Amen (2013 film)

Amen
Film poster
Directed by	Lijo Jose Pellissery
Produced by	Fareed Khan Shaleel Azeez (Executive Producer)
Written by	PS Rafeeque (screenplay/dialogue)
Story by	Lijo Jose Pellissery
Starring	Indrajith Sukumaran Fahadh Faasil Natasha Sahgal Swathi Reddy
Music by	Prashant Pillai
Cinematography	Abinandhan Ramanujam
Edited by	Manoj
Distributed by	Kochin Talkies Tricolor Entertainment (AUS/NZ)
Release dates	22 March 2013 (2013-03-22)
Running time	165 minutes
Language	Malayalam
Budget	₹7.5 crore (US$1.1 million)[1]
Box office	₹18.12 crore (US$2.7 million)[2]

Amen is a 2013 Malayalam-language romantic comedy musical satire film written by P. S. Rafeeque and directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery. The film stars Fahadh Faasil, Indrajith Sukumaran, Kalabhavan Mani, Swathi Reddy, Natasha Sahgal and Rachana Narayanankutty in lead roles.^[3][4]

The film revolves around the events that happen in a picturesque Kuttanadan village following the arrival of a young priest Vincent Vattolli (Indrajith Sukumaran). The film was released on 22 March 2013, receiving rave reviews from critics and huge response from theatres.^[5][6] The film was a commercial success at the box-office.^[7][8]

Plot

The plot revolves around the lives of a few people around an ancient Syrian church in a Kuttanadan village called Kumarankari. Solomon (Fahadh Faasil) is in love with Shoshanna (Swathi Reddy) who is the daughter of a wealthy contractor. Solomon is the son of a band master who died after a show by drowning. Solomon is a failed band member however he is the son of the famous Estapan ashan, who was renowned in Kerala for his clarinet playing abilities. Fr. Vincent Vattoli (Indrajith) comes to the church as a new recruit to the parish. He learns about the relationship and tries to unite the couple. At this time, the marriage of Shoshanna gets fixed. Solomon attempts to elope, in vain. They are caught by Shoshana's parents and Solomon is mercilessly beaten up. The people of Kumanamkari and the neighboring town then place a bet in which the St. George's band has to win in order for Solomon's marriage to occur. It was said that Shoshanna would be married to Solomon if they win the competition with Solomon leading the band. The band takes intense practices and wins the bet. Solomon gets married to Shoshanna while Solomon's band master dies. At that night Shosana's father backs out of the bet. Him, the evil old parish priest and Solomons uncle are haunted at night by St. George at the time when they were destroying the church. They all came to the realisation that Solomon had divine powers on his side and they stood aside from Solomon's life as obstacles. The next day a call comes to the church informing that the new Priest Fr. Vincent Vattoli is taking charge. The Kumarangiri folks now come to know that Fr. Vincent Vattoli was actually the saint himself who appeared in front of them.

Cast

• Fahadh Faasil as Solomon
• Indrajith as Father Vincent Vattolli/Saint
• Swathi Reddy as Shoshanna
• Kalabhavan Mani as Louis Pappan
• Rachana Narayanankutty as Clarata
• Natasha Sahgal as Michelle
• Joy Mathew as Father Abraham Ottaplakan
• Nandhu as Philipose
• Sandra Thomas as Mariyama
• Anil Murali as Davis
• Makarand Deshpande as Shevaliyar Pothachan
• Sasi Kalinga as Chachappan
• Sunil Sukhada as Kappiyar Kochousep
• Jayasanker Karimuttam as Vishakol Pappy
• Rajesh Hebbar as Esthappan/Esthappanasan
• Chemban Vinod Jose as Paily
• Kainakary Thankaraj as Chali Pappan
• Sudheer Karamana as Mathayichan
• Sudhi Koppa as Sebastian (Clarata's lover)
• Chali Pala as Mathews
• Kulappulli Leela as Therutha
• Nisha Sarangi as Shoshanna's mother
• Rugmini as Shoshanna's grandmother
• Baby Anjela
• Baby Andrea

Production

The film is scripted by PS Rafeeque, who also wrote Lijo's debut feature film Nayakan (2010). Abinandhan Ramanujam is the cinematographer who also wielded the camera for The Postman on YouTube, a national award winning non-feature film from Chennai and shot the vivid TV series for MTV, The Rush.^[9]

Indrajith was selected play the role of Father Vincent Vattolli, the pastor of a church in a village called Kumaramkari. This film is the actor's third film with Lijo after stellar performances in the critically acclaimed Nayakan and City of God (2011). Fahadh Faasil plays the other lead character named Solomon, who is in love with Shoshanna. Shoshanna is played by Andhra Pradesh-born actress Swathi Reddy, known for her role in the Tamil film Subramaniapuram. Meanwhile, scripwriter-turned-actor Natasha Sahgal, plays Indrajith's love interest in this film.^[9]

Soundtrack

Amen's songs and background score are composed by Prashant Pillai. The lyrics were written by Kavalam Narayana Panicker and P. S. Refeeque ("Solomanum Shoshannayum"). The music album has 7 songs:

Awards

• 2013 - Kerala State Film Award for Best Costume Designer - Siji Thomas Nobel
• 2013 - Kerala State Film Award for Best Art Director - M. Bawa
• 2013 - TTK Prestige-Vanitha Film Awards - Most Popular film^[10]
• 2013 : Kerala Film Critics Association Awards^[11] - Best Popular film
• 2013 : 16th Asianet Film Awards 2014^[12] - Best Music Director - Prashant Pillai

Release and reception

Amen reached theatres on 22 March 2013, receiving positive reviews from critics. It was declared as a blockbuster.^[5][6]

Critical reception

Upon its release, Amen received unanimously rave reviews from critics. Critics praised the film for its technical aspects and music. Paresh C Palicha of Rediff.com stated that Amen is "brilliant" and concluded that "Director Lijo Jose Pellissery can be proud of making a brilliant film that has an intelligent story, a multi-layered screenplay, excellent cinematography and powerful performances from the actors."^[13] Aswin J Kumar of The Times of India gave the movie 3.5 stars in a scale of 5, stating that "In Amen, director Lijo Jose Pallisserry dabbles in a newly-found realm. He does the act joyfully with a tinge of absurdity and he derives laughter that sometimes wobbles on sheer madness. The good part is that the joy stays, warm and pleasant, all through the film."^[14] Jo of Malayala Manorama gave the film a favourable review praising the cinematography of Abinandhan Ramanujam and direction.^[15] Mathrubhumi's entertainment website mb4frame also wrote a positive review saying 'Amen is visually and technically brilliant.^[16] Sify.com gave the movie a verdict of "brilliant" and concluded the review, saying that "When most films move out of your mind minutes after you leave the theaters, Amen just grabs you in a fantastic way. It has its flaws for sure, but just don't miss this gem. Two big thumbs up and a must watch recommendation for Amen!"^[17] Smitha of Oneindia.in also gave the movie 3.5 stars and recommended to watch the movie "only if you enjoy watching different and experimental cinema."^[18] Veeyen of Nowrunning.com gave the movie 3 stars out of 5 and appreciated the movie, commenting that "The flavor, spirit and fun of Amen make it buoyantly unpretentious, and the sheer exuberance that it lets out renders it a movie of the magical kind. A feel-good, jovial and unfussy musical experience, it's a sunny gem of a film that drops down from the heavens above, as the Lord parts the clouds to take a look at the world down below."^[19]

Box office

Unlike Lijo's previous films, Amen was well received at the Kerala box office.^[20] On 12 May, IBN Live reported that the film has made a clear profit of ₹30 million in 50 days.^[21] Amen completed 100 days in theatres across Kerala.^[22] Overall it had a gross of ₹8.12 crore with a satellite right of ₹2.90 crore and ₹2.7 million as other rights^[23]

There are confirmed reports that Amen, with its tremendous success at the box office, is to be remade in Bollywood with Ranbir Kapoor playing the lead role.^[24]

References