Latest news with #Maranamass'
India Today
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Maranamass director discusses crafting unconventional dark comedy with Basil Joseph
Malayalam director Sivaprasad made his commercial cinema debut with the 2025 film 'Maranamass', produced by Tovino Thomas. The dark comedy thriller stood out for its unconventional storytelling. In a candid chat with the debutant director opened up about how his latest Malayalam film - featuring Basil Joseph and an ensemble cast - came to previously worked on emotionally intense, genre-bound projects, he revealed that he had been waiting for something distinctly different."I had worked in different genres before my debut, but most of them were serious or emotionally driven. So, I couldn't find the right fit for a conventional film in the Malayalam industry. I was waiting for something unique, something offbeat. That's when Siju (Sunny), also the writer of the film, approached me with the core idea of Maranamass," the director further added that the idea was so compelling that it naturally led him to collaborate with actor-producer Tovino Thomas.'When Tovino and I started discussing the script and potential casting, Basil Joseph's name came up. We weren't sure if he'd agree, but he came on board and it turned out to be one of our best decisions,' he said, praising Basil's unique comic timing. Watch the trailer of 'Maranamass' here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sony LIV (@sonylivindia)Sivaprasad, acclaimed for multiple short films, continued, 'He brings a different wavelength of humour, and we were clear from the start that this wasn't a hero-centric film. It's an ensemble story where each character is equally important.'advertisement"That's what excited me - the idea itself demanded such characters," he director initially envisioned the film as a dark genre piece, but as it developed, it took on a more experimental tone. 'It started as a dark comedy, but eventually, the film became a mix of genres with tonal shifts, especially in the second half,' he about the cast, which includes Suresh Krishna, Rajesh Madhavan, Anishma, and others, the filmmaker expressed gratitude for the team's chemistry. "All the actors had a great sense of humour, which made a big difference. Their input was vital in shaping the comedic tone," he said. "Each character carried a thread of dark humour (laughs), which really worked in the film's favour, and helped me pull it off."He also confirmed that casting Siju in the film was his own decision. "He had experience in similar roles, and I knew he could bring the right energy," he said excitedly.'Maranamass' hit theatres on April 10. India Today reviewed the film, saying, "It tries to end on a high. However, due to one-too-many subplots, the viewers tend to get tired by the time they reach the climax, which is set in a dumpyard. Even there, you get a handful of funny moments. Not just Basil and JK, even Anshima's performance in that particular sequence adds to the hilarious quotient of the film."'Maranamass' is currently streaming on SonyLIV.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Maranamass OTT Release Date: When and where to watch Basil Joseph & Anishma Anilkumar's Malayalam film online
Maranamass OTT Release Date: Basil Joseph recently headlined this Malayalam dark comedy, which opened to positive reviews in theatres. Released worldwide on 10th April, the film earned Rs 18.54 crore at the box office. The thriller is now ready to live a second life on OTT. As per OTTPlay, Maranamass will be streaming on SonyLIV starting May 15, 2025. Maranamass' cast and crew Written and directed by Sivaprasad in his directorial debut, Maranamass is bankrolled under Tovino Thomas Productions, Rapheal Productions and Worldwide Films. Other than Basil, the movie also stars Rajesh Madhavan, Siju Sunny, Babu Antony, Suresh Krishna, Anishma Anilkumar, Pooja Mohanraj, Joemon Jyothir, Puliyanam Poulose, Dheeraj Denny and Prashant Alex among others. Maranamass' plot overview In Vallikkunnu, a serial killer known as the 'Banana Killer' has been targeting elderly residents. Luke PP (Basil Joseph), a mischievous and eccentric young man, becomes a suspect due to his erratic behaviour. His ex-girlfriend, Jessie (Anishma Anilkumar), had ended their relationship because of his antics. One night, Luke boards a bus with Jessie, the bus driver Jikku (Suresh Krishna), the conductor Aruvi (Siju Sunny), a mysterious silent passenger, and a dead body. As the journey progresses, the group becomes entangled in a series of bizarre and darkly comedic events. The confined space of the bus amplifies the tension and absurdity, leading to unexpected confrontations and revelations. A Google review of Maranamass read, 'Watched Maranamass, and what a laugh riot it was! Absolutely hilarious! Not sure if I caught all the references, but the ones I did were brilliantly done. If you're a cinephile and active on social media, you'll likely catch most of them. Logic has no place in the realm of a spoof, so if you walk in with that mindset, this movie will not disappoint. A solid 5/5 movie.'
