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Mandharam
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| Mandharam | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Vijesh Vijay[1] |
| Screenplay by | M. Sajas |
| Story by | Vijesh Vijay |
| Produced by | Monisha Rajeev Tinu Thomas |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Bahul Ramesh |
| Edited by | Vivek Harshan |
| Music by | Mujeeb Majeed |
Production company | Magic Mountain Cinemas |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Mandharam (transl. Hibiscus) is a 2018 Indian Malayalam-language romance film directed by Vijesh Vijay and scripted by M. Sajas,[1] with Asif Ali in the lead role.[2] The film was produced by Monisha Rajeev and Tinu Thomas under the banner of Magic Mountain Cinemas.[3][4]
Plot
[edit] | This article needs a plot summary. (September 2024) |
Cast
[edit]- Asif Ali as Rajesh
- Arjun Ashokan as Renjith
- Varsha Bollamma as Charu
- Anarkali Marikar as Devika
- Jacob Gregory as Tittu
- Vineeth Vishwam as Nazer
- Arjun Nandhakumar as Roshan
- Sandeep Narayanan as police officer
- Megha Mathew
- K. B. Ganesh Kumar as Satheesh, Rajesh's father
- Kausalya as Lakshmi, Rajesh's mother
- Srikant Murali as Chellappan, Charu's uncle
- Krishna Prasad
- Unni Dev
- Indrans
- Karthika Kannan
- Badri Krishna
- Krittika Pradeep[3]
Production
[edit]Mandaram was produced by Monisha Rajeev and Tinu Thomas under the company Magic Mountain Cinemas.[5][6] The film has Asif Ali in five looks.[7][1] The story spans 25-plus years – from the protagonist's childhood to his life at 32. So, Asif will be seen in different appearances in each stage of the character's life.[8][9]
Music
[edit]Mandharam is a music-oriented film and features 7 songs. It also marks the debut of composer Mujeeb Majeed.[10]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nooru Vattam | Vinayak Sasikumar | Sinov Raj |
| 2 | Kanne Kanne | Shabareesh Varma | Neha Venugopal, Niranj Suresh |
| 3 | Mittayi | Vijesh Vijay | Anusha Joseph |
| 4 | Pulari Mazhakal | Vinayak Sasikumar | Shaktisree Gopalan, Balu Thankachan |
| 5 | Neeye Neeye | Shabareesh Varma | Ajay C. Jameson |
| 6 | Mizhimuna | Vijesh Vijay | Vipin Lal |
| 7 | Kadalazham | Vinayak Sasikumar, Piyush Kapoor | Karthik, Zia Ul Haq, Piyush Kapoor |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Sidhardhan, Sanjith (20 June 2017). "Asif Ali to sport five looks in Mandaram". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- ^ "All you want to know about #VijeshVijay". FilmiBeat. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- ^ a b "Mandaram (2018) | Mandaram Malayalam Movie | Mandaram Review, Cast & Crew, Release Date, Photos, Videos". FilmiBeat. Archived from the original on 22 November 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- ^ Jayaram, Deepika (17 February 2018). "Asif Ali starrer Mandaram heads towards the last schedule of shoot". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- ^ "Mandaram (2017) - Malayalam Movie Mandaram - Mandaram Cast & Crew, Trailers, Reviews". NOWRUNNING. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- ^ "Asif Ali to romance Anarkali in Mandaram". The New Indian Express. 21 September 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- ^ "Asif Ali to appear in five different looks for upcoming Malayalam film 'Mandaram'". The New Indian Express. 16 February 2018. Archived from the original on 22 November 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- ^ Sidhardhan, Sanjith. "Asif Ali starts shoot of Mandaram in Delhi". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- ^ "Asif Ali: Mandaaram is not a road movie". The Times of India. 1 June 2018. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- ^ "Asif Ali's next is a coming-of-age drama". Cinema Express. 16 February 2018. Archived from the original on 22 November 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
External links
[edit]Mandharam
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Background and development
Concept and writing
The concept for Mandharam originated as a coming-of-age romance drawn from the personal experiences and observations of debutant director Vijesh Vijay, particularly his reflections on emotional journeys in youthful relationships and personal growth.[4] Vijay collaborated closely with screenwriter M. Sajas, whose own life insights shaped the narrative, emphasizing relatable situations that span decades of the protagonist Rajesh's life from childhood infatuation to mature emotional fulfillment.[4] The story traces Rajesh's evolution through stages of love, highlighting the warmth derived from friendships, family bonds, and romantic connections that foster contentment amid life's ups and downs.[1][5] The scriptwriting process, led by M. Sajas in his feature debut, involved iterative drafts that focused on the protagonist's internal emotional arc, evolving from schoolboy crushes to deeper, more reflective forms of love.[6] Early versions underwent revisions, with several initial concepts discarded due to narrative or technical challenges, before settling on a structure that balanced romance with themes of personal maturity and relational harmony.[6] Sajas and Vijay, bonded by their shared passion for cinema, refined the screenplay to prioritize universal appeal, incorporating elements of friendship and parental influence to underscore the protagonist's journey toward emotional contentment.[6][4] Vijay envisioned Mandharam as a light-hearted romantic comedy that evokes positive emotions and entertains through its feel-good tone, deliberately diverging from the heavier dramatic conventions often seen in Malayalam cinema by focusing on uplifting, relatable romance.[7] Influenced by films like Premam, he aimed to craft a narrative that celebrates the progression from youthful infatuation to enduring love.[4] The project was announced in early 2018 under the Magic Mountain Cinemas banner, produced by Monisha Rajeev and Tinu Thomas, marking the production house's first feature film.[5] Asif Ali was cast in the lead role of Rajesh to embody this multi-stage character arc.[5]Pre-production
The pre-production of Mandharam began in late 2017, focusing on assembling the core technical team to support debut director Vijesh Vijay's vision for a romantic narrative spanning the protagonist's life stages. The key crew included cinematographer Bahul Ramesh, responsible for capturing the film's nostalgic and emotional tones, editor Vivek Harshan, who handled the pacing of the multi-phase story, and music director Mujeeb Majeed, contributing to the soundtrack's sentimental elements.[6] Financing was managed by producers Monisha Rajeev and Tinu Thomas under Magic Mountain Cinemas, the company's inaugural Malayalam production, with budget allocations kept modest to accommodate the debut status of both director and writer, prioritizing efficient resource use for a character-driven story.[6] The pre-production timeline spanned several months, incorporating script readings with the cast and storyboard development to map out key sequences, culminating in the release of the first look poster in June 2018 ahead of principal photography.[6]Cast and characters
Principal cast
Asif Ali stars as Rajesh, the central protagonist whose narrative arc traces his personal growth across multiple life stages, from an infatuated schoolboy discovering romance to a mature adult finding contentment through enduring relationships and self-reflection.[1][7] Ali, drawing on his experience in romantic leads from films like Anuraga Karikkin Vellam (2016) and Vijay Superum Pournamiyum (2019), was particularly drawn to the role for the chance to portray an "out-and-out romantic" character in a travelogue-style story spanning from college years onward, marking a deliberate shift toward quality romantic projects in his career.[8] He appears in five distinct looks to reflect Rajesh's evolution over more than 25 years.[7] Varsha Bollamma portrays Charu, the primary female lead whose presence adds emotional layers and relational warmth to Rajesh's journey, highlighting themes of love, indecision, and connection during his young adult phase.[1][2] Bollamma, who entered Malayalam cinema earlier that year with her debut in Kalyanam, was selected for the role to bring a fresh dynamic to the romantic ensemble opposite Ali.[4] The casting emphasized actors capable of conveying the film's feel-good coming-of-age tone, with Ali's commitment noted by the screenwriter for prioritizing the project amid his busy schedule.[6] Anarkali Marikar portrays Devika, another significant female character who contributes to the romantic elements and the protagonist's emotional journey.[1]Supporting cast
The supporting cast of Mandharam features a mix of experienced Malayalam actors who portray Rajesh's friends, family, and acquaintances, effectively illustrating his evolving social relationships across different life stages. Jacob Gregory plays Tittu, Rajesh's loyal friend who injects humor and camaraderie into the narrative, particularly during the protagonist's youthful escapades and personal dilemmas. Similarly, Dharmajan Bolgatty appears as Biju, a sidekick friend delivering comedic support that bolsters the film's lighthearted rom-com vibe while aiding Rajesh's character development. Arjun Ashokan plays Renjith, another close friend providing comic relief and support.[9] Family members are depicted through roles like K. B. Ganesh Kumar as Rajesh's father, offering grounded familial insights into the protagonist's transitions from adolescence to adulthood. Indrans and Megha Mathew also contribute in supporting capacities as relatives, adding emotional layers to Rajesh's home life without dominating the central storyline.[10] Vineeth Vishwam portrays Nazer, another companion in Rajesh's circle, reinforcing the theme of enduring friendships amid romantic pursuits.[11] Guest appearances include Sshivada as Dr. Soumya, Renji Panicker as Charu's father, and Lalu Alex as Rajesh's teacher, adding depth to the ensemble.[1] To authentically capture Rajesh's growth, child actors were selected for the younger portrayals: Eric Zachariah as the child version of Rajesh, handling early innocent scenes with natural poise in one of his initial film roles, and Abraham Evan Anil as the teenage Rajesh, bridging the gap to the adult character seamlessly.[12] These choices by director Vijesh Vijay emphasize continuity in the ensemble, drawing on performers familiar with youth-oriented narratives for realistic depictions of school and early adult phases.[3] The ensemble's dynamics complement the leads by providing comic relief and relational context, enhancing the rom-com tone through subtle interactions that highlight Rajesh's social support system and life changes, all while keeping the focus on the principal characters' arcs.[13]Production
Filming
Principal photography for Mandharam commenced in August 2017 and concluded by May 2018.[14][15] Filming took place primarily in Delhi, Leh, and Ladakh, with additional shoots in Kerala.[14] The crew's technical setup, including camera rigs for dynamic shots, supported these efforts but was further refined in post-production.Post-production
The post-production phase of Mandharam was led by editor Vivek Harshan.[16] Harshan's work emphasized smooth transitions across the protagonist's life stages, drawing from raw footage captured in various locations to maintain emotional continuity.[17] Sound design and mixing integrated the background score composed by Mujeeb Majeed, enhancing the film's emotional depth during key relational developments and romantic sequences. This process ensured the audio elements complemented the visual storytelling without overpowering the dialogue-driven rom-com tone. Color grading, overseen in collaboration with cinematographer Bahul Ramesh, used vibrant palettes for youthful scenes and more subdued tones for mature phases to visually delineate the passage of time.[18] Minor visual effects were incorporated for transitional montages symbolizing life journeys, with supervision by Lavan Prakasan and contributions from artists Jijo Cleetus and Vishnu Vijayan.[19] Post-production was completed ahead of the film's October 2018 release.[16]Music
Soundtrack
The soundtrack of Mandharam was composed by Mujeeb Majeed in his debut as a film music director, marking a significant entry into mainstream Malayalam cinema for the Thrissur-based musician who had previously worked in the industry for eight years.[20] The album consists of seven songs—five full tracks and two bit songs—blending genres such as upbeat melodies, haunting qawwalis, and emotional ballads to reflect the coming-of-age narrative of the protagonist, played by Asif Ali.[20] Lyrics were penned by a team including Vinayak Sasikumar, Shabareesh Varma, Vijesh Vijay, and Piyush Kapoor, with contributions tailored to the story's emotional progression from youthful infatuation to heartbreak and reconciliation.[21] The songs were primarily composed in Bengaluru, with vocal recordings taking place in Chennai studios, emphasizing a story-driven approach where each track advances key plot points rather than serving as mere interludes.[20] For instance, the upbeat "Kanne Kanne," sung by Neha Venugopal and Niranj Suresh with lyrics by Shabareesh Varma, captures the lighthearted romance and school-life vibrancy early in the film, while the qawwali-inspired "Kadalazham," featuring Karthik, Zia Ul Haq, and Piyush Kapoor, delivers a haunting tone for moments of introspection and cultural fusion, with bilingual lyrics by Vinayak Sasikumar and Piyush Kapoor.[20][22][21] Other notable tracks include the playful "Mittayi" by Anusha Joseph, which underscores youthful mischief, and "Pulari Mazhakal" by Shaktisree Gopalan and Balu Thankachan, evoking tender reconciliation themes.[22][21]| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nooru Vattam | Vinayak Sasikumar | Sinov Raj | 3:23 |
| 2 | Kanne Kanne | Shabareesh Varma | Neha Venugopal, Niranj Suresh | 3:18 |
| 3 | Mittayi | Vijesh Vijay | Anusha Joseph | 1:44 |
| 4 | Pulari Mazhakal | Vinayak Sasikumar | Shaktisree Gopalan, Balu Thankachan | 2:15 |
| 5 | Neeye Neeye | Shabareesh Varma | Ajay C. Jameson | 3:02 |
| 6 | Mizhimuna | Vijesh Vijay | Vipin Lal | 2:50 |
| 7 | Kadalazham | Vinayak Sasikumar, Piyush Kapoor | Karthik, Zia Ul Haq, Piyush Kapoor | 6:03 |