanan Das under the Creative Team banner, with production announced in early to capitalize on Mohanlal's involvement as the lead. Principal photography was set to commence by July.

Casting

The casting for Angel John centered on assembling a mix of established stars and newcomers to blend fantasy elements with comedic and dramatic tones. Director S. L. Puram , who co-wrote the script, envisioned in the pivotal title role of Angel John, an affable in human form, after conceptualizing the story as a fusion of fantasy and reality where the angel aids a troubled . 's involvement was crucial, as he was navigating a demanding 2009 schedule that included multiple projects, yet he committed to the lead role amid his busy commitments. For the protagonist Maradonna, a spoilt and aimless young man, Tamil actor was selected for his debut, bringing youthful energy to the role despite facing a significant that required intensive preparation. was cast as Sofia, Maradonna's neighbor, in one of her early prominent roles following her initial film appearances. Supporting roles were filled by seasoned including as Joseph, as James Kuruvilla, , and , chosen to provide a balance of humor and emotional depth in the ensemble. The overall selection emphasized an ensemble dynamic to support the film's comedy-fantasy hybrid, with Mohanlal's subtle, transformative portrayal designed as a narrative anchor.

Filming

Principal photography for Angel John commenced in July 2009 in , , with principal scenes shot at locations including the GCDA complex near Marine Drive. The production utilized urban settings in for key sequences blending everyday life with fantastical elements, while additional shooting occurred in two schedules to accommodate the narrative's mix of reality and fantasy. Cinematography was handled by Ajayan Vincent and Loganathan Srinivasan, who employed techniques such as trolley-mounted cameras for dynamic tracking shots and close-ups to capture the film's whimsical tone. The visuals emphasized a realistic presentation of the story's supernatural aspects, aligning with the low-budget approach of the independent production. Editing was overseen by Bijith Bala, resulting in a final runtime of 130 minutes that maintained a brisk pace suitable for the comedy-fantasy genre. Mohanlal's schedule as the lead, portraying the titular angel, required careful coordination during his sequences.

Synopsis and cast

Plot

Maradonna is an aimless young man living in , who remains unemployed and drifts through life without direction or ambition. Deeply in love with , a kind-hearted woman, he nonetheless becomes entangled with local goons after a failed deal that spirals out of control, exacerbating his already precarious situation. Facing complete financial ruin and mounting debts from his poor choices, Maradonna reaches a breaking point and attempts by jumping from a in a drunken state. In a pivotal moment of divine intervention, Angel John appears before him, preventing his death and offering guidance. The angel presents two offers to Maradonna: the first, a path of honest hard work and ethical living, leading to redemption, marriage to , a stable family life, and death at age 66; the second, continued involvement in and recklessness, resulting in further moral decay, profound personal losses, and an early demise at age 22. However, in his drunken state, Maradonna chooses the second path. As the dire consequences unfold, with the angel's occasional guidance, he confronts the goons, rebuilds his relationships, and ultimately turns his life around, securing a positive outcome that underscores themes of fate, personal choice, and the redemptive power of second chances, all interwoven with fantastical elements of angelic intervention.

Cast

The principal cast of Angel John is led by , who portrays the titular character Angel John, a benevolent serving as the central figure in the film's fantasy elements. plays Maradonna Joseph, the film's flawed and aimless protagonist who undergoes personal transformation through supernatural intervention. This marked Bhagyaraj's debut in . essays the role of , Maradonna's supportive love interest who embodies emotional stability amid the chaos. Angel John represents one of Menen's early entries in Malayalam films following her debut in the industry. The supporting cast features as Joseph, Maradonna's father who provides familial grounding to the narrative. Ambika appears as Mary, contributing to the family dynamics as Maradonna's mother. Vijayaraghavan plays James Kuruvilla, the antagonistic goon leader who heightens the conflict for the protagonist. Comic relief is provided by as Moosa and in their respective roles, enhancing the ensemble's lighter moments. Additional minor roles, including friends and extended family members portrayed by actors such as Baiju as the and Premkumar as the fireman, add depth to the community interactions surrounding the main characters.

Music

Composition

Ouseppachan composed the music for Angel John, including the score and two songs. The soundtrack features ethereal tones in the score to evoke the film's mystical elements. The songs' lyrics were penned by and Manaf for "Makane," sung by Franco Simon Neelankavil and Rajesh Vijay, while Subhash Varma wrote the lyrics for "Thirakkumbol," sung by Hariharan and Neelankavil.

Track listing

The soundtrack album for Angel John, released in 2009, consists of two songs composed by , with a total runtime of approximately 7 minutes. No additional background tracks are listed separately in the album. The tracks are as follows:
No.TitleSingersLyricist(s)LengthDescription
1"Makane" Neelankavil, Rajesh VijayS. L. Puram , Manaf3:04Father-son themed
2"Thirakkumbol"Hariharan, NeelankavilSubhash Varma3:56Uplifting track
The credits for singers and lyricists are confirmed across multiple music databases.

Release

Theatrical release

Angel John was released theatrically on 22 October across major theaters in . The film was distributed by Maxlab Entertainments. A sneak preview was held on 18 October at the Four Frames theatre in for the family of lead actor . The film received a U certification from the , indicating it was suitable for unrestricted public exhibition. Its initial rollout included screenings in key venues. Marketing efforts focused on promotional trailers that highlighted Mohanlal's special appearance as the titular angel, alongside posters emphasizing the film's fantasy theme and redemptive narrative.

Home media

The DVD release of Angel John occurred on April 8, 2010, distributed by in the format with audio and subtitles, marking the film's initial availability in . The film became accessible via digital streaming platforms starting around 2019, available on with audio and English subtitles for audiences in and select international regions; as of November 2025, it remains available on and . In , an HD version was uploaded to for archival purposes by unofficial channels, providing free access but without official remastering credits.

Reception

Critical response

Angel John received mixed to negative reviews from critics upon its release, with an average user rating of 2.8 out of 10 on based on 10,448 votes. Reviewers often highlighted the film's attempt at blending fantasy and but noted its failure to deliver engaging content. Critics praised Mohanlal's nuanced portrayal of the angel, describing it as an effort to inject into an otherwise lackluster narrative through playful expressions and flashy styling. The subtle humor in the fantasy sequences provided occasional chuckles, particularly through Santhanu Bhagyaraj's performance, while Nithya Menen's subdued yet fresh presence as added a touch of to the proceedings. However, the script faced widespread criticism for its lack of originality, predictable plot developments, and clichéd elements that undermined the fantasy premise. Supporting actors, including and , were underutilized in roles that failed to generate laughs or depth, with the direction's pacing—marked by stretched subplots and a disjointed climax—reflecting inexperience in handling the material. Comparisons to Hollywood fantasies like underscored the film's shortcomings, as reviewers deemed it a turgid affair that could not fully salvage.

Box office

Angel John was deemed a commercial flop, as it failed to recover its ₹3 budget, resulting in distributor share falling below cost. In , the film saw a sharp decline in subsequent weeks due to negative word-of-mouth. Contributing factors included competition from other releases such as , which grossed around ₹21 worldwide and became one of the year's top performers, as well as unmet high expectations for a starrer.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1545976/
  2. https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/movies/angel-john.html
  3. https://letterboxd.com/film/angel-john/
  4. https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2009/Jul/12/angel-john-commences-67361.html
  5. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2051927/
  6. http://movies.rediff.com/report/2009/oct/23/south-malayalam-movie-review-angel-john.htm
  7. https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Heavenly-encounter/article16879526.ece
  8. https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Master-of-the-game/article16883403.ece
  9. https://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2009/sep/11/slide-show-1-south-mohanlal-plays-angel.htm
  10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1545976/fullcredits/
  11. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/405991
  12. https://movies.rediff.com/report/2009/oct/23/south-malayalam-movie-review-angel-john.htm
  13. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1545976/reviews/
  14. http://vivekranjit.blogspot.com/2009/10/angel-john-bland.html
  15. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/405991/cast
  16. https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/i-see-balti-as-my-relaunch-in-malayalam-cinema-says-shantanu-bhagyaraj-10265122/
  17. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3383930/
  18. https://www.malayalachalachithram.com/movie.php?i=4110
  19. https://en.msidb.org/m.php?6613
  20. https://gaana.com/album/angel-john-original-motion-picture-soundtrack
  21. https://www.malayalachalachithram.com/listsongs.php?m=4110
  22. https://www.malayalachalachithram.com/song.php?i=17070
  23. https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2009/angel-john-release-211009.html
  24. https://movies.bizhat.com/films/angel_john.php
  25. https://www.imdb.com/video/vi1582348313/
  26. https://www.amazon.in/Angel-John-Mohanlal/dp/B00FAISNIS
  27. https://www.hotstar.com/in/movies/angel-john/1000037736/watch
  28. https://play.google.com/store/movies/details/Angel_John?id=C1DA8A3CA50D444DMV&hl=en_US
  29. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaJ9K2jai-A
  30. https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/6893/malayalam/angel-john/2372/review.htm
  31. https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-malayalam-movie-review-angel-john/20091023.htm
  32. https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2009/robinhood-fifty-161109.html
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.