Jan.E.Man is a 2021 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film written and directed by Chidambaram in his directorial debut. It was co-written by Ganapathi (Chidambaram's younger brother) and Sapnesh Varachal.[1] The film stars Basil Joseph, Lal, Arjun Ashokan, Balu Varghese and Ganapathi S Poduval in important roles.[2] The film was produced by Lakshmi Warrier, Ganesh Menon, Sajith Kookal and Shawn Antony under the banner of Cheers Entertainment.[3] The film was released on 19 November 2021, and was unanimously met with critical acclaim with praise towards the performances (particularly Basil Joseph's and Balu Varghese's), clean humour, emotional depth, story and Chidambaram's direction.
Jan.E.Man | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Chidambaram |
Written by | Chidambaram Ganapathi Sapnesh Varachal |
Produced by | Lakshmi Warrier Ganesh Menon Sajith Kookal Shawn Antony |
Starring | Basil Joseph Lal Arjun Ashokan Balu Varghese Ganapathi S Poduval |
Cinematography | Vishnu Thandassery |
Edited by | Kiran Das |
Music by | Bijibal |
Production company | Cheers Entertainment |
Release date |
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Running time | 147 minutes |
Country | India |
Language | Malayalam |
Plot
editJoymon is a nurse working in a cold and desolate part of Canada. He grapples with persistent loneliness and finds comfort in calls to his family and childhood friends in Kerala. He decides to celebrate his 30th birthday with a big party in Kerala and invites all of his old school friends. Faizal, one of his friends who is now a skin doctor, helps him organize it. Faizal asks another friend, Sampath, a car dealer, to host the party at his house. Initially reluctant, Sampath later agrees assuming that the birthday party will be a small affair. They pick Joymon from the airport and head to Sampath's house where Sampath's mother, sister and grandmother also live. Soon other friends like Ratheesh, a Malayalam TV serial actor, Sajith (Saji), a gangster along with his sidekick Kannan and Sampath's childhood sweetheart Ammu join the party. Contrary to Sampath's assumption, Joymon has planned a grand party including fireworks, lighting decorations, liquor, DJ and so on. He has even hired Akshay who is an event coordinator.
While the party starts to get going, an older man named Ittichan, who lives in the house opposite to Sampath's has a heart attack and passes away. This leads to the unusual situation where there is a birthday party celebration in one house and a funeral being planned in the other house. Moreover, Ittichan's younger daughter Jesna is heavily pregnant with her due date in a week. Sampath is unsympathetic, since he has had conflicts in the past with Monichan, Ittichan's estranged son. Soon, Ittichan's younger brother Kochukunju as well as Monichan and his friends arrive at Ittichan's house to plan the funeral. The sombre event at one house clashes with the loud and brightly lit party at the other house. Akshay decides to help with the funeral as well and becomes the event coordinator for both the events and runs back and forth between the two.
Just as Ittichan's older daughter Saramma, a nun, somehow convinces Monichan to give his father the last kiss at midnight, Joymon sets off fireworks celebrating his birthday which causes anger in the grieving house. Sampath and Faizal feel this went out of hand; they fight with Joymon and apologise to Kochukunju for the disturbance. Kochukunju recognises Ratheesh as a big actor in one of the serials he watches; soon the guests from both events start to commingle with each other and start to understand each other. Faizal treats Jesna; Joymon and Monichan start to bond on no one understanding them. When Ittichan's will is read, they are surprised to hear that some property has been left to Sampath's grandmother. They rush to clarify things and find her dead in her bed.
They discover an old photograph of Ittichan and faded letters in the grandmother's possession and discover that the two were star-crossed lovers in the early 1970s. Due to their different faiths, they were not able to marry each other but nevertheless continued to love each other from afar. Ittichan fondly called her Jan-E-Man (Darling in Urdu). Monichan and Sampath get into a fight along with their friends after Monichan's friend Chacko hits Sampath and in retaliation Sajith accidentally hits Kochukunju. During this, Ittichan's younger daughter Jesna goes into labour and Faizal as well as the women in both the houses work together to deliver the baby. She finally gives birth to a healthy baby girl and everyone is overjoyed when Monichan names her Jan-E-Man and Joymon wishing her happy birthday. The movie ends showing Ittichan and Sampath's grandmother being buried in adjacent graves surrounded by their family and friends.
Cast
edit- Basil Joseph as Joymon, a nurse in Canada
- Arjun Ashokan as Sampath
- Ganapathi S Poduval as Dr. Faizal Khan, Sampath's dermatologist friend
- Lal as Plathottathil Kochukunju, Ittichan's brother
- Balu Varghese as Plathottathil Monichan, Ittichan's son
- Siddharth Menon as Ratheesh (Nandan Varma), TV actor (voice dubbed by Shobi Thilakan in serial)
- Sajin Gopu as Sajith Lal (Saji Vypin), a gangster
- Abhiram Radhakrishnan as Akshay Kumar, an event coordinator
- Sarath Sabha as Kannan, Saji's sidekick
- Riya Saira as Jesna, Ittichan's younger daughter
- Remya Suresh as Nancy, Kochukunju's wife
- Gilu Joseph as Sister Saramma, Ittichan's older daughter
- Ganga Meera as Sampath's mother
- Sruthy Sathyan as Aishwarya, Sampath's sister
- Prapti Elizabeth as Ammu, Sampath's love
- Chembil Ashokan as Manikunju, Ittichan's relative
- Prashant Murali as Chacko, Monichan's friend
- Kunjukutty as Havildar Palathottathil Ittiyavara (Ittichan)
- Asif Ali as young Ittichan (voice only)
- Maneesha K.S. as Police constable Neighbour
Production
editThe movie marks the directorial debut of Chidambaram. The movie was made during the COVID-19 pandemic and its shooting started on 9 September 2020, and it was wrapped up in 35 days. It was shot in Kochi and Kashmir. Arjun Ashokan and Balu Varghese were part of the project from the get-go.[4][5]
Vishnu Thandassery, who had worked in many films as a still photographer has debuted as a cinematographer through this film.[6] Bijibal composed the background score for this movie. Kiran Das is the editor and Vinesh Bangalan is the art director of the film. R. G. Vayandan did the makeup and Mahser Hamsa arranged the costumes for the movie. The film was co-written by Ganapathi S Poduval who is the brother of the director.
Marketing
editThe teaser of the movie was released by Dulquer Salmaan on 9 July 2021.[7] Mohanlal, Tovino Thomas and Asif Ali released the first look poster of the film on 30 August 2021.[8] The song Mizhiyoram from the 1980 Malayalam movie Manjil Virinja Pookkal was remastered in this film.[9] The song was released by Manju Warrier on 3 November 2021.[10] The official trailer of the film was released on 11 November 2021, by Mammootty through his official Facebook Page.[11] The satellite right of the movie was grabbed by Surya Tv.[citation needed]
Release
editThe movie was released in theatres of Kerala on 19 November 2021.[12][13] Initially the movie had previews in 90 release centers, the movie was welcomed by a low initial response but after increased demand from the audience, the movie was previewed in 150 release centers across Kerala after a week. The movie was released outside Kerala on 10 December 2021.[14]
Reception
editThe movie received critical acclaim from the critics as well as from the audience. The Times of India gave a rating of 3.5 on 5 and wrote that, "This is a film that will make you both laugh and cry at the same time, offering insights into the meaning of happiness, togetherness, friendship and more. This movie is suited for those who like situational comedy, real-life people and quirky connections."[15] Sajin Srijith of The New Indian Express commented that, "Jan.E.Man is a welcome bundle of laughs, emotions, and other surprises. The film finds a neat balance between its laughs and intense emotions."[16] Firstpost rated the movie with 3.5 on 5 and exclaimed, "The outcome of Chidambaram's confident direction and a sharp script is an intelligent and entertaining film."[17] Appreciating the script and the performances of the movie S. R. Praveen of The Hindu wrote that, "Jan-E-man, with its inventive script and earnest performances, hits all the right notes."[18]
Vishal Menon of Film Companion said that, "Jan.E.Man is a movie that you would have got when Lijo Jose Pellissery had co-directed Ee.Ma.Yau. with Rafi Mecartin. The movie is an original, if uneven, dark comedy with an excellent ensemble."[19] Sify gave a rating of 3.5 on 5 and wrote that, "Jan-E-Man is A feel good entertainer. Lal and Balu Varghese shines as Kochu Kunju and Monichan respectively. Arjun Ashokan, Ganapathi, Basil Joseph, Riya Saira and Siddharth Menon are impressive."[20] Malayala Manorama appreciated the movie by writing that, "Janeman is a procession of laughter."[21] OTT Play gives a rating of 3.5 on 5 and writes that, "Jan.E.Man movie review: Basil Joseph, Arjun Ashokan -starrer takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions."[22]
References
edit- ^ "Lal, Arjun Ashokan to star in Chidambaram SP-directed Jan-e-Man". The New Indian Express. 10 November 2020. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Arjun Ashokan-Basil Joseph film ready for release". The New Indian Express. 14 July 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Lal and Arjun Ashokan to play the leads in Jan-E-Man". On Lookers Media. 9 November 2020. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Brothers Chidambaram and Ganapathy on working together for the Malayalam film 'Jan.E.Man'". The Hindu. 18 November 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "I couldn't imagine my movie without Basil Joseph: 'Jan-e-Man' writer-director Chidambaram". The New Indian Express. 24 November 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Cinematography was nowhere in my dreams: 'Jan-E-Mann' cameraman". Onmanorama. 14 December 2021. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "'Janeman' teaser features the 'story of a lonely man'". The Times of India. 12 July 2021. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- ^ "First Jan-e-Man poster reveals complete cast". The New Indian Express. 31 August 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "'മിഴിയോരം'; 40 വർഷങ്ങൾക്ക് ശേഷം മഞ്ഞിൽ വിരിഞ്ഞ പൂക്കളിലെ ഗാനവുമായി 'ജാനേമൻ' ടീം". Mathrubhumi News (in Malayalam). 4 November 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Jan E Man movie : 'മിഴിയോരം'; 41 വർഷങ്ങൾക്ക് ശേഷം മഞ്ഞിൽ വിരിഞ്ഞ പൂക്കൾ ഗാനവുമായി 'ജാൻ-എ-മൻ' ടീം". Asianet News (in Malayalam). 4 November 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Janeman Trailer : തിയറ്ററില് പൊട്ടിച്ചിരി തീര്ക്കാന് 'ജാന്.എ.മന്'; ട്രെയ്ലര് പുറത്തിറങ്ങി". News18 (in Malayalam). 11 November 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "'Ellam Sheriyakum' to 'Aaha', 3 Malayalam films to hit theatres on Friday". English Mathrubhumi News. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Janeman: തിയേറ്ററുകളില് ആഘോഷമാവാന് 'ജാന് എ മന്'; ചിത്രത്തിന് ക്ലീന് യൂ സര്ട്ടിഫിക്കറ്റ്". Asianet News (in Malayalam). 11 November 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Jan.E.Man: ചിരി പടർത്തി ഹൗസ്ഫുൾ ഷോകളുടെ എണ്ണം വർധിപ്പിച്ച് ജാൻ എ മൻ; വിജയാഘോഷവുമായി അണിയറ പ്രവർത്തകർ". Zee News (in Malayalam). 1 December 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Jan.E.Man Movie Review: A quirky comedy laced with real emotions". The Times of India. 19 November 2021. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "'Jan-e-Man' Review: A welcome bundle of laughs, emotions, and other surprises". The New Indian Express. 19 November 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Jan-E-Man movie review: An immaculate blend of laughter, tears, sense and sensitivity". Firstpost. 13 December 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "'Jan-E-Man' Malayalam movie review: Hits all the right notes with its inventive script". The Hindu. 30 November 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ Menon, Vishal (19 November 2021). "Jan.E.Man movie review: An original, if uneven, dark comedy with an excellent ensemble". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
- ^ "Jan-E-Man review: A feel good entertainer". Sify.com. 22 November 2021. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "ചിരിയുടെ ഘോഷയാത്ര; 'ജാനേമൻ' റിവ്യു". Malayala Manorama (in Malayalam). 20 November 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ "Jan.E.Man movie review: Basil Joseph, Arjun Ashokan-starrer takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions". Ottplay. com. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.[permanent dead link]
External links
edit- Jan. E. Man at IMDb