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Annan Thampi
Annan Thampi
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Annan Thampi
Film Poster
Directed byAnwar Rasheed
Written byBenny P. Nayarambalam
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyLoganathan Srinivasan
Edited byDon Max
Music byOriginal songs:
Rahul Raj
Background score:
Alex Paul
Production
company
Marikar Films
Distributed byMarikar Release
Release date
  • 17 April 2008 (2008-04-17)
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam
Budget₹3.78 crore[1]

Annan Thampi is a 2008 Indian Malayalam-language action comedy film directed by Anwar Rasheed. The film stars Mammootty in dual role, along with an ensemble cast of Lakshmi Rai, Gopika, Janardhanan, Siddique, Rajan P. Dev, Suraj Venjaramood, Salim Kumar, Harisree Ashokan, Bose Venkat, Urmila Unni, Maniyanpilla Raju, Shivani Bhai, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Joju George, Anil Murali and Jayan Cherthala. The film was a box office success.[2][3]

Plot

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Annan Thampi is the story of twin brothers, Appu and Achu. Appu is a bully who always finds himself in trouble whereas Achu is a naïve speech impaired. Their father Ravunni, a ballet artist, separates them due to sibling rivalry and Appu is sent to live with relatives in Pollachi. The astrologer Madhava Panicker says that the twins are going to be rivals for life and only way to avoid their fighting is to separate them. He says that Appu, should be sent to Pollachi. But when Appu refuses, Madhavan threatens to beat him. This drives Appu frustruated and he tries to kill the Madhavan by dropping a rock on his head. Madhavan is seriously injured and dies but when Appu gets caught by Madhavan's brother-in-law, he acts as Achu, which leads to him to be arrested for the crime even though he is innocent.

30 years later, Appu grows up to be a lovable gangster who falls for Thenmozhi, while Achu marries Lakshmi. Achu does not have kids. But soon major misunderstandings created by their enemies crop up and the brothers are baying for each other's blood. One day, Thenmozhi gets killed by someone and Achu gets framed and arrested, by a false complaint given by Achu's rival and enemy Bharathan. After getting released, Madhavan's sister reveals to Achu that Madhavan was actually killed by his brother-in-law as he tried to expose his wrongdoing to the police and Thenmozhi was actually killed by Appu's friend Govindan, who was Madhavan's son and while tring to rape her, he killed her by accident. She also revealed Govindan teamed up their enemies and made the problems as he thought Appu and Achu killed Madhavan. Eventually, Appu realises Govindan's true face while hitting Achu, thinking that he killed Thenmozhi. They team afterwards and defeats Govindan. Govindan gets arrested by Shyamalan and Appu and Achu goes back to their house. Appu goes back to Pollachi and he gives his son to Achu and Lakshmi to bring him as their son.

Cast

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Release

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The film was released in 75 screens across Kerala. It was made on a budget of 3.78 crore.[1]

Box office

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The film was a commercial success.it went on to become 2nd highest grosser of the year behind twenty20.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] The film collected ₹2 crore from 4 days at the Kerala box office.[14] In two weeks the film had a record distributors share of ₹3.12 crore from 75 screens and gross collection of ₹9.36 crore.[15] It grossed Rs. 30 million in 17 days.[16] It grossed ₹12.75 crore from five weeks.[17]

MG's from B & C stations - Rs 4. 22 crore, Overseas and Indian domestic - Rs 45 lakhs, Television Rights - Rs 95 lakhs, Telugu Remake Rights - Rs 35 lakhs × Total from all rights = Rs 5 . 97 crore # Profit in 25 days = Rs 2.19 crore.[1]

Music

[edit]
Annan Thambi
Soundtrack album by
Released15 July 2009
RecordedSound Of Music, Chennai, India
GenreSoundtrack
Length19:16
LabelSatyam Audios
ProducerRahul Raj
Rahul Raj chronology
Time
(2009)
Annan Thambi
(2009)
Malabar Wedding
(2010)

All songs were composed by Rahul Raj.

Song title Singers
"Chemban Kaale" Jassie Gift
"Ra Chaakanu Pekaali" Afsal, Pradeep Palluruthy, Jyotsna, Smitha Nishant
"Kanmaniye Punyam Nee" Vineeth Sreenivasan
"Kaikkudanna Pakarnnoru" Madhu Balakrishnan

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Annan Thambi is a Indian Malayalam-language action comedy film directed by in his directorial debut, starring in the dual lead roles of twin brothers Appu and Achu, released on 17 2008. The story revolves around the separated siblings, who were parted in childhood due to by their father, a artist, with Appu growing up as a talkative conman in and Achu becoming a mute performer in . Produced by Marikar Films, the film features an ensemble cast including Lakshmi Rai, , Siddique, and Janardhanan, and blends elements of family drama, humor, and action centered on themes of reconciliation and misunderstanding fueled by external enemies. The narrative explores the contrasting personalities of the twins—Appu's boisterous and trouble-prone nature against Achu's reserved demeanor—while highlighting efforts by their loved ones to bridge the gap between them. Written by , the screenplay draws from classic twin-separation tropes common in Indian cinema, incorporating comedic sequences and emotional depth. The film's soundtrack, composed by and , includes popular tracks like "Ra Chakkanu Pekkaali" and "Chemban Kaale," contributing to its light-hearted appeal. Upon release, Annan Thambi received mixed reviews for its entertainment value and Mammootty's versatile performance but was critiqued for predictable plotting, earning an IMDb rating of 5.8 out of 10 based on over 700 user votes. It was a commercial success at the box office and remains a notable entry in Anwar Rasheed's filmography, showcasing his early style before hits like Premam. No major awards were won, though it garnered attention for its family-oriented content and regional cultural references.

Story and characters

Plot

Annan Thambi centers on twin brothers Appu and Achu, whose intense prompts their father, Ravunni—a renowned artist—to separate them in childhood. Ravunni sends the more rebellious Appu to live with relatives in , where he grows into a boisterous small-time and , while Achu remains at home in , developing into a quiet, mute, responsible family man who joins his father's drama troupe. Appu's life is marked by constant conflicts with local goons, including a fierce with the antagonistic Govindan, as he navigates the of Pollachi's markets and schemes for quick gains. Meanwhile, Achu leads a stable existence, having been married to for five years, though their union remains childless, providing a stark contrast to his brother's chaotic and trouble-filled world. The narrative escalates when enemies exploit the brothers' estrangement to create a devastating misunderstanding, framing one for the of Govindan and drawing Achu into as he travels to seeking answers about a related theft. This central conflict unfolds as a , with mistaken identities complicating the investigation and forcing the twins to reunite. In the climax, Appu and Achu join forces to unravel the truth behind Govindan's death, leading to their long-overdue reconciliation and a reaffirmation of family bonds. Appu ultimately entrusts his young son to Achu, hoping to secure a brighter future free from his own turbulent past. Mammootty's portrayal of the dual roles underscores the story's exploration of contrasting personalities. The plot weaves themes of family reconciliation and the perils of mistaken identities as key drivers of its emotional and comedic progression.

Cast

The principal cast of Annan Thambi is led by in a as the twin brothers Appu and Achu, whose contrasting personalities—Appu as the mischievous and talkative conman, Achu as the mute, reserved and responsible one—are shaped by their early separation. This dual performance highlights the film's exploration of sibling dynamics through character contrast. Gopika portrays Lakshmi, Achu's supportive wife and a key family figure. Lakshmi Rai plays Thenmozhi, Appu's wife who features in the comedic subplots. The supporting ensemble includes Janardhanan as Ravunni, the brothers' father and a artist. Siddique appears as Govindan, a local . takes on the role of Peethambaran, a comic sidekick. Other notable ensemble members include and in key comedic and antagonistic parts, contributing to the film's humorous tone.

Production

Development

Annan Thampi marked Anwar Rasheed's third directorial venture, following the commercial successes of () and (). The project was announced as a high-energy action-comedy designed to capitalize on Rasheed's reputation for mass entertainers in . Produced under the banner of Marikar Films by Shahul Hameed Marikar and , the film aimed to deliver a broad-appeal narrative blending humor and action sequences. The screenplay was penned by , representing their second collaboration after , where they had successfully fused comedic elements with ensemble dynamics. Nayarambalam crafted the script around the central premise of twin brothers separated in childhood due to familial conflict, emphasizing contrasting personalities—one a street-smart, verbose and the other a mute yet resilient figure leading a troupe—to drive the action- tone. This conceptualization drew from established family rivalry tropes in films, allowing for humorous clashes and reconciliations while highlighting themes of brotherhood and redemption. Rasheed's vision focused on subverting typical dual-role expectations by portraying the mute character as a non-traditional , avoiding over-reliance on gags and instead building through situational irony and dialogue-driven wit. Pre-production activities, including casting for supporting roles like child actors portraying the young twins, extended into late 2007, with commencing in early 2008 to align with the film's April 2008 release. was brought on board for the lead early in development, leveraging his proven versatility in multifaceted performances from prior films. The planning phase prioritized a fast-paced entertainer suited for multiplex and single-screen audiences, setting the stage for on-location shoots in rural settings to capture the rustic family dynamics.

Filming

Principal photography for Annan Thampi commenced in late February 2008 and wrapped up within approximately two months to meet the film's release schedule. The shoot was primarily conducted in , with key sequences filmed in to depict the rural life of the mute twin Achu and his wife, contrasting the more urban and street-smart environment of his brother Appu in nearby , . These locations highlighted the film's vibrant backdrops, enhancing both the comedic and action elements through natural landscapes and village settings. Cinematography was overseen by , who employed dynamic visuals to capture the colorful locales of , particularly in the high-energy comedy and fight sequences that defined the twins' contrasting worlds. Editing duties fell to Don Max, who maintained the fast-paced rhythm of the narrative by seamlessly integrating the dual timelines of the brothers' lives, ensuring smooth transitions between their parallel storylines. Filming Mammootty's dual roles presented notable challenges, as he portrayed the boisterous Appu and the silent Achu—a mute ballet troupe leader suggested by the actor himself—requiring careful scheduling to handle his scenes without overlap and innovative approaches to convey the mute character's expressions and movements. Anwar Rasheed's direction drew briefly from his action-comedy style in , incorporating energetic shot compositions for the film's rollicking sequences. No major on-set incidents were reported during the 60-day production.

Music

Soundtrack

The soundtrack of Annan Thampi consists of four songs, primarily composed by , with contributions from Joji Hohns on one track, and was released on April 17, 2008, coinciding with the film's theatrical debut. The were penned by a team of writers including Santhosh Varma, , Vayalar Sarathchandra Varma, and Subhash Cherthala, blending folk-inspired rhythms with contemporary pop elements to suit the film's comedic and familial themes. The album features a mix of upbeat ensemble numbers and solo melodic pieces, performed by prominent playback singers such as , , , , Pradeep Palluruthy, Smitha Nishanth, and . These tracks were designed to enhance key scenes, including romantic interludes and humorous sequences involving the protagonists' sibling dynamic.
Track No.TitleSinger(s)LyricistComposerDescription
1Chemban KaaleSanthosh VarmaA lively folk-romantic number capturing rural charm and affection.
2Ra Chakkanu Pekkaali, Afsal, Pradeep Palluruthy, Smitha NishanthAn energetic group song with danceable beats, emphasizing festive and comedic moments.
3Eeshwara (Kanmaniye Punyam Nee)Vayalar Sarathchandra VarmaA tender, melodic solo evoking emotional depth and longing.
4Kaikkudanna PakarnnoruSubhash Joji HohnsA poignant reflecting themes of embrace and reconciliation.

Background score

The background score for the 2008 Malayalam film Annan Thampi was composed by . This instrumental component provides the rhythmic and atmospheric foundation for the 's action-comedy sequences, recorded after the completion of the songs. 's score fuses traditional folk elements with contemporary beats, enhancing key narrative tensions such as twin rivalry and moments of reconciliation. Notable motifs include upbeat, energetic tracks underscoring comedic antics and softer, melodic tones for familial interactions, contributing significantly to the overall pacing. It briefly complements Rahul Raj's in transitional moments to maintain narrative flow.

Release

Theatrical release

Annan Thambi was theatrically released on 17 April 2008 in , distributed by Marikar Release. The film opened on 75 screens across , a significant for a comedy at the time, designed to appeal to family audiences through its light-hearted narrative and ensemble cast. Marketing campaigns emphasized Mammootty's as twin brothers Appu and Achu, with promotional trailers and previews highlighting the comedic contrast between the characters to generate buzz. Song promotions featured the soundtrack's upbeat tracks, released prior to the film to build anticipation, while leveraging director Anwar Rasheed's reputation from his debut . The film received a U/A certification from the Central Board of Film Certification, suitable for general audiences with parental guidance, and has a runtime of 141 minutes. To accommodate high demand, special early screenings were held, including a 3:40 AM show at TVS Theatre in Thanoor and an 8:00 AM screening at Kairali Theatre in , reflecting strong initial fan enthusiasm. No notable regional variations were reported, and screenings were primarily limited to with limited international rollout in Malayalam-speaking diaspora communities. The release timing, shortly after the festival, contributed to its initial audience draw.

Box office

Annan Thambi was a commercial success, grossing ₹3 crore in within its first 17 days, with the majority of collections coming from the state. It was one of the top-grossing films of . The movie recorded a strong opening weekend, bolstered by its season timing and Mammootty's enduring star power, which drew large audiences. Its performance sustained over 50 days in key centers across . The wide release on 75 screens further supported its initial momentum.

Reception

Critical reception

Annan Thambi garnered mixed to positive reviews from critics, who appreciated its blend of action and as a light-hearted entertainer while critiquing its adherence to conventional tropes. Anwar Rasheed's direction was praised for its breezy pace and ability to sustain comedic momentum, marking a successful follow-up to his earlier works like Rajamanickam. The screenplay by was commended for its witty dialogue and humorous scenarios involving the twin protagonists, contributing to the film's appeal. Mammootty's portrayal of the dual roles received particular acclaim for his impeccable and the stark contrast between the siblings, effectively driving the film's humorous core. Supporting performances by actors like and added to the ensemble comedy, creating laugh-out-loud moments through their interplay. Critics highlighted the film's strengths in delivering an engaging action-comedy formula suitable for mass audiences, with effective and enhancing its value. However, some noted weaknesses in the formulaic narrative structure, which limited originality, and occasional over-the-top elements in the humor. described the film as "breezy and entertaining," emphasizing Mammootty's flair as a key draw. On aggregate, the film holds an rating of 5.8/10 based on user votes, underscoring its reception as a solid mass entertainer in .

Audience response

Annan Thambi attracted a strong family audience due to its blend of action and , amplified by Mammootty's charismatic dual performance as the twin brothers Appu and Achchu, which served as a major draw for his fans. The film's humorous sequences and undemanding narrative offered wholesome, light-hearted entertainment suitable for group viewings, evoking consistent laughs through and witty interactions. Among viewers, standout comic scenes featuring as the bumbling Peethambaran and the contrasting twin dynamic between Mammootty's characters emerged as particular favorites, contributing to the film's riotous energy and overall enjoyment. While some audience members found the climax drawn out and less engaging, the prevailing sentiment described the movie as a rousing, feel-good experience despite its formulaic structure. The film played a key role in the wave of successful Malayalam releases in , solidifying director Anwar Rasheed's standing as a purveyor of entertaining action-comedies early in his career. Its enduring popularity is evident in ongoing availability on streaming services like Prime Video and , where it continues to attract viewers seeking nostalgic, breezy fun. Audience ratings underscore this reception, with IMDb users assigning an average of 5.8 out of 10 based on over reviews, often citing its infectious humor and rewatch potential as highlights. In Mammootty's extensive , Annan Thambi stands out as a quintessential entertainer, valued for its straightforward charm and ability to deliver uncomplicated joy.

References

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