Palunku (transl. Crystal) is a 2006 Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by Blessy. It stars Mammootty in the lead role with Nazriya Nazim making her on-screen debut through this film- along with Lakshmi Sharma, Baby Nivedita, Kottayam Santha, and Jagathy Sreekumar playing other pivotal roles.[1][2]
| Palunku | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Blessy |
| Written by | Blessy |
| Produced by | Houli Pottoor |
| Starring | Mammootty Lakshmi Sharma Nazriya Nazim Nivedita Jagathy Sreekumar Kottayam Santha |
| Cinematography | Santosh Thundiyil |
| Edited by | Raja Mohammed |
| Music by | Mohan Sithara |
Production company | Dream Team Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 136 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
The film was mainly shot at various locations in Muvattupuzha and Thodupuzha.[3] It released on 22 December 2006.[4][5] Mammootty won the Best Actor award for the film at the Kerala Film Critics Awards.[6][7]
Cast
edit- Mammootty as Monichan
- Lakshmi Sharma as Susamma
- Nazriya Nazim as Geethu
- Baby Nivedita as Neethu
- Jagathy Sreekumar as Soman Pillai
- Nedumudi Venu as Teacher
- Thampi Antony as Prof. Sukumaran Nair
- Santhakumari as Lalitha
- Tony Sigimon as Alexander
- Kottayam Santha as Ammayi
- Subair as Police Officer
- Mahima
- Vishnu Unnikrishnan as Asalappan
Critical reception
editA review by The Hindu said, "Palunku is a commendable attempt at portraying the changing attitude of the modern Malayali through the story of a small family of a husband, wife, and two children. The family succumbs to the temptations of a modern lifestyle and gets down to making money. The movie realistically depicts how the craze for modernity and consumerist culture affects family values".[5][8] A review by Deccan Herald wrote "performances by Mammootty as Monichan, new girl Lakshmi Sharma as Susamma, the children Nazriya Nazim as Geethu and Niveditha as Neethu and Jagathy Sreekumar as Soman Pillai this technically-superb film is a must watch this weekend".[9]
Soundtrack
editThe soundtrack to the film was composed by Mohan Sithara with lyrics penned by Kaithapram.
- "Maanathe Velli" - Dr. K. J. Yesudas
- "Pottu Thotta" - P. Jayachandran, Jassie Gift, Sheela Mani
- "Ettuvatta Kettum" - G. Venugopal, Anwar Sadath
- "Neruparayanam" - Madhu Balakrishnan, Anu
References
edit- ^ "The girl next door"
- ^ "Blessy is back"
- ^ "Search for greener pastures"
- ^ "Mixed response to Christmas releases"
- ^ a b "Of the ills of consumerism"
- ^ "Striking a balance"
- ^ "Offbeat films"
- ^ "Mammootty excels in Palunku".
- ^ "Palunku". Deccan Herald. 7 January 2007. Archived from the original on 16 January 2007. Retrieved 5 November 2023.