Vazhakku (transl. Quarrel) is a 2022 Malayalam film directed and edited by Sanal Kumar Sasidharan starring Tovino Thomas, Kani Kusruti, Sudev Nair, and Azees Nedumangad. The film is about a lawyer named Siddharthan who is going through a divorce. He meets a woman named Sathi and her daughter, who are also going through marital problems. The two families are going through their difficult times.[1][2]
| Vazhakku | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Sanal Kumar Sasidharan |
| Screenplay by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Chandru Selvaraj |
| Edited by | Sanal Kumar Sasidharan |
| Music by | |
Release date |
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| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
The film was released on 29 July 2022, in India. It was met with positive reviews from critics, who praised the film's direction, performances, and screenplay. The film was screened at the 27th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala among the only 12 Malayalam language film screened and was also selected to premier at Korean international Film Festival IFFSA-SEOUL 2022. Vazhakku won several awards at the 54th Kerala State Film Awards, including three Best Child Artist, Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects.[3][4][5][6] The film was later released for free on Vimeo on 14 May 2024.
Plot
editSiddharthan (Tovino Thomas), a lawyer, was going through a tumultuous divorce. On the day scheduled for the signing of their mutual divorce agreement, he betrayed his wife, Lakshmi, by engaging in infidelity before embarking on an inland drive. Desperate to salvage their marriage, he pleaded with Lakshmi over the phone to postpone the divorce, citing their daughter Tara's well-being. His attempt, however, proved futile. During his return journey, a chance encounter with Sathi (Kani Kusruti) and her mute daughter, who were also facing marital turmoil, profoundly altered his perspective on life. Feeling a deep sense of dissatisfaction and emptiness, he sought meaning in his existence. His meeting with Sathi, a woman similarly disillusioned with her marriage, led to further complications in both their lives.[7]
Cast
edit- Tovino Thomas as Sidharthan
- Devaki Rajendran as Lakshmi
- Kani Kusruti as Sathi
- Sudev Nair as Unknown Authority
- Azees Nedumangad as Reghu
- Byju Netto as Helper
- Vishnujith S V as Helper
- S Bhrugu as Helper
- Thanmaya Sol as Thara
Awards and nominations
edit| Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53rd Kerala State Film Awards | Best Child Artist (Female) | Thanmaya Sol | Won | [8] |
| Best Cinematography | Chandru Selvaraj | Won | ||
| Best Visual Effects | Anish T, Sumesh Gopal | Won |
References
edit- ^ "Vazhakku Trailer: Tovino Thomas Delivers a Chilling Performance in This Glimpse of Sanal Kumar Sasidharan's Crime Drama - Watch". latestly.com.
- ^ "Sanal Kumar Sasidharan says 'Vazhakku'getting an official selection at the 27th IFFK is important to him, as several people have been trying to paint him as a 'women abuser' in film circles". timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
- ^ "Sanal Kumar Sasidharan's Vazhakk Is An Intriguing, Well-Acted Film". filmcompanion.in.
- ^ "IFFK: Brawl breaks out between delegates, volunteers during screening of Tovino's 'Vazhakku'". onmanorama.com.
- ^ "Tovino's 'Vazhakku' screening ends up in quarrel at IFFK, delegates mark protest". english.mathrubhumi.com.
- ^ "Tovino Thomas' Vazhakku Officially Selected for IFFSA-SEOUL 2022". latestly.com.
- ^ "Sanal Kumar Sasidharan's Vazhakk Is An Intriguing, Well-Acted Film". filmcompanion.in.
- ^ "53rd Kerala State Film Awards: Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam named Best Film; Mammootty, Vincy Aloshious, Mahesh Narayanan bag top honours". indianexpress.com.