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Pakida
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| Pakida | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Sunil Karyattukara |
| Written by | Rajesh Rajendran Sreejith N. |
| Produced by | Sagar Shereef Kartha Seagulf |
| Starring | Asif Ali Biju Menon Malavika Nair |
| Cinematography | Sameer Haq |
| Edited by | Manoj |
| Music by | Bijibal |
Production companies | Sagar & Seagulf Productions |
| Distributed by | Sagar Cinema Release |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Pakida (transl. Dice) is a 2014 Indian Malayalam-language road movie directed by Sunil Karyattukara, written by Rajesh Rajendran and Sreejith N., and starring Asif Ali and Biju Menon with Malavika Nair, Shine Tom Chacko, Aju Varghese, Vishnu G Raghav, and Anjo Jose in supporting roles. The film was released on 14 February 2014.
Plot
[edit]This article's plot summary needs to be improved. (June 2021) |
Five friends - Aadhi, Rafeeq, C. P., Pauly, and Balu - are graduates in automobile engineering and are close to each other. Aadhi has a love affair. He meets a middle-aged man, George Koshy Anthrapper, who walks with the help of a walking stick. Aadhi accompanies Anthrapper on a journey to Rameswaram. They come across Sunny and a Tamil girl, Kani.
Cast
[edit]- Asif Ali as Aadhi
- Biju Menon as George Koshy Anthraper
- Shine Tom Chacko as Sunny
- Malavika Nair as Kani
- Aju Varghese as Maathan
- Vishnu G Raghav as Rafik
- Anjo Jose
- Sajid Yahiya as Sherif
- Apoorva Bose as Pooja
- Renji Panicker Sreekumar
- P. Balachandran as Adhi's father
- Balaji Sharma as Xaiver
- Assim Jamal as Stephen
Production
[edit]Pakida is the second movie of Sunil Karyattukara after Chacko Randaaman.[1] Filming was carried in Tamil Nadu and Kochi, Kerala.[2]
Soundtrack
[edit]The music was composed by Bijibal with lyrics by Rafeeq Ahamed, Jophy Tharakan, and Nillai Jayanthi.
| Track | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Aaranaara" | Najim Arshad, Vinod Menon | 3:56 |
| 2 | "Ee Poo Veyilil" | Soumya T. R. | 3:12 |
| 3 | "Item Song" | Anuradha Sriram |
Release
[edit]The film was released in theatres on 14 February 2014.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Asif, Biju team up for a road movie, Pakida
- ^ George, Vijay (5 September 2013). "On Location: Pakida - Thrill of the road". The Hindu. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Pakida Movie Review {2.5/5}: Critic Review of Pakida". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
External links
[edit]Pakida
View on GrokipediaBackground and development
Development
Pakida marked the directorial debut of Sunil Karyattukara in a feature film, with the project announced in mid-2013 as a Malayalam road thriller.[4] The script, penned by Rajesh Rajendran and Sreejith N., centers on an eventful road journey undertaken by strangers, blending elements of mystery and revenge into a narrative of chance encounters and escalating tension.[5][6] The film's conceptualization drew from the dynamics of impromptu road trips, emphasizing how unforeseen incidents alter the protagonists' paths, with the title Pakida—meaning "dice"—evoking themes of fate and unpredictability woven into the storyline. Development progressed swiftly, with production handled by Sagar Shereef and Kartha Seagulf under their banners, aiming for a release initially slated for late 2013.[7] During this phase, lead roles were assigned to Asif Ali and Biju Menon, setting the tone for the film's exploration of camaraderie amid peril.[1]Casting
Asif Ali was cast in the lead role of Aadhi, the protagonist and a jobless engineering graduate navigating personal challenges.[8] Biju Menon was selected to portray George Koshy Anthrapper, the enigmatic and mysterious traveler central to the narrative's dynamics.[2] His casting drew early attention for the distinctive appearance reminiscent of his role in Salt N Pepper, suiting the character's intriguing persona.[2] Malavika Nair was chosen for the role of Kani, the Tamil girl whom the characters encounter during their travels.[9] The supporting cast featured Shine Tom Chacko as Sunny, one of Aadhi's close friends; Aju Varghese as Maathan; Vishnu G. Raghav as Rafik; and Anjo Jose in a supporting role.[10] Additional roles included Balaji Sarma in a supporting role, contributing to the ensemble of youthful characters.[11] The selections emphasized actors capable of embodying the camaraderie and unpredictability inherent in the road trip premise.[2]Plot and characters
Plot
Pakida follows Aadhi, an unemployed automobile engineering graduate living in Kochi, who shares a close bond with his four friends—Rafeeq, C.P., Pauly, and Balu—all fellow graduates leading a carefree, jobless existence filled with petty adventures and escapades.[12] On Christmas Eve, during a boisterous party, Rafeeq suffers a severe accident by falling from a building, landing in critical condition and plunging the group into financial desperation as they scramble for funds to cover his medical treatment.[12][13] Desperate to save his friend, Aadhi steals a car from his father's workshop and attempts to sell it quickly; he encounters the enigmatic George Koshy Anthraper, a reserved traveler who agrees to buy the vehicle for a substantial sum of Rs 2 lakhs but insists on an unusual condition: Aadhi must accompany him on a road trip from Kochi to Madurai.[12][13] Reluctant yet compelled by his circumstances, Aadhi agrees, and the duo sets off in the stolen car, with George revealing little about himself while exhibiting odd, concealing behaviors that heighten the tension.[14] As the journey unfolds along the winding roads toward Madurai—and eventually extending toward Rameswaram—the pair encounters Sunny and Kani, two individuals whose involvement introduces layers of intrigue and complication to their travels.[14][15] Through these interactions, gradual revelations emerge about George's troubled past, intertwining themes of revenge, unresolved mysteries, and the capricious role of fate, drawing Aadhi deeper into a web of suspense that tests his loyalty and resourcefulness.[14][12] The narrative builds to a climactic confrontation in Madurai, where the dice—symbolizing chance and inevitability, as evoked by the film's title—play a pivotal role in the escalating conflicts and character revelations, forcing Aadhi to navigate moral dilemmas and physical dangers amid George's hidden vendetta.[12][15] In the resolution, Aadhi emerges transformed from the ordeal, having unraveled the stranger's secrets and confronted the consequences of his impulsive choices, ultimately returning to Kochi with a newfound perspective on friendship and destiny.[13][15]Cast
The cast of Pakida features a mix of established and emerging Malayalam cinema actors, portraying characters central to the film's road thriller narrative.[11]| Actor | Character | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Asif Ali | Aadhi | The protagonist, a young man embarking on an unexpected road trip that shapes the story's core journey.[11][16] |
| Biju Menon | George Koshy Anthraper | An enigmatic guide figure encountered during the trip, providing cryptic insights and direction.[11][16] |
| Malavika Nair | Kani | A mysterious companion who joins the travelers, adding layers of intrigue to their interactions.[11][16] |
| Shine Tom Chacko | Sunny | An antagonist figure whose presence introduces tension and conflict within the group.[11][16] |
| Aju Varghese | Maathan / C.P. | One of Aadhi's close friends, contributing to the early camaraderie and support in the narrative.[11][16] |
| Vishnu G. Raghav | Rafik / Rafeeq | Another of Aadhi's friends, involved in the initial group dynamics and adventures.[11][16] |
| Sajid Yahiya | Pauly | One of Aadhi's close friends, contributing to the early camaraderie and support in the narrative.[17][18] |
| Anjo Jose | Balu | Aadhi's friend who participates in the group's bonding and challenges at the outset.[17][18] |
Production
Filming
Principal photography for Pakida primarily took place in 2013.[19] Initial scenes were filmed in Kochi, Kerala, utilizing locations such as HMT Junction, Kalamassery, and the Seaport-Airport road to establish the story's starting point.[1] The crew subsequently shifted to various roads and towns in Tamil Nadu for the film's road trip sequences, capturing the protagonists' journey from Kochi toward Madurai along authentic routes to enhance realism.[1] Shooting on actual roads posed significant logistical challenges, particularly in managing vehicle-based action with an old Contessa car serving as the central prop; cameras were mounted inside the vehicle to film dynamic interior and exterior shots during travel.[1] The production contended with variable weather conditions, including scorching sunlight in Tamil Nadu that fatigued the cast and crew, contrasted by heavy rains back in Kerala, which disrupted schedules.[1] Tight timelines further intensified the effort, as the team often raced against sunset to complete exterior scenes before losing natural light.[1] Cinematographer Sameer Haq handled the visuals, employing a practical, location-oriented approach that prioritized fluid road cinematography to underscore the mounting tension of the narrative's journey.[1]Post-production
The post-production of Pakida focused on refining the film's road trip thriller structure through careful editing and sound integration to build suspense. The editing was handled by Manoj, who assembled the footage to maintain a taut narrative pace, emphasizing the characters' journey and escalating tension during key sequences.[20] Sound design played a crucial role in enhancing the atmospheric elements, with the team incorporating ambient road noises, vehicle sounds, and subtle thriller motifs to immerse viewers in the protagonists' perilous travels. The sound department included sound editors Rabeesh B.R. and Arun S. Mani, along with sound effects editor Sandeep Kumar, who contributed to the final audio mix at Oli Sound Labs.[11] Visual effects were kept minimal, limited to enhancements in accident sequences and smooth transitions between locations, ensuring the film's realistic tone remained intact without relying on heavy CGI. Post-production wrapped up in late 2013, allowing for the film's theatrical release on February 14, 2014.[1]Music
Composition
The music for Pakida was composed by Bijibal Maniyil, a renowned figure in Malayalam cinema known for his innovative soundtracks in films such as Idukki Gold (2013) and Annayum Rasoolum (2013). Bijibal's selection for the project aligned with the film's road thriller genre, allowing him to craft an album that complemented the narrative's tension and mobility.[21] Bijibal's compositional approach blended suspenseful thriller elements with breezy, lilting melodies to evoke the road trip atmosphere, featuring fresh arrangements that incorporated Spanish-flavored acoustic guitar intros, classical electric guitar riffs, violin accents, and staccato progressions for rhythmic energy. The soundtrack consists of four songs, including an item number, emphasizing a pristine, hummable quality that avoids overly commercial tropes while building atmospheric depth.[21] The recording process involved close collaborations with playback singers, including Najim Arshad for the track "Aaraanaaraa," where vocal performances were layered to heighten the tracks' emotional and dynamic range. These sessions focused on achieving a cohesive sound that mirrored the film's pacing, with Bijibal overseeing arrangements to ensure instrumental elements supported the vocal interpretations.[21] In the film, Bijibal's score and songs significantly enhance the mystery and emotional beats of the protagonists' journey, with the background music serving as a dynamic force that amplifies suspense and underscores key thriller moments, often cited as one of the production's strongest technical aspects.[13]Track listing
The soundtrack album of Pakida features four original songs composed by Bijibal, supplemented by background score, and was released in 2014 prior to the film's theatrical debut.[22][21]| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Aaraanaaraa" | Najim Arshad, Vinod Menon | 3:56 | Duet featured in a journey montage sequence.[23] |
| 2 | "Ee Pooveyilil" | Soumya Ramakrishnan, Vinod Menon | 3:12 | Romantic folk tune highlighting character interactions.[23][24] |
| 3 | "Naa Maruthu" (Item song) | Anuradha Sriram | 3:44 | Upbeat number for lighter, energetic moments.[23][25] |
| 4 | "Nin Neermizhi" | Chithra Arun, Vinod Menon | 3:11 | Melodic track with emotional depth.[23][26] |
