Arabikkatha
Arabikkatha | |
---|---|
Directed by | Lal Jose |
Written by | Iqbal Kuttippuram |
Produced by | Hassan Sainullabdeen |
Starring |
|
Cinematography | Manoj Pillai |
Edited by | Ranjan Abraham |
Music by | Bijibal |
Distributed by | Balaji Movies Sagar Release |
Release date |
|
Running time | 150 minutes |
Country | India |
Language | Malayalam |
Arabikkatha (lit. 'Arabian tale') is a 2007 Indian Malayalam-language satirical-drama film directed by Lal Jose and written by Ikbal Kuttipuram. The film was a critical[1] and commercial success in India[2] and the United Arab Emirates.[3] It deals with differences within the Communist movement,[4] and was produced against a background of real-life splits in the ruling Communist Party in Kerala state, India.[5]
Plot[]
The film narrates the story of "Cuba" Mukundan. He is a staunch leftist who lives for the movement. Machinations of a corrupt politician Karunan who perceives Mukundan as a threat to his political career force Mukundan to take up a job in Dubai. Even in Dubai, he finds that Kunjunny Muthalaly who was in league with Karunan is in Dubai, exploiting the helpless labourers who migrate to the Persian Gulf region, performing menial jobs and physical labor in order to support their families back home. He has always had a soft corner for People's Republic of China as a result of his leftist leanings and when he meets Zhang Chu Min, a Chinese girl, she quickly finds a special place in his heart as she symbolizes China to him. Later even after realising that she is an anti communist and is there to make money for the treatment of her boyfriend who fought against the Chinese Government, he gives her his earnings saying a communist never keeps money more than his requirements. Mukundan, with the help of his friends Anwar, Maya, and Karim, exposes the machinations of Karunan and Kunjunny Muthalaly. Finally Mukundan returns home to work for the political cause which has been his life and love.
The movie depicts Mukundan who lives in rural Kerala being catapulted into Dubai, the gleaming world of commerce and industry that gives employment opportunity to workers from Kerala. Mukundan who finds himself in present society where sticking to any ideology without any compromises is perceived as something of an anachronism.
Cast[]
- Sreenivasan as Sakhavu "Cuba" Mukundan
- Indrajith as Anwar
- Jayasurya as Sidharthan
- Zhang Shu Mi as Zhang Chu Min
- Sadiq as Abbas
- Samvrutha Sunil as Maya
- Salim Kumar as Karim
- K. T. C. Abdullah as Abdullah "Ikka"
- Shivaji Guruvayoor as Sakhavu Karunan
- Jagathy Sreekumar as Kunjunni "Mothalali"
- Nedumudi Venu as "Society" Gopalan, Mukundan's father
- Moideen Koya as Vishwam Kathalikkadu
- Atlas Ramachandran as "Coat" Nambiar
- Kozhikode Narayanan Nair as Ravunni Mash
- Suraj Venjaramood as James
- Augustine as Varghese
- Satheesh Menon as Pakistani Supervisor
- Manikandan Pattambi
Soundtrack[]
Arabikkatha's songs and background score are composed by Bijibal, who made his debut through this film. The lyrics were written by Anil Panachooran, who was also a debutant. The music album has 7 songs:
Track | Song Title | Singer(s) |
---|---|---|
1 | "Thirike Njan" | Dr. K. J. Yesudas |
2 | "Tharakaramalarukal" | Vineeth Sreenivasan, Sujatha Mohan |
3 | "Thaane Paadum Veene" | Rajeev Kodampally, Soumya T. R. |
4 | "Chora Veena" | Anil Panachooran |
Box office[]
The film was both commercial and critical success.[6][7]
References[]
- ^ "Arabikatha takes the cake". The Hindu. 15 July 2007. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2008.
- ^ "'Arabikatha' turns out to be a success tale". The Hindu. 18 July 2007. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2008.
- ^ "Hit Malayalam film showing in Doha today". Gulf Times. 12 October 2007. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 6 March 2008.
- ^ "Arabikatha a tale on Communism's strife". newindpress.com. New Indian Express Group. 10 July 2007. Archived from the original on 22 April 2007. Retrieved 6 March 2008.
- ^ "Movie throws light on split in ruling party". Gulf Times. 16 July 2007. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2008.
- ^ "Sreenivasan roped in for Lal Jose's next". The Times of India. 16 December 2017.
- ^ "First Look: Joshiy's Sevens". Rediff.com. 7 July 2011.
External links[]
- Arabikkatha at IMDb
- 2007 films
- Malayalam-language films
- Indian films
- 2000s Malayalam-language films
- 2007 drama films
- Films shot in the United Arab Emirates
- Films about communism
- Films directed by Lal Jose
- Indian drama films