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Churuli: Here is why you should watch Lijo Jose Pellissery's upcoming Malayalam sci-fi thriller
Besides being the long-awaited movie for almost more than a year, it undoubtedly has many appealing factors which prompt everyone towards it including a stellar cast of Chemban Vinod Jose, Vinay Forrt, and Joju George
Nov 18, 2021
When Lijo Jose Pellissery directed Churuli is gearing up for a release, the thrill that audiences experience is something that could be equalled to nothing. After much speculation and confusion, the Malayalam sci-fi thriller is finally ready for its OTT release on SonyLIV.
Churuli was shot at a high range in Kerala, with a lot of mystery and secrecy from the beginning. The makers had earlier revealed that the shooting was completed within just 19 days, months before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. With its super exciting trailer, the movie was then screened at the 25th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), where it received mixed responses, which definitely made everyone more curious to know what is inside the box.
The further journey of Churuli has also been exciting. It got a nomination card to the 15th Asian Film Awards for best art direction and sound.
Besides being the long-awaited movie for almost more than a year, the movie undoubtedly has many more appealing factors which pull the audience towards it. Delving deep into the mysterious labyrinth movie, here are the reasons why you should consider watching Churuli as soon as it gets premiered on November 19.
The LJP legacy
The name Lijo Jose Pellissery is not something that the audience can move past easily. The independent filmmaker had made sure to leave an impact on everyone who has left theatres after watching his movies.
Known for his unconventional approach in direction, LJP is a fan of unique experiments, which he has always made sure to bring up in his narratives. Anyone who has watched the movies like Angamaly Diaries, Ee.Ma.Yu and Jallikkattu would have definitely known how innovative the filmmaker has been.
His films have always been a visual as well as intellectual treat, with exemplary cinematography, non-linear storylines and thought-provoking themes. His last film Jallikkattu is an example. The film is all about a bull that escapes from a slaughterhouse, and the entire village men gathering to hunt down the animal. The movie, which has more intensity than what it appears, was a hit at different levels, and it managed to win many awards and nominations including an entry from India to the 93rd Academy Awards.
LJP’s name is a sufficient factor to wait for Churuli. Though his movies do not interest everyone, it is certain that Churuli won't go unappreciated. He has hailed Churuli as a labyrinth in which one loses track once entered, while speaking at the IFFK.
Sci-fi thriller
Science fiction is a genre that is a bit alien to Malayali audiences. Though they are fans of diverse genres and are open to different views, Malayalam cinema has to take a further leap in bringing the same to their screens. On this note, the sci-fi thriller from LJP’s kit is definitely something huge.
The movie has been rumoured to have included many interesting scientific, fantasy and thrilling elements, which could also extend to horror sometimes. With an aim of unfolding a fine sci-fi mystery in Malayalam, Churuli seems approachable for all kinds of audiences.
Mysterious trailer
Churuli’s trailer, which was released a year ago, was a matter of amusement then. It has gotten much attention recently too, since the announcement of the release. With a mysterious touch of magical realism, the three-minute-long video will take anyone on a curious-fantasy ride.
With a gorgeously animated prelude about a monk, the trailer narrates an interesting story. The monk seems to be travelling through a beautiful forest in an attempt to capture the phantom called Perumadan. After losing his way, he gets a strange ball, which he decides to keep with him. However, the ball turns out to be the phantom, which then misleads him through the loop and it never seems to end. We can also see two undercover police officers entering a forest territory in the trailer, which makes us resemble the just heard prelude.
The trailer is rich with visual art and appealing elements such as bright-eyed creatures, time-travel hints, and much more. Although many assumptions could be drawn, nothing is assertive unless the whole pack is delivered.
The brilliant cast
Churuli has unquestionably ensembled the most brilliant team in the cast. Actors like Chemban Vinod Jose, Vinay Forrt, Joju George and Jaffer Idukki and Soubin Shahir are some of the names in the Mollywood industry synonymous with versatility. Each of the actors has separate legacies of their own, which has proved them to be excellent natural actors of all time. This ranges from Joju’s Chola to Vinay’s Thamasha to Chemban Vinod’s Porinju Mariam Jose. When all of them come together on screen, the expectations could be nothing less than that of a masterpiece.
The expertised crew
The behind-the-screen team of Churuli could never go unnoticed as the skilled crew are popular in Malayalam cinema with their attractive works. The screenplay is penned by S Hareesh, who is best known for his acclaimed controversial novel Meesha, which got a selection for JCB Prize for Literature. For handling the camera, the finest, award-winning cinematographer Madhu Neelakandan is on board, who is noted for many of his works including Kammatipaadam, Aami and Rani Padmini. The much-appreciated music score of the movie is handled by Sreerag Saji, who got a nomination to Asian Film Awards for the same movie, alongside the art director Gokuldas.
From the cast to the crew and the storyline, Churuli seems to have each of its elements packed perfectly, which prompts most of us to stay glued to screens and watch the film as soon as it is released on November 19.
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