Drishyam smashing records in Home Video (DVD VCD BluRay) Sales too - Exclusive Update

 (Blu-ray Cover)

 In its 150 days (142 till May 9th, day of Home Video release) theatrical run, Drishyam broke almost every record possible in Malayalam Film Industry & Worldwide Box Office for Malayalam films. The film in fact proved to be a lifeline for m any B, C class theaters who were on the verge of being demolished or turned into auditoriums. The film single handedly revived theaters all across the state, brought audience back to the theaters who we believed were lost and opened new markets outside Kerala.

Now the film is doing the exact same for the Home Video industry since its release last Friday. Thanks to Piracy, Channels, the industry was/is also on the verge of extinction, that's when Drishyam happened. The movie has been in Pre-orde for quite a long time, thanks to the ex excellent theatrical run and within few days of being available for pre-order it was breaking records . Drishyam is the most pre-ordered movie in the history, leading the previous best by a humongous margin (largely thanks to the extended period). The experiences shared by shop owners were also incredible with most shops going sold out by Friday evening, even though they were supplied with more units than usual.

Sending all the pre-order copies were another Himalayan task according to owner of MyIndiaShopping.com
 Blu-Ray sales even surprised 'Central Home Entertainment' who owns the home video license, as they don't have any more copies with them to meet the demands. Remember Bluray format is still in its Infant stages in Kerala especially for Malayalam films, with the best seller selling small numbers only. But Drishyam in 2 days has sold more than 500 copies, many even wanting this to be their inaugural film for their new Bluray system.

Drishyam DVDs are more in demand and like the explosion of Bluray sales, the VCD sales have come down in proportion (still more than any recent releases). Within just 2-3 days its the biggest seller ever in the history of Malayalam cinema beating films like Pazhassi Raja, Urumi etc. All these fete, with Piracy ruling the roost, as the pirated copies of even BluRay was available within hours of its release.

 Scene outside a Shop

DVD (India) Cover

DVD (Overseas) Cover

 Flex/Banner outside a shop

Blu-Ray Inlay

Blu-Ray Inlay& Disc

Image Credits to Copyright Owners & Uploaders

Drishyam breaking records in Home Video sales too !

After breaking 99.9% of Box Office records world wide, Drishyam, continues its victory march onto the Home Video Sales. The film has been available for pre-order for more than 3 weeks now and has already broke the existing pre-order records. The number of bookings has been of the roof and the Pre-order count is way way more than films like Pazhassi raja or Urumi or Twenty 20. Since the number of people buying CDs online is less compared to those buy from shops, once they hit the shops, is quite sure to set record for the most sold Malayalam movie in home video ever, thanks to the universal acceptance the movie has. There is also a steep increase in the number of non-Malayali buyers thanks to the glowing reviews and WOM on social medias and other internet platforms.

Usually the producer signs a '100 day (since theatrical release)' contract with the companies, after which they can release the movie on Home Video [or earlier in case of flops] because rarely a movie hits a genuine ton  in theaters. In such cases the date can get shifted to 1/2 weeks based on Producers request. But Drishyam which was supposed to release in March end was first postponed to April end. Now the movie is reaching 100 days tomorrow in about 40 centers, almost double of the previous best [which happened before wide release and multiplex era]. With summer vacation starting from tomorrow, there is chance of more theatrical revenue, so the Home Video release date has been pushed again to May.

Central Home Videos will reelase Drishyam in VCD [Rs.80] , DVD [Rs.130, with English subtitles] & Bluray [Rs.700, with English subtitles] on May 5th, 2014 as per the latest information

Drishyam sets another record !!

 Breaking/Setting records has been child's play for Jeethu Joseph's Industry Hit Drishyam. The latest one to be set is that of completing 20 K shows. Drishyam is the first Malayalam film to complete 20,000 shows. The film that played the most shows previously was 'Twenty 20' which completed 18K+ shows. 

 Here is a list of records set by DRISHYAM (Credits to whoever compiled the list)

 1 Highest Grossing Malayalam Movie in 2013

2 Highest no of shows and collection in all major outside Kerala centers like Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai etc (still counting)

4 Biggest release in UAE (100+shows)

5 Highest Gross for a Malayalam movie outside kerala in a single theatre (Chennai Mayajaal)

6 Fastest to collect 50 lakhs in Thrissur

7 Fastest to enter 1 crore club in a centre (Ernakulam)

8 Fastest to enter 1 crore club in Calicut

9 Highest Paid Satellite Rights (6.5 Crore )

10 Movie to reach 2nd week in UK with House full shows

11 Fastest to cross 10 crore gross

12 1st Malayalam movie to play 2nd week in Gujarat

13 Highest no. of Housefull shows in Thrissur Center

 14 Highest Grossing Malayalam Movie in UK

15 Highest number of shows in Mumbai and New Delhi reaching 3rd

week

16 Only Malayalam movie to collect 1 crore from Multiplex alone (in a center)

17 First Malayalam Movie to collect 2 crores in a center (From EKM in 25 days)

18 Continuous four Houseful days in Canada

19 Fastest to cross 15 crore gross

20 The first Malayalam film to enter third week in both multiplexes in Mangalore

21 First Malayalam Movie to complete one month in Coimbatore SPI cinems

22 Highest Grossing Movie in Kottayam Center

23 Highest Collected Movie in GCC

24 Highest Grossing Movie in UK [1 crore +]

25 Record Collection in Attingal Center

26 Record Remake Rights to Hindi,Tamil,Telugu and Kannada has sold for 1.5 Crores

27 Record run and collection in Bahrain

30 Most No of Housefull Shows in Payyanur Center

31 Third Fastest Movie to cross 10000 Shows

32 Highest grosser in the history of Calicut

33 Drishyam entered 4th week in 5 screens in DELHI creating an All time record here

34 Biggest Release in Australia for a Malayalam Movie

35 Record Share in Kannur Center

36 Record Share in Chenganassery Center

37 1st Malayalam Movie to cross 5th week with 300+ shows/day

39 Record Share in Pala Center

40 Record Share in Kodungalloor Center

41  Record share in Anchal Center

44 Movie made the highest profit for a movie in Mollywood History

46 Widest Release in USA for a Malayalam Movie

47 Became the Highest Grossing Malayalam Movie breaking the record of 20-20 ( in just 31 days)

48 First Mollywood to cross 30 Crores Mark in Kerala alone

49 First Mollywood movie to make 50cr business from all avenues

50 First Mollywood movie to cross 1 cr gross in 7 centers!

51 First movie to cross 2 cr at Calicut!

52 First movie to collect over 3.5 crs at Ernakulam!

53 First Molywood movie to complete 50 days in 76 theaters and 71 centers!

54 Fastest Mollywood movie to cross 11k,12k,13k,14k,15k,17k, 20k shows

55 First Solo male lead star Mollywood movie to cross 16k shows

56 Broken all existing records in almost all centers in kerala.

57 First Mollywood movie to cross 1500 shows in UAE

58 First Mollywood movie to collect 1 crore each in USA and UK

59 Most no of shows for a Malayalam Movie in Hyderabad,Mumbai and Chennai

60 most no.of show per day in 2nd,3rd,4th,5th,6th,7th ,8th week

61 First Mollywood Movie to have 300+ shows/day in 5 weeks...

62 In Bahrain, First Mollywod Movie with highest no of shows,HF Shows,

Highest Gross and Share.First South

Indian Movie to play in 3 theatres at

a time

63. First Malayalam movie to cross 20,000 shows from Kerala alone

 Magazine scan of the list of records [Credits to Vellinakshathram]

Balyakalasakhi - Malayalam Movie Review

Balyakalasakhi - Malayalam Movie Review

Crew

Directed by     Pramod Payyannur
Produced by     MB Muhsin, Sajeeb Hashim
Screenplay by     Pramod Payyannur
Based on     Balyakalasakhi by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer
Music by     Bijibal
Cinematography     Hari Nair
Editing by     Manoj Kannoth
Studio     Red Cinema, Livinart Film Factory
Release dates   February 7, 2014 (Kerala)
Country     India
Language     Malayalam

Cast

    Mammootty - Majeed/Majeed's father
    Isha Talwar - Suhara
    Meena - Majeed’s mother
    Seema Biswas - Selvi
    Tanushree Ghosh
    Sunil Sukhada
    Sasi Kumar
    Mamukkoya
    Priyam Shaikh
    Kavita Nair
    Parambrata Chatterjee
    Shari
    KPAC Lalitha

 

 'Balyakalasakhi' is the big screen adaptation of  Vaikom Muhammad Basheer's classic novel of the same name. The story deals with the love and life of Majeed & Suhara, the main protagonists. Majeed & Suhara has been in love since they were kids. But economic and social disparities creates some issues in their lives which changes the course of their life entirely. How the characters lived their remaining lives in the beautiful memories of their past, despite a harsh present, forms the rest of the story.

Adapting a novel to big screen is never an easy task. Novelist can create any kind of situation, all they need is the reader's imagination. But movies have limitations, especially in a small industry like Malayalam. Plus there is the constraint of 'run length' too. So considering all those aspects one can say that BKS is a faithful adaptation of the book, in the best possible way that they could. 

Those who have read the novel might feel something missing as it has been made in the constraints mentioned above. Even though censor certificate shows 121min the theatrical version is just around 100mins [May be the festival version gives a better perspective of the novel]. 

BKS is not every body's cup of tea. It is aimed ad festivals and award circuits. The film doesn't have any commercial elements and nothing that excites the common/mass audience. IT lacks pace and is dragging here and there, but the run length is on shorter side, which is a plus. The Kolkata sequences came out really good. The period feel has been maintained very well through out.

Mammooty, who is playing Majeed and his father, has got one of his best role(s) since 'Paleri Manickyam' and he as always has come out with flying colors, but doubt if it can be called award worthy [But Never say never as far as awards are concerned !]. Except few weird wigs everything was good about Mammoty's portrayal of Majeed & his father. Isha Talwar was a bad choice for Suhara, even though she has improved from her previous films. Her chemistry with Mammootty was weird to say the least. Seema Biswas was too good. Rest of the cast were good too. 

Pramod Payyanur's debut directorial venture is something he can be proud of, even though there is a 'drama' hang over in many of the scenes.The idea to shoot in Kolkata was an artistic master stroke. Cinematography is outstanding. Songs are beautiful and BG is good. Kudos to art/costume department. Editing looks jarred, as many scenes ends abruptly, may be due to the cuts made for 'theatrical version'.

Last year's 'Celluloid' released in the month of State/National awards, but looks like that will be delayed this time, so the benefit that the former got @ Box Office won't be there for BKS.

Recommending For lovers of the novel, for those who can enjoy the film that require some patience and those who doesn't consider oodles of commercial elements only make a good film.

If you support attempts like this now film makers will be encouraged to think beyond Box Office &  we will get better products in the future 

Rating: 3.25/5

Verdict: Good+

Last Word: Good Cinematic version of all time classic

Legendary Tamil Director K. Balachandar about Mohanlal's Drishyam

Legendary Tamil Director K. Balachandar on Mohanlal's Drishyam

The letter was shared by Director Jeethu Joseph & Mohanlal via their Facebook pages

To TEAM DHRISHYAM...

“DHRISHYAM”....................................... ............MAMA UDDISHYAM

Perspective… ….My Feelings….

"Cleverness is Instinctive...Intelligence more Deep Rooted."

The cleverness of DHRISHYAM is in the inspiration...the intelligence is in the astonishing adaptation...

The cleverness is in the understanding of the potential of purer cinema..the intelligence is in not underestimating the intelligence of the viewer...

The cleverness is in using flash cuts and forwards to narrate...the intelligence is in the complex simplicity behind the screenplay....

The cleverness is in using layer upon layer of credible situations to sustain the Interest...the intelligence is in allowing the story to unravel at its own pace...never hurrying...never compromising...

The cleverness is in subtly taking sides with the protagonist...the intelligence is in making the affected police officer as strong and as credible...

The cleverness is in using film clips to influence the hero, and benefit the cause adding value and credibility; saving precious narration time...the intelligence is setting the film in a rural ambiance even as it uses the genetic simplicity and geographic naivety to establish character credibility...

The cleverness is using the same speed for flashback narration as in the linear...the intelligence is in letting the intelligence of the DGP unravel the cleverness of the plot and not by using it as a gimmick to glorify the hero…

Ram rod straight... ...her voice low, her eyes hard, she guesses the scam...and with a teeth bittenbitterness- spits out -...DHRISHYAM...just a word...but it emphatically conveyed her fear, of her confidence slowly wilting...no change in frame speed, no underlined attention…
yet that MOMENT stayed...a perfect DHRISHYAM MOMENT...

MOHANLAL.... my salaam.........my salute.......

His show of apprehension is transient -a mere hint of a frown...anxiety has a deeper identity...in the darkness beneath the eyes...

His awareness is based on the danger of reality…it is conveyed by just a deeper breath or a small shifting of the eye...but his assurance based on hope...is conveyed by a hug...drawing courage as well as giving it...

"I PROMISE YOU THAT YOU WONT GO TO JAIL."
not shouted...just whispered...not as information…but as a conviction...just one sentence...said in one particular way...and the hero seems ten feet tall...
No six packs...no designer suits…no low angles...no trumpets or roll of drums...one sentence...and a thrilling heroism established…
Purpose in the set of his jaw...in the tilt of his chin, protection provided in the unhurried push of the shoulder to shield...are nuances that you will find in no acting manual, or in any film archive…they are the mannerisms that distinguish George Kutty-that simple Christian soul who only wishes to guard his adored family...
Strange-he bears an uncanny resemblance to that swash buckling Malayalam super star Mohanlal...just a resemblance...this of course, is a simple village man…
Even a sigh is not completed...in case it is a giveaway...it is just thought about...no looking over the shoulder...no unnecessary hang dog expressions...no sadness except a sort of tired weariness...this too justcontemplated…
the wife speaks out of turn…the cop pounces...the hero in a blink casually saves the day...the cops leave...she holds him...contrite…I DID WRONG ?
his eyes are far away...his brain is ticking...his mind is busy...
YES...he says…YOU DID WRONG...his eyes still far away…
the voice agrees with her mistake...
the TONE of the voice assures...ITS OK, DONT WORRY...
Brilliance inhistrionics is sometimes just an inflection and a gentle pause before speaking...

The DGP resigns...she has lost the battle, as well as the war...
she is destroyed...personally and professionally...
yet she is still ram rod straight, even without the identity of her uniform...or the authority of her position…for she is yet the tough cop...for as she says “we have had training you know “ and that shows…
hersaree perfectly creased…her pallu clipped...her hair in place...her face carved in stone...the cop...
but the mother’s eyes carry the pain...reluctantly...deep…that she does not want to show…
the husband pleads on behalf of them both...they turn...they stop...they listen to their deepest fears...they just walk away...sad...
the hero does too…somehow it seems as if he is more sad...
scenes like these cannot be written, rehearsed or taught...
-they are cinematic miracles...they have to be felt…and they just happen...
-there is not a single frame or dialogue where one is informed that the hero is right...or even that he is doing wrong...
when the crime is unavoidable...guilt is debatable..
yet one gets to comprehend that responsibility to protect family makes the sin lesser...
one family wins...the other does not win...
to convey this with such uncomplicated finesse, unassuming clarity and a signature narrative style, you need a self-belief...as well as a confidence...in everything that you do...
that is DHRISHYAM...
The hero walks in to join his family to eat…on the way he switches off an unnecessarily light...no word...just a DHRISHYAM MOMENT...and the prudence of the man is established .
No caricatures only characters…no romance only love...no comedy just humour...no enemies just adversaries...no egos just pride...no music heard just felt...no punishment just justice…no doubts just trust...no betrayals just loyalties...no cosmetics just substance...no puerile glamour just perfect cinema grammar…
...every knot is woven seamlessly in the screenplay...and as the film unfolds…each gripping mystery unravels and the viewer is so engrossed that a tension grips the mind…interpretation of a character is possible only if the personality is perfectly defined right from his walk...clothes...diction...body language...gestures...mannerisms...Drishyam is an example of how wonderfully the artistes and the director are in tune...personally...and in sync professionally...
Mr.Joseph…your versatile coat has many magnificent colours...
Third degree...the police officer in her orders it...the mother in her is unforgivably unkind... but the woman in her- for just an instant-winces... or so it seems…or so she should…a sub-conscious DHRISHYAM MOMENT
She has to be in control…it is her nature…or maybe it is her training...she sees it slipping...she is seething...no words...no grimace...not even a frown…yet it is felt…the despondency is silently visual...a precocious DHRISHYAM moment...AAHA ASHA!

Suave and sophisticated...sensible yet sensitive...unobtrusiveyet prominent...SIDDIQUE is simply superb as if he has saved his scoring for the final overs...a whiff of perfume that compliments the fragrance of DHRISHYAM...
SABASH SIDDIQUE...

The opening shots roll back...the hero is safe...he has kept his word to his loved ones…no expression of satisfaction…no relieved gesture…cut to present...a new officer challenges...the trauma is still not over…
the hero does not react…he answers softly, firmly, politely even humbly...
some questions and knots are unanswered...intercuts...to hero’s face…
flash backs...the mystery slowly unravels...there is a huge sigh of relief…from the audience…nothing from the character...but it is there...suspended suppressed... on the edge of his consciousness...
The hero walks towards camera...just that dead pan face...no hint of a smile even...no swagger...no hype...he is just a simple man...trying to lead a simple life...
HE WILL DO ANYTHING TO PROTECT HIS FAMILY…
Or so the scenes seems to shout... but in silence...another vociferous DHRISHYAM MOMENT...
It is such moments, such speaking silences, such wise visuals, such engulfing emotions, such humble heroism, such pregnant thunder, such taut tenderness, such exceptional performances, such captivating lighting resolutions...such clever intelligence- that makes DHRISHYAM one of the most gripping and compelling motion pictures I have ever seen...
He is just a simple man...trying to lead a simple life...the film fades...the credits happen...there is thunderous applause...and then -…SABASH...I heara cry...
surprised...or maybe not…that it is from ME...
triumph can be very personal...victory is more general...
DHRISHYAM is a personal triumph for Mohanlal...there cannot be too many actors of his calibre in world cinema today...
DHRISHYAM is a universal victory, not merely for Malayalam cinema...but indeed for Indian cinema...
Sometimes success has no formula...has no precedent.

It is instinctive - sometimes just a gut feeling...

OF TEAM DHRISHYAM... WHAT GUTS!!!!!!!

God bless you all.

Jai Hind.

K.BALACHANDAR

Mohanlal's Drishyam - Malayalam Movie Review

 Mohanlal's Drishyam - Malayalam Movie Review

Directed by     Jeethu Joseph
Produced by     Antony Perumbavoor
Written by     Jeethu Joseph
Music by     Anil Johnson, Vinu Thomas
Background Score: Anil Johnson
Cinematography     Sujith Vassudev
Editing by   Ayoob Khan
Studio  Aashirvad Cinemas
Distributed by    Aashirvad Release Through Maxlab
Release dates   19 December 2013
Country     India
Language     Malayalam

Cast

     Mohanlal as Georgekutty
    Meena as Rani
    Kalabhavan Shajon
    Siddique
    Asha Sharath as Geetha
    Ansiba as Anju
    Irshad
    Roshan Basheer
    Neeraj Madhav
    Baiju V.K
    Balaji
    Kunchan
    Sreekumar P
    Koottickal Jayachandran
    Esther as Anu

I am a fan of Jeethu Joseph's work, coz I have seen all his movies and liked all of them. Each of them entertaining and different from each other. So he teaming up with Mohanlal, the film was easily one to look forward as far as I was concerned. After the way he promoted Memories and what the film offered, respect towards the man only increased.

So even though the posters made us think that it will be 'just another' feel good family entertainer, Knew there will be some thing inside his sleeves that surprise viewers (at least the first day audience). But even after expecting it Jeethu was able to surprise one and all with yet another superbly polished product.

Georgekutty, a farmer cum cable operator, has been living peacefully with his wife and children. A character enters their lives which turns the world upside down for them. The things that the family, especially Georgekutty goes through & has to do forms the rest of the story.

The Online might remind you of 'Ividam Swargamanu', both are family based thrillers starring Mohanlal and deals with how the family sails against the 'tide'. The similarity ends there. Drishyam is  more light hearted and extremely thrilling. It keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, especially in the second half. 

The first 40mins or so is filled with family moments and then the pace picks up towards the interval portion. Second half begins after a good Interval block and continues right from where it was left and end in a extraordinary climax.

The screenplay is tight and offers ample scope for everyone to perform. It not only thrills but entertains, It has got those  heartwarming family momens and bit of romance all mixed in to one wholesome package.

Whenever people start to write him of, he comes back with a BANG, which Mohanlal once again did with Drishyam after going through a lean patch. FCan't imagine any other actor doing this role, coz with his trade mark, popularly known as 'Lalism' he lifts the character to another level. The film is a comeback not only for the star in him, but also the actor. Equally excellent was Meena, who makes a comeback after a small gap. Lal-Meena chemistry have always been clicked with the audience, no exception this time. Shajon also gave his career best performance in Drishyam. Rest of the cast were also good. 

Jeethu Joseph, the director as well as the writer once again delivers. I have never seen anyone under promoting his film, despite having a sure shot subject in his hand, nor I have seen some with someone who speaks with super conviction and humility. Hopefully Drishyam turns out to be the biggest hit in his life. 

Camera by Sujith Vasudev was very good. BG score was Okay. Songs, were nothing great, but not bad either. Editing was also good,  could have been shorter by 10mins, but still its Okay. 

So This X'mas season come with your entire family and watch  the best family entertainer cum thriller of the year.

Rating 4/5

Verdict Very Good

Last Word: Mammooty missed a golden opportunity