Virus (2019 film)


Virus is a 2019 Indian Malayalam-language medical thriller film co-produced and directed by Aashiq Abu set against the backdrop of the 2018 Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala. The film was written by Muhsin Parari, Sharfu, and Suhas. It stars an ensemble cast that includes Kunchacko Boban, Asif Ali, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Tovino Thomas, Rahman, Indrajith Sukumaran, Indrans, Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Dileesh Pothan, Rima Kallingal, Madonna Sebastian, Ramya Nambeeshan, Joju George, and Revathi.
Principal photography took place from January to February 2019 in a single schedule shot extensively in Government Medical College, Kozhikode. The film was released worldwide on 7 June 2019, receiving critical acclaim and was a major box office success.

Plot

A man named Zakariya Mohammed is infected and brought to the Government Medical College, Kozhikode, where he suffers from the symptoms of an unknown virus and after a few hours dies. A nurse Akhila who treated Zakariya gets affected too and slowly the cases are identified in surrounding places.
As the death toll increases the medical experts confirm the virus Nipah spreading across Kozhikode and neighbouring districts. The film progress with
the real life experiences which we are aware when it has happened and also creating a backstory for each affected patients it creates a interest in narration.
In an emergency situation, a team of medical practitioners and healthcare professionals, led by Health Minister C K Prameela and District Collector Paul V Abraham, camp in Kozhikode to tackle the crisis. There is an attempt made to justify that this is not a bio-weapon used by any country or organisation. In the end
The film pays tribute to scientists, medical professionals, hospital staff, volunteers and the people who came forward to support the team to solve the virus attack.

Cast

The film is based on the 2018 Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala. Principal photography began in Kozhikode on 6 January 2019, Kalidas Jayaram was supposed to appear in the film in a supporting but pivotal role, but was replaced by Sreenath Bhasi after the former did not ultimately accept it. Virus was shot extensively in and around Government Medical College, Kozhikode. Filming wrapped on 26 February 2019 after 52 days shoot in a single schedule.

Soundtrack

The original soundtrack is composed, programmed, and arranged by Sushin Shyam.

Release

The first look poster of the movie was released on 18 March 2019. While the trailer was released on 26 April 2019.
The movie was released worldwide on 7 June 2019.

Reception

Box office

The film grossed ₹3.9 crore in the opening weekend from Kerala box office. It collected a worldwide total of over ₹15 crore in 12 days, with ₹11.74 crore from Kerala alone. By collecting $65,000 in 10 days from the United States, Virus became the fourth highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2019 in the US, behind Lucifer, Kumbalangi Nights, and Uyare. And as of 21 June, it is also the fourth highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2019 in the rest-of-India territories, behind Lucifer, Kumbalangi Nights, and Uyare. It earned ₹2,60,058 in Chennai from 18 shows in the opening weekend, and ₹4,82,715 in two weeks.
In the opening weekend, the film grossed $342,527 from the United Arab Emirates and $9,098 from Australia. It grossed €2,749 in Germany in two weeks. The film was released a week later in the United Kingdom and New Zealand where it collected £14,991 and NZ$12,409 in the opening weekend, and £28,809 and NZ$16,099 in two weeks. In three weeks, it collected A$23,868 in Australia and $587,960 in the UAE. In the US, it made $68,244 in four weeks.

Critical reception

Sowmya Rajendran of The News Minute called the movie, "A compassionate, gripping medical thriller" and rated it 4/5 stars.
Meera Manu of News18 rated the movie 4/5 stars and said, "For its 152-minute duration, Virus will take you through many emotional roller-coasters. This one is contagious enough to make you skip a heartbeat or evoking tears. It's more than just a film, it's humans joining hands to beat a deadly disease. No reason to not watch this one." Manu of the Filmibeat rated the movie 4/5 stars and reviewed, "Virus is a mind-blowing movie and as its tagline says it rightly conveys the fear, fight and the survival during the Nipah outbreak. A well-crafted movie, which could be ranked as one among the best movies of all-time. Kudos to the team."
Anjana George of The Times of India rated the movie 3.5/5 stars and reviewed, "On the whole, the film can be called as a well-crafted multi-starrer, fictional documentation of news reports on the Nipah virus attack that shocked Kerala and still looms over us." Behindwoods rated the movie 3.25/5 stars and wrote, "With Virus, Aashiq Abu cements his top form as a filmmaker. Overall, Virus is a straightforward, detailed and uncompromising retelling of an unbelievable story of humanity." Film Companion called the movie, "A Screenwriting Miracle" and praised the performances of the actors.

Accolades