Arabikkatha (lit. 'Arabian tale') is a 2007 Indian Malayalam-language satirical-drama film directed by Lal Jose and written by Ikbal Kuttipuram. The film was a critical[1] and commercial success in India[2] and the United Arab Emirates.[3] It deals with differences within the Communist movement,[4] and was produced against a background of real-life splits in the ruling Communist Party in Kerala state, India.[5] In the film, Mukundan, a hardcore communist, exposes the atrocities of Karunan, a cunning and corrupt politician.
| Arabikkatha | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Lal Jose |
| Written by | Iqbal Kuttippuram |
| Produced by | Hassan Sainullabdeen |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Manoj Pillai |
| Edited by | Ranjan Abraham |
| Music by | Bijibal |
| Distributed by | Balaji Movies Sagar Release |
Release date |
|
Running time | 150 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Plot
editThe film narrates the story of "Cuba" Mukundan. He is a staunch leftist who lives for the movement. Machinations of a corrupt politician, Karunan, who perceives Mukundan as a threat to his political career force Mukundan to take up a job in Dubai. Even in Dubai, he finds that Kunjunni Muthalali who was in league with Karunan in Dubai, exploiting the helpless labourers who migrate to the Persian Gulf region, performing menial jobs and physical labor in order to support their families back home. He has always had a soft corner for People's Republic of China as a result of his leftist leanings. When he meets Zhang Chu Min, a Chinese girl, she quickly finds a special place in his heart as she symbolizes China to him. Later, even after realising that she is an anti-communist and is there to make money for the treatment of her boyfriend who fought against the Chinese Government, he gives her his earnings saying a communist never keeps money more than his requirements. Mukundan, with the help of his friends Anwar, Maya, Karim, and Abbas exposes the machinations of Karunan and Kunjunni Muthalali. Finally, Mukundan returns home to work for the political cause which has been his life and love.
The movie depicts Mukundan who lives in rural Kerala being catapulted into Dubai, the gleaming world of commerce and industry that gives employment opportunity to workers from Kerala. Mukundan who finds himself in present society where sticking to any ideology without any compromises is perceived as something of an anachronism.
Cast
edit- Sreenivasan as Cuba Mukundan, a staunch follower of communism, Gopalan's son
- Balu Varghese as Young Mukundan
- Indrajith Sukumaran as Anwar
- Jayasurya as Sidharthan, Karunan's nephew
- Zhang Chu Mi as Shu Min
- Samvrutha Sunil as Maya
- Salim Kumar as Karim
- Sadiq as Abbas
- K. T. C. Abdullah as Abdullah, Karim's father-in-law
- Shivaji Guruvayoor as Karunan, Sidharthan's uncle and a cunning and corrupt politician of the communist party who becomes a minister
- Jagathy Sreekumar as Kunjunni Muthalali
- Nedumudi Venu as Society Gopalan, Mukundan's father and a veteran communist leader
- Suraj Venjaramood as James Thiruvananthapuram
- Moideen Koya as Vishwam Kathalikkadu
- Atlas Ramachandran as Coat Nambiar
- Kozhikode Narayanan Nair as Ravunni
- Assim Jamal as Labour
- Augustine as Varghese
- Satheesh Menon as Pakistani Supervisor
- Manikandan Pattambi
Soundtrack
editArabikkatha's songs and background score are composed by Bijibal, who made his debut through this film. The lyrics were written by Anil Panachooran, also a debutant. The music album has seven songs:
| Track | Song Title | Singer(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Thirike Njan" | Dr. K. J. Yesudas |
| 2 | "Tharakaramalarukal" | Vineeth Sreenivasan, Sujatha Mohan |
| 3 | "Thaane Paadum Veene" | Rajeev Kodampally, Soumya T. R. |
| 4 | "Chora Veena" | Anil Panachooran |
Box office
editReferences
edit- ^ "Arabikatha takes the cake". The Hindu. 15 July 2007. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2008.
- ^ "'Arabikatha' turns out to be a success tale". The Hindu. 18 July 2007. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2008.
- ^ "Hit Malayalam film showing in Doha today". Gulf Times. 12 October 2007. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 6 March 2008.
- ^ "Arabikatha a tale on Communism's strife". newindpress.com. New Indian Express Group. 10 July 2007. Archived from the original on 22 April 2007. Retrieved 6 March 2008.
- ^ "Movie throws light on split in ruling party". Gulf Times. 16 July 2007. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2008.
- ^ "Sreenivasan roped in for Lal Jose's next". The Times of India. 16 December 2017.
- ^ "First Look: Joshiy's Sevens". Rediff.com. 7 July 2011.
External links
edit- Arabikkatha at IMDb