| Pani | |
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 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Joju George |
| Written by | Joju George |
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| Edited by | Manu Antony |
| Music by | Songs: Vishnu Vijay Sam C. S Santhosh Narayanan Score: Sam C. S Santhosh Narayanan |
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| Running time | 143 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Box office | ₹25 crore |
Pani (transl. Job) is a 2024 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film written and directed by Joju George (in his directorial debut). The film stars Joju George, Sagar Surya, Junaiz V. P., Bobby Kurian, Abhinaya, Abhaya Hiranmayi, Seema, Chandini Sreedharan, Prashanth Alexander, Sujith Shankar and Rinosh George. The film features music composed by Vishnu Vijay, Sam C. S. and Santhosh Narayanan
Principal photography commenced on 9 October 2023 in Thrissur, Kerala. Pani was released in theatres on 24 October 2024 and was a commercial success at box office.
Cast
- Joju George as Giri
- Sagar Surya as Don Sebastian
- Junaiz V. P. as Siju K. T.
- Bobby Kurian as 'Warrant' Davi, Giri's business partner
- Abhinaya as Gowry, Giri's wife
- Abhaya Hiranmayi as Jaya, Davi's Wife
- Seema as Mangalath Devaki Amma, Giri's mother
- Chandini Sreedharan as ACP Kalyani Prakash, Giri's cousin
- Prashanth Alexander as Kuruvila, Giri's brother in law and partner
- Sujith Shankar as Saji, Giri's brother and partner
- Ranjith Velayudhan as Commissioner
- Anoop Krishnan as Joshi
- Jayaraj Warrier as himself
- Babu Namboothiri as murdered person's brother
- Bitto Davis as witness to ATM murder
- Jayashankar Karimuttom as Don's father
- Lanka Lakshmi
- Sona Maria Abraham as Giri's sister, Kuruvila's wife
- Dr Merlet Ann Thomas as Don's love interest
- Rinosh George as Kalyani's fiancé
- Ramesh Girija as Suni
- Ashraf Mallisery as Aashan
Production
Development
The film marks the directorial debut of Joju George. The film was officially announced in October 2023. On 16 December 2023, Joju George announced his collaboration with several newcomers for this project. M Riaz Adam and Sijo Vadakkan jointly produced the movie. Venu ISC joined the team to handle cinematography, while editor was Manu Antony.
Casting
Joju George was signed to direct and play a lead role in this film. Some of the major cast members were selected from Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 5, such as Junaiz V. P. and Sagar Surya.
Abhinaya plays the female lead in this movie. The cast also includes Abhaya Hiranmayi, Seema, Chandini Sreedharan, Prashanth Alexander, Sujith Shankar in prominent roles.
Filming
Principal photography began on 9 October 2023, with a puja ceremony. It took more than 100 days to complete the shoot, wrapping up on 27 February 2024. Shooting took place in and around Thrissur, Kerala.
Music
The songs were composed by Vishnu Vijay, Sam C. S. and Santhosh Narayanan, while the background score was composed by Sam C. S. and Santhosh Narayanan. Muhsin Parari penned the lyrics for all the songs in the film.
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Controversy
On 1 November 2024, Joju George reportedly threatened a film reviewer who posted negative reviews about his film on social media. The reviewer who introduced himself as Adarsh H. S. said Joju contacted him over the phone and threatened him for spreading spoilers over different social media platforms and criticising the adult scenes in his film.
Release
Pani was released in theatres on 24 October 2024.
Critical reception
Swathi P. Ajith of Onmanorama wrote that "the movie is undoubtedly a mass entertainer that seeks to tap into your emotions, skillfully triggerring various feelings throughout". Sanjith Sidhardhan of OTT Play rated 3.5 out of 5 stars, stating that "Joju George aces the directorial test with Pani, which turns into a thrilling ride once it gets going. Backed by solid performances and good writing, Joju makes a confident debut as a director". Anna Mathews of The Times of India rated 3 out of 5 stars and said: "With violence being the new hero of massy entertainers, Joju is probably giving audiences what they want and he succeeds fairly well in this". S. R. Praveen of The Hindu stated that "Joju George's gory drama works despite its typical revenge plot" as " has quite a hold on the progression of events which keeps coming at almost the right pace and timing".
Rating 3 in a scale of 5, Vignesh Madhu of The New Indian Express wrote that "Despite some generic writing and blips in crafting a thrilling latter half, Joju makes an assured debut with Pani Sagar Surya and Junaiz V. P. are exceptional as the antagonists, elevating the film’s otherwise generic writing". Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave 2.5 out of 5 stars and said: "While the first act is solid, suggesting that Joju George is on track to deliver an outstanding actioner, the script falters very soon and begins bombarding viewers with stale moments, incidents and dialogues". Latha Srinivasan of Hindustan Times wrote that "Joju George has made a good directorial debut, and Pani presents it well on screen, even though the story is not new for the audience".
References
- "Pani box office collection Day 8: Joju George's film is a clear winner". OTTPlay. 2 November 2024.
- "Joju George's 'Pani' to hit the theatres soon". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- "Thrilling 'Pani Anthem' released! Second song from Joju George's directorial debut Pani out now".
- "Joju George's directorial debut Pani wraps filming". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- "'Pani': Makers share photos of Giri and Gauri from Joju George's directorial debut". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- "New Poster From Joju George Directorial Pani". Times Now. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- "Joju George's directorial movie 'Pani' to hit screens soon". Mathrubhumi. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- "Joju George's directorial debut 'Pani' wrapped up". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- "Joju George's Film Pani To Launch 60 New Faces: Report". News18. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- "'Pics From Joju George's Directorial Debut Pani Shoot Viral". News18. Archived from the original on 27 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- "Joju George pens a gratitude note as he wraps up the shoot of his directorial 'Pani". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- "Superhit music directors Vishnu Vijay and Sam CS unite: Expectations for 'Pani' rise". Mathrubhumi. Archived from the original on 4 July 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- "Malayalam actor Joju George courts controversy over phone call to online reviewer. Not a family flick,this movie's certification should be retested, barbaric motive to society". The Hindu.
- "First Look Poster of 'Pani' by Joju's directorial debut is out and the response is overwhelming". ANI. Archived from the original on 29 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- "First Look Of Joju George's Directorial Debut Pani Promises A Tale Of Revenge". News18. Archived from the original on 31 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- "Violence and emotion collide in Joju George's directorial debut, 'Pani' | Movie Review".
- "Pani review: Joju George aces directorial test with a thrilling revenge drama".
- Mathews, Anna (24 October 2024). "Pani Movie Review : Joju keeps audiences invested in this revenge thriller". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- Praveen, S. R. (25 October 2024). "'Pani' movie review: Joju George's gory drama works despite its typical revenge plot". The Hindu.
- Madhu, Vignesh (25 October 2024). "'Pani' movie review: Director Joju promises much with this effective revenge tale". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- "Pani movie review: Joju George's directorial debut falls flat due to subpar writing".
- Srinivasan, Latha (25 October 2024). "Pani review: Joju George's violent gangster flick may be old wine in new bottle but is a good directorial debut". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 31 October 2024.