| Rani Padmini | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Aashiq Abu |
| Screenplay by | Ravisankar (script writer and Director) Syam Pushkaran |
| Produced by | P. M. Harris V. S. Muhammed Althaf Mohammed Kassim (co-producer) P. V. Sasi (co-producer) |
| Starring | Rima Kallingal Manju Warrier Srinda Ashab Sajitha Madathil |
| Cinematography | Madhu Neelakandan |
| Edited by | Saiju Sreedharan |
| Music by | Bijibal |
| Production company | Fort Entertainment |
| Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Rani Padmini is a 2015 Indian Malayalam film directed by Aashiq Abu, starring Rima Kallingal and Manju Warrier in the lead. Produced by the company Fort Entertainment. The script was written by Syam Pushkaran and Ravisankar (script writer and Director). The music score was composed by Bijibal. It is a portrayal of the journey towards the amative awakening of two women from different backgrounds with a blend of feminism. The film pays homage to Narendra Prasad. It was released on 23 October 2015.
Plot
Padmini (Manju Warrier), a traditional married woman, goes to Manali, Himachal Pradesh to meet her car rallying driver husband Giri (Jinu Joseph) to resolve a personal conflict. Rani, (Rima Kallingal) is a tomboy brought up in North India. She is running away from a wanted criminal, Raja, who has posed a threat to her life. Rani and Padmini meet on a bus and a memorable journey starts with the pleasantness of simple interpersonal relations. Together they try to find Giri while simultaneously trying to evade capture by Raja's gang.
Cast
- Rima Kallingal as Rani
- Ivana as Young Rani
- Manju Warrier as Padmini
- Theertha Vinod as Young Padmini
- Jinu Joseph as Giri
- Sajitha Madathil as Lalithamma
- Dileesh Pothan as Ullas Menon
- Sreenath Bhasi as Trekker
- Sandeep Narayanan as Hulk
- Soubin Shahir as Madan
- Sooraj Harris as Sharukh Khan
- Binu Pappu as Kareem
- Kunchan as Shankaran Vaidyar
- Ambika Mohan as Padmini's mother
- Srinda Ashab as Nandhini
- Sana Althaf as Trekker
- Vivek Bhaskar as Rana Sherghill
- Subbalakshmi as Rani's grandmother/Suresh
Production
The official launch of the film was held at a function in Kochi on 14 April 2015. Filmmakers Lal Jose, Anwar Rasheed, and Sameer Thahir were present at the function along with actors Shekhar Menon, Sana Althaf, Maqbool Salmaan, and Siddique. Talking about the subject in an interview, actress Manju said that many would consider it as a women's empowerment movie with two female in the lead, it is not. "It is a visual treat with a lot of humor in a feminine tone and celebration of all-rounder aspect of women's capability, who can care, comfort and in even dire situations be a guiding force".
Apart from Kerala, the film was shot extensively in Kashmir Valley, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi. The first look poster was released on 23 July. The first official trailer released on 9 October.
Critical reception
Veeyen of Nowrunning.com wrote that "Aashiq Abu's go-girl tour-de-force is syrupy without ever being saccharine and tugging without ever being overwhelming. It's a film with the actress' proofed script for re-entry and strengthening of yesteryear female leads in Mollywood. It is intriguing with retrospection, and bolstered by a sharp planning and a helms a scrupulous director that can strike chords of the heart." Paresh C Palicha of Rediff.com stated that the film is an entertainer, and that "director Aashiq Abu takes up the gamble of making a film with no male superstar."
Box office
The film collected ₹38 lakh (US$46,000) on its first day of release and collected ₹1.66 crores within four days. It grossed ₹2.85 crore (US$340,000) in 14 days.
Music
| Rani Padmini | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Film score by Bijibal | ||||
| Released | 14 October 2015 | |||
| Genre | Film soundtrack | |||
| Label | Muzik 247 | |||
| Producer | Bijibal | |||
| Bijibal chronology | ||||
| ||||
The songs were released by the music label Muzik 247 on 14 October. Featuring four tracks, the music was composed by Bijibal with lyrics written by Rafeeq Ahammed and Nellai Jayantha ("Puthu Puthu").
The first video song titled "Varu Pokaam Parakkaam" was released on 28 September. The song features childhood of Rani and Padmini.
| Track | Title | Singer (s) | Lyrics | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Varu Pokaam Parakkaam" | Shweta Menon, Devdutt, Lola | Rafeeq Ahammed | 4.22 |
| 2 | "Oru Makaranilavay" | Chithra Arun | Rafeeq Ahammed | 3.35 |
| 3 | "Puthu Puthu" | Soumya Ramakrishnan | Nellai Jayantha | 2.16 |
| 4 | "Mizhimalarukal" | Sayanora | Rafeeq Ahammed | 5.05 |
Awards
- Special Performance (female) - Rima Kallingal
- Nominated - Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Rima Kallingal
- Nominated - Best Music Director - Bijipal
- Nominated - Best Actress - Manju Warrier
- Nominated - Best Playback Singer Female - Chitra Arun - "Oru Makaranilavay"
References
- Sachin Jose (23 October 2015). "'Rani Padmini' movie review by audience: Live updates on Manju Warrier-Rima Kallingal film". International Business Times. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
- Akhila Menon (9 November 2015). "Rani Padmini Movie Review: Bold And Beautiful". Filmibeat.
- "Sana Althaf spotted at the launch of Aashiq Abu's Rani padmini in Kochi". The Times of India. Times News Network. 14 April 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
- Anjana George (16 October 2015). "Rani Padmini is a visual treat: Manju". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
- Sachin Jose (23 July 2015). "Rani Padmini First-Look Posters Featuring Rima Kallingal, Manju Warrier Released [PHOTOS]". International Business Times. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
- "Rani Padmini Movie Review". Nowrunning.com. 25 October 2015. Archived from the original on 18 March 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- "Rani Padmini Movie Review". Rediff.com. 23 October 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- Anu James (27 October 2015). "'Ennu Ninte Moideen', 'Amar Akbar Anthony' rule Kerala box office despite release of 'Rani Padmini', 'Kanal'". International Business Times. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
- Aswini (9 November 2015). "ബോക്സോഫീസ് റിപ്പോര്ട്ട്: റാണി പദ്മിനിമാരുടെ 14 ദിവസത്ത കളക്ഷന്?". Filmibeat.com. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
- Onmanorama Staff (14 October 2015). "'Rani Padmini': Songs of Manju-Rima starrer released". Kochi. Malayala Manorama. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
- Onmanorama Staff (28 September 2015). "'Rani Padmini' first song released". Malayala Manorama. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
External links
- Rani Padmini at IMDb
- Rani Padmini on Facebook
| Films directed by Aashiq Abu | |
|---|---|
|
- 2015 films
- Indian road movies
- 2010s Malayalam-language films
- 2010s road movies
- Films set in Himachal Pradesh
- Films shot in Himachal Pradesh
- Films shot in Delhi
- Films shot in Jammu and Kashmir
- Indian feminist films
- Indian chase films
- Indian female buddy films
- Indian adventure films
- Climbing and mountaineering films
- 2010s adventure films
- Films with screenplays by Syam Pushkaran
- Films about women in India
- Films set in Manali, Himachal Pradesh
- Films directed by Aashiq Abu