Latest news with #BabyJean
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Makers of 'Kattalan' welcome rapper Baby Jean onboard film unit
The makers of director Paul George's eagerly awaited pan-Indian film, 'Kattalan', featuring actor Antony Varghese (Pepe) in the lead, on Tuesday welcomed well known Malayalam rapper Baby Jean onboard the unit of the film. Following the blockbuster success of Marco, which earned widespread acclaim across India and beyond, producer Shareef Muhammed of Cubes Entertainments is back with his next ambitious venture titled 'Kattalan', a high-octane pan-Indian action thriller. On Tuesday, Cubes Entertainments took to its Instagram page to welcome rapper Baby Jean onboard. It said, "Welcoming the Firebrand @thebabyjean to the world of 'KATTALAN'. Baby Jean, with his sensational breakout voice in the Indian rap scene, has already proven his acting skills on screen in Alappuzha Gymkhana (2025). Now, he returns to the big screen-blending swagger, realism, and rhythm into a performance that hits the Big Screen as hard as his music." It may be recalled that last week, the makers had welcomed well known Telugu actor Sunil, best known for his performances in blockbusters like Pushpa: The Rise (2021), Pushpa 2 (2024) and Jailer (2023), and actor Kabir Duhan Singh , known for his intense screen presence and powerful performances across multiple languages, to the cast of the unit. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Texas: Gov Will Cover Your Cost To Install Solar If You Live In These Zips SunValue Learn More Undo Bolly Buzz: Hrithik-Saif UNITE for Vikram Vedha; Harbhajan-Geeta blessed with BABY BOY; Bhediya WRAP This week, the production house had welcomed actors Jagadeesh and Siddique to the cast of the film. Calling Jagadeesh as " the makers pointed out that the veteran actor had acted in over 400 films and that he was continuing his winning streak by delivering back-to-back successes. While welcoming Siddique, the makers highlighted the fact that he had over 40 years of experience and had acted in over 350 films. The film has music by Ajaneesh Loknath, the musical genius behind 'Kantara 2' and choreography by Sharief. Costumes for the film are by Dhanya Balakrishnan and cinematography by Renadive. Editing for the film is by Shameer Muhammed.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Alappuzha Gymkhana' on OTT: When and where to watch Naslen's hit boxing drama
The Malayalam boxing drama Alappuzha Gymkhanais set for its OTT release. Directed by Khalid Rahman of Thallumaala fame, the movie stars Naslen in the lead role. Released in theatres on April 10, 2025, the sports drama also stars Lukman Avaran, Baby Jean, Sandeep Pradeep, Ganapathi and Anagha Ravi in prominent roles. The movie will premiere on SonyLiv on June 13, 2025. The film deals with a group of youngsters who take up boxing to gain grace marks after failing their class twelve examination. The sports drama narrates the coming-of-age tale of a bunch of underdog boxers with a blend of action and comedy. Alappuzha Gymkahana, released alongside Mammootty's Bazooka and the Basil Joseph-starrer Maranamass on Vishu, emerged box office winner against its opponents. According to the movie collected a worldwide gross of Rs 72.07 crore. The Hindu review of the movie said, 'Naslen has taken remarkable strides from being the puffs-loving boy of Thanneer Mathan Dinangal to anchoring a film partly on the strength of his performance. But almost all of the youngsters — be it rapper Baby Jean or Ganapathi or Sandeep Pradeep or Franco Francis or Shiva Hariharan or Anagha — have pulled off performances that make the film an engaging watch. ALSO READ:'Torpedo': 'Thudarum' director Tharun Moorthy to work with Fahadh Faasil, Arjun Das and Naslen in his next 'This might also be one of the reasons why the film works when it subverts the typical expectations from a hero or a climax. Alappuzha Gymkhana will be remembered more for the artful dodges it made than the punches it landed. Sometimes, you don't need a punch to make an impact.'
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Old Tunes, New Swagger
In Kerala's culturally diverse landscape, Mappilappattu—the traditional folk music of the Muslim community—has long served as a powerful means of expression and a cornerstone of community identity for centuries. Deeply rooted in Malabar's history and cultural landscape, these songs have long been a vital part of the region's musical heritage, uniquely blending Malayalam with Arabic and Persian influences. Today, this rich tradition is experiencing a striking revival, reimagined through the rhythms of rap and hip-hop by a new generation of artists who are reshaping Kerala's music scene. The turning point came when rapper Dabzee, hailing from Malappuram, merged the rhythm and flavour of traditional Mappilappattu with contemporary rap beats in the chart-topping track 'Manavalan Thug…' for the film 'Thallumaala'. With over 100 million views on YouTube, it became one of Malayalam music's biggest hits. Since then, a wave of similar hits—like 'Boy You're a Banger…' by MHR, Joker, SA, and Dabzee, 'Panthalchaant…' by Dabzee, Baby Jean, and Joker, and 'Payyambalthanole Veedu' by Rish N K and Zail—has swept through Kerala. These tracks tap into the sonic textures, dialects, and storytelling traditions of Malabar, while infusing them with the swagger and beat of global rap culture. Though Mappilappattu has evolved through cinema and album formats in earlier decades, its current fusion with hip-hop marks a new cultural moment. The 2012 film 'Usthad Hotel' featured a successful fusion of the classic 'Appangalembadum Ottakku Chuttammayi…', setting the stage for more experimental blends. The 2021 viral hit 'Mappila Drill', a rework of Moyinkutty Vaidyar's 'Ake Chuttulakathil…', and tracks like 'Malarkodiye Njanennum' (Dabzee & O V Abdulla) and 'Ellam Padaithulla Khallakudayone' (remixed by Sami, Shad, and Dabzee) signalled a creative shift: Traditional themes with modern flair. The emotional resonance of these tracks, paired with their rhythmic innovation, captivated new generation listeners. Last year's 'Jannathil Orathile…', a Dabzee hit, and 'Manasakamil' from 'Thallumaala' further solidified the genre's appeal. In Aug 2023, the release of 'Malabari Banger'—featuring Eranad slang—racked up over 25 million views, becoming a symbol of Malappuram's local pride gone viral. The popularity of tracks like 'Akatharil Adrupathin…' (MHR, Dulm), 'Ballaltha Jathi' (2024) by Dabzee, Neeraj Madhav, and Baby Jean (with 36 million+ views), 'Arbab' by Rish N K and MHR, and 'Naalu Vattam…' all cemented the increasing trend of successfully blending Mappila melodies with rap. Beyond rhythm and rhyme, these songs speak the language of Malabar—literally. Slang and dialects become lyrical tools. The football fever of 'Panthalchaant…', and hyperlocal catchphrases like 'Suggund…Ayimmoru Seriyund…' in Manavalan Thug or 'Daichum Pinnem Payichum…' in Malabari Banger highlight how authenticity and relatability drive popularity. According to lyricist and director Muhsin Parari, this movement is rooted in personal memory and cultural inheritance. 'These musicians create from lived experience,' he says. 'When lyrics reflect their own world—linguistic, social, emotional—it connects instantly with audiences.' Lyricist Manoj Kuroor places this genre shift in historical context. 'For a long time, Malayalam popular music was seen through the lens of ragas and classical purity,' he explains. 'This rigidity delayed the acceptance of genres like rap.' Citing the 1962 song ' onnu nokedee Rabecca' from 'Veluthampi Dalava' as an early flirtation with rap-like rhythm, he adds that such forms were dismissed as foreign—akin to cabaret. Mappila songs, however, with their inherent rhythmic structures like 'Murukk' and 'Chattam', offer a natural foundation for rap. Kuroor contrasts their adaptability with classical forms like Kathakali Padams, which resist fusion. Mappilappattu is versatile and street-level—it fits the rap format organically, he stated. Popular rapper Baby Jean agrees. 'Padappattu and Badar Kissa pattu, both rooted in Mappila tradition, are similar to rap in structure and storytelling,' he says. Importantly, he notes, the focus is on cultural life—not religion. 'These songs reflect social experiences and daily life.' Hussain Randathani, chairman of the Kerala Mappila Kala Academy, identified two major drivers of this revival: Diaspora influence and social media platforms. 'During the pandemic, Mappila songs became digital lifelines,' he says. 'Social media helped bridge the gap between generations, transforming old songs into viral trends.' He points to 'Apangalembadum…' and 'Kayyarikathu' by K Raghavan Master as songs that gained fresh relevance for their folk depth. 'People are now open to Mappila songs in all forms,' he says. 'This is an evolving moment.' Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
