Odiyan
Odiyan is a 2018 Indian Malayalam-language supernatural fantasy drama film directed by V. A. Shrikumar Menon in his feature film debut. Written by Harikrishnan, it is based on the legend of the Odiyan clan, who in Kerala folklore are men believed to possess shapeshifting abilities and can assume animal forms. Odiyans are said to have inhabited the Malabar region of Kerala before the widespread use of electricity. The film stars Mohanlal in the title role, alongside an ensemble cast of Prakash Raj, Manju Warrier, Siddique, Innocent, Manoj Joshi, Sana Althaf, Kailesh, Narain, Sreejaya Nair and Nandu. It was produced by Antony Perumbavoor through Aashirvad Cinemas. Manikyan, a notorious Odiyan, returns to his village after an exile of 15 years to see his lover once, including his friends, Damodharan and more over, Manikyan's girlfriend Prabha. His arrival causes much unease to some of the villagers, especially Ravunni Nair, Prabha's cousin brother, who has a personal grudge against him.
Principal photography began in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh in August 2017. Major parts of the film were shot in Palakkad district, where the story's Thenkurissi village was recreated. Some scenes were filmed in Vagamon, Athirappilly, and Kochi. The film was completed after 145 days of shooting. Sam C. S. composed the film's score, which also features songs composed by M. Jayachandran. The film has editing by Johnkutty and cinematography by Shaji Kumar respectively.
Odiyan was released worldwide on 14 December 2018 alongside its dubbed versions in Tamil and Telugu languages. Upon release, Odiyan mainly received mixed reviews from critics who praised the performances, score and action sequences but criticized the direction, visual effects and the screenplay. Despite it the film grossed over ₹54 crore worldwide becoming one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.
Plot
Cast
Production
Development
On 4 February 2017, Kerala Kaumudi reported that a 3D film titled Odiyan starring Mohanlal and Amitabh Bachchan, written by Harikrishnan and to be directed by commercial director V. A. Shrikumar Menon in what will be his feature film debut, was in development. Bachchan was reported to be playing the father of Mohanlal's character, and Prakash Raj and Manju Warrier were in substantial roles. The film is based on the legends of the "Odiyan" clan—mythical black magicians with the ability to shapeshift by using a trick called odi vidya. The mythical clan, which supposedly Inhabited the Malabar region of North Kerala, were said to terrorise people to death by appearing in animal forms called odi veykkuka at night. This story was based on folk tales of Odiyan; Harikrishnan did not undertake any additional research.On 26 March 2017, Mohanlal confirmed the project officially via social media. He wrote that Antony Perumbavoor would produce the film through Aashirvad Cinemas, and that Sabu Cyril—who was later replaced by Prashanth Madhav—and Shaji Kumar would serve as production designer and cinematographer. Warrier would play the female lead role—though he did not mention Bachchan, Raj or the 3D format. According to Menon, Odiyan is a "rustic thriller" and the story is based on the tribes of Odiyans and their myth. Odiyans are said to have been the first "quotation gangs" in Kerala, who went disguised as animals during night hours to attack their enemies. Menon described the film as a magical realism thriller. Both Menon and Harikrishnan originate from Palakkad and grew up hearing the legends of Odiyans during their childhood. It was Harikrishsnan's long-time dream to write a story on Odiyans. The film is also set in rural Palakkad.
Menon and Harikrishnan initially planned a children's film titled Randu Vaanavillukal, which was set in the drylands of Tamil Nadu. Before filming, however, the Tamil Nadu flood happened, turning the film location green and lush, making it unsuitable for the film and their plans to shift the location was unsuccessful. The two met again for a follow-up discussion. Odiyan originated from a conversation between Menon and Harikrishnan. Menon liked a one-line story narrated by Harikrishnan, who later wrote a single scene for Odiyan, which he intended as the introduction of the title character. He showed it to Menon, who sent it to Mohanlal and the project got underway. The scene remains in the film's final cut. Earlier, writer-director A. K. Lohithadas had proceeded with a story based on an Odiyan with Mohanlal in the lead role, but it was not made into a film. Director Lal Jose also contemplated making such a film, but later abandoned the idea. Evaluating these unsuccessful attempts, Harikrishnan said they may have failed because they might have directly followed the myth of the Odiyans rather than making a novel attempt. Harikrishnan wrote Odiyan devoid of myth. Antony Perumbavoor suggested a major change in the first draft of the screenplay, which introduced a villain into the film. The script was completely rewritten, after which Menon described Antony as an ace script doctor. Mohanlal suggested two minor changes in the second draft and in the second sitting approved the screenplay.
Harikrishnan got the plot idea when he was lecturing journalism classes; he asked the students to write a feature story to test their creativity. The subject was "if Hollywood director Steven Spielberg comes to Palakkad to meet the last Odiyan". The word "last" was registered in his mind and became the plot point in his screenplay. His story is about the last surviving Odiyan and the reasons his clan is almost extinct. The story spans 50 years and three generations of the last Odiyan lineage; it is set in the Thenkurissi village in Palakkad, where Odiyans were most popular. It is based on folktales prevalent in the Malabar region, chiefly in Palakkad. The screenplay was registered with the Writers Guild of America; producer Antony Perumbavoor gave them freedom to conceive the film as big as possible, giving the film an open budget.
Pre-production
The initial plan was to shoot the film in 3D but the plan was later dropped. In March 2017, it was reported that A. Sreekar Prasad would be the film's editor, M. Jayachandran as music director, P. M. Satheesh as sound designer, Peter Hein as stunt coordinator and Gokuldas as art director. Menon said Odiyan is likely to release in 2017, but is uncertain as the film requires an extensive post-production with a large chunk of time need to be spent for visual effects. Filming was then scheduled to begin on 25 May 2017. In June 2017, the film crew convened for a script discussion session at an outdoor location in Kava, Palakkad. The film was then scheduled to begin on 1 August.The official puja function of the film was held at hotel Vivanta by Taj in Thiruvananthapuram on 5 July 2017. The venue was shared by Aashirvad Cinemas' Aadhi puja as well. In July, Menon said filming would begin by mid-August, "we will be shooting in locations such as Thasarak, Kollengode, Alathur, Nemmara, and Pollachi, where it is believed that Odiyans lived", additionally it will also have Varanasi as a location. He said many special effects would be utilised in the film and the post-production would last close to six months. It was also revealed the plan is to simultaneously release the film in Tamil and Telugu languages along with the original Malayalam version.
In August, Prashanth Madhav began the film's set work in Palakkad by creating the Thenkurissi village which pass through three eras in the story. The crew went for location recce in Palakkad and Varanasi in the month. Menon said that Odiyan Manikyan's journey starts from the holy Ghats in Varanasi, where he spend 15 years before returning to Thenkurissi. For the climax fight sequence set inside an Indian banyan tree, the team traveled across India to find a suitable tree, in places such as Cumbum, Theni, Mysore and almost finalised a tree called Dodda Alada Mara in Bangalore Urban. However, they were unable to obtain permission for night shooting there. The team finally able to find a tree in Kerala itself, in Palakkad.
Casting
Both Harikrishnan and Menon wanted Mohanlal in the lead role from the film's initial discussion itself and the screenplay was later tailor-made with Mohanlal in mind. His character Odiyan Manikyan has two stages, one at present and the other 30 years ago. Describing him, Menon said: "Manikyan is considered the greatest Odiyan that ever lived. He has mastered the skills that have been passed down by his forefathers of the clan". Soon after the film's confirmation by Mohanlal in March 2017, Menon revealed to media outlets that Raj would be portraying the antagonist and Warrier will have an equally important role as that of Mohanlal, while a leading Bollywood actor would also play a pivotal role. Raj plays the character of Ravunni. The characters of Mohanlal, Warrier and Raj pass through three stages of their life. Warrier portrays the character of Prabha. In the film, Prabha is shown in her late 20s, at 35 and in her 50s and so will have three looks.In April, Menon confirmed Siddique and Nandu in the cast. In the same month, it was reported Appani Sarath would be part of the cast, but was not present in the final cast. Negotiations were going on with Hindi actor Amitabh Bachchan for a role. However, close to filming it was reported Tamil actor Sathyaraj had replaced Bachchan. It was for the role of Manikyan's grandfather, for which Hindi actor Manoj Joshi was ultimately cast. Writer Harikrishnan said, Bachchan had indeed agreed to work in the film, but was unable to join for personal reasons. Since the film would have been delayed if they waited for Bachchan, they move on to other actors. In June, a casting call was released seeking children and teenagers for playing the younger versions of Mohanlal, Warrier and Raj. It also invited youngsters for other undisclosed roles.
In September, Aneesh G. Menon confirmed he is part of the cast. In November, Narain confirmed he is part of the cast and would join the film in its final schedule, which will shoot Odiyan Manikyan's younger age. He plays the husband of Prabha and his scenes are with Mohanlal, Raj and Warrier. From the teaser trailer released in December, more of the cast was revealed confirming Kailash, Sana Althaf, and Sreejaya Nair. Sana plays Warrier's sister and Kailash's wife in the film. She said it was a difficult role to portray. The character has less screen time but is important in the script. Her character has transitioned from a young girl to an aged woman. Including Sana, many of the artists were prepared through a week long acting workshop. Atul Mongia served as the acting workshop director.