Anantaram (Malayalam: അനന്തരം, transl. Thereafter), also known as Monologue, is a 1987 Indian Malayalam-language film produced, written and directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. It stars Mammootty, Ashokan and Shobhana in the lead. The film is structured like a monologue. It develops through a commentary by the protagonist about himself in the first person. The attempt of the protagonist is to narrate how his undiagnosed psychosis led him where he is now. The film was an experimental film for its time as it did not have a linear narrative.[1][2]
| Anantaram | |
|---|---|
 Poster designed by Gayathri Ashokan | |
| Directed by | Adoor Gopalakrishnan |
| Written by | Adoor Gopalakrishnan |
| Produced by | K. Ravindran Nair |
| Starring | Ashokan Mammootty Shobhana |
| Cinematography | Mankada Ravi Varma |
| Edited by | M. Mani |
| Music by | M. B. Sreenivasan |
Production company | General Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 125 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
The film won the 1987 FIPRESCI Prize at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and three National Film Awards- for Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Audiography. It was included in an online poll by IBN Live listing 100 greatest Indian films of all time.[1][3][4]
The film was released on October 21, Diwali day.
Cast
edit- Ashokan as Ajayan
- Sudheesh as Young Ajayan
- Shobhana as Sumangali and Nalini
- Mammootty as Dr Balu
- Bahadoor as Driver Mathai
- Vembayam Thambi as Raman Nair
- Azeez as the gambler
- Kukku as the nurse
- Krishnankutty Nair as the ailing patient at the dispensary
- Kaviyoor Ponnamma as Yogini Amma
- Adoor Pankajam as Lakshmi Amma
Critical reception
editThe film upon release got mixed reviews from critics and the general consensus was that the film didn't meet the expectations of an Adoor Gopalakrishnan film. However, modern reception is more positive. The film is now considered way ahead of its time. It is regarded by critics to be one of Adoor Gopalakrishnan's best works.[5] Simran Bhargava of India Today wrote "The story is not complete. Perhaps it is not meant to be. Adoor makes no statement, which story is real, how much is Ajayan's experience and how much he has invested from the world of his imagination. The Nalini of Ajayan's second story could be a dream, but again, she need not. Adoor doesn't insult his audience by laying it out straight. He prods them to bring their own experience to his films. He is not an easy director to understand. But, then, he is not for everyone. He exists so that lesser filmmakers can learn how to make better films."[6]
Awards
editThe film has been nominated for and won the following awards since its release:
- FIPRESCI Prize (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)
- Best Director - Adoor Gopalakrishnan[7]
- Best Screenplay - Adoor Gopalakrishnan[7]
- Best Audiography - P. Devadas, T. Krishnanunni, N. Harikumar[7]
References
edit- ^ a b "100 Years of Indian Cinema: The 100 greatest Indian films of all time". IBN Live. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
- ^ "Experiments in Malayalam cinema". The Times of India. 29 August 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ "'Mayabazar' is India's greatest film ever: IBNLive poll" [dead link]. IBN Live. 12 May 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
- ^ "IBNLive Poll: Vote for India's greatest film of all time". IBN Live. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2620mv13.
- ^ Gowri Ramnarayan. "A constant process of discovery". Frontline. Archived from the original on 10 February 2010.
- ^ Bhargava, Simran (15 October 1987). "Anantaram: After three years, another landmark from Adoor Gopalakrishnan". India Today. New Delhi: Living Media India Limited. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "35th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
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External links
editFurther reading
edit- Babu Subramanian (February 2022). "Polyphony in time: Narrational strategy in Adoor Gopalakrishnan's 'Anantaram' (1987) and the film's multiple interpretations". Journal of Indian Cinema. 1 (19). Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.