Magalir Mattum (2017 film)

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This article is about the 2017 film. For the 1994 film, see Magalir Mattum (1994 film).

Magalir Mattum
Poster
Directed byBramma
Written byBramma
Produced bySuriya
Christy Siluvappan
Starring
CinematographyS. Manikandan
Edited byC. S. Prem
Music byGhibran
Production
companies
2D Entertainment
Chris Pictures
Distributed bySakthi Film Factory
Release date
  • 15 September 2017 (2017-09-15)
Running time
140 mins
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Magalir Mattum (English: Ladies Only) is a 2017 Indian Tamil comedy drama film written and directed by Bramma, as his second venture after Kuttram Kadithal (2015). The film stars Jyothika, Urvashi, Bhanupriya, and Saranya Ponvannan, while Nassar, Livingston, Gokulnath, and G. Marimuthu play supporting roles. The film narrates the story of three female school friends who reunite after 38 years, despite the pressures put upon them by the men in their lives. Produced by Suriya and featuring music composed by Ghibran, the venture began production in July 2016 and had a theatrical release on 15 September 2017. Magalir Mattum received positive reviews.[1][2] Jyothika was nominated for a Best Actress Category, while Urvashi and Bhanupriya were nominated for Best Supporting Actress Category at South Filmfare Awards.[3]

Plot[edit]

Prabhavathi aka Prabha is a feisty, independent woman who makes documentaries. She lives with her two filmmaking friends, but later moves in with her future mother-in-law Gomatha Silkurayappan aka Goms, when her son leaves for a job overseas. Goms is now a retired teacher, tutoring local kids in her home. Prabha learns that Goms misses her school friends Subbulakshmi Mangalamoorthy aka Subbu and Rani Amirthakumari Gothandaraman, with whom she has lost contact for nearly 40 years. In flashbacks, it is revealed that the three friends met while studying at a Catholic hostel during their high school days. They lost contact after Subbu and Rani were expelled following the three girls’ attempt to sneak out and go to a movie at night. The headmistress expelled only Subbu and Rani as they were not native to Tamil Nadu like Goms.

Hearing her story, Prabha becomes determined to reunite Goms with her friends. She uses Facebook to find Rani and succeeds. It is revealed that Rani is living in Agra with her blended family. Prabha abandons her plans to film in Chhattisgarh and instead takes Goms to Agra to reunite with Rani. Rani‘s life is very complicated, with a misogynistic husband Gothandaraman and son Karthi who are obsessed with politics. Subbu is living in Hyderabad with her drunkard husband Mangalamoorthy and his bedridden mother. She aspires to be a beautician, but her family life has prevented her from achieving her dream.

Once Goms, Rani and Subbu are reunited, Prabha takes them on a three-day "Ladies Only" tour throughout North India so they can escape from their shackled lives. Throughout the journey, Prabha helps the trio reminisce about their younger days, reassert themselves and embrace their newly found freedom.

At the end of the journey, Goms, Rani and Subbu are treated to a special anniversary screening of Aval Appadithan, the film they watched together on its first day: 30 October 1978. In the epilogue, each of the friends are empowered to take charge of and live life on their own terms with renewed assertiveness and satisfaction.

Cast[edit]

Production[edit]

After the success of Kuttram Kadithal (2015), Bramma was approached by Suriya's production house 2D Entertainment to make a film for them. Bramma pitched three scripts including one for Jyothika to play the leading role in a "female-centric" script, which her husband Suriya agreed to finance.[5][6] Jyothika subsequently participated in a series of workshops to get ready for her role in the film for twenty days.[7][6] For her role, Jyothika had to lose weight and learn to ride a motorbike and consequently did so with the help of her husband Suriya and professional biker Sheeba through lessons in Uttar Pradesh.[8] In the meantime, Bramma worked on finishing the script and completed the process within two months. The film was officially launched in July 2016, with actors Saranya Ponvannan, Bhanupriya, Urvashi, Nassar and Livingston revealed to be joining the cast.[9] The film was revealed to be "thirty percent" complete by August 2016, after the team finished filming a schedule in Tindivanam.[10] Though it was earlier reported that Suriya may appear in a guest appearance, Suriya later requested his friend Madhavan to portray the role.[11][12]

Prior to the film's release, Bramma revealed that he had watched the film over 200 times. He also stated that after the film's theatrical release, the team planned to take it to international film festivals. To promote the film, the team launched comics in Tamil and Tanglish that spoke about women’s rights, the life they lead, and what marriage does.[13] Likewise, following the release of the film's teaser, Suriya requested other male celebrities to make dosas for their wives and partners.[14]

Music[edit]

Magalir Mattum
Soundtrack album by
Ghibran
Released26 April 2017
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length21:34
Label2D Music
ProducerGhibran
Ghibran chronology
Ungarala Rambabu
(2017) 		Magalir Mattum
(2017) 		Aramm
(2017)

The film's soundtrack was composed by Ghibran. The soundtrack features seven songs and one instrumentals from the original score. The album was launched at Sathyam Cinemas, Chennai on 26 April 2017. The soundtrack included a song sung by actor Karthi, as well as three short songs sung by the film's leading veteran actresses.

No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Adi Vaadi Thimiraa"Uma DeviGold Devaraj3:51
2."Ghandhari Yaaro"ThamaraiPadmalatha, Anurag Kulkarni4:33
3."Gubu Gubu Gubu"VivekKarthi4:07
4."Bullet Song"Bulleh ShahYazin Nizar, Chennai Qawwali Kids1:55
5."Karu Karunnu"BrammaBhanupriya, Namitha Babu, Gold Devaraj1:35
6."Carratu Pottazhaga"BrammaUrvashi, Namitha Babu, Gold Devaraj1:31
7."Time Passukkosaram"BrammaSaranya Ponvannan, Padmalatha1:42
8."Theme Music"——2:20
Total length:21:34

Release[edit]

Magalir Mattum opened on 15 September 2017 to positive reviews from film critics and audiences.[1] Critic Ashameera Aiyappan of The Indian Express wrote "the main strength of Magalir Mattum is the empathy it invokes" and that "Bramma’s writing will bring flashes of conversations with women of your own family and that is a major asset for the movie", while giving it a high rating of 3.5 stars.[15] Baradwaj Rangan of Film Companion wrote "The characters are broadly defined.. — we know what they do, but not really who they are. Perhaps the focus should have been on one woman’s liberation instead of three. "[16] The satellite rights of the film were sold to Zee Tamil.[17] The film was dubbed and released in Malayalam under the title Maya Varnangal.[18]

Reception[edit]

A critic from The New Indian Express called the casting "terrific", while a critic from The Hindu wrote the "cheerful camaraderie between the leads works wonders".[19][20] Sify.com called the film a "watchable, feel-good film" adding "what works in Magalir Mattum is the feel-good factor, the chemistry between the four actresses Urvashi, Bhanupriya, Saranya Ponvannan and Jyothika and the climax twist".[21] The critic from Behindwoods.com noted "Bramma has proven once again that he is a talented filmmaker with a strong content and a noble motive - kudos to him, for making a celebratory film like this, which is fully surrounded by positivity and feel good moments, though the film dealing a serious subject".[22] The reviewer from The Hindustan Times wrote that the film is "not without flaws but a film made with a lot of heart", and that it is "the kind of film where you don’t mind overseeing the flaws because it leaves you with a heartwarming feeling when you exit the theatre".[23] In contrast, a critic from NewsMinute.com wrote "Magalir Mattum has its heart in the right place" and "it's clear that the film wants people to understand the lives of women but it struggles to articulate their stories within the pop culture framework of empowerment".[24]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Despite playing the lead role, Jyothika was credited fourth.[4]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Upadhyaya, Prakash (14 September 2017). "Magalir Mattum movie review: Critics give a thumbs-up to Jyothika". International Business Times, India Edition. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Magalir Mattum Review {3/5}: Feminist, filmi and feel-good, that's Magalir Mattum" – via timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
  3. ^ "Nominations for the 65th Jio Filmfare Awards (South) 2018". Filmfare.com. Archived from the original on 30 August 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  4. ^ "Magalir Mattum (2017) Tamil in HD - Einthusan". einthusan.tv. 20 October 2017.
  5. ^ Menon, Vishal (22 May 2017). "I don't like the term 'feminist', says director Bramma". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020 – via www.thehindu.com.
  6. ^ a b "Jyothika's movie with Bramma begins today". sify.com. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017.
  7. ^ "Jyothika attends workshop for Bramma's next film!". sify.com. Archived from the original on 9 July 2016.
  8. ^ "I was surprised that a story like Magalir Mattum came from a man: Jyothika". 9 September 2017. Archived from the original on 22 October 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Jyotika starts film with Bramma". thehindu.com. 14 July 2016.
  10. ^ "Jyothika's upcoming film has been tentatively titled as Magalir Mattum". behindwoods.com. 23 August 2016. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  11. ^ "Upcoming movie". Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  12. ^ "Suriya can't thank Madhavan enough". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 13 April 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Bramma Interview: "I'd Like To Experiment With Every Format Of Filmmaking"". 14 September 2017. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  14. ^ "Suriya - Jo - Venkat Prabhu force Jai and Anjali's open declaration - Tamil News". www.indiaglitz.com. 8 February 2017. Archived from the original on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  15. ^ "Magalir Mattum movie review: Go watch this Jyothika starrer and take your mom along too". 16 September 2017. Archived from the original on 23 June 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  16. ^ Rangan, Baradwaj (15 September 2017). "Magalir Mattum Movie Review". Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  17. ^ "பெண் சுதந்திரம் பற்றிய சிறப்பு திரைப்படம் "மகளிர் மட்டும்" உங்கள் ஜீ தமிழில்!!!". twitter.com/zeetamil. 19 December 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  18. ^ "This Jyothika film in TV before hitting the theaters!". 4 March 2018. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  19. ^ Ramanujam, Srinivasa (15 September 2017). "'Magalir Mattum' review: Women to the fore". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 14 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020 – via www.thehindu.com.
  20. ^ "Magalir Mattum review: A necessary, even if not a terrific film". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 22 October 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  21. ^ "Magalir Mattum review: Watchable feel-good film for families". Sify. Archived from the original on 15 September 2017.
  22. ^ "Magalir Mattum (aka) Magaleer Matum review". Behindwoods. 13 September 2017. Archived from the original on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  23. ^ "Magalir Mattum movie review: Not without flaws but a film made with a lot of heart". Hindustan Times. 14 September 2017. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  24. ^ "'Magalir Mattum' Review: The film has its heart in the right place but falters". 15 September 2017. Archived from the original on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2017.

External links[edit]

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