Christian Brothers (film)


Christian Brothers is a 2011 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film directed by Joshiy and written by Udayakrishna and Siby K. Thomas. The film stars an ensemble cast led by Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Dileep and Sarath Kumar in the lead roles with Saikumar, Biju Menon, Vijayaraghavan, Raai Laxmi, Kanika, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy and Kavya Madhavan in supporting roles. The film features musical score composed by Rajamani and songs by Deepak Dev.
Christian Brothers was released worldwide on 18 March 2011 and had the largest release for a Malayalam film at that time, it performed well at the box office and became the highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year.

Plot

Palamattathu Varghese Mappila is a wealthy Nasrani and a retired captain from the Indian Army. He is a widower and has four children, Christy, Joji, Jessy and Stella. Varghese Mappila also has a property dispute with Kunnel Kumaran Thampy who kills Kochuthomma, brother of Vargheese Mappila.
Christy is currently working as high-profile informer in Mumbai. His brother Joji goes to Italy to study theology, but later opts out of it after he falls in love with Meenakshi, daughter of the state home minister, Sudhakaran.
Long back when Cristy comes to Mumbai as a bank employee because of transfer, he was falsely arrested while rescuing his brother in law George Kutty. George Kutty later misleads Varghese Mappila and his family believing that Christy was arrested due to his criminal activities and relationship with Christy is broken. However, the truth is that George Kutty is the one who is involved in sex racket and criminal activities.
Meenakshi while returning to India is being kidnapped and the case is assigned to Christy since he is experienced in handling it. Christy finds that it is George Kutty who has kidnapped Meenakshi and rescues her. The next day, the police finds that George Kutty is dead. Police arrest Christy for the crime through the assistance of IPS officer Joseph Vadakkan who is handling the case. IPS Joseph Vadakken marries Christy's sister Stella with Christy attending the marriage in secret. Christy along with IPS Joseph Vadakkan helped his brother Joji marry Meenakshi. They all return home.
Christy's friend Karim Lala alias Andrews, who was waiting to meet George Kutty assists him in escaping from the jail. It is later revealed that Christy had not killed George Kutty but it was Joji who had done the crime. Joji learnt that George Kutty had killed his sister Jessy and forced her into prostitution. Joji could not tolerate it and in vengeance killed George Kutty.At this time at varghese mappila's house kunnel kumaran thampy and his sons Rob the property papers from varghese mappila and kills him. Angry at seeing the death of his father Christy along with Joseph vadakan,Joji and Andrews goes to kunnel kumaran's house and kills him and his son's and seek revenge.

Cast

The voices for Raai Laxmi, Lakshmi Gopalaswami, and Kaniha was dubbed by Vimmy Mariam George, and Sreeja Ravi dubbed for Kavya Madhavan.

Production

Development

The film was announced as a big budget film but the Kerala Film Producers Association had set a norm that no Malayalam film should have a budget of more than 3.5 crore. The association refused to give a clearance for the film's shoot. The producers stated that given the star-cast and the subject of the film, it is not possible to make it at a lesser budget. Following the interests from stars, exhibitors and theatre-owners, the film was given a clearance despite its budget, which was many times the restriction set by the association.
Tamil actor Arjun Sarja registered a complaint with Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes about using his name and photographs in connection with the film without his consent or knowledge. Arjun commented that no one has approached him to act in Christian Brothers and all this has happened without his consent or knowledge. However, the issue was resolved when there came an official clarification that Arjun will not be a part of the film.
In February 2010, it was reported that the producers of Christian Brothers excluded actor Thilakan from the film at the request of the Film Employees Federation of Kerala, the predominant film technicians association. Thilakan had been earlier signed for the role played by Saikumar in the film. On 3 February 2010, Thilakan publicly protested against the unofficial ban enforced on him by FEFKA. The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists issued a show cause notice to Thilakan for bringing the issue into the public domain. Thilakan accused AMMA, of which he too is a member. Several political parties came out openly in support of Thilakan.

Filming

The film began production on 11 January 2010. First schedule of the film occurred at various locales in Kerala from January through September 2010. Palamattam tharavadu, where the major parts of the film is set was shot from Netto's bungalow near Edakochi. The second schedule, which mainly included picturisation of a song, commenced in London the same month. The principal photography was completed by the end of 2010.

Music

The soundtrack features four songs composed by Deepak Dev with lyrics by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri. The songs managed to top the music charts in the initial weeks. The soundtrack album was released by Satyam Audios.

Release

The film released worldwide on 18 March 2011 with a total of 327 prints; 157 centres in Kerala, 90 centres outside Kerala and 80 centres overseas, making it the largest release for a Malayalam film at that time. It was released in the United Kingdom, United States and Australia on 25 March 2011, in Gulf countries on 31 March 2011. AP International released the film on DVD and Blu-ray Disc.

Reception

Box office

The film was made on a budget of, a high budget for a Malayalam film at that time. Christian Brothers completed 100 days run at theatres. In two weeks, the film grossed from Kerala box office with a distributors share of. It did good business in initial weeks grabbing a distributors share of in 25 days. The film grossed at the box office in two months. Christian Brothers was the highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year. Apart from the box office revenue, the film made from satellite, overseas and outside Kerala distribution rights.

Critical response

The film received mixed reviews upon release. Neethu Reghukumar of Bangalore Mirror gave a positive review and said, "The much-anticipated Christian Brothers proved to be worth the wait. Finally fans have something to rejoice as he has made a rollicking start this year. Back in all elements, all steals the show, firing on all cylinders. However, at no stage the multi-starrer film does appear as a one-man show."
M. Ashitha of Deccan Herald commented, "True, too many cooks spoil the broth. Despite having the luxury of actors like Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Dileep and Sarath Kumar together in the movie, Christian Brothers turns out not to be a disappointment. The film, heavily depending on the star power, is a good entertainment." Paresh C. Palicha of Rediff.com stated, "Christian Brothers is a typical multi-starrer that is made with an eye at the box office with not much depth in the subject. But you still get entertained."
Sify.com's reviewer rated the film as a "Racy Entertainer" and stated, "Christian Brothers is a loud and high voltage thriller, for which you don't have to use your brains much. It could have definitely been more enjoyable if it was shorter by some twenty minutes or so, but even in the current form it could make you smile as the end credits start rolling. It's absolutely a no logic-popcorn fun and perhaps not meant to be taken too seriously."