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Second Show
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| Second Show | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Srinath Rajendran |
| Written by | Vini Vishwa Lal |
| Produced by | AOPL Entertainment Private Limited |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Pappu |
| Edited by | Praveen K. L. N. B. Srikanth |
| Music by | Nikhil Rajan Avial |
Production company | AOPL Entertainment Private Limited |
| Distributed by |
|
Release date |
|
Running time | 126 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Second Show is a 2012 Indian Malayalam-language neo-noir action thriller film directed by debutante Srinath Rajendran and written by debutante Vini Vishwa Lal. The film, set in the backdrop of criminal gangs of varied varieties in Kerala, tells the story of Harilal alias Lalu who rises from an illicit sand miner to a smuggling baron in a short time. It stars Dulquer Salmaan, Sunny Wayne and Gauthami Nair with a supporting cast such as Rohini, Baburaj and Sudesh Berry.[3] The film marks the acting debuts of Dulquer Salmaan, son of Malayalam actor Mammootty, Sunny Wayne and Gauthami Nair.
Plot
[edit] | This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (March 2022) |
The film proceeds as the flashback of an ex-convict Harilal narrated to a man he meets at a bus stop on a rainy night. It is revealed that Harilal (whose nickname is Lalu) is a poor young man who works for the local sand mafia as a driver. He is friends with Kurudi, whose real name is Nelson Mandela PP. One day while at work, Kurudi draws Lalu to a fight leaving the sand smugglers without a driver that causes them to get caught by the police. Now jobless, Lalu and Kurudi join the group of Chaver Vavachan, who is a financier, and take up the job of retrieving vehicles for non-repayment of loans.
Chaver Vavachan is the younger brother of a notorious former goon 'Chaver Antony' who dies due to a cracker burst by a young lad. Vavachan swears revenge and, after a wait of long 25 years, Vavachan finds the lad (who is now a man) at a hospital and tries to kill him by taking off his oxygen support. Just then, a nurse enters and tries to prevent vavachan from doing it, but she is pushed out. She tries to enter again, but Lalu blocks the way. Angered, the nurse slaps him. Next, she is shown lying on a stretcher, unconscious and having three red lines on her cheek, which reveals that Lalu had given her a tight slap in return. Vavachan completes his revenge by bursting crackers on that man. But unfortunately, he killed one of the henchmen of Vishnu Budhan, an influential smuggler. As revenge, Vishnu Budhan kills Vavachan. Vishnu Budhan's henchmen try to kill Vavachan's men (including Lalu and Kurudi). Lalu and his friends come to know about Vavachan's death and try to flee, but Lalu fears Vishnu Budhan's henchmen might come to his house and harm his mother. So, he leaves his mother at his uncle Janardhan's house. He lies to his mom and uncle that he is the manager at Sastha finance. Janardhan makes Lalu meet the latter's cousin Geetanjali alias Geethu, who was the nurse he had slapped earlier that day. He threatens her not to reveal anything about the hospital incident to his mother. Lalu and Kurudi leave and reach a spot where they meet their friends, but they are confronted by Vishnu Budhan's henchmen, who attacks them. Lalu fights against them. Impressed by his courage, Vishnu Budhan takes Lalu into his gang. During one of Vishnu Budhan's deals, Lalu is betrayed by Vikadan, one of his friends and Vishnu Budhan mistakes Lalu for making away with the goods. Vishnu Budhan's son and friends severely thrash Lalu. When he is admitted in a hospital by his friends, one of his friends receives a call from Sachi, one of Buchan's henchmen and a constable of police. He is forced to move away. After riding far long, he and his friends reaches in his another friend Sethu's house. There he lives with his friends by owning a tea shop. On the next day, his friend Kurudi, who got a job as a taxi driver, comes wired differently than before. He says to others that he met with Bhuddhan's son and beaten him and also that all are his, including his phone. They receive a call from Bhuddhan thinking that it is his son itself and says a load is coming on his way. From here, Lalu and his friends start to fight against Bhudhan. In between, Lalu proposes to Geethu, but she denies it, saying that she cannot fall in love with a goon. But Lalu's uncle was planning to have Geethu married to Lalu. Finally, Geethu accepts his proposal. Lalu, however, returns as a smuggler in his own right and starts overshadowing Vishnu Budhan. Angered by this, Vishnu Budhan kills Kurudi, and Lalu avenges his death by killing Vishnu Budhan and taking over his business. One day, his friend Sachi comes to meet him and tells Lalu to meet the new Commissioner of Police. When Lalu sees him, he learns that Sachi is the Commissioner of Police. Eventually, he is jailed. Lalu loses everything except his mother, who still had faith and love on him. Geethu married some other man. He also lost his business.
Back in the present, as Lalu finishes his narration, he says that he was released that day and was returning home. At that time, he sees a suspicious car parked nearby. Realising it is a trap, Lalu becomes alert, but the man to whom Lalu had just narrated his story shoots him. Before leaving, the man reveals that he was actually sent by Vishnu Bhudhan's son to kill Lalu. The final scene shows Lalu lying badly wounded, but his hand moves slightly, revealing that his chapter is not yet over.
Cast
[edit]- Dulquer Salmaan as Hari Lal
- Sunny Wayne as Kurudi
- Gauthami Nair as Geethanjali Janardanan
- Baburaj in a dual role as:
- Chaver Anthony
- Chaver Vavachan
- Rohini as Devaki, Lalu's mother and Janardanan's sister
- Sudesh Berry as Vishnu Budhan
- Kunjan as Janardanan, Lalu's uncle
- Mithun Nair as Sidharth Budhan, Vishnu Budhan's son
- Bibin Perumbillikunnel as Abu
- Anil Anto as Neerali
- Murali Krishnan as Sethu
- Ratheesh as Ummar
- Aneesh Gopal as Vikadan
- Baiju Varghese as Babu
- Sam as Sunil
- Vijay Kumar as Sachin R. Menon IPS (Sachi)
- Noora Michael as Surabhi
- Sundar as Abhi
- Joby as Kochu
- Sreekumar Kozhikode as SI George
- Robin Wilson as Kuttu
- Jayaraj Kozhikode as Ramettan
- Kottayam Bose as Moopan
- Dominin as Interview
- Bibin as Sajan George
- Sidhu R. Pillai as Shyam
Production
[edit]Dulquer Salman made his debut in films through Second Show. Dulquer starred alongside debutantes Gauthami Nair, Sunny Wayne and debutant director Sreenath Rajendran. Debutant Vini Vishwa Lal has penned the screenplay and dialogue. Pappu's first film, as independent cinematographer. Sakhi Thomas was the costume designer. AOPL International Pvt Ltd produced the film. Kaithapram has handled the music. Avial band also contributed with a musical number. Baburaj alongside others appeared in supporting roles. The Project was designed by Shaz Shabeer Strikers & Crew.
Music
[edit]All lyrics are written by Engandiyur Chandrashekaran; all music is composed by Avial and Nikhil Rajan.
| No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Adipidi" | Nikhil Rajan | 3:30 |
| 2. | "Ee Ramayana" | Sooraj Santhosh, Janani Madhan | 4:19 |
| 3. | "Ee Ramayana" | Janani Madhan | 4:19 |
| 4. | "Ayyo" | Avial | 4:27 |
| 5. | "Thithithara" | Avial | 3:29 |
| 6. | "Arambath" | Avial | 4:22 |
| 7. | "Swapnam" | Naresh Iyer | 4:43 |
| 8. | "Swapnam" | Jakes Bejoy | 4:43 |
Reception
[edit]The film was a commercial success.[4][5][6] Nowrunning rated the film 2.5 out of 5 and said, "Srinath Rajendran's film does have a head-spinning quality to it that leaves you dazed at times, but remains entertaining and witty to the hilt".[7] IndiaGlitz rated the movie 6.5 out of 10 by saying "Overall, Second show though with its share of little negatives, is an honest effort that deserves to be encouraged".[8] Rediff.com gave the film a rating of 2 out of 5 stars and said the movie was disappointing.[9] Sify in its review said that "It is Dulquer's amazing screen presence and a matured acting style that makes the movie an engaging watch." concluding "Ultimately, it's an above average film, at best time-pass viewing. Watch it with no expectations and if you're ready to think unconventional, this film could be a nice option."[10]
References
[edit]- ^ "Dulqar's first movie". IndiaGlitz. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
- ^ "Fox Star studio distributes 'Second Show'". IndiaGlitz. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
- ^ Asianet News (16 September 2011). Second Show: Mammootty's son to launch new platform – via YouTube.
- ^ Manoj Kumar R (3 August 2018). "Happy birthday Dulquer Salmaan: The Karwaan star is going places". The Indian Express.
- ^ "Dulquer Salman is back". Rediff.com. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
- ^ "I dont want to get into a comfort zone'". Rediff.com. 16 November 2012.
- ^ Veeyen (3 February 2012). "Second Show Review- Malayalam Movie Review". Nowrunning.com. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
- ^ "IndiaGlitz – Second Show Malayalam Movie Review". IndiaGlitz.com. 3 February 2012. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
- ^ Paresh C Palicha (4 February 2012). "Review: Second Show is disappointing – Rediff.com". Rediff.com. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
- ^ Moviebuzz. "Movie Review:Second Show". Sify. Archived from the original on 9 December 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
External links
[edit]Second Show
View on GrokipediaSynopsis and themes
Plot
The film Second Show is presented through a flashback structure, beginning with Harilal, also known as Lalu (played by Dulquer Salmaan), an ex-convict who narrates his story to a stranger at a bus stop during a rainy night. Lalu starts as a poor sand miner in Kerala, struggling with unemployment and family pressures. After a violent altercation with local thugs, he catches the attention of gangster Vishnubuddhan (Sudesh Berry), who recruits him into his criminal gang for small-time quotation jobs and smuggling operations.[5] As Lalu rises through the ranks, becoming a key player in the gang's illicit sand mining and smuggling activities, he forms a close bond with his loyal friend Kurudi (Sunny Wayne), who joins him in the underworld. The duo navigates internal rivalries within the gang, including tensions involving a dual-role character portrayed by Baburaj, one as a rival gang member and the other as an ally. Lalu's transformation from a desperate laborer to a confident smuggling baron is marked by his growing involvement in increasingly dangerous crimes, including drug trade elements. During this period, Lalu develops a romantic relationship with Geethanjali (Gauthami Nair), but abandons her as his criminal life intensifies.[5][6] The narrative escalates when betrayal strikes: Vishnubuddhan orders the murder of Kurudi, Lalu's steadfast companion, in a power play that shatters their fragile empire. Kurudi's death serves as the catalyst for Lalu's vengeful arc, turning him from a participant in the underworld to its adversary. In the climactic confrontation, Lalu orchestrates a brutal showdown against Vishnubuddhan and his men, leading to a chaotic escape amid gunfire and chases. The flashback concludes with Lalu wounded but surviving, reflecting on his path of moral ambiguity in the neo-noir underworld.[5]Themes and style
Second Show embodies neo-noir conventions through its depiction of moral ambiguity within Kerala's criminal underworld, where characters navigate a web of loyalties and betrayals without clear heroes or villains. The film's fatalistic tone underscores the inescapable consequences of involvement in illicit activities, portraying a gritty realism in the sand mining and smuggling operations that sustain the protagonists' precarious existence. This approach draws from Tarantino-esque influences, blending wry humor with visceral violence to highlight the dehumanizing effects of organized crime.[7][8] Central themes revolve around betrayal and revenge as driving forces, exemplified by the protagonist Lalu's quest for retribution following the murder of his friend Kurudi, which propels the narrative toward inevitable confrontation. The story also explores class struggle, tracing Lalu's ascent from poverty as a low-level worker in the sand mafia to a more empowered yet doomed position in the gang hierarchy, reflecting broader socio-economic disparities in rural Kerala. Additionally, the theme of fleeting romance and loss is captured through Geethanjali's arc, where brief moments of tenderness contrast sharply with the harsh realities of loss and separation in the criminal lifestyle.[8][9][10] Stylistically, debut director Srinath Rajendran employs non-linear flashback narration to unravel the story in a disorienting yet engaging manner, building layers of suspense around key events. His use of tense pacing, interspersed with raw handheld cinematography and shadowy visuals, amplifies the suspense and immerses viewers in the dimly lit, nocturnal world of smuggling operations. These choices, inspired by Scorsese's gangster epics like Goodfellas, prioritize character-driven tension over conventional linear storytelling, resulting in a visually stark and emotionally charged aesthetic.[8][9][10]Cast and characters
Principal cast
The principal cast of Second Show features Dulquer Salmaan in the lead role of Harilal, also known as Lalu, a young man drawn into the criminal underworld who grapples with loyalty, betrayal, and revenge after his friend's murder by a gang leader.[2] Salmaan's portrayal depicts a multifaceted gangster character marked by vulnerability amid the film's gritty neo-noir atmosphere.[11] This marked Salmaan's entry into Malayalam cinema, where his debut performance demonstrated his ability to hold his own in the industry independently.[12] Sunny Wayne plays Kurudi, also referred to as Nelson Mandela, Lalu's loyal companion who provides quirky support and comic relief within the tense gang dynamics.[13] Wayne's debut role in the film helped establish his presence as a versatile actor capable of blending humor with the story's darker undertones.[14] Gauthami Nair portrays Geethanjali, the village belle serving as Lalu's romantic interest, adding emotional depth to his personal arc amid the criminal narrative.[15] Nair's performance in this debut brought authenticity to the character's grounded portrayal in the neo-noir setting.[16]| Actor | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dulquer Salmaan | Harilal / Lalu | Protagonist entering the gangster world, seeking revenge with underlying vulnerability. |
| Sunny Wayne | Kurudi / Nelson Mandela | Loyal friend offering quirky comic relief. |
| Gauthami Nair | Geethanjali / Geethu | Romantic interest providing emotional anchor. |
Supporting roles
Baburaj portrays the brothers Chaver Anthony and Chaver Vavachan, gangsters in a rival syndicate to the primary antagonist, thereby intensifying the interpersonal conflicts and power struggles within the criminal syndicates.[17] These roles contribute to subplots involving internal betrayals, as the characters embody neo-noir archetypes of treacherous allies whose loyalties shift amid escalating gang rivalries, exemplified in tense confrontation scenes that underscore the precarious dynamics of the underworld.[18] Rohini plays Devaki, Lalu's mother, who serves as the emotional anchor for the protagonist's turbulent journey into crime.[17] Her character grounds the narrative in family ties, offering moments of poignant contrast to the film's gritty violence through heartfelt interactions that highlight Lalu's internal conflict between his criminal ambitions and maternal bonds.[7] Sudesh Berry appears as Vishnubuddhan, the primary antagonist and gang leader whose brutal actions, including the murder of Lalu's friend, drive the story's central revenge narrative.[17][5] As a figure at the top of the gang hierarchy, his actions drive the story's exploration of betrayal, particularly in sequences where alliances fracture, reinforcing the neo-noir theme of unreliable partnerships in the criminal milieu.[18]Production
Development and writing
Second Show marked the directorial debut of Srinath Rajendran, who had previously assisted director Jayaraj, and the screenwriting debut of Vini Vishwa Lal.[1] The film was produced by AOPL Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.[19] The story centers on the rise of young individuals within Kerala's criminal underworld, including illicit sand mining and smuggling activities.[20] Vini Vishwa Lal's script incorporated neo-noir thriller elements, emphasizing gritty realism and the complexities of revenge and ambition among ordinary youngsters.[19] Development began in 2011, with the project announced that year and principal photography underway by November near Kochi's district jail.[19] The writing process highlighted authentic regional dialogue to authentically portray the socio-economic undercurrents of Kerala's gang culture.[1]Casting and pre-production
The casting process for Second Show prioritized emerging talent to portray the gritty underworld elements of the story, marking the acting debuts of Dulquer Salmaan, Sunny Wayne, and Gauthami Nair. Salmaan's role as the protagonist Harilal (Lalu) came after the part was initially offered to Nivin Pauly and Prithviraj Sukumaran, both of whom declined, allowing the director Srinath Rajendran to select Salmaan for his potential to embody the character's raw intensity.[21] Wayne was cast as Kurudi, and Nair as Geethanjali, with their selections emphasizing fresh perspectives to differentiate the film from conventional Malayalam cinema narratives.[16][1] Pre-production focused on logistical preparations to support the film's authentic depiction of Kerala's criminal underbelly, including crew assembly under production company A.O.P.L. Entertainment. A key addition was cinematographer Sudheesh Pappu (credited as Pappu), who handled the visuals in his debut as an independent cinematographer, contributing to the film's neo-noir aesthetic through practical location-based shooting.[22] Location scouting targeted areas in Ernakulam and Kochi to ground the narrative in realistic Kerala settings, such as riverine and urban locales reflective of illicit activities like sand mining. Casting was finalized by late 2011, paving the way for principal photography to commence shortly thereafter.[23]Filming and post-production
Principal photography for Second Show took place primarily in locations across Kerala, including Alappuzha for the sand mining scenes central to the plot. The shoot spanned approximately 53 days in 2011.[18] The production faced notable challenges in executing the action sequences and night shoots, which were crucial for cultivating the film's neo-noir atmosphere.[24] Cinematography was led by Pappu, making his debut as an independent cinematographer, who utilized techniques to deliver a gritty, realistic visual style.[22] Post-production, including editing to support the film's non-linear narrative structure, was finalized by late 2011 ahead of its February 2012 release. Visual effects were kept minimal, with an emphasis on practical stunts to maintain authenticity. A key aspect of the shoot involved managing the dual-role performance of Baburaj as Chaver Anthony and Chaver Vavachan, marking the first such casting for the actor in Malayalam cinema.Music
Composition
The music for Second Show was composed by Nikhil Rajan alongside the rock band Avial, whose involvement introduced prominent rock influences to the soundtrack.[25] This collaboration produced a score blending tense, high-energy thriller elements with subtle folk infusions, designed to underscore the film's neo-noir grit and intensity.[9] Lyrics were written by Engandiyur Chandrashekaran and Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, focusing on evocative expressions that amplify the narrative's emotional undercurrents.[26] The composition process occurred post-filming in 2011, emphasizing background scores tailored to the action sequences and revenge-driven motifs central to the story. The soundtrack was released on January 15, 2012.[26][27] With a total of eight tracks, the work prioritized atmospheric depth over standalone songs, integrating seamlessly with the film's pacing to heighten suspense and raw tension.[25] This project marked an early foray into film scoring for Avial, helping shape Malayalam cinema's shift toward more diverse, genre-blending sound design during the early 2010s.[9] The resulting music not only supported the thriller's thematic ties to retribution but also broadened the medium's auditory palette with contemporary rock sensibilities.[28]Track listing
The soundtrack of Second Show consists of eight tracks composed by the rock band Avial, with additional compositions by Nikhil Rajan on several songs. Lyrics were written by Engandiyur Chandrashekaran and Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri. The songs appear in the film during romantic, action, and transitional scenes to underscore key emotional beats.[29]| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Duration | Composer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arambath | Avial | 4:22 | Avial | Upbeat opener used in action sequences. [30] |
| 2 | Adipidi Chendakku | Nikhil Rajan, Poison 9 | 3:30 | Nikhil Rajan | Upbeat folk-rock number in a romantic scene.[30] |
| 3 | Ayyo | Avial | 4:28 | Avial | Energetic track for transitional moments. [31] |
| 4 | Swapnam | Naresh Iyer | 4:43 | Nikhil Rajan | Melancholic ballad featured in emotional romantic sequences.[32] |
| 5 | Ee Ramayana Koottil | Sooraj Santhosh, Janani Madan | 5:07 | Nikhil Rajan | Duet highlighting interpersonal dynamics in transitional scenes.[33] |
| 6 | Thithithara | Avial | 3:30 | Avial | Playful rhythm for light-hearted action interludes.[34] |
| 7 | Uyire | Avial | 4:15 | Avial | Soulful piece underscoring romantic tension.[35] |
| 8 | Kanneril | Avial | 4:04 | Avial | Reflective track in emotional closure scenes.[35] |
Release and commercial performance
Distribution and release
The film was distributed in Kerala by AOPL Entertainment Private Limited across 65 screens, while Fox Star Studios managed distribution for the rest of India and international markets.[18][36] Second Show was released theatrically on 3 February 2012, with a running time of 126 minutes.[2] Promotional efforts featured official trailers released in late 2011, which spotlighted the thriller elements and the debuts of lead actors including Dulquer Salmaan.[37][38] Marketing campaigns centered on Dulquer Salmaan's launch as a leading man in Malayalam cinema, alongside the film's neo-noir aesthetic and gritty crime narrative.[16][39]Box office
Second Show was released across 65 screens on February 3, 2012. In its initial run, the film collected a gross of approximately ₹3.12 crore over the first 24 days, yielding a distributor share of ₹1.46 crore.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation">Reception and legacy
Critical response
Upon its release, Second Show garnered mixed reviews from critics, who appreciated its ambitious neo-noir style and raw depiction of the criminal underworld but often criticized its uneven pacing and reliance on familiar tropes. The film's gritty storytelling and strong performances, especially from newcomers, were frequently highlighted as strengths, though some reviewers found the screenplay lacking tightness and originality.[7] Nowrunning awarded the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, commending the energetic action sequences and witty elements while pointing out pacing issues that occasionally left viewers disoriented.[8] IndiaGlitz rated it 6.5 out of 10, emphasizing the promising debuts of the young cast and the director's unflinching approach, despite minor flaws in execution. In contrast, Rediff.com gave it a low 2 out of 5, describing it as a disappointing debut for Dulquer Salmaan due to excessive gore, predictable plotting, and underdeveloped characters.[7] Sify deemed it above average, lauding its realistic portrayal of low-level crime and engaging watchability, ultimately viewing it as time-pass entertainment. User reviews on IMDb were more positive, averaging 7.1 out of 10 based on nearly 2,000 ratings, reflecting appreciation for the film's entertaining crime drama elements.[2] Common themes across critiques included praise for the film's bold neo-noir ambition and authentic gritty tone, which captured the lives of young men drawn into crime, alongside strong ensemble performances that added emotional depth. However, weaknesses such as a screenplay hampered by clichés—like the standard revenge arc—and inconsistent pacing were recurrent complaints, preventing it from fully realizing its potential. Reviewers often noted the debut impact of Dulquer Salmaan; Sify remarked, "It is Dulquer's amazing screen presence and a matured acting style that makes the movie an engaging watch," while Rediff acknowledged his dapper looks and baritone but lamented the lack of deeper characterization.[7] Overall, the reception was mixed yet leaned positive regarding its stylistic risks and newcomer-driven energy.Accolades and cultural impact
The film garnered acclaim primarily for its debut performances, with Dulquer Salmaan's portrayal of the lead character Lalu earning him the Filmfare Award South for Best Male Debut in 2013.[40] He also received the South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) for Best Male Debutant - Malayalam that year.[41] While the film itself did not secure major category wins, these individual recognitions highlighted its role in spotlighting emerging talent. Second Show marked a significant launching pad for multiple careers in Malayalam cinema, introducing actor Dulquer Salmaan—who went on to become a leading figure across South Indian industries—alongside Sunny Wayne, Gauthami Nair, director Srinath Rajendran, and writer Vini Vishwa Lal.[1] The film's gritty depiction of urban crime and underworld dynamics contributed to the burgeoning neo-noir trend in 2010s Malayalam cinema, emphasizing realistic narratives over conventional masala elements. Its commercial success further amplified visibility for these newcomers, paving the way for more experimental action thrillers in the industry.[16] In retrospect, Second Show is viewed as an underrated entry in Malayalam's new-generation wave, influencing subsequent works that delve into underworld realism with stylistic flair. By 2025, it remains a benchmark for diversifying the action thriller genre, blending raw authenticity with thematic depth to inspire filmmakers exploring similar socio-criminal landscapes.[1]References
- https://en.wikipedia-on-ipfs.org/wiki/Second_Show