Ittymaani: Made in China
| Ittymaani: Made in China | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Jibi Joju |
| Written by | Jibi Joju |
| Produced by | Antony Perumbavoor |
| Starring | Mohanlal Honey Rose Raadhika Aju Varghese Salim Kumar Hareesh Kanaran Dharmajan Bolgatty Siddhique |
| Cinematography | Shaji Kumar |
| Edited by | Sooraj E. S. |
| Music by | 4 Musics Kailas Menon Deepak Dev |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainments |
Release date | 6 September 2019 |
Running time | 158 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Ittymaani: Made in China is a 2019 Indian Malayalam-language comedy-drama film written and directed by the duo Jibi-Joju in their directorial debut. Produced by Antony Perumbavoor through the company Aashirvad Cinemas, the film stars Mohanlal in the title role, and Honey Rose, Raadhika, Aju Varghese, Dharmajan Bolgatty, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Salim Kumar and Siddhique in supporting roles. The original songs in the film was composed by 4 Musics, Kailas Menon, and Deepak Dev and background score by Dev. The story is set in Kunnamkulam, Thrissur and revolves around Ittymaani, a Chinese-born Indian who moved to his homeland at age 10.
The film began principal photography on 24 April 2019 and was concluded in July, shot mainly in Kerala and a few scenes in China. Ittymaani: Made in China released in theatres on 6 September 2019.
Cast
- Mohanlal as Ittymaani / Manikkunnel Maathan (Ittymaathan)
- Honey Rose as Jessy Pothen
- Raadhika as Annamma Plamoottil
- Aju Varghese as Sugunan
- Dharmajan Bolgatty as Sainu
- K. P. A. C. Lalitha as Theyyamma
- Salim Kumar as Mapranam Varkey
- Hareesh Kanaran as Joji Pothen
- Vinu Mohan as Ajo
- Siddhique as Fr. John Paul
- Ashokan as Dr. Asif Mooppan
- Kailash as Savychan
- Aristo Suresh as Pranchi the Sexton
- Johny Antony as Adv. Tharyan
- Swasika as Betty
- Sijoy Varghese as Alex
- Saju Navodaya as Mooshari Bhaskaran
- Rajesh Paravoor as Broker Paulinos
- Madhuri Braganza
- Sekhar Menon
- Sunil Sukhada
- Viviya Santh
- Komal Sharma
- Anjana Appukuttan
- Antony Perumbavoor
- Niranjan Kannan as Ittymaani's childhood
Production
Development
The duo Jibi and Joju made their directorial debut with Ittymaani: Made in China, produced by Aashirvad Cinemas. Previously they had worked as assistant and associate directors in Malayalam films. It was while working in Vellimoonga (2014) that they decided to work together as a director duo. They came up with the subject of Ittymaani: Made in China in January 2016. Actors were undecided while conceiving the story. They approached Mohanlal when they had the chance to meet him in May 2016 while working as chief associate directors on his film Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol.[1][2] It was on that set that they first told him about Ittymaani: Made in China and the full story was narrated to him during the final dubbing work of Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol.[3] Jibi and Joju briefed the screenplay to Mohanlal in January 2017 and told him beforehand that it was not written with him in mind and may require rework. Mohanlal too felt that when heard and suggested changes. They reworked the screenplay in five months and met him again at the sets of Velipadinte Pusthakam, but Mohanlal recommended them to cast someone else for the role as the film will delay if waited for him as he had committed multiple big-budget projects at that time. But Jibi and Joju had set their mind to proceed only if Mohanlal was available. Hence, Mohanlal directed them to discuss the matter with producer Antony Perumbavoor. Antony liked the reworked screenplay and called for a final meeting in October 2018. Mohanlal was satisfied with the screenplay and the project was green-lit when Antony decided to produce the film.[4] The film was officially announced by Mohanlal through his social media handles on 22 October 2018.[5] Mohanlal suggested changes to include a message in the story and sanctioned the screenplay after several drafts.[6]
Filming
The pooja ceremony of the film was held at Kochi on 24 April 2019 followed by the start of principal photography.[7] Mohanlal speaks Thrissur slang in the film.[8][9] Part of the film was shot at St. Stanislaus Forane Church, Mala, where Mohanlal, Salim Kumar, Aristo Suresh and Johny Antony performed the traditional Kerala Christian woman's dance Margamkali along with 512 artistes between the ages of 3 and 65. It is featured as part of a church fund raiser for constructing houses in the film. The dance was choreographed by Prasanna Sujit.[10] Filming underwent in Ernakulam and Alappuzha locales in June 2019.[11] Four days filming was conducted in China in July 2019. Ittymaani's father's portions were filmed there. One of the stills released from the set that featured him along with Tai Chi fighters was part of a song sequence.[12] Filming was concluded in that month and entered post-production.[13]
Soundtrack
| Ittymaani: Made in China | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by 4 Musics, Kailas Menon, Deepak Dev | |
| Released | September 2019 |
| Recorded | 2019 |
| Venue | Kochi, Mumbai |
| Studio | My Studio Wow and Flutter Studios Studio 6/8 NHQ Studios Dev's Wonderland |
| Genre | Filmi |
| Language | Malayalam, Mandarin |
| Label | Goodwill Entertainments |
The music was composed by the ensemble group 4 Musics, Deepak Dev, and Kailas Menon, with lyrics for the songs written by Santhosh Varma, Liu Shuang, and Manu Manjith. The background score was composed by Deepak Dev.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bomma Bomma" | Santhosh Varma, Liu Shuang | 4 Musics | M. G. Sreekumar, Vrinda Shameek Ghosh, Master Adithyan, Liu Shuang, Teresa Rose Geo | 4:14 |
| 2. | "Kunjade Ninte Manassil" | Santhosh Varma | 4 Musics | Shankar Mahadevan, Biby Mathew, Sulfique, Devika Soorya Prakash, Vrinda Shameek Ghosh, Haritha Balakrishnan | 3:42 |
| 3. | "Kando Kando" | Santhosh Varma | Deepak Dev | Mohanlal, Vaikom Vijayalakshmi |
Release
Ittymaani: Made in China was released in theatres worldwide on 6 September 2019, ahead of the week of Onam in Kerala.[14][15]
Critical reception
Deepa Antony of The Times of India rated the film 
and wrote: "'Ittymani :Made in China' is a weak story and a weaker script that even the Mohanlal cannot save."[16] Writing for Huffington Post, Neelima Menon said, "At a time when Malayalam cinema has come a long way in terms of craft, concepts, technology and ideas, a film like Ittimani is a huge step back".[17] Vidya Nair of Deccan Chronicle also rated the film and wrote: "Ittymaani.. is a weak attempt to narrate a good subject that might only survive due to the performances of some ace actors."[18]
References
- ^ മേനോൻ, ശ്രീലക്ഷ്മി (6 September 2019). "കുന്ദംകുളവും ചൈനയും 'ഡ്യൂപ്ലിക്കേറ്റ്' ബന്ധവും, ഇതില് ഇട്ടിമാണിക്കെന്താണ് കാര്യം?". Mathrubhumi (in Malayalam). Retrieved 6 September 2019.
- ^ "'ഈ നിമിഷം മുകളിലേക്ക് നോക്കുമ്പോള് ആകാശത്ത് ഉദിച്ച് നില്ക്കുന്ന ചന്ദ്രന് ലാലേട്ടന്റെ മുഖമാണ്'". Mathrubhumi (in Malayalam). 21 May 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
- ^ "'മോഹൻലാലിന് വേണ്ടി എഴുതിയ കഥയായിരുന്നില്ല'; ഇട്ടിമാണി മെയ്ഡ് ഇൻ ചൈനയെപ്പറ്റി ഇതുവരെ അറിയാത്തതെല്ലാം". News18 Malayalam (in Malayalam). 18 May 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
- ^ Web team (14 May 2019). "'ഇനിയെല്ലാം ആന്റണി തീരുമാനിക്കും', 'ഇട്ടിമാണി'യുടെ ഫൈനല് സ്ക്രിപ്റ്റ് കേട്ട് മോഹന്ലാല് പറഞ്ഞു". Asianet (in Malayalam). Retrieved 22 June 2019.
- ^ "Mohanlal in and as Ittimani". Deccan Chronicle. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ Ramachandran, Mythily (4 September 2019). "MohanLal's 'Ittymaani — Made in China' is a family entertainer". Gulf News. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- ^ "'Ittimani Made in China' puja in Kochi". The Times of India. 24 April 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ "തൃശൂര് ഭാഷ സംസാരിക്കുന്ന മോഹൻലാല്, ഇട്ടിമാണി: മേയ്ഡ് ഇൻ ചൈന ഷൂട്ടിംഗ് തുടങ്ങി". Asianet. 24 April 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ "ചട്ടയും മുണ്ടും ധരിച്ച് മാര്ഗംകളി വേഷത്തിൽ മോഹന്ലാല്, വൈറലായി ഇട്ടിമാണിയുടെ ഫസ്റ്റ് ലുക്ക്". Mathrubhumi. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ "Ittymaani will have a margamkali performance with 512 artistes". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
- ^ https://keralakaumudi.com/news/news.php?id=103179&u=mohanlal-going-to-china
- ^ Sidhardhan, Sanjith (22 July 2019). "Mohanlal to play double role again in Ittymaani". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- ^ Sidhardhan, Sanjith (19 July 2019). "Mohanlal's Ittymaani: Made in China wraps up production". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
- ^ "'Ittymaani: Made in China' is about a mother-son bond, says Mohanlal". The New Indian Express. 4 September 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- ^ Sidhardhan, Sanjith (12 April 2019). "Mohanlal's Ittimani: Made in China will be an Onam release". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/ittymaani-made-in-china/movie-review/71007704.cms
- ^ https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/ittymaani-made-in-china-review-mohanlal-starrer-step-back-for-malayalam-cinema_in_5d724ce1e4b0fd4168e92529
- ^ https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/070919/ittymani-made-in-china-movie-review-weak-narrative-for-a-strong-plot.html