Chandrettan Evideya

Chandrettan Evideya (English: Chandrettan, Where Are You)^[5] is a 2015 Malayalam comedy film directed by Sidharth Bharathan. The film was produced by Sameer Thahir, Shyju Khalid and Ashiq Usman.^[6] It stars Dileep alongside Anusree, Namitha Pramod and K. P. A. C. Lalitha in the main roles. It is the second directorial of Sidharth. The story and screenplay is penned by noted author Santhosh Echikkanam who had teamed up with Sidharth in his directorial debut Nidra (2012). The songs are composed by Prashant Pillai. Cinematography is handled by Shyju Khalid and editing by Bavan Sreekumar. The costumes are designed by Mashar T Hamsa.

The film released on 1 May 2015 garnering average to positive reviews from critics and playing to mostly full houses in Kerala, it become a hit at Kerala box office.^[7] The film is a profitable films of 2015 in Malayalam film industry.^[8]

Plot

The story of "Chandrettan Evideya" revolves around Chandramohan (Dileep), who is a government servant and also an ardent classical dance follower and his wife Sushama(Anusree) is also a government employee but located far away from Chandramohan. She keeps asking for a transfer to Chandramohan but couldn't get it and she is overly involved in as a wife in every thing her husband does. Chandramohan is well known among art followers as a critic of classical dance. His reviews are often published in magazines. Considering his close association with beautiful dancers, his wife Sushama express' her dislike and casually keeps close tabs on him. One fine day, they decide to go for a family trip to Thanjavur where they meet an Nadi Astrologer who tells them the love story of Chandramohan's previous life which took place 1000 years ago, in which he was a poet in Raja Raja Chozhan's court. There, he meets Vasanthmallika(Namitha Pramod) a dancer from Madurai who visits Raja Raj Chozhan's Sabha. They both fall for each other in their 1st sight. This relationship disturbs the king. He sends Velkozhukottuvan(Dileep) to the 100 years war, in which he gets stamped by an elephant and gets killed. The astrologer says that there might be possibilities for Chandran to meet Vasanthmallika and reunite in this era. This sayings of the astrologer slightly disturbs Sushama, who is also an ardent believer. Chandran didn't believe in these things. But, his friends motivates him for pursuing an extramarital life by saying as the moon yearns for daylight, an extramarital affair is what makes a man's life worthy. This inebriated philosophy attracts Chandran who is going through a midlife crisis himself, and starts to perceive hallucinations in daylight. Sushama for Chandran's well-being starts chanting mantra on Ketu (a planet). One day he meets a girl named Geetanjali (Namitha Pramod) in his office who comes to meet Chandran telling that she is a big fan of him as a critic. But it is later revealed that she is Dr.Geetanjali of Primary Health care who have been receiving many complaints and her case is on Chandran's desk. She pleaded to Chandramohan to postpone this petition for 2 months as she is having a dance program in Germany. Geetanjali's advance over him and knowing that she is a dancer and a student of Chinnasathya makes him interested. Simultaneously he is also convinced that she is Vasanthmallika. They both grow in their relationship and constantly have outings. One day after a dinner he sees Sushama in his home and gets to know that she has got her transfer. While shopping Chandramohan gets to know that Geetanjali was attacked due to her lack of commitment in being a government doctor. He rushes to the hospital leaving his family alone in Big Bazaar. The family is stunned by Chandran's insensibility, they couldn't pay the bill and asks Sumesh (Chandran's friend) for help as Chandran's phone is switched off.

Sushama starts doubting Chandran because of his strange behaviour. Knowing this Chandran changes the contact name in his phone from Geetanjali to Geetanandhan. One fine day, Sushama asks Chandramohan where he is over the phone and he mentions that he is in his office. But she sees Chandran in a restaurant with Geetanjali. She checks his phone and gets to know that he is calling 'Geetanandhan' frequently. She copies Geetanandhan's number and calls from her mobile and gets to know that Geetanandhan is not the original name as she heard a women's voice. She asks one of her staff to know about this number and gets to know the original details. She calls her telling that she's an admirer of Geetanjali and also tells that she wants to know where she is as she wants to meet her. She tells that she is in Mayura travel agency. Then she calls Chandran to know where he is, he tells that he is in his office. But she spots both of them in Mayura Agency and follows them. Geetanjali says she needs to meet Chandran in person before leaving to Frankfurt. Sushama confronts Chandran by a big dispute in her house about his whereabouts and his lies. In a rage he leaves his house. Sushama determines and goes to Geetanjali's house and reveals she is Chandran's wife and tells the truth of Chandran's fantasy about his past life. She rebukes Geetanjali on leading her husband and says: "Dancers and artists can change costumes and roles; but a wife has only one role, a lifelong act, which cannot be changed like costumes, to sustain it one requires love and care from the husband." Geetanjali mentions that if Chandran comes to her at night then Sushama should leave him and go. But if he does not come, then she would leave him. At the very same night Chandran by the hallucinatory confirmation of Velkozhukottuvan, with much joy and amorous intention goes to Geetanjali's house. Sushama prays very ardently and suddenly Chandran hears a baby crying and remembers his son and goes back to his home. Seeing this makes Sushama happy and calls Chandran and asks where he is now in an affectionate manner. Geetanjali is seen sad and in tears. Later it is shown that Chandramohan deletes Geetanjali's number and pulls away from the hallucinatory funk and attends Sushama's phone call telling her with a smile that he's just about to eat.

Cast

• Dileep as Chandramohan Mattanur/ Velkozhukottuvan
• Anusree as Sushama
• Namitha Pramod as Dr. Geethanjali / Vasanthamallika
• Mukesh as Sekharan (cameo)
• K. P. A. C. Lalitha as Valsala
• Suraj Venjaramoodu as Narayanan Ilayath, Astrologer friend (cameo)
• Soubin Shahir as Sumesh
• Chemban Vinod Jose as Janan
• Vinayakan as Rajaraja Cholan
• Veena Nair as Vanaja
• Master Ilhan as Achu
• Dileesh Pothen as Nadi Jyothishi
• Sruthibala as Vyjayathi Ramanathan
• Ambika Ravu as Premalatha
• Kochu Preman as Issac Eppan

Production

The film was jointly produced by Sameer Thahir, Shyju Khalid and Ashiq Usman under the banner of Hand Made Filmz. Vedhicka was initially cast to play one among the female leads alongside Dileep and Anusree but later she backed out because of her busy schedule and later Namitha Pramod was roped in for that role.^[9] The film also stars KPAC Lalitha in a pivotal role. The official trailer for the movie was released on 10 April 2015.^[10]

Soundtrack

The film's soundtrack contains 2 songs, all composed by Prashant Pillai and Lyrics by Santhosh Varma.

Reception

Critical reception

The film started with positive reviews and stated the return of Dileep in kerala box office.Filmibeat.com rated 3.0 out of 5 stars and said the film brings back the vintage Dileep in full swing. And praised the script which has all ingredients for a perfect entertainer, and the brilliant cinematography makes it a visual treat and also appreciated the songs especially Vasanthamallike and background score which perfectly sinks in with the interesting plot and flow of the screenplay. And concluded "Strongly recommended to the audience who love to watch family entertainers".^[11] Malayala Manorama rated 3.5 out of 5 stars while appreciating the script, songs and background score especially mentioning the song Vasanthamallike, and ellaborated "The best part about the movie is that it frees Dileep, the actor, from the unrealistic comic stereotypes which have been proving to be suicidal for him for quite sometime now. The film, with a strong base on middle-class realism, treads the popular narrative line even as it carefully tries to refrain from going after the commercial formula, a genre in which the master-duo Bharathan and Padmarajan and the likes have excelled", and concluded "Chandrettan Evideya is for those who value familial bonds, a type which constitutes the majority of movie-goers in this part of the world.^[12]

Metromatinee.com gave a positive review stating "The film is refreshing in the sense that after a while actor Dileep has opted out of the run of the mill. Dileep the actor comes to the fore after a while and director Sidharth Bharathan deserves a fair bit of credit for it".^[13] The Times of India awarded 3 out of 5 stars and stated "Sidharth Bharathan steps away from his father's shadow and displays sparks that have the potential to help him carve a niche in the industry. Nevertheless, Chandrettan Evideya is a clean, family watch and a throwback to the times when Dileep movies meant sterling, genuine entertainers.".^[14] Indiaglitz.com opinoin was to "Watch this movie without expecting a usual Dileep fare. ‘Chandretan Evideya’ is definitely a good watch that can leave you entertained. Siddarth Bharathan has nailed it with this simple tale.".^[15] Sify.com gave a verdict "Good" and said "Chandrettan Evideya has nothing much to offer that you have not seen before but even then, it has been presented attractively. In those times when there is very little to choose in terms of good cinema, this one could give you enough to leave the theatre with a smile. Watch this one!".^[16]

Box office

IB Times said the film got decent opening at the box office and overwhelming response from theatres in first weekend.^[17] The film grossed approximately ₹1.84 crores within 3 days of release. The film became a super hit and marked a good comeback for Dileep.^[18]

Awards & Nominations

• Filmfare Awards South
• Nominated - Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Malayalam - Anusree
• Nominated - Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress - Malayalam - Namitha Pramod
• IIFA UTSAVAM
• Nominated - IIFA UTSAVAM Award for Best Supporting Actress - Malayalam - Namitha Pramod
• Nominated - IIFA UTSAVAM Award for Best Female Playback Singer - Malayalam - Preeti Nair

Home media

The VCD&DVD of Chandrettan Evideya was released by AP International and marketed by EMPIRE^[19]

References

External links

• Chandrettan Evideya at the Internet Movie Database
• Article by Kerala Kaumudi (in Malayalam)