Tovino Thomas's Palli Chattambi goes on floors
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
06-08-2025
- The Hindu
In conversation with Midhun Murali, recipient of National Film Awards for best editing
I first spoke to Midhun Murali in 2012, when he brought out a bunch of short films with his friend from college, Nevin Fradian. Both had just finished their engineering and were nurturing movie dreams, with Midhun focussing on editing. Now, over a decade later, Midhun is basking in the glory of the National Film Awards (2023) for best editing for the film, Pookkaalam, directed by Ganesh Raj. It was double delight for the film's crew since Vijayaraghavan won the national honour for the best supporting actor. 'I was shocked when I heard my name. We were expecting an award for Kuttettan (Vijayaraghavan). My award came out of the blue,' says 36-year-old Midhun. Pookkaalam is only his second film as an editor, the first one being Kalamandalam Hyderali released in 2020. The film tells the heart-warming tale of 100-year-old Ittoop (Vijayaraghavan) and his large extended family. During a function, Ittoop stumbles upon a letter which shatters his relationship with Kochuthresia (KPAC Leela), his wife of 80 years. Midhun says that Vijayaraghavan's performance made Pookkaalam very special for him. The actor was 72 when he played the 100-year-old Ittoop. 'He had given so much for the role, be it through his body language, make-up, dialogues, gestures or mannerisms. My job was cut out for me because he was extraordinary in all the scenes. I wanted to keep all that, but that is not how it works. It was quite a task to choose the best out of the best. I was happy that I could work in a movie that has Kuttettaan's career-best performance.' Midhun mentions that after the first cut, the duration of the film was three hours 15 minutes. 'We reduced it by one hour for which we had to let go off many scenes in which he was superb. When Kuttettan saw the full movie, he was a little disappointed that many scenes were not there.' Midhun is quick to add that KPAC Leela, a veteran theatre actor, also did full justice to her role. The film is divided into chapters in which the story alternates between different time periods. 'There are a lot of visual jumps on account of that. I had to make the narrative seamless. Anend (cinematographer Anend C Chandran) played a crucial role in executing this,' he says. Music by Sachin Warrier also complemented the process, he adds. Midhun says he had fun editing the light-hearted scenes featuring Basil Joseph and Vineeth Sreenivasan. 'The comedy is over-the-top in some instances, but that was reined in by the two actors,' says Midhun, adding, 'Ganesh and Basil have been Vineeth's assistants and so there was a happy vibe on the set.' Midhun recalls that while pursuing his Plus Two, he wanted to become a filmmaker. 'But, in college, I got a chance to edit dance programmes and plays. I realised the potential of the craft and soon started enjoying the process. I think an editor is like a second director. So, probably, once I gather the experience, I might direct a film. We have many editor-directors around,' he says referring to Mahesh Narayanan, Abhinav Sunder Nayak, Appu Bhattathiri and others. Talking about his stint with short films, Midhun remembers Shaaey, one of the films that became popular. 'That was when social media was gaining a hold. The film was widely appreciated. Since I was sure about making movies I did not even try to get a job, which did not go down well with my family. My sister has been extremely supportive though. I did a six-month editing course in Mumbai and assisted an editor in Chennai for some time. By 2014, I turned a freelance editor.' Ganesh has been his acquaintance since 2011. 'We collaborated on a few projects. Unfortunately I could not work in his first film (Aanandam).' Although they were supposed to start shooting Pookkaalam in 2021, the pandemic upset their plans. It took two more years for the film to reach theatres. Midhun says some recognition is coming editors' ways these days. 'People are discussing editors and their style. The scenario is such that there are hundreds of editors out there, the ones who put up reels on social media. Since they know the basics of editing they can judge our work and understand the effort that goes into it.' Shrinking attention spans makes an editor's job challenging, he points out. 'Content and emotion have to be placed correctly,' he says. In this context, he rates Ponman as one of the best-edited Malayalam movies of the recent times. 'It has been adapted from a book. The pace at which the story is told for the screen is brilliant.' Meanwhile, he is waiting for a few new projects to start rolling.
News18
05-08-2025
- News18
'Why Was Shah Rukh Khan Named Best Actor?': Actress Urvashi Slams National Film Awards
Urvashi, who herself shared the Best Supporting Actress award with Gujarati actor Janki Bodiwala, expressed dissatisfaction over not being considered in the lead actress category The 71st National Film Awards, meant to celebrate cinematic excellence, is now at the centre of a controversy, with several artists, including award-winners, openly questioning the jury's choices. Among the most vocal has been legendary Tamil and Malayam actress Urvashi, who has raised pointed questions about the selection process that led to Shah Rukh Khan being awarded Best Actor for ' Jawan ', while veterans like Vijayaraghavan were relegated to the Supporting Actor category. In a sharp interview with Asianet News, Urvashi asked, 'What were the criteria for selecting Shah Rukh Khan for Best Actor? And how was Vijayaraghavan placed in the supporting actor category?" She criticised the lack of transparency, stating plainly, 'Kuttettan (Vijayaraghavan) is an experienced artist. At least he deserved a special jury mention." Her remarks echoed a growing sentiment within parts of the film industry that the awards process has turned opaque, favouring stardom over substance. The backlash intensified after several performers, widely seen as leads in their films, were instead recognised in supporting categories, allegedly to make room for big-ticket names like Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji. Urvashi, who herself shared the Best Supporting Actress award with Gujarati actor Janki Bodiwala, expressed dissatisfaction over not being considered in the lead actress category for her role in ' Ullozhukku ', where she starred opposite Parvathy Thiruvothu. Her performance had earlier earned her the Kerala State Award for Best Actress. She pointedly asked, 'Why do we have awards? On what basis are they given? That needs to be made clear, regardless of the category." She added that if artists are simply expected to accept awards quietly, that needs to change. Quoting fellow actor Rima Kallingal, Urvashi said, 'If this is what you (despite being a proven veteran actor) have to go through, just imagine how worse it would be for all of us." The controversy also envelops Vijayaraghavan's role in ' Pookkaalam ', where he played a 100-year-old man, a physically demanding lead performance that required intense prosthetic work and hours of daily makeup. Urvashi revealed she was initially approached to play his partner in the film but declined due to the physical toll the role would require. 'Even if you pay me crores, I wouldn't do it. But he, at his age, endured all of that and performed. That alone deserves at least a Special Mention." She added, 'How did you distinguish between Vijayaraghavan's and Shah Rukh Khan's performances? How did one become a supporting actor and the other the best actor?" Her criticism was not confined to individual snubs. She also condemned the complete omission of Blessy's ' Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life)', starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, from the awards list. 'They said it was a majority decision. But what exactly does that mean? What is the basis?" she asked. Urvashi also questioned why the Best Actress award was not shared this year, despite such precedents in previous editions. 'Is there any protocol? Is there any set standard? Awards should not be taken home quietly. This is not pension money. If you are giving me something, I should feel happy to receive it," she said. Calling for accountability, she stated that she has already urged Minister of State Suresh Gopi to look into the alleged bias against Malayalam cinema. Urvashi's remarks have found resonance among many in the Malayalam film fraternity, especially in light of what some perceive as a trend of sidelining regional cinema in favour of Bollywood glamour. While expressing gratitude for her award, Urvashi said she received calls from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and actor Kamal Haasan congratulating her. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
05-08-2025
- Time of India
Urvashi questions 'Aadujeevitham' National awards snub: ‘We all know it's because of 'Empuraan'
Veteran actor Urvashi, who won Best Supporting Actress at the 71st National Film Awards for her role in 'Ullozhukku', has openly criticised the jury for sidelining Blessy's 'Aadujeevitham' and its lead star, Prithviraj Sukumaran. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'How could they ignore Aadujeevitham?': Urvashi stands by Prithviraj and Blessy Speaking to The News Minute, she said, 'You have an actor who's put everything into this role—physically and emotionally. He lived that pain, and they just ignored it. We all know it's because of Empuraan.' Urvashi's comments refer to the controversy surrounding 'L2: Empuraan', directed by Prithviraj, which allegedly included scenes referencing the 2002 Gujarat riots. Following backlash, the makers cut over two minutes of footage and made key character name changes. Urvashi believes this fallout cost Aadujeevitham any recognition. Raises questions over jury's choices for Shah Rukh, Vijayaraghavan In a separate interview with Asianet News, Urvashi also questioned the jury's decision to award Shah Rukh Khan Best Actor for Jawan. 'What were the parameters? How was Shah Rukh Khan chosen, and what about actors like Vijayaraghavan?' she asked. She was particularly critical about Vijayaraghavan, whose role in Pookkaalam was categorized as 'supporting.' 'He endured hours of makeup and gave a soulful performance. How is that not lead material?' she said, noting that he wasn't even offered a Special Jury Mention. 'I need to speak up for the next generation' Urvashi says her intent is not to stir controversy, but to demand fairness—especially for younger and upcoming artistes. "Having spent years in this industry, I feel it's time to speak up. If we don't stand against injustice now, what kind of message are we really sending to others?" She also revealed that she was originally offered the female lead in 'Pookkaalam' but declined due to the intense physical prep, including nine-hour-long makeup sessions. 'Even for crores, I wouldn't have done it. But Vijayaraghavan did, and still got overlooked. That's not right,' she said bluntly.
