Thuramukham (2023 film)

Thuramukham
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Rajeev Ravi
Written by	Gopan Chidambaran
Produced by	Sukumar Thekkepat Jose Thomas Listin Stephen[1]
Starring	Nivin Pauly Indrajith Sukumaran Joju George Arjun Ashokan Sudev Nair Manikandan R. Achari
Cinematography	Rajeev Ravi
Edited by	B. Ajithkumar
Music by	K Shahabaz Aman
Production companies	Collective Phase One Pauly Jr. Pictures Thekkepat Films Queen Mary Movies
Distributed by	Magic Frames
Release date	10 March 2023 (2023-03-10)[2]
Country	India
Language	Malayalam

Thuramukham (transl. Harbor) is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language period drama film directed and filmed by Rajeev Ravi and written by Gopan Chidambaran. It is based on the play of the same name by K. M. Chidambaran, Gopan's father.^[3][4][5] The film stars Nivin Pauly, Indrajith Sukumaran, Joju George, Arjun Ashokan, Sudev Nair, Manikandan R. Achari, Senthil Krishna, Nimisha Sajayan, Poornima Indrajith, and Darshana Rajendran in prominent roles. It presents the harbor workers protest against the Chappa labor allocation system practiced during the 1940s and 50s in Cochin district of Kerala.

After multiple delays, Thuramukham was theatrically released on 10 March 2023.The film got negative reviews and was a box office bomb. ^[2][6]

Plot

The story is set in the backdrop of workers' struggles and protests against the infamous 'Chappa' system of casual labour allocation and the primitive "work guarantee" scheme that was practiced at the Mattancherry harbor in Kochi during the 1940s and 50s. Metal tokens called chappa were thrown into the waiting crowds of labourers who would fight for them. Whoever managed to get one would be given work for the day at the wharves or godowns. Protests against this system had resulted in the police shooting and the killing of three labourers. The story further revolves around two brothers on opposing sides on the day of labourers' epic struggle against dock bosses.

Cast

• Nivin Pauly as Mattancherry Moidu
• Indrajith Sukumaran as Santo Gopalan
• Joju George as Mymoo, Moidu's father
• Arjun Ashokan as Hamza, Moidu's brother
• Darshana Rajendran as Khadeeja, Moidu's sister
• Nimisha Sajayan as Umani, Moidu's wife
• Poornima Indrajith as Moidu's mother
• Sudev Nair as Pacheek
• Manikandan R. Achari as Umboocha, Mymoo's friend
• Senthil Krishna as Srank
• Divya Gopinath

Production

The principal photography of the film was completed in January 2020 but the release was delayed for a long time due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

Release

Theatrical

Thuramukham was scheduled for worldwide theatrical release in summer 2021 but was postponed due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Kerala. but was postponed again, to avoid the clash with Mohanlal starrer Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham which released on 2 December 2021.^[7] Later, the film was announced to be released on 24 December 2021 during the festival time of Christmas but was again postponed.^[8] The film was postponed yet again after being scheduled to be released on 7 January 2022. The film was finally released in theatres on 10 March 2023.^[2]

Marketing

On 13 May 2021, the makers released the first teaser trailer.^[9]

Accolades

Awards associated with Thuramukham

Year	Award	Category	Recipient	Result	Ref.
2021	Kerala State Film Awards	Best Actor	Joju George[a]	Won	[10]
		Best Art Director	A. V. Gokuldas	Won	[10]

Music

The film features songs and background score composed by K and Shahabaz Aman.^[11]

Thuramukham [12]
Soundtrack album by K, Shahabaz Aman
Released	23 March 2023
Recorded	2019–2020
Genre	Feature film soundtrack
Length	17:05
Language	Malayalam
Label	Magic Frames Music
Producer	K, Shahabaz Aman
K chronology
Panni Kutty (2022) Thuramukham [12] (2023)
Shahabaz Aman chronology
Halal Love Story (2020) Thuramukham (2023) Uschool (2023)

External audio
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, from Spotify

All tracks are written by Anwar Ali.

Thuramukham track listing

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Singer(s)	Length
1.	"Karakkenne Thanichakkeettu"	Anwar Ali	K	Sayanora Philip	04:20
2.	"Kappal Paatu"	Anwar Ali	Shahabaz Aman	Shahabaz Aman	09:03
3.	"Maravi"	Anwar Ali	K	Biju Narayanan, K	03:41
Total length:					17:05

Reception

Anna Mathews, a critic of The Times of India, gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote that "Director Rajeev Ravi infuses his usual atmospheric heft to the film".^[13] Anandu Suresh, critic of The New Indian Express, stated that "But for those who enjoy the slow pace, this movie is unquestionably a gem", and gave 4 out 5 stars.^[14] The Hindu critic S.R.Praveen wrote that "Rajeev Ravi’s film is an important document of the struggles to unionise for rights".^[15] Firstpost critic wrote that "Thuramukham is, nevertheless, significant for playing spoilsport in a world where it is the eternal goal of oppressors to ensure that their stories are never told by those with empathy for the oppressed", and gave 2.75 rating out of 5.^[16] Princy Alexander, critic of Onmanorama, stated that "The narration is slow-paced and jerky at times."^[17] The Quint critic gave 3 stars out of 5, in a review headlined "Rajeev Ravi & Nivin Pauly Mount a Strong Film on Communism".^[18] OTTplay critic gave 3.5 out of 5 and wrote that "The powerful performances and the electrifying ending make it an engrossing watch."^[19]

Notes

1. Co-winner with Biju Menon; Won for performances in Madhuram, Freedom Fight, Thuramukham and Naayaattu

References

1. "Nivin Pauly on 'Thuramukham' release delay, says It was the producer's fault". The Times of India. 10 March 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
2. "After many delays, Nivin Pauly's Thuramukham gets release date". The Indian Express. 28 February 2023. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
3. "Nivin Pauly-Rajeev Ravi's Thuramukham first look out". OnManorama. 6 January 2020. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
4. "Rajeev Ravi's Thuramukham completed". The New Indian Express. 7 October 2019. Archived from the original on 5 July 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
5. "First look: Nivin Pauly-Rajeev Ravi's Thuramukham". The Indian Express. 5 March 2019. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
6. "Thuramukham teaser: Nivin Pauly promises high-octane political drama". The Indian Express. 13 May 2021. Archived from the original on 26 May 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
7. "Mohanlal's Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham will release in theatres on December 2, confirms Kerala minister Saji Cherian". The New Indian Express. 11 November 2021. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
8. "Thuramukham | 'മരക്കാറി'നു പിന്നാലെ 'തുറമുഖം'; റിലീസ് പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ച് നിവിന്‍ പോളിയുടെ ബിഗ് ബജറ്റ് ചിത്രം". Asianet News. 11 November 2021. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
9. "Thuramukham teaser: Nivin Pauly promises high-octane political drama". The Indian Express. 13 May 2021. Archived from the original on 26 May 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
10. "52nd Kerala State Film Awards: The complete winners list". The Indian Express. 28 May 2022. Archived from the original on 15 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
11. "Thuramukham (2023)". Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
12. "Thuramukham (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Spotify. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
13. "Thuramukham Movie Review: A fictional recounting of port trade unionism". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
14. "Thuramukham movie review: This Rajeev Ravi film is an epic we didn't know we needed or deserved". The Indian Express. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
15. Praveen, S. R. (10 March 2023). "Thuramukham movie review: Rajeev Ravi's film is an important document of the struggles to unionise for rights". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
16. "Thuramukham movie review: Documenting dehumanisation and rebellion with uneven results". Firstpost. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
17. "Thuramukham Review: A powerful ode to struggle against chaapa system in Mattancherry". OnManorama. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
18. Athimuthu, Soundarya (12 March 2023). "Thuramukham Review: Rajeev Ravi & Nivin Pauly Mount a Strong Film on Communism". TheQuint. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
19. "Thuramukham review: A powerful Nivin Pauly film". OTTPlay. Retrieved 7 April 2023.

External links

• Thuramukham at IMDb