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Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea

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Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham
Directed byPriyadarshan
Written by
  • Priyadarshan
  • Ani Sasi
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyTirru
Music byRonnie Raphael
Production
companies
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam
Budget₹100 crore[1][2]

Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham (English: Marakkar: The Lion of the Arabian Sea) is an upcoming Indian Malayalam-language epic historical period film co-written and directed by Priyadarshan. Set in the 16th century Portuguese India, it is based on the battles of Kunjali Marakkars—the naval chieftains of the Zamorin of Calicut. Kunjali Marakkars organised the first naval defense of the Indian coast and safeguarded Calicut from Portuguese invasion for almost a century. The screenplay was co-written by Ani Sasi. The film was produced by Aashirvad Cinemas with Moonshot Entertainments and Confident Group as co-producers.

The film stars Mohanlal, Suniel Shetty, Arjun Sarja, Prabhu, Manju Warrier, Siddique, Mukesh, Nedumudi Venu, Siddique. Principal photography began on 1 December 2018 and concluded in March 2019. The bulk of the film was shot at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad. Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham is the most expensive Malayalam film ever made, with a budget of ₹100 crore.

Cast

Production

Development

Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham was originally planned by Priyadarshan with screenwriter T. Damodaran in 1996. But due to budget constraints it did not progress, "back then, our industry [Malayalam cinema] size was very limited and most producers weren't ready to invest hugely in such big ventures", said Priyadarshan.[3] Almost 18 years later in 2013, Priyadarshan revealed that his immediate projects are a Malayalam period film on Kunjali Marakkar with Mohanlal in the lead role for which the research was happening and a Hindi film starring Akshay Kumar.[4][5]

On 1 November 2017, Priyadarshan confirmed to The Times of India that he would start Kunjali Marakkar after completing a Hindi film and the ongoing research work would require at least 10 more months to complete. What was gathered until then was the information available to the public, so they had to look deeper into history, and also they had not decided on which Kunjali Marakkar Mohanlal would portray out of the four Kunjali Marakkars. He said the storyline he would come up would be a mix of facts and fiction as the information about many of the incidents happened during that era are unavailable.[6]

Pre-production

Priyadarshan co-wrote the screenplay with Ani Sasi, also incorporating many of the inputs from late T. Damodaran from their former discussions. They completed the first draft of screenplay in April 2018 and required nearly seven months for pre-production and eight months to finish post-production. The team was seeking a Chinese actor to play the role of Chinali, Marakkar IV's trusted lieutenant.[7] In May 2018, it was reported that Akkineni Nagarjuna, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal has been cast alongside Mohanlal in ensemble roles.[8] Shetty was confirmed to have signed the film,[9] while Nagarjuna was on the talks for a role.[10] Nagarjuna said he has not heard the script and will only sign the film after hearing it in June end.[11] Ultimately, he did not signed the film.[12] Priyadarshan and Sasi completed the final draft of screenplay by early June 2018.[13] Madhu and Prabhu were officially confirmed in that month, with the former playing Kunjali Marakkar I / Kutiyali Marakkar and the latter in an undisclosed pivotal role.[14]

Priyadarshan's frequent collaborator Sabu Cyril was signed as the production designer.[15] Four life-size ships and a 200×200 metre tank were built at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad by Sabu Cyril. During the period of Kunjali Marakkars, ships were not made but bought from Egypt.[16] A dozen other sets were also created for the film.[17]

In July 2018, Durga Krishna was reportedly been cast in a pivotal role.[18] The team was aiming to finalise the cast by the end of September 2018, including the female lead role. More cast was revealed in that month. Arjun Sarja was confirmed in a principal role. Both Shetty's and Sarja's roles were based on real-life characters, presented "slightly fictionalised" since not much about them are known. Nedumudi Venu, Renji Panicker and Siddique were confirmed in supporting roles. The story spans from 1505 to 1601 period.[19] Priyadarshan revealed that Pranav Mohanlal and Keerthy Suresh will be making "special appearances" in the film, with Pranav as the younger Marakkar IV and Kalyani in an undisclosed role. Keerthy Suresh plays an important role as the pair of Chinali / Chiang Juvan and the actor for Chinali was also finalised.[20] Mukesh plays the role of Samoothiri.[21] In October 2018, Pooja Kumar was in talks to play a role.[22]

Filming

The abandoned set of Marakkar at Ramoji Film City.

Principal photography began on 1 December 2018 at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad. Cinematography was handled by Tirru.[23] Co-writer Ani Sasi also worked as an assistant director in the film. Pranav and Kalyani shot few scenes early in the month.[24] Mohanlal joined the sets later on 16 December.[25][26] The principal photography lasted for 104 days.[27] It was wrapped in late March 2019.[28]

Post-production

For handling the visual effects of the film, Anibrain which is globally recognized for its partnership with Framestore has been signed.[29]

Music

Ronnie Raphael composed four songs for the film — one sung by K. S. Chithra, a duet by Vineeth Sreenivasan and Shweta Mohan, and the other two are a duet sung by M. G. Sreekumar and Shreya Ghoshal and another song by Zia Ul Haq.

Release

The filmmakers have stated an intent to have the film released in 2020.[30] The overseas distribution right of the film was bought by Phars Film.[31]

References

  1. ^ https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/pranav-mohanlal-to-play-young-kunjali-marakkar-in-mohanlal-film-marakkar-arabikadalinte-simham-1264853-2018-06-20
  2. ^ https://www.mid-day.com/articles/priyadarshan-thugs-of-hindostan-was-fantasy-marakkar-arabikadalinte-simham-is-steeped-in-history/19993183
  3. ^ B. S., Shibu (4 June 2018). "Malayalam filmmakers zoom in on history, myth for big-budget movies". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  4. ^ Nagarajan, Saraswathy (14 November 2013). "Ghostbuster returns". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  5. ^ Keshri, Shweta (7 December 2013). "Akshay's comedy is Priyadarshan's contribution". The Telegraph. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  6. ^ Sidhardhan, Sanjith (1 November 2017). "Mohanlal to play Kunjali Marikkar in Priyadarshan's next". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  7. ^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mohanlals-kunjali-marikkar-to-set-sail-on-kerala-piravi-day/articleshow/63959501.cms
  8. ^ https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/Priyadarshans-next-a-period-thriller-brings-together-Mohanlal-Nagarjuna-Paresh-Rawal-and-Suniel-Shetty/articleshow/64263093.cms?
  9. ^ https://www.mid-day.com/articles/suniel-shetty-i-am-returning-to-my-janmabhoomi/19433187
  10. ^ http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2018/may/30/i-dont-think-its-risky-to-do-a-ram-gopal-varma-film-nagarjuna-1821629.html
  11. ^ https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/nagarjuna-says-his-film-with-nani-will-be-on-the-lines-of-munnabhai-mbbs/story-rakZVfuuqwaTylGM66K17O.html
  12. ^ http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2018/sep/25/manju-warrier-keerthy-suresh-join-priyadarshans-marakkar-1876943.html
  13. ^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/marakkar-arabikadalinte-simham-the-mohanlal-starrer-completes-its-script-work/articleshow/64480810.cms
  14. ^ https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2018/jun/18/prabhu-reunites-with-mohanlal-and-priyadarshan-6548.html
  15. ^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/priyadarshan-and-sabu-cyril-team-up-again-for-marakkar/articleshow/64539333.cms
  16. ^ KBR, Upala (21 November 2018). "Priyadarshan: Thugs of Hindostan was fantasy, Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham is steeped in history". Mid Day. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  17. ^ R., Manoj Kumar (30 November 2018). "Portuguese-era ship under construction for Mohanlal's Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham". The Indian Express. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  18. ^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/durga-krishna-to-act-with-mohanlal-in-marakkar/articleshow/64895028.cms
  19. ^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/suniel-shetty-arjun-join-mohanlals-marakkar-movie/articleshow/65869828.cms
  20. ^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/kalyani-priyadarshan-and-keerthy-suresh-join-marakkar/articleshow/65947798.cms
  21. ^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mukesh-in-kunjali-marakkar/articleshow/66005067.cms
  22. ^ https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/141018/pooja-kumar-bags-a-priyadarshan-film.html
  23. ^ Express News Service (3 December 2018). "Priyadarshan's Marakkar starts rolling". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  24. ^ Sidhardhan, Sanjith (27 December 2018). "Kalyani Priyadarshan: Shooting for Marakkar was equally nerve-racking for both me and my dad". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  25. ^ Express News Service (18 December 2018). "Mohanlal joins the sets of next epic, Marakkar". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  26. ^ "Mohanlal Joins Marakkar Arabikadalinte Simham". The Times of India. 16 December 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  27. ^ https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/marakkar-arabikadalinte-simham-mohanlal-priyadarshan-dream-over-20-years-5638747/
  28. ^ https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/mar/26/its-a-wrap-for-mohanlals-marakkar-10745.html
  29. ^ Onlookers Media (3 January 2019). "Oscar award winning VFX studio associated with Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham". Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  30. ^ Indo-Asian News Service (23 October 2018). "Priyadarshan-Mohanlal film's shoot to begin on Dec 1". Business Standard. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  31. ^ https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1131941656876466176
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