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 | CELLULOID | NY Premiere |
Cast: | Prithviraj,
Sreenivasan,
Mamta Mohandas,
Nedumudi Venu,
Chandni | Crew: | Producer: Kamal & Ubaid
- Screenplay: Kamal
- Cinematography: Venu
- Editing: K. Rajagopal
- Music: M.Jayachandran | Email: | sumy alfilmservices.com |
synopsis CELLULOID depicts the life and times of Dr J.C. DANIEL, the pioneer of Malayalam cinema. A story panning over 70 years between 1926 and 2000, CELLULOID tells the story of how Daniel (Prithviraj) made the first Malayalam motion picture. 'VIGATHAKUMARAN' . How he had to endure unprecedented hardships to achieve this feat. How he was willing to invest his personal fortune in the venture, how he travelled across the country meeting stalwarts of Indian Cinema such as DadaSaheb Phalke and Nataraja Muthaliar to learn about filmmaking; and not the least, finding an actress to act in his movie. During the period of filming (1926-1927) it was unthinkable that a woman would act in films, for it was considered a degrading act. Daniel, however, managed to find an actress for his film, P.K Rosy, who would go onto be the first heroine of Malayalam Cinema.
Celluloid follows the making of VIGATHAKUMARAN and how tragedy strikes the film upon its release, when cast fanatics bans the film from being shown in Capitol Cinema Hall in Travancore, the only such establishment in those parts at other time, and indeed from other cinema halls across Kerala. The tragedy of P.K Rosy is another element in the film, when she, of lower cast, was banished from Travancore by the fanatics for daring to act in the movie, as a Nair lady. Celluloid further follows the demise of J.C Daniel since this incident, and covers his life story to his death bed. How he died without being recognised for his work, as he did not have a single piece of film roll to prove he had actually made such a film.
director Kamal is a director well known among the malayali community,who made a siginificant,indelible contribution to malayalam cine world.He was born in Kodungallur(Thrissur) ,the traditional,cultural capital of kerala.He left his personal stamp and gained fame by directing certain valued films.The audience can keep many of his films close to their hearts as they portray strong relationship.He wields considerable influence over the audience as his films relate with them.
He made his entry into the malayalam film world as story writer as well as an assistant director who got his talents mature under the guidence of veteran directors like P.N.Menon,Sethumadhavan and Barathan.He debuted as a director with 'Mizhineerpoovukal' in the year 1986.A successful 25 years career he made more than 40 films.
Filmography
filmmaker's note Celluloid offers a fascinating and heart warming inside into the mind and life of the tragic artist. In a day and age, when films are everything that is glamourous about our society, it's a worthwhile look back at the man who started it all.
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