2024-03-28 15:49:17
Image credit: Prithviraj Sukumaran/X
7 hours ago
Malayalam movies have been gaining special attention among Indian cinema fans since the beginning of this year. After Malayalam movies like Pramayugam, Manjnummal Boys, Anveship’s Kandetum and Premalu, the movie ‘Aadu Jeevitham’ has released in Tamil Nadu today.
Directed by Malayalam director Plessy, the film starring Prithviraj as the lead is based on the novel ‘Aadu Jeevitham’ written by Malayalam writer Benjamin (Penny Daniel).
Has ‘Aadu Jeevitham’, which has been released with great expectations, fulfilled that expectation? Will the Tamil fans who continue to celebrate Malayalam films make this a hit?
What is the story of Aadu Jeevitham?
Najeeb Mohammed hails from Alappuzha district of Kerala. He goes to Saudi Arabia believing that if he goes abroad to work, he is offered a job of herding goats in the desert.
The story of the novel ‘Aadu Jeevidam’ is the story of how this man, suffering in the desert without food, water or rest, escaped and returned to his homeland.
Image credit: Prithviraj Sukumaran/X
Najeeb Mohammad (Prithviraj Sukumaran) and Hakeem (KR Gokul) arrive in Saudi Arabia from Kerala with their passports and visas. While they wait for their employer, Kafeel (Talib Al Balushi) takes their passports and sends them to different farms in the desert for work.
They are forced to live as slaves for 3 years. Three years later, Najeeb and Hakeem reunite. An African slave, Ibrahim Khan (Jimmy Jean-Louis), helps them escape. The story of the movie Aadu Jeevidam is whether they can escape from there.
Sunil has done the cinematography for the film composed by AR Rahman. Cinematography by Srikar Prasad and Sound Mixing by Rasul Pookutty.
Celebrity compliments
Actor Kamal Haasan, who watched the premiere show of ‘Aadu Jeevidam’ along with director Mani Ratnam, said, “Thanks to director Plessis. Blessy’s thirst for making alternative cinema is evident in his direction. Mani Ratnam was amazed by the film.
Prithviraj is the biggest strength of the film. I never thought he would act like this. Fans should support this film,” he said.
Image credit: Prithviraj Sukumaran/X
Actor Suriya also appreciated the movie ‘Aadu Jeevidam’. On his X (formerly Twitter) page, he wrote, “It took 14 years of hard work to tell the story of a man struggling to survive in the desert.
A chance to tell such a story through film comes once in a lifetime. Directed by Plessy, Prithviraj, A.R. My heartiest congratulations to Rahman sir,” he posted.
It is noteworthy that director Plessy had earlier said in an interview that he had tried to cast Suriya in ‘Aadu Jeevidam’.
How is Najeeb’s story told in the film?
The review of ‘India Today’ newspaper states that Aadu Jeevitham is going in the expected direction, it reminds Dhanush starrer Tamil movie Marian in some places and people who enjoy slow moving screenplays will like this movie.
“If Prithviraj is one of the main pillars of Aadujeevitham, AR Rahman is another pillar of the film. His background music and songs evoke emotions.
Srikar Prasad’s work stands out in the editing process. “The way he juxtaposes Najeeb’s two lives in Kerala and Saudi Arabia is excellent,” Enad said in his review for India Today.
‘Should have paid more attention to the screenplay’
Image credit: Prithviraj Sukumaran/X
“Director Plessy is a master at crafting a screenplay with highly emotional scenes, and he has done the same in this film,” said Enad in his film review of ‘Aadu Jeevidam’ for The Hindu.
“There are many scenes that are really touching. But there are also plenty of scenes that don’t make any impact. Even though the crew has put in a lot of effort to bring them to the screen, the impact of the scenes is minimal. “The same scenes over and over are kind of boring,” the review said.
“Scorching desert, sandstorm, etc. are brilliantly depicted. Actor Prithviraj has succeeded in bringing the pain of a character who has gone through unbelievable hardships on screen. Bringing changes in body and acting, he stands out on screen. It can be said to be the best performance of his screen career,” praised actor Prithviraj, The Hindu newspaper.
India Today praised actor Prithviraj’s performance, saying, “Prithviraj’s performance is the soul of Aadu Jeevitham. Since the film has less dialogues, his body language and acting plays a major role.
The longing in his eyes, the streak of hope, the lean body, we can feel all the suffering the character goes through. After many years, we will definitely get emotional watching her performance in the bathing scene,” says India Today.
“AR Rahman, who rarely composes music for Malayalam films, has given the necessary music for the story. Amala Paul’s character doesn’t make much of an impact as she’s only on screen for a short time.
If hard work is the only qualification for a good film, then Aadu Jeevitham is the best film. But more attention could have been given to the screenplay as well,” says a review by ‘The Hindu’.
The difference between a novel and a film
Image credit: Prithviraj Sukumaran/X
“The movie doesn’t fully convey the pain of the novel. Some of the important scenes in the novel are not in the movie,” Dinamani newspaper said in its review.
“Prithviraj has done a great job as the protagonist of the film. Prithviraj’s performance is the best example of what ‘fire’ an actor should have beyond a novel and a cinema.
“Anyone who doesn’t love cinema can’t even come close to this character. A performance worthy of a National Award,” Dinamani newspaper praised him.
AR Rahman, cinematographer Sunil, Rasool Pookutty have all worked hard to bring the film to international standards.
Dinamani has said in his review that “All the life we do not live is a fantasy, but the reality is beyond imagination, this goat’s life shows that.”
Image credit: supriyamenonprithviraj/Instagram
caption,
Prithviraj and his wife Supriya Menon.
What did actor Prithviraj’s wife say?
While many are appreciating actor Prithviraj’s performance in the film ‘Aadu Jeevidam’ released today, his wife Supriya Menon has posted a touching post on her Instagram page.
“What is this 16-year journey? I know Prithviraj since 2006. I married him in 2011. I have seen him work in many films. But, I have never seen it like this before.
I have seen that you have been on a strict intermittent fasting to lose weight. Then you will be very tired. While the entire world was united during the Corona period, we were separated.
Those few seconds you spoke from a desert camp with inadequate internet service are precious. I know you missed out on many foreign language film opportunities for this one film. Despite all this, your work for art will always stand by you.
Director Plessy and the entire crew have dedicated their body, mind and soul to portraying a man’s life on screen. Your hard work will pay off. All I can say is, your dedication is unparalleled. You will always be a ‘GOAT’ to me.”
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