| Kappela | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Muhammad Musthafa |
| Written by | Muhammad Musthafa |
| Produced by | Vishnu Venu |
| Starring | Anna Ben Sreenath Bhasi Roshan Mathew |
| Cinematography | Jimshi Khalid |
| Edited by | Noufal Abdullah |
| Music by | Sushin Shyam |
Production company | Kadhaas Untold |
| Distributed by | Local Theatres Netflix |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 113 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Kappela (transl. Chapel) is a 2020 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film[1][2] written and directed by Muhammad Musthafa (in his directorial debut). Movie produced by Vishnu Venu Under his banner Kadhaas Untold. Starring Anna Ben, Sreenath Bhasi, and Roshan Mathew. The music was composed by Sushin Shyam. The plot follows a phone call romance between an auto rickshaw driver, Vishnu, and a village girl, Jessy, who have never met each other. This film received positive reviews for the cast's performances and social message. After the huge success of film, it is remade in Telugu as Butta Bomma, which marks the Telugu debuts of Surya Vasishta and Arjun Das.
Plot
Jessy (Anna Ben) is the eldest of two daughters in a modest family in Poovaranmala, a rural area of Wayanad. The lower-middle-class family survives through farming, while Jessy’s mother Mary (Nisha Sarang) earns extra income by sewing. Having left her studies, Jessy helps with household chores and embroidery work. Benny (Sudhi Koppa), who has recently opened a textile shop, develops an interest in her.
One day, while trying to call a client about a clothing measurement, Jessy dials the wrong number and accidentally reaches Vishnu (Roshan Mathew), an auto-rickshaw driver in Kozhikode. A series of calls follow due to the initial confusion, and the two gradually become friends. Vishnu appears kind-hearted and considerate, and Jessy slowly falls in love with him—despite never having seen him, not even in a photograph.
Meanwhile, Jessy’s parents begin searching for a groom. After Benny’s family visits, the marriage alliance is approved by both families, though Benny’s mother initially hesitates. Shocked and saddened, Jessy decides to tell her parents about Vishnu. But before she can do that, she wants to meet him in person. She arranges to visit him in Kozhikode.
When Jessy arrives in the city, Vishnu heads to the bus station to pick her up, but his phone is stolen. A young man named Roy (Sreenath Bhasi), a jobless troublemaker, witnesses the theft, catches the thief, and takes possession of the phone.
As Jessy keeps calling to locate Vishnu, Roy answers and pretends to be him. Since Jessy has never seen Vishnu, she believes Roy and meets him. Moments later, the real Vishnu arrives and identifies Jessy with help from the bus driver. Realizing he is about to be exposed, Roy flees.
Jessy finally meets the real Vishnu, and they spend some time talking. However, they soon notice Roy following them. Vishnu confronts him, which leads to a fight. Roy is injured during the scuffle, and Jessy’s clothes get stained, prompting Jessy and Vishnu to check into a hotel so she can wash them. Roy, angered, calls his friends for help.
Vishnu turns out to be a human trafficker planning to sell Jessy. Noticing suspicious signs, Jessy attempts to escape, but Vishnu stops her and tries to assault her. She fights back and locks herself in the bathroom.
Meanwhile, Roy and his friend track them down. They burst into the room, attack Vishnu, and rescue Jessy. Vishnu is seriously injured in the fight, and Jessy escapes with Roy.
It is then revealed that after answering Jessy’s call earlier, Roy realized she was about to meet a total stranger for the first time. Concerned for her safety, he followed her throughout the day—and ultimately saved her at the hotel.
Jessy later returns home safely and agrees to Benny’s proposal.
Cast
- Anna Ben as Jessy[3]
- Sreenath Bhasi as Roy
- Roshan Mathew as Vishnu
- Sudhi Koppa as Benny
- Tanvi Ram as Annie, Roy's cousin
- Vijilesh Karayad as Riyas, Roy's friend
- Nisha Sarang as Mary, Jessy's mother
- James Eliya as Varghese, Jessy's father
- Nilja K Baby as Lakshmi, Jessy's friend, Neighbour Girl
- Muhammad Musthafa as Abu
- Sudheesh as Father Gabriel
- Salam Bappu Palapetty
- Navas Vallikkunnu
- Mohammed Eravattoor as Murali
- Jolly Chirayath as Saramma
- Naseer Sankranthi as Martin
- Smitha Ambu as Saleena
- Aswani as my sundari
Production
Kappela was the directorial debut of actor Muhammad Musthafa, who was also the writer and has appeared in a role in the film.[4][5] The film was produced by Vishnu Venu through the production company Kadhaas Untold. Jimshi Khalid was the cinematographer and Sushin Shyam composed the music.[6][7][8] The film was shot in Poovaranthode, Thenjippalam, Alungal, and Chelapram, Kozhikode.
Accolades
Kappela was selected in International Film Festival of India (Indian Panorama-2020) and In International Film Festival of Kerala-2020 (Malayalam Cinema Today Section). Anna Ben won the Best Actress Award and Musthafa won the best debut director award in the 51st Kerala State Film Awards. Anna Ben won the SIIMA Award for Best Actress- Critics Choice for her role in 2021 and producer Vishnu Venu won best debut producer award. Anees Nadodi won the National Award for best production design at the 68th National Film Awards.[9]
Soundtrack
| Kappela | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | |||||
| Released | 21 March 2020 | ||||
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack | ||||
| Length | 5:02 | ||||
| Label | Millennium Audios | ||||
| Producer | Sushin Shyam | ||||
| Sushin Shyam chronology | |||||
| |||||
| |||||
The music of the film was composed by Sushin Shyam with lyrics penned by Vishnu Shobhana.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Kannil Vidarum" | Vishnu Shobhana | Sooraj Santhosh, Swetha Mohan | 03:25 |
| 2. | "Kadukumanikkoru" | Vishnu Shobhana | Sithara Krishnakumar | 01:35 |
| 3. | "Dooram theerum neram" | Vinayak Sasikumar | Aavani Malhar | 02:48 |
| Total length: | 05:02 | |||
Release
The official trailer of the film was launched by Millennium Audios on 18 February 2020.[10] The film was released in theatres on 6 March 2020 but could not continue its theatrical run due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Later on, the film was released through the online streaming platform Netflix on 22 June 2020.[11] It was screened at 51st International Film Festival of India in January 2021 in Indian Panorama section.[12]
Critical reception
The film received positive reviews from critics. Sajin Shrijith of The New Indian Express rated 4 in a scale of 5 and said that "Kappela is the latest entry from Malayalam cinema that joins the league of films that managed to create something brilliant out of minor incidents. It's yet another testament to the fact that focused writers and directors can do wonders regardless of the scale of the material".[13] Gulf News wrote that "Kappela's writing and screenplay with well-sketched characters is its biggest strength. The narration is simple, the mood and tone rooted in reality, conversations are real as the story glides smoothly like a well-oiled machine lending a fly on the wall experience. [...] The casting is pitch perfect and lead actors Anna Ben, Roshan Mathew and Sreenath Bhasi are fantastic".[14] Baradwaj Rangan of Film Companion South wrote "[These] parts of the film are pure pleasure because “nothing” really happens, and no one is better at capturing and conveying “nothingness” — the unremarkable everydayness of life — than the directors of the Malayalam film industry.".[15]
References
- ↑ Balachandran, Logesh (30 June 2020). "Anurag Kashyap reviews Muhammad Musthafa's Kappela: Such an incredible screenplay". India Today. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
- ↑ Express News Service (14 May 2020). "Roshan Mathew's Kappela to soon stream on Netflix, Biju Menon's 41 on Sun Nxt". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
- ↑ Sunder, Gautam (30 June 2020). "Anna Ben on the success of 'Kappela': 'Art shouldn't be restricted to a language'". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ↑ "Second look of Kappela out". Cinema Express. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
- ↑ Soman, Deepa. "National Award-winning actor Musthafa turns director". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
- ↑ "Anna Ben-Roshan Mathew film titled 'Kappela'". The New Indian Express. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
- ↑ "Anna Ben and Roshan Mathew to romance in 'Kappela'? Here's the second look poster". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
- ↑ "'Kappela' to release on February 28". The Times of India. 3 February 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
- ↑ "National award winning art director Anees Nadodi on building a chapel for the Malayalam film Kappela". The Hindu.
- ↑ Kappela - Official Trailer - Anna Ben - Roshan Mathew - Sreenath Bhasi - Muhammad Musthafa. Millennium Audios. YouTube. 18 February 2020.
- ↑ "Kappela Movie Review: A well-made story on women's travails". The Times of India. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
- ↑ "Indian Panorama announces official selection for 51st International Film Festival of India, 2020". PIB GOI. 19 December 2020 – via Press release.
- ↑ Shrijith, Sajin (7 March 2020). "'Kappela' review: A perspective-altering drama". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
- ↑ Ramachandran, Mythili (24 June 2020). "'Kappela' excels as a small-town tale with a big heart". Gulf News. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
- ↑ "Kappela On Netflix, With Anna Ben, Roshan Mathew And Sreenath Bhasi: A SPOILER-Filled Rewind Of This Tale Filled With Twists". FilmCompanion. 30 June 2020.