Nayattu (transl. The Hunt) is a 2021 Indian political survival thriller film directed and co-produced by Martin Prakkat and written by Shahi Kabir. It stars Kunchako Boban, Joju George and Nimisha Sajayan in the lead roles and features Jaffar Idukki, Anil Nedumangad and Hakkim Shajahan in supporting roles. Mahesh Narayanan and Rajesh Rajenndrran edit the film while Shyju Khalid handles the cinematography. Vishnu Vijay composed the original music and background score. Director Ranjith and P. M. Sasidharan produced the film under Gold Coin Motion Picture Company in association with Martin Prakkat Films.[1][2]
Nayattu | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Martin Prakkat |
Written by | Shahi Kabir |
Produced by | Ranjith P. M. Sasidharan Martin Prakkat |
Starring | Kunchako Boban Joju George Nimisha Sajayan |
Cinematography | Shyju Khalid |
Edited by | Mahesh Narayanan Rajesh Rajenndrran |
Music by | Vishnu Vijayan |
Production companies | Gold Coin Motion Picture Company Martin Prakkat Films |
Distributed by | Magic Frames |
Release date |
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Running time | 122 minutes |
Country | India |
Language | Malayalam |
The film was released on 8 April 2021 to widespread critical acclaim for its direction and the cast's performances. On October it made shortlist for India's selection for Best International film at 94th Academy Awards[3]
Praveen Michael rejoins the police force in a new station as a CPO (civil police officer). A local political goon, Biju, who is related to police officer CPO Sunitha, is summoned for being a constant trouble-maker. Praveen and his senior officer (Asst Sub Inspector) ASI Maniyan get into a scuffle with the goon and locks him up in the cell. But soon, he is released without charges due to political influence of his Dalit party.
After a wedding party, Maniyan and Praveen are drunk, joined by Sunitha who accepts a lift. With Maniyan's nephew Rahul as driver, they get into a collision with a motorbike. They move to assist, realizing that the bike rider, Jayan was a friend of Biju’s. Rahul flees from the scene immediately, after which they get spotted by civilians. They attempt to rescue Jayan, who was however announced dead on arrival, sending the Biju’s mob into a rage, forcing the trio to flee to their station.
At the station, Maniyan realizes that they will be accused of murder and arrested soon, resulting in the trio fleeing and on the run. With political pressure mounting on the Police to frame them, they retreat to Munnar to seek asylum with an old acquaintance of Maniyan.
The chief minister himself gets involved in the matter due to an impending by election where the support of Dalit organization is crucial for victory. A squad of senior police officers, lead by SP Anuradha are sent in pursuit of the fugitives. They manage to locate the runaways, but can not launch an assault due to the strategic location of their hiding place. Back in the city, Police decides to stage a drama with the allowance of the chief minister. They announce that all three police officers are arrested and parades dummies with face covered to the media.
When the squad finally makes the move, Praveen and Sunitha runs, only to find Maniyan hanging dead in a building with a suicide video note in his mobile phone, as a dying declaration. Due to the previous dummy arrest, the squad is in trouble. The chief minister threatens blame on the police department, ordering them to clean up the mess. Praveen tries to escape to safeguard the suicide video but is captured and is arrested along with Sunitha and is brought to the police club along with Maniyan’s body.
Police officers stage Maniyan's suicide in the police custody and compels the other two to give corroborating statements, which make Maniyan responsible for the death of the Dalit youth and thus making them free of the crime. When Praveen and Sunitha both refuse, they are given time to change their mind till they get to the court. They are then placed in custody and transported to court in a police van, as the voting for the by-elections take, they go to the court.
Principal photography of the film began before the COVID-19 pandemic and stopped during lockdown period. The filming resumed by the end of September and was completed in October 2020.[4][5][6]
Music was composed by Vishnu Vijay.
Nayattu[7] | |||||
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Soundtrack album by Vishnu Vijay | |||||
Released | 19 April 2021 | ||||
Recorded | 2020-2021 | ||||
Genre | Feature film soundtrack | ||||
Length | 10:25 | ||||
Language | Malayalam | ||||
Label | 123 Musix | ||||
Producer | Vishnu Vijay | ||||
Vishnu Vijay chronology | |||||
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No. | Title | Lyrics | Artist(s) | Length |
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1. | "Appalaale" | Anwar Ali | Madhuvanthi Narayan | 3:22 |
2. | "Marukara Thedum (Travel Song)" | Vinayak Sasikumar | Antony Dasan | 4:02 |
3. | "Narabali" | Vedan | Vedan | 3:01 |
Total length: | 10:25 |
The movie was released on 8 April 2021.[9][10]
A video review was published in Tamil satellite channel Jaya TV.[11]
Year | Award/Festival | Category | Recipient | Notes |
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2021 | Diorama International Film Festival[12] | Second Best Indian Feature Film | ||
Best Actor | Joju George | |||
Kerala State Film Awards[13] | Best Actor | |||
Best Story | Shahi Kabir | |||
Best Editor | Mahesh Narayanan and Rajesh Rajendran |
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