Charlie (2015 Malayalam film) explained

Charlie
Director:Martin Prakkat
Story:Unni R.
Cinematography:Jomon T. John
Editing:Shameer Muhammed
Music:Gopi Sunder
Studio:Finding Cinema
Distributor:Playhouse Release, Tricolor Entertainment
Runtime:135 minutes[1]
Country:India
Language:Malayalam

Charlie is a 2015 Indian Malayalam-language adventure drama film directed by Martin Prakkat and written by Prakkat and Unni R.[2] Produced by Prakkat, Joju George and Shebin Becker, the film stars Dulquer Salmaan and Parvathy.[3] The music is composed by Gopi Sundar, while Jomon T. John handles the cinematography. The film released on 24 December. It won 8 awards at the 46th Kerala State Film Awards, including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Cinematography. It was remade into Marathi and Tamil as Deva and Maara, respectively.[4] [5]

Plot

Tessa is a graphic artist who runs away from home to avoid an unwanted matrimonial alliance. With the help of her journalist friend, she acquires a rented apartment in a dilapidated house. Initially, she hates the tattered place, but soon she learns that the room was previously occupied by a carefree vagabond named Charlie. When she starts cleaning up, she discovers a photo and a graphic novel about this man. The sketches in the novel depict the events from the previous New Year's Eve when a small-time thief tried to rob the man's room. In a turn-of-events, the man joined him in his nightly theft routine and snuck up on the roof of another house. But there, they encountered something shocking that left them stunned. The novel stops there abruptly with sketches of the dumbstruck faces of Charlie and the thief on the last page. This piques Tessa's curiosity about the rest of the story, as well as the previous occupant of the room.

Intrigued, Tessa starts looking for the people in the man's sketches. Backtracking his steps, she meets the man's "father" (who is more of a friend). She also comes across a boat servant named "Pathrose" who tells her the story of Mariya/Queen Mary. Mariya was a middle-aged woman, who was sexually exploited by her procurer husband in her youth. Once, Charlie took the now terminally ill Mariya to the sea at midnight with the help of Pathrose for her birthday. But Mariya jumped into the ocean to her death, that left Charlie stunned with shock and grief. Following up on more clues, Tessa gets news that Charlie is staying in a hotel and rushes to meet him. However, she misses him just by a few seconds. Later a helper boy in the hotel explains to her that Charlie had just rescued Mariya's daughter from her father's exploitation, after creating a ruckus.

A few days later, by the stroke of luck, Tessa meets the thief depicted in that man's sketches and inquiries about the rest of the story from New Year's Eve. He tells her that on that day, they had encountered a young woman on the verge of suicide, and his sir (Charlie) stopped her from hanging herself, after which she escaped from the scene on her bike. Tessa and the thief locate the woman's house and finally identify her as Dr. Kani from the latter's father.

Tessa travels to Ooty to find Kani and inquires about her story. Kani explains that she was depressed over her broken relationship when she did her first independent operation, leading to the death of a 10-year-old girl. Further hooked by the media, she was desperate and about to commit suicide on new year's Eve when she was distracted by that man (Charlie). He brought her to a shelter home maintained by Kunjappan in Ooty and she has been living there since. Kunjappan, an old man, is a hopeless romantic who is waiting for his teenage love Thresia to show up.

Tessa spends a good time in Ooty but her trip comes to an abrupt end as her brother and mother find her and take her home against her wishes. While a depressed Tessa is on her way back home, Charlie returns with Kunjappan's long lost love Thresia, who is a nun now, and they again miss each other by a few seconds.

Later, Kani informs Charlie about Tessa, and he admits knowing about her and her search for him. Though initially reluctant to love, Charlie is forced to rethink after hearing Kunjappan and Kani. Next morning, he sneaks out early and informs Kani that he will be attending the Thrissur Pooram function, and Tessa can find him there if she's looking for him.

Tessa reaches the Pooram grounds and finds him performing in a magic show. Afterward, he spots her, approaches, and asks her if she wants to have some drink. At first, she introduces herself as Shruti Raman and lets him think that he has met the wrong person. But as the festival starts, Charlie's antics make her confess that she is indeed Tessa and he too reveals his name to be 'Charlie'. As the credits roll, they are seen wandering together towards a new journey in life.

Cast

Remakes

YearFilmLanguageCastDirector
2017DevaMarathiAnkush Chaudhari, Tejaswini Pandit, Spruha JoshiMurali Nallappa
2021MaaraTamilMadhavan, Shraddha Srinath, SshivadaDhilip kumar
2024SurjoBengaliVikram Chatterjee, Madhumita Sarcar, Darshana BanikSheiladitya Moulick

Production

Principal photography began on 25 May 2015 in Idukki. IBTimes reported that it will be an experimental film and each actor will be spotted in a new look. The film was shot at various locations in Kochi, Munnar and Gujarat. The filming was completed by September 2015.[6]

Music

Charlie
Type:Soundtrack
Artist:Gopi Sunder
Recorded:2015
Studio:Sound Factory, Cochin
Genre:Feature film soundtrack
Length:27:37
Label:Muzik 247
Prev Title:Ennu Ninte Moideen
Prev Year:2015
Next Title:Two Countries
Next Year:2015

The film's soundtrack was composed by Gopi Sunder and the lyrics were written by Rafeeq Ahamed and Santhosh Varma. The songs were released on 7 December 2015.[7] "Chithirathira" sung by Vijay Yesudas was released separately on 21 December.[8] A promotional video of Dulquer Salmaan singing "Chundari Penne" was released on 24 December.[9]

Reception

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Total number of awards and nominations
References

Box office

The film collected 20 million on the first day from Kerala box office,[10] and grossed 144 million in 22 days of release.[11] The film completed a 100-day theatrical run in Kerala and grossed 224.2 million at the Kerala box office.[12] In its lifetime, Charlie grossed 420 million at the global box office.[13]

Critical reception

Describing the film as a "tantalizing love tale", Vishnu Varma of The New Indian Express rated it 4 stars out of 5 and stated, "‘Charlie’ is a feel-good movie, but it does not stop there. It plays around brilliantly with raw emotions centered around a character who wants to be free."[14] Litty Simon of Malayala Manorama rated it 3.25 out of 5, concluding "Dulquer's Charlie is a simple, feel good film that will make you smile this festive season. Although not an out-and-out entertainer, Charlie has the elements to be tagged as a wacky entertainer, filled with all what is needed — celebration, surprises, patience, faith, care, and above, all love!"[15] Website Nowrunning gave the film 2.5 stars out of 5, stating "Charlie could be termed an audacious attempt but grandiose visions don't necessarily translate into well-crafted cinema. Pared down expectations could make it a reasonable weekend watch."[16]

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)Result
Asianet Film Awards7 February 2016Best ActressParvathy Thiruvothu[17]
Best Supporting ActressKalpana
Asiavision Awards18 November 2016Best Music Director (Shared with Kali and Pulimurugan)Gopi Sundar[18]
Filmfare Awards South18 June 2016Best Film – MalayalamCharlie[19]
Best Director – MalayalamMartin Prakkat
Best Actor – MalayalamDulquer Salmaan
Best Supporting Actor – MalayalamNedumudi Venu
Best Supporting Actress – MalayalamKalpana
Best Music Director – MalayalamGopi Sundar
Best Lyricist – MalayalamRafeeq Ahamed ("Oru Kari Mukilinu")
IIFA Utsavam28—29 March 2017Best Film – MalayalamCharlie[20]
[21]
Best Director – MalayalamMartin Prakkat
Best Story – MalayalamUnni R.
Best Actor – MalayalamDulquer Salmaan
Best Actress – MalayalamParvathy Thiruvothu
Best Actress in a Supporting Role – MalayalamAparna Gopinath
Best Performance In A Comic Role – MalayalamSoubin Shahir
Best Music Director – MalayalamGopi Sundar
Best Lyricist – MalayalamSanthosh Varma ("Chundari Penne")
Best Male Playback Singer – MalayalamDulquer Salmaan ("Chundari Penne")
Best Female Playback Singer – MalayalamShreya Ghoshal ("Puthumazhayai")
Kerala State Film Awards1 March 2016Best DirectorMartin Prakkat[22]
Best ActorDulquer Salmaan
Best ActressParvathy Thiruvothu
Best CinematographyJomon T. John
Best Screenplay OriginalUnni R. & Martin Prakkat
Best Art DirectorJayashree Lakshmi Narayanan
Best Processing LabPrasad Colour Lab, Mumbai, J. D. & Kiran
Best Sound MixingM. R. Rajakrishnan
Mirchi Music Awards South27 July 2016Album of the YearCharlie Gopi Sundar[23]
[24]
Listeners Choice Album of the Year
Music Composer of the YearGopi Sundar ("Oru Kari Mukilinu")
Lyricist of the YearRafeeq Ahamed ("Oru Kari Mukilinu")
Male Vocalist of the YearVijay Prakash ("Oru Kari Mukilinu")
Female Vocalist of the YearShreya Ghoshal ("Puthumazhayai")
Song of the Year"Oru Kari Mukilinu"
North American Film Awards24 July 2016Best FilmCharlie[25]
[26]
Best DirectorMartin Prakkat
Best ActorDulquer Salmaan
Best ActressParvathy Thiruvothu
Best ScriptwriterUnni R. & Martin Prakkat
Best Music DirectorGopi Sundar
Best Female Playback SingerDivya S. Menon ("Puthumazhayai")
Best Supporting ActressKalpana
South Indian International Movie Awards30 June – 1 July 2016Best Film – MalayalamCharlie[27]
Best Director – MalayalamMartin Prakkat
Best Actor – MalayalamDulquer Salmaan
Best Actress in a Supporting Role – MalayalamKalpana
Best Male Playback Singer – MalayalamDulquer Salmaan ("Chundari Penne")
Best Female Playback Singer – MalayalamShakthisree Gopalan ("Pularikalo")
Vanitha Film Awards21 February 2016Best ActressParvathy Thiruvothu[28]
Best Supporting ActorChemban Vinod Jose
Best CinematographyJomon T. John

Notes and References

  1. Web site: CHARLIE (12A) . . 5 January 2016 . 5 January 2016.
  2. Web site: 'Charlie' First Poster: Dulquer Salmaan Spotted in Trendy New Look. International Business Times. 15 June 2015.
  3. Web site: Dulquer starts shooting for 'Charlie'. https://web.archive.org/web/20150615132846/http://www.sify.com/movies/dulquer-starts-shooting-for-charlie-news-malayalam-pgpiOSgdfcejc.html. dead. 15 June 2015. Sify. 15 June 2015.
  4. News: Dulquer Salmaan's Charlie gets Marathi version: Deva teaser trends on top; netizens have a field day [Memes]]. James. Anu. International Business Times, India Edition. 2017-11-01. en.
  5. Web site: 'ചാർലി'യുടെ തമിഴ് റീമേക്ക് എത്തുന്നു: ദുൽഖറിന്റെ റോളിൽ മാധവൻ.
  6. Web site: Dulquer Salmaan wraps up 'Charlie', starts shooting for Rajeev Ravi's next. International Business Times. 25 September 2015.
  7. Web site: Charlie: Listen to songs of Dulquer Salmaan-Parvathy starrer. IBTimes. 8 December 2015.
  8. Web site: Gopi Sunder continues top form in new 'Charlie' song. Malayala Manorama. 21 December 2015.
  9. Web site: Video out: Dulquer sings 'Chundari Penne' for 'Charlie'. Malayala Manorama. 25 December 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160410160237/http://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/dulquer-salmaan-chundari-penne-video-charlie-parvathy-gopi-sunder.html. 10 April 2016. dmy-all.
  10. News: സ്വന്തം ലേഖകൻ. ചാർളിയോ ലോഹമോ മുന്നിൽ ?. 31 December 2015. Malayala Manorama. 30 December 2015.
  11. News: 'Pavada' rules box office; 'Two Countries', 'Charlie' running successfully. Malayala Manorama. Onmanaorama Staff. 18 January 2016. 28 January 2016.
  12. Web site: Dulquer Salmaan gives 3 back-to-back hits at Kerala box office. International Business Times. 6 June 2016. 7 April 2020.
  13. Web site: 'Charlie' worldwide box office collection. International Business Times. 5 March 2016. 9 April 2020.
  14. Web site: Charlie movie review: Dulquer Salmaan-Martin Prakkat weave a tantalising love tale . The Indian Express . 2015-12-29 . 2016-01-11.
  15. Web site: 'Charlie' review: In search of the free-spirited one. 28 December 2015.
  16. Web site: Charlie Review — Now Running. 25 December 2015. Nowrunning. 26 December 2015.
  17. Web site: 18th Asianet Film Awards. International Business Times. 8 February 2016. 12 April 2020.
  18. Web site: Asiavision Movie Awards 2016 Winners. Malayala Manorama. 16 November 2016. 7 April 2020.
  19. Web site: Nominations for the 63rd Britannia Filmfare Awards (South). Filmfare. 7 June 2016. 7 April 2020.
  20. Web site: IIFA Utsavam 2017: Malayalam nomination list. International Business Times. 14 March 2017. 7 April 2020.
  21. Web site: IIFA Utsavam 2017 Winners. International Business Times. 30 March 2017. 7 April 2020.
  22. Web site: Kerala State Film Awards 2015. International Business Times. 1 March 2016. 7 April 2020.
  23. Web site: Mirchi Music Awards 2015 Malayalam Nominations. Mirchi Music Awards. 16 May 2020.
  24. Web site: Mirchi Music Awards 2015 Malayalam Winners. Mirchi Music Awards. 16 May 2020.
  25. Web site: North American Film Award 2016 Winners. North American Film Award. 11 May 2020.
  26. Web site: North American Film Award (NAFA) 2016 in US, winners list. International Business Times. 19 July 2016. 11 May 2020.
  27. Web site: SIIMA Awards Malayalam Nominations. Scooptimes. 30 June 2016. 7 April 2020.
  28. Web site: Vanitha Film Awards 2016. International Business Times. 16 February 2016. 7 April 2020.