Android Kunjappan Version 5.25
An old man and an android clash in rural Kerala.
Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 is a 2019 Indian Malayalam-language science fiction comedy-drama film directed by Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval in his directorial debut. The film stars Suraj Venjaramoodu, Soubin Shahir, and Sooraj Thelakkad, and is loosely based on the 2012 film Robot & Frank. It received critical acclaim and was one of the commercially successful Malayalam films of the year, winning three Kerala State Film Awards including Best Actor for Suraj.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval
- Producer
- Santhosh T. Kuruvilla
- Starring
- Suraj Venjaramoodu
- Soubin Shahir
- Sooraj Thelakkad
- Kendy Zirdo
- Saiju Kurup
- Music
- Bijibal
- Cinematography
- Sanu Varghese
- Editing
- Saiju Sreedharan
- Studio
- Moonshot Entertainments
- Distributor
- Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainments
Facts from the source article.
Plot
In a country unrelated to Kerala, an elderly man in a wheelchair who owns a robot still in its trial period asks it to make coffee. He becomes infuriated that the coffee is too hot and splashes it over the robot, triggering a security reflex that causes the robot to strangle him and roll the wheelchair into a wall, killing him. In Kerala, Bhaskaran Poduval is a stubborn old man reluctant to adapt to modern technology, living in Payyanur with his son Subramanian, a mechanical engineer. At the Bali ceremony of his friend Kunjappan, Bhaskaran questions aspects of the ritual, infuriating Kunjappan's son Vinu. Bhaskaran forbids Subramanian from applying for jobs, wanting him by his side in his final days. Frustrated, Subramanian insists on going to Russia for a job at a Japanese Robotics firm, leading to an argument, and he leaves. In Russia, he meets Hitomi, daughter of a Malayali father and a Japanese mother, who is fond of Kerala. She tells him about her father, who died of Alzheimer's, and introduces him to the robotic home nurse that cared for her father. While repairing the robot, Subramanian receives a call from his cousin Prasannan, who cares for Bhaskaran, saying the maid was unsuitable and he should return. Feeling guilty, Subramanian discusses resigning with Hitomi and his boss, but his boss persuades him not to give up his career.
Production
Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 is the first film directed by Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval, who also wrote the script. Soubin Shahir was the first actor to join the project. The filmmakers originally wanted an older performer for the role of 80-year-old Bhaskara Poduval, but Shahir and producer Santhosh T. Kuruvilla recommended Suraj Venjaramoodu, a comedian in his 40s. The story takes place in Payyannur, in Kannur district, with characters using the local Kannur dialect. Suraj, who speaks with a Thiruvananthapuram accent, picked up the Kannur accent so convincingly that Poduval’s plan to rewrite the character’s background to explain the mixed speech was dropped. For the half-Japanese, half-Malayali character Hitomi, the team struggled to find a Japanese actor and instead cast Kendy Zirdo, who comes from Arunachal Pradesh. The android robot was originally meant to be created with visual effects, but budget limits led them to hire Sooraj Thelakkad, a television mimicry artist, to play the part. Sooraj dressed as the robot for filming, and most viewers believed a real machine was used, though the crew later revealed the truth. Shooting started in Saint Petersburg, Russia in May 2019 and wrapped up in July 2019.
Reception
In its first weekend abroad, Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 earned £4,770 across 51 UK screens, A$5,858 in Australia, and US$2,905 from 4 Canadian screens. Over two weeks, it took in US$4,746 in Canada and £7,394 in the UK; after three weeks, it had made US$22,717 in the United States and A$7,150 in Australia. According to the Kerala Film Producers' Association, it was one of only seven Malayalam films out of 192 released in 2019 to turn a profit from box office revenue alone. The New Indian Express gave it 4 out of 5 stars, hailing it as one of the year’s best and praising the cast, especially Suraj. Sify rated it 3.5 out of 5, calling it a delightful comedy with strong moments and Suraj in terrific form. Firstpost also gave 3.5 out of 5, describing it as relentlessly funny yet deeply philosophical, with Soubin pitch-perfect and Suraj astonishingly good. Manorama Online awarded 3.5 out of 5, noting its fresh plot and the sharp satire woven through the script. The News Minute rated it 3.5 out of 5, calling the story refreshing and praising Suraj’s performance, though it found the script losing direction near the end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who stars in Android Kunjappan Version 5.25?
Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 stars Suraj Venjaramoodu, Soubin Shahir, Sooraj Thelakkad, Kendy Zirdo and Saiju Kurup.
Who composed the music for Android Kunjappan Version 5.25?
The music for Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 was composed by Bijibal.
Who distributed Android Kunjappan Version 5.25?
Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 was distributed by Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainments.
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