2018 movie review in hindi

• रीडर्स प्रौब्लम
• सब्सक्राइब करें

2018 Movie Review: मानवता की मिसाल को पेश करती केरला की असली कहानी

इस फिल्म को देखने के बाद हर दर्शक इस फिल्म को ‘‘केरला की असली कहानी’’ बताते हुए इस हिंदी सहित दूसरी भाषाओं में डब कर प्रदर्शित करने की मांग करता नजर आ रहा है.

• Shantiswaroop Tripathi
• May 11, 2023

• रेटिंगः पांच में से चार स्टार
• निर्माताः वेणु कुन्नापिली , सी के पद्मकुमार और एंटो जोसेफ
• लेखक: जूड एंथनी जोसेफ व अखिल पी धर्मजन
• निर्देशकः जूड एंथनी जोसेफ
• कलाकारः टोविनो थॉमस , इंद्रन्स , कुंचाको बोबन , अपर्णा बालमुरली , विनीत श्रीनिवासन , आसिफ अली , लाल , नारायण , तन्वी राम , शशिवाड़ा , कलैयारसन , अजु वर्गीज
• अवधिः दो घंटे 35 मिनट
• प्रदर्शन की तारीख: 5 मई 2023 , सिनेमाघरों
• भाषा: मलयालम , अंग्रेजी सब टाइटल्स के साथ

2018 में केरला राज्य भीशण बाढ़ के चलते तबाही का षिकार हुआ था.  ऐसी बाढ़ केरला वासियों ने कभी नही देखी थी. लेकिन केरल के हर नागरिक,धर्म जाति भुलाकर इस बाढ़ मंे एक दूसरे से हाथ मिलाकर मानवता की जो मिसाल पेश की थी,उसी मिसाल ,सच व केरल वासियों की सच्ची भावना को फिल्मकार जूड एंथनी जोसेफ फिल्म ‘‘2018ः एवरी वन इज हीरो’’ लेकर आए हैं,जो कि 5 मई को ही फिल्म ‘‘द केरला स्टोरी’’ के साथ ही प्रदर्षित हुई है.

फिल्म ‘‘2018ः एवरीवन इज हीरो’ मूलतः मलयालम भाषा में है,पर अंग्रेजी में सब टाइटल्स हैं. इस छोटे बजट की फिल्म ने चार दिन में ही सिर्फ केरला में तेरह करोड़ रूपए कमा कर एक इतिहास रच दिया है. इस फिल्म को देखने के बाद हर दर्षक इस फिल्म को ‘‘केरला की असली कहानी’’ बताते हुए इस हिंदी सहित दूसरी भाषाओं में डब कर प्रदर्षित करने की मांग करता नजर आ रहा है.  वैसे हकीकत यह है कि 2018 की भयानक त्रासदी में केरला राजय में हजारों मकान ध्वस्त हो गए थे,483 लोग मौत के मुंॅह में समा गए थे,पर यह त्रासदी केवल छोटी सी खबर मात्र बनकर रह गयी थी.  इस फिल्म को देखते हुए हमें मुंबई की 26 जुलाई 2005 की उस मूसलाधार की याद दिला देती है,जिसने दो दिनों के लिए शहर को पंगु बना दिया था. इन दो दिनों में हर मुंबईकर ने प्रकृति की क्रूर शक्ति का सामना किया था. तब सभी की भावनात्मक जुड़ाव उजागर हुई थी. लेखक-निर्देशक जूड एंथनी जोसेफ की ‘2018ः एवरी वन इज हीरो’ हमें केरल राज्य में अचानक आई बाढ़ के प्रति संवेदनशील बनाती है.

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'2018' Hindi review: Immaculately-shot survival thriller with powerful emotional undercurrents

The Hindi dubbed version of the Malayalam survival-thriller film 2018: Everyone is a Hero has been released theatrically on Friday. Directed-written by Jude Anthany Joseph and starring Tovino Thomas , Tanvi Ram, and Aparna Balamurali, among others, the film poignantly captures the cataclysmic floods that ravaged parts of Kerala in 2018, and accentuates how the power of humanity can brave even the most disastrous storms.

A story about how normal people turned into survival specialists

There is no single hero here, and yet, everyone is! 2018 begins with parallel sub-plots about the lives of working-class people in Kerala , who eventually find themselves connected due to the torrential downpour that causes their lives to fall apart at the seams. Thomas plays Anoop, an ex-Army man who, along with many others, stands at the frontline to brave the odds.

Visually striking, top-notch cinematography and art direction are show stealers

Watching 2018 , there will be several occasions where you will wonder, "How did they film that?" While the majority of the first half is devoted to world-building, introducing characters and their backstories, and setting the overall mode and tonality of the survival drama, it is the second half where the breathtaking cinematography, art direction, and sound design truly knock you off your feet.

More on the mood and the cinematography of '2018'

The atmosphere also doubles up as a character, and here, the visual details become all the more consequential. Some of the film's texture reminded me of the famous scenes of downpours in Tumbbad , especially with the clouds that hang heavily in some scenes, ready to simply burst open. The entire second half is soaked in water and grime: the rains arrive, and never stop.

A strong emotional undercurrent binds the drama together

Thanks to the number of characters in the film, there is no dearth of subplots here, and every single one of them has a backstory that is tethered to a strong emotional core. For instance, there is a pregnant woman unable to reach her husband, a specially-abled boy whose condition has deteriorated due to a fracture, and a blind man who lives alone.

Are only men the heroes? Not quite!

Even though 2018 shows men at the forefront of rescue operations (rowing boats, flying helicopters, carrying people on their backs, etc.), it never tries to imply that women take the backseat during such adverse conditions. The female characters contribute by taking care of children, nursing people's wounds, helping with food, and other logistical arrangements. After all, when humanity beckons, everyone has to step up.

Not just good visuals, but also well-chalked-out character arcs

The character arcs deserve a mention too; Anoop leaves the Army because of its challenges, but eventually, he emerges as one of the heroes everyone looks up to. In one scene, after saving a life with the aid of some soldiers, Anoop greets them with a Jai Hind, implying how he may have left the force but the valiance it taught him lives on.

There is subtle but important commentary on the class structures

2018 makes several points about the power of humanity and how it can alter lives, but at the same time, it doesn't hesitate to subtly underline how even disasters discriminate between the rich and the poor. For someone, the lashing of rain means nothing beyond pleasant weather, but for a child, it may mean being separated from her father for days on end.

Watching it in the theaters will make the experience better!

2018 tends to become somewhat formulaic at times, but rarely loses its momentum, keeps you glued to the seat, and even makes you jump in a few places. The audacious efforts of the entire team translate effectively on the screen, and its emotional beating ensures that you instantly root for the characters. An excellently executed film from start to finish. Don't miss it.

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‘2018’ review: A heart-tugging Kerala story

Jude anthany joseph’s malayalam blockbuster has been dubbed in hindi..

Jude Anthany Joseph’s hugely profitable survival drama 2018 has been credited with saving the Malayalam film industry which, like its Hindi counterpart, has been struggling to win back audiences after the coronavirus pandemic. 2018 , released in Kerala on May 5 and now dubbed in Hindi, assembles a staggering cast of acting talent. It appears that nearly everybody of note is here, doing their bit to boost business just as their characters in the film join hands to save lives.

Indeed, Joseph’s account of the catastrophic 2018 floods in Kerala, written with Akhil P Dharmajan, is introducing actors even after the interval. Spread over 150 minutes, 2018 is a mosaic of the experiences of several characters with the impact of incessant rain, disastrous environmental policies, and nature’s fury. Like Aashiq Abu’s Virus (2018), about the Nipah outbreak in Kerala in 2018, Joseph’s film celebrates the contributions of ordinary citizens in a time of acute crisis.

Tovino Thomas – most familiar to non-Malayalam audiences as the superhero from Minnal Murali – leads an estimable cast. Thomas plays Anoop, a former Army soldier who, like the pug in the Vodafone commercials, is always happy to help.

The small town where Anoop lives will soon bear the brunt of a cataclysmic downpour. As the clouds pour unrelenting havoc on the earth, numerous characters rise to the occasion, among them a fisherman and his sons, a Tamil truck driver, an Abu Dhabi-returned executive and a television network head who sets the alarm bells ringing earlier than the government.

The roster of actors is almost too long to mention – Indrans, Kunchako Boban, Lal, Asif Ali, Aju Varghese, Aparna Balamurali, Jaffar Idukki, Narain, Kalaiyarasan. Varghese stars in a comical sub-plot as a driver tasked with ferrying a Polish couple around.

Boban plays an official at the government’s disaster management cell. Lal represents the fisherfolk who provides invaluable assistance to the state government by using their boats for rescue operations. Asif Ali plays a struggling model who, like so many others in the movie, steps up when the situation reaches a breaking point.

The hero of the loosely structured narrative is Thomas’s Anoop, whose ready smile and broad-chested charm are put to good use. If a team of big-name actors selflessly depict walk-on parts, another team of stellar technicians recreate the floods to almost worrying detail.

Joseph, working closely with cinematographer Akhil George, production designer Mohanan and the visual effects provided by Mindstein Studios, dunks us right into the action. Whether it is the massive pools of water that destroy homes and take lives, or the relief camps set up for the displaced, or even the raging Arabian Sea itself, Joseph ensures that his recreation of a well-documented event is superbly detailed, never tacky, and always credible.

Several heart-stopping moments ensue as humans struggle to swim to safety. Some of the sequences are milked for maximum effect. There is an abundance of water and no shortage of tears as the flood victims struggle to combat a situation beyond their understanding.

Is it overstretched? Yes. Is it digressive? Sure. Is it excessively sentimental? Of course. Does it lack complexity? Affirmative. Is it affecting? Without doubt.

Moving back and forth in time, 2018 aims to be the definitive account of the floods. The film is stacked with humans, but its most impressive feat is technical in nature. Just like the people of Kerala used whatever was at hand to save themselves, 2018 deploys every available cinematic resource to craft an absorbing and engrossing chronicle of a disaster specific to Kerala but also universal for anybody who has learnt to fear climate change.

• 2018 review
• Jude Anthany Joseph
• Tovino Thomas

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Top 50 Best Indian movies of 2018

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1. Peranbu (2018)

Not Rated | 147 min | Drama, Family

A single father tries to raise his daughter, who has cerebral palsy, even as she is beginning to wake up to her sexuality.

Director: Ram | Stars: Mammootty , Sadhana , Anjali , Anjali Ameer

Votes: 16,648

2. Pariyerum Perumal (2018)

Not Rated | 154 min | Drama

A law student from a lower caste begins a friendship with his classmate, a girl who belongs to a higher caste, and the men in her family start giving him trouble over this.

Director: Mari Selvaraj | Stars: Kathir , Anandhi , Yogi Babu , Lijeesh

Votes: 18,403

3. Andhadhun (2018)

Not Rated | 139 min | Crime, Mystery, Thriller

A series of mysterious events change the life of a blind pianist, who must now report a crime that he should technically know nothing of.

Director: Sriram Raghavan | Stars: Tabu , Ayushmann Khurrana , Radhika Apte , Anil Dhawan

Votes: 102,725 | Gross: $1.37M

4. Tumbbad (2018)

Not Rated | 104 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror

A mythological story about a goddess who created the entire universe. The plot revolves around the consequences when humans build a temple for her first-born.

Directors: Rahi Anil Barve , Anand Gandhi , Adesh Prasad | Stars: Sohum Shah , Jyoti Malshe , Anita Date-Kelkar , Ronjini Chakraborty

Votes: 58,993

5. Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota (2018)

134 min | Action, Comedy, Drama

It is a story of a young boy Surya who has a rare condition of Congenital Insensitivity to pain meaning he can not feel pain, and he sets out to learn martial arts and hunt down muggers.

Director: Vasan Bala | Stars: Abhimanyu Dasani , Radhika Madan , Mahesh Manjrekar , Gulshan Devaiah

Votes: 8,977

6. Sudani from Nigeria (2018)

Not Rated | 123 min | Comedy, Sport

Story of an African football player and a local football club manager from Malappuram, Kerala.

Director: Zakariya | Stars: Soubin Shahir , Samuel Abiola Robinson , Savithri Sreedharan , Sarasa Balussery

Votes: 4,968

7. Western Ghats (2018)

122 min | Drama

Rangasamy, a laborer living on the borders of Kerala and Tamil Nadu just like his fellow sons of soils toils, hard-working at the spice plantations owned by landlords. Whilst Rangasamy is ... See full summary  »

Director: Leninbharati | Stars: Antony , Aaru Bala , Gayatri Krishnaa , Abu Valayamkulam

Votes: 1,948

8. Mahanati (2018)

Not Rated | 177 min | Biography, Drama

Biography of Savitri , an actress from South India movie industry, who ruled the industry for two decades during 50s and 60s.

Director: Nag Ashwin | Stars: Keerthy Suresh , Dulquer Salmaan , Samantha Ruth Prabhu , Vijay Deverakonda

Votes: 14,626

9. Sexy Durga (2017)

85 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror

Durga, a north Indian migrant and a Keralite youth named Kabeer are running away on a midnight. The hapless Durga encounters a cross section of the society through the rest of the night.

Director: Sanal Kumar Sasidharan | Stars: Rajshri Deshpande , Sujith Koyickal , Bilas Chandrahasan Nair , Kannan Nayar

10. She (2018)

109 min | Drama, Fantasy

Vasu, a struggling painter, meets Maya, a mysterious gypsy girl who lives beneath the Kerala backwaters. Maya inspires Vasu to create soulful paintings as the two form a connection which will inevitably change his life.

Director: Shaji N. Karun | Stars: Shane Nigam , Esther Anil , Indrans , Punnassery Kanchana

11. R.I.P. (2018)

120 min | Comedy, Drama

Set in Chellanam, Kochi, the story of Ee. Ma. Yau revolves around the death of Vavachan Mesthiri in a coastal village. It showcases the events that unfold between two evenings and looks at death from different perspectives.

Director: Lijo Jose Pellissery | Stars: Kainakary Thankaraj , Chemban Vinod Jose , Vinayakan , Dileesh Pothan

Votes: 3,971

12. Namdev Bhau in Search of Silence (2018)

84 min | Adventure

Namdev Bhau, a 65 year old chauffeur, who is tired of the noises in the obstreperous Mumbai City life and has completely stopped speaking, decides to leave everything in search for 'Silent ... See full summary  »

Director: Dar Gai | Stars: Arya Dave , Namdev Gurav , Zoya Hussain , Manikant Momaya

13. Village Rockstars (2017)

87 min | Drama

In small-town Assam, the 10-year-old daughter of a widow defies societal norms as she befriends a group of boys and dreams of having her own rock band.

Director: Rima Das | Stars: Bhanita Das , Basanti Das , Boloram Das , Rinku Das

Votes: 1,028

14. The Bangle Seller (2018)

108 min | Drama

Kempanna, a bangle seller struggles to understand what is really wrong with their marriage. For behind every frustration there seem to lurk burning desires.

Director: Eregowda | Stars: Chandrashekar C.S. , Nagaraju D.P. , Jnanesh Mukhopadhyay , Saumyananda Sahi

15. Bioscopewala (2017)

91 min | Drama

A woman meets her dead father's old friend, who was the operator of a Bioscope show that she loved in her childhood. Connecting India and Afghanistan, a story of love and cinema unfolds.

Director: Deb Medhekar | Stars: Danny Denzongpa , Geetanjali Thapa , Adil Hussain , Tisca Chopra

Votes: 1,029

16. Brina (2016)

90 min | Drama

Young, innocent Lahula's mother Mathru and elder sister Rajjo have multiple husbands at the same time. Illegal but socially accepted polyandry is practiced in their community for various ... See full summary  »

Director: Pawan Kumar Sharma | Stars: Mandakini Goswami , Rajesh Jais , Sanjay Mishra , Aastha Sawant

17. Mehsampur (2018)

Not Rated | 99 min | Drama

A desperate filmmaker drives a neurotic actress and an aging musician to a village of trauma.

Director: Kabir Singh Chowdhry | Stars: Lal Chand , Navjot Randhawa , Devrath Joshi , Jagjeet Sandhu

18. Paddayi (2018)

100 min | Crime, Drama, Family

PADDAYI is the story of Madhava and Sugandhi. They are a newly married couple from the fishing community in India. Driven by ambition, they bring upon them selves an epic tragedy.

Director: Abhaya Simha | Stars: Srinidhi Achar , Gopinath Bhat , Ravi Bhat , Mallika Jyotigudde

19. Amaltash (2024)

113 min | Drama, Family, Music

Rahul is a composed musician in an old city. A delightful serendipity smiles on him when he meets a warm and spontaneous girl Keerthi who is intrigued with Rahul's music.

Director: Suhas Desale | Stars: Rahul Deshpande , Pallavi Paranjape , Deepti Mate , Bhushan Marathe

20. 96 (II) (2018)

Not Rated | 158 min | Drama, Romance

Two high school sweethearts meet at a reunion after 22 years and reminisce about their past.

Director: C. Prem Kumar | Stars: Vijay Sethupathi , Adithya Bhaskar , Trisha Krishnan , Gouri Kishan

Votes: 37,098

21. Vada Chennai (2018)

Not Rated | 164 min | Action, Crime, Drama

A young carrom player in north Chennai becomes a reluctant participant in a war between two warring gangsters.

Director: Vetrimaaran | Stars: Dhanush , Ameer Sultan , Radha Ravi , Daniel Balaji

Votes: 19,658

22. The Lottery (2018)

118 min | Drama

Chumbak is a coming-of-age story of a 15year old table-cleaning-waiter-boy Baalu and his chance encounter with a 45 year old mentally slow man Prasanna that forces him to make a choice between his dreams and morality.

Director: Sandeep Modi | Stars: Gaurav Agarwal , Samir Chandra , Sangram Desai , Sahil Jadhav

23. Laila Majnu (2018)

140 min | Drama, Romance

Taking the leap out of the classic folklore, the story is set in today's time in Kashmir where Laila Majnu have problems relevant to the youth of today. While dealing with their feuding families a passionate love story unravels.

Director: Sajid Ali | Stars: Avinash Tiwary , Triptii Dimri , Sumit Kaul , Abrar Qazi

Votes: 4,592

24. Pataakha (2018)

Not Rated | 134 min | Action, Comedy, Drama

Based on Charan Singh Pathik's short story Do Behnein, Pataakha narrates the story of two feuding sisters who realize the true nature of their relationship only after marriage "separates" them.

Director: Vishal Bhardwaj | Stars: Sanya Malhotra , Radhika Madan , Sunil Grover , Vijay Raaz

Votes: 4,521

25. In the Shadows (2017)

117 min | Drama, Thriller

The film is a psychological drama about a man who is trapped within the city walls and in his own mind. He attempts to break free to find a human connection.

Director: Dipesh Jain | Stars: Manoj Bajpayee , Ranvir Shorey , Neeraj Kabi , Shahana Goswami

Votes: 1,304

26. Uma (I) (2018)

Not Rated | 149 min | Drama

Uma, a child suffering from a terminal illness, wishes to see Durga Pooja held in Kolkata. Her father, along with a director, struggles to create a fake Durga Pooja to make her dreams come true.

Director: Srijit Mukherji | Stars: Jisshu Sengupta , Sayantika Banerjee , Sara Sengupta , Anirban Bhattacharya

Votes: 1,405

27. Rangasthalam 1985 (2018)

Not Rated | 170 min | Action, Drama

Chitti Babu begins to suspect his elder brother's life is in danger after they team up to lock horns with their village president and overthrow his unlawful 30 year old regime.

Director: Sukumar | Stars: Ram Charan , Samantha Ruth Prabhu , Aadhi , Jagapathi Babu

Votes: 27,797 | Gross: $3.51M

28. Once Again (2018)

101 min | Drama, Romance

After a chance phone call leads to daily conversations, a widowed restaurant owner and a lonely film actor plan to finally meet in person.

Director: Kanwal Sethi | Stars: Shefali Shah , Neeraj Kabi , Bidita Bag , Priyanshu Painyuli

Votes: 1,172

29. Raatchasan (2018)

Not Rated | 146 min | Action, Crime, Drama

A sub-inspector sets out in pursuit of a mysterious serial killer who targets teen school girls and murders them brutally.

Director: Ram Kumar | Stars: Vishnu Vishal , Amala Paul , Radha Ravi , Sangili Murugan

Votes: 50,734

30. Jonaki (2018)

While Jonaki, an 80-year-old woman, searches for love in a strange world of decaying memories, her lover, now old and grey, returns to a world she is leaving behind.

Director: Aditya Vikram Sengupta | Stars: Lolita Chatterjee , Sahana Basu , Ratnabali Bhattacharjee , Jonaki Bhattacharya

31. Ottamuri Velicham (2017)

Not Rated | 102 min | Drama

Set against the backdrop of a beautiful hilltop village surrounded by dense forest and a decaying tea plantation is the story of Sudha, an under privileged woman who reaches this village ... See full summary  »

Director: Rahul Riji Nair | Stars: Vinitha Koshy , Deepak Parambol , Rajesh Sharma , Pauly Valsan

32. Badhaai Ho (2018)

Not Rated | 124 min | Comedy, Drama

A man is embarrassed when he finds out his mother is pregnant.

Director: Amit Ravindernath Sharma | Stars: Ayushmann Khurrana , Neena Gupta , Gajraj Rao , Sanya Malhotra

Votes: 38,051

33. 3 Storeys (2018)

100 min | Drama

"3 Storeys" is an intriguing film full of twists and turns. Over the course of 3 acts, dark secrets and past regrets are revealed, and it becomes clear that life in this small community is ... See full summary  »

Director: Arjun Mukerjee | Stars: Aisha Ahmed , Tarun Anand , Richa Chadha , Gopal Das

34. The Brawler (2017)

Not Rated | 154 min | Action, Drama, Sport

A boxer struggles to make his mark in the boxing world.

Director: Anurag Kashyap | Stars: Vineet Kumar Singh , Jimmy Shergill , Zoya Hussain , Ravi Kishan

Votes: 8,649 | Gross: $0.08M

35. Mayurakshi (2017)

102 min | Drama

In the modern world, with work pressures and financial woes mounting, isolation and stress becoming an integral part of life, most people believe that father and son bonding is becoming a thing of the past.

Director: Atanu Ghosh | Stars: Prasenjit Chatterjee , Indrani Haldar , Sudipta Chakraborty , Suman Banerjee

36. Awe! (2018)

150 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror

Unusual (multiple) people tend to meet at a Restaurant and their life-changing moments take place in order to know about a single person.

Director: Prasanth Varma | Stars: Kajal Aggarwal , Nithya Menen , Srinivas Avasarala , Regina Cassandra

Votes: 5,919

37. Kharvas (2018)

34 min | Short, Drama

After losing her baby in a failed delivery(still birth), Aasawari withdraws to her ancestral home in a remote konkan village. Her struggle to overcome this tragic trauma is met with ... See full summary  »

Director: Aditya Suhas Jambhale | Stars: Veena Jamkar , Sandesh Kulkarni , Swati Bowalekar , Vardhan Kamat

38. Nude (2018)

112 min | Drama

Starring Kalyanee Mulay, Chhaya Kadam and Naseeruddin Shah (in a special appearance), the movie is centered around a mother who poses as a nude model for students of an art college, in order to fund her son's education.

Director: Ravi Jadhav | Stars: Kalyanee Mulay , Chhaya Kadam , Om Bhutkar , Naseeruddin Shah

39. Raazi (2018)

Not Rated | 138 min | Action, Drama, Thriller

A Kashmiri woman agrees to marry a Pakistani army officer in order to spy on Pakistan during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971.

Director: Meghna Gulzar | Stars: Alia Bhatt , Vicky Kaushal , Rajit Kapoor , Shishir Sharma

Votes: 33,743

40. Abhrahaminte Santhathikal (2018)

Not Rated | 131 min | Action, Crime, Thriller

Derick Abraham, a fiery and dutiful police officer, continues to be the best officer until his brother Philip Abraham gets arrested for false murder charges. Will he be able to investigate the case and serve justice to his brother?

Director: Shaji Padoor | Stars: Mammootty , Siddique , Sudev Nair , Kaniha

Votes: 5,667

41. Koode (2018)

155 min | Drama, Fantasy

The story is set against the backdrop of hills of Nilgiris where two siblings, Joshua and Jenny, who come from a middle-class family. Together, they dwell on the serenity and calmness of the mountains.

Director: Anjali Menon | Stars: Prithviraj Sukumaran , Parvathy Thiruvothu , Roshan Mathew , Atul Kulkarni

Votes: 2,786

42. Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi (2018)

122 min | Comedy, Drama

The story is based on four childhood friends who go on a trip to Goa. Each have their own dream careers, and collaborate to make a short film.

Director: Tharun Bhascker Dhaassyam | Stars: Vishwak Sen , Sai Sushanth Reddy , Abhinav Gomatam , Srinivas Volety

Votes: 4,233

43. October (II) (2018)

Not Rated | 115 min | Drama, Romance

A group of interns are going through the usual grind when suddenly an accident changes their lives. The protagonist can't get let go of it and becomes obsessed with it. What does it all lead to? Is it love or something else?

Director: Shoojit Sircar | Stars: Varun Dhawan , Banita Sandhu , Gitanjali Rao , Sahil Vedoliyaa

Votes: 17,923

44. Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (2018)

A bloody power struggle erupts between three brothers who are vying to take over the family business following the death of their father.

Director: Mani Ratnam | Stars: Arvind Swamy , Arun Vijay , Silambarasan Rajendar , Vijay Sethupathi

Votes: 6,883

45. Kayamkulam Kochunni (2018)

152 min | Action, Drama, History

Dreaded by the rich and corrupt and revered by the poor and downtrodden, Kayamkulam Kochunni was a Robin Hood of sorts. Chronicles the life and times of the legendary 19th century highwayman, and how he rose from his humble beginnings.

Director: Rosshan Andrrews | Stars: Nivin Pauly , Mohanlal , Sunny Wayne , Priya Anand

Votes: 2,693

46. Juze (2017)

94 min | Drama

A terrifying landlord in a small Goan village drives Santosh, a stubborn teenager on his path to self-discovery; to make a brave and difficult choice.

Director: Miransha Naik | Stars: Sudesh Bhise , Hrishikesh Naik , Pranav Narote , Prashanti Talpankar

47. Soorma (2018)

PG-13 | 131 min | Biography, Drama, Sport

Soorma is the story of the triumph of the human spirit, about a player, who made headlines for his miraculous comeback after facing a near death experience through sheer determination, hard work and unrelenting passion for the sport.

Director: Shaad Ali | Stars: Diljit Dosanjh , Taapsee Pannu , Angad Bedi , Vijay Raaz

Votes: 5,598 | Gross: $0.39M

48. Pihu (2016)

91 min | Drama, Thriller

A two year old must fend for herself when her mother suddenly passes by away while her father is gone for a conference, leaving her prone to danger.

Director: Vinod Kapri | Stars: Rahul Bagga , Pihu Myra Vishwakarma , Prerna Vishwakarma

Votes: 2,948

49. Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran (2018)

Not Rated | 129 min | Action, Drama, History

Ashwat Raina and his teammates arrive in Pokhran to re-conduct a confidential nuclear test, where they face challenges from the American Lacrosse satellite and local spies.

Director: Abhishek Sharma | Stars: John Abraham , Boman Irani , Diana Penty , Anuja Sathe

Votes: 25,224

50. Kedarnath (2018)

Not Rated | 116 min | Drama, Romance

Mansoor, a reserved and reticent Pithoo, helps pilgrims make an arduous journey upwards to the temple town. His world turns around when he meets the beautiful and rebellious Mukku who draws him into a whirlwind of intense love.

Director: Abhishek Kapoor | Stars: Sushant Singh Rajput , Sara Ali Khan , Nitish Bharadwaj , Alka Amin

Votes: 15,170 | Gross: $0.90M

51. Hanuman vs. Mahiravana (2018)

91 min | Animation

The quest to rescue princess Sita is coming to an end as Rama and his army of monkeys make their final push for victory against the demon king Ravana of Lanka. In the ensuing battle, Rama ... See full summary  »

Director: Ezhil Vendan | Star: Rajesh Jolly

52. Garbage (I) (2018)

105 min | Drama, Thriller

The lives of a fundamentalist online troll and a woman reeling from a sex tape gone viral become dangerously intertwined in this provocative thriller.

Director: Qaushiq Mukherjee | Stars: Tanmay Dhanania , Trimala Adhikari , Satarupa Das , Gitanjali Dang

Votes: 1,155

53. Bhonsle (2018)

128 min | Drama

Bhonsle is a retired policeman and is living a non-interfering life in a colony dominated by locals, diagnosed with stage 4 brain tumor. When the migrant resident politics take a nasty turn, he chooses to take a stance and deal with it.

Director: Devashish Makhija | Stars: Manoj Bajpayee , Santosh Juvekar , Ipshita Chakraborty Singh , Aditya Agnihotri

Votes: 1,701

54. Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil (2018)

138 min | Action, Crime, Thriller

Jacob, a manager at a big financial firm, finds himself behind bars when he tries to save the woman he loves from being involved in a criminal case. The only way for him to survive and to escape was to break out of prison.

Director: Tinu Pappachan | Stars: Antony Varghese , Vinayakan , Chemban Vinod Jose , Tito Wilson

Votes: 1,630

55. Lilli (2018)

TV-MA | 91 min | Thriller

Abducted and confined in a room by a gang of sadistic men, a pregnant woman tries to escape, against insurmountable odds.

Director: Prasobh Vijayan | Stars: Samyuktha Menon , Aaryan Menon , Dhanesh Anand , Kannan Nayar

56. Halkaa (2018)

114 min | Drama, Family

Halkaa (Relief) is a unique take on a slum child's heroism, aspirations and dreams. The child protagonist, Pichku fights for the basic problem that he faces everyday; defecating in the open among others.

Directors: Nila Madhab Panda , Inderjeet Singh | Stars: Ranvir Shorey , Paoli Dam , Kumud Mishra , Tathastu

57. Sir (I) (2018)

99 min | Drama, Romance

A prosperous young Indian man falls in love with his servant, a widow with the dream of becoming a fashion designer.

Director: Rohena Gera | Stars: Tillotama Shome , Vivek Gomber , Geetanjali Kulkarni , Rahul Vohra

Votes: 8,561

58. Hamid (2018)

Eight year-old Hamid learns that 786 is God's number and decides to try and reach out to God, by dialing this number. He wants to talk to his father, who his mother tells him has gone to Allah. One fine day the phone call is answered.

Director: Aijaz Khan | Stars: Talha Arshad Reshi , Vikas Kumar , Rasika Dugal , Sumit Kaul

Votes: 1,387

59. Ani... Dr. Kashinath Ghanekar (2018)

Not Rated | 159 min | Drama

This film is a biopic of Dr. Kashinath Ghanekar, legendary Marathi actor, journey to the peak of popularity, events that shaken his personal and professional life unto his unfortunate demise at early age.

Director: Abhijeet Shirish Deshpande | Stars: Subodh Bhave , Sumeet Raghavan , Sonali Kulkarni , Vaidehi Parshurami

Votes: 1,254

60. Bhayanakam (2018)

A World War I veteran is sent to Kuttanad as a postman to deliver money orders and letters to the families of soldiers. Soon, the happiness that his visits brought to the families turns into sadness with the outbreak of the World War II.

Director: Jayaraj | Stars: Jojo George , Sabitha Jayaraaj , Bilas Chandrahasan Nair , Renji Panicker

61. Goodachari (2018)

Not Rated | 147 min | Action, Thriller

A young NSA agent is framed for the murder of his bosses making him realize that now his mission is darker than expected and has some personal scores to settle regarding his father's death, a former NSA agent.

Director: Sashi Kiran Tikka | Stars: Adivi Sesh , Sobhita Dhulipala , Jagapathi Babu , Prakash Raj

Votes: 11,961

62. Cycle (II) (2018)

96 min | Comedy

A post-Independence era story, Cycle is about 'Keshav''s intense love for his cycle which gets stolen by two thieves. Will Keshav ever find his cycle back?

Director: Prakash Kunte | Stars: Hrishikesh Joshi , Priyadarshan Jadhav , Bhau Kadam , Bapu Awale

63. Mauli (2018)

134 min | Action

An unconventional cop with a devil-may-care attitude sets out to end a ruthless criminal's reign of terror over a village.

Director: Aditya Sarpotdar | Stars: Riteish Deshmukh , Saiyami Kher , Jitendra Joshi , Genelia Deshmukh

64. Krishna Aur Kans (2012)

117 min | Animation, Action, Adventure

Hailed as India's first stereoscopic animated film, 'Krishna Aur Kans' is an exciting narrative full of action and drama. The movie chronicles Krishna's early years -- from his birth as the nemesis of his tyrannical uncle Kans.

Director: Vikram Veturi | Stars: Manoj Bajpayee , Harish Bhimani , Neetu Chaudhary , Juhi Chawla

65. Sarvam Thaala Mayam (2018)

Not Rated | 131 min | Drama, Music

A mridangam maker's son, who aspires to learn the instrument from a maestro and become a mridangam player, has to cross social and personal barriers to reach his goal.

Director: Rajiv Menon | Stars: G.V. Prakash Kumar , Nedumudi Venu , Aparna Balamurali , Vineeth

Votes: 1,353

66. Meri Nimmo (2018)

Not Rated | 90 min | Drama

The story revolves around Nimmo (Patil), who is soon to be wed. Her only friend, and constant companion is a little boy (Dave) who also has a massive crush on her. While the little boy's ... See full summary  »

Director: Rahul Shanklya | Stars: Anjali Patil , Karan Dave , Aryan Mishra , Sunayana Agarwal

67. Njan Marykutty (2018)

126 min | Drama

A transsexual man's attempt to realize his true orientation in a society that stigmatizes gender transformation. Will Marykutty come out victorious while shredding all the taboos associated with transsexuality?

Director: Ranjith Sankar | Stars: Jayasurya , Suraj Venjaramoodu , Innocent Vareed Thekkethala , Aju Varghese

68. Ondalla Eradalla (2018)

132 min | Drama

A seven-year-old boy, Sameera gets separated from his pet animal and decides to go to a town called Pete in search of his pet. Will he reunite him or will he get lost himself?

Director: D. Satya Prakash | Stars: Rohith Pandvapura , Sandhya Arakere , Prabhudeva Hosadurga , Mata Koppala

69. Pupa (2018)

109 min | Drama

Four Paused lives-one tough decision. An Ailing father , An academic mind, An Aspired soul and amicable affection want to come out from a deep rooted uncertain problem.

Director: Indrasis Acharya | Stars: Rahul Banerjee , Sudipta Chakraborty , Kamaleswar Mukherjee , Pradip Mukherjee

70. Reva (2018)

159 min | Drama

A 25-year-old Indian man who is brought up in the U.S. visits an ashram near the Narmada River in Gujarat, India to take his will.

Directors: Rahul Bhole , Vinit Kanojia | Stars: Bhairavi Athavle , Abhinay Banker , Prashant Barot , Feroz Bhagat

71. Ek Je Chhilo Raja (2018)

147 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Mahendra Kumar Choudhuri, the middle prince of the Bhawal Estate (also known as the Bikrampur Estate), was affected by syphilis and was taken to Darjeeling for treatment along with his wife... See full summary  »

Directors: Srijit Mukherji , Jyoti Hazra | Stars: Jisshu Sengupta , Jaya Ahsan , Anirban Bhattacharya , Barun Chanda

Votes: 1,482

72. Side A & Side B (2018)

114 min | Adventure, Comedy

Cinema in the shadow of guns

Director: Rahhat Shah Kazmi | Stars: Rahul Manhas , Tariq Imtyaz , Shahid Kazmi , Tariq Khan

73. Naal (2018)

117 min | Drama

NAAL is the story of Chaitanya, an eight-year-old mischievous boy. Living in a remote village in Maharashtra, along the banks of a river, he is fathered by a small-time landlord and ... See full summary  »

Director: Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti | Stars: Shrinivas Pokale , Sanket Itankar , Maithili Thakare , Nagraj Manjule

Votes: 1,222

74. Shonar Pahar (2018)

140 min | Drama

A story of a unique friendship, a journey of rediscovering the relationships in life.

Director: Parambrata Chattopadhyay | Stars: Tanuja Samarth , Jisshu Sengupta , Parambrata Chattopadhyay , Arunima Ghosh

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2018 movie review: The Kerala story fanatics and their bot squads don’t want you to know

2018 - everyone is a hero movie review: this jude anthany joseph film, starring tovino thomas, kunchacko boban and aparna balamurali, is a homage to all those who banded together during the kerala floods and helped each other..

Every calamity is just news until it hits us.

When filmmakers make movies about traumatic incidents, they often fail to empathise with the survivors. While it’s important to depict the struggles that people went through, filmmakers sometimes prioritise showcasing their ability to portray destruction on screen over considering the emotional impact they may have on survivors. As a result, survivors may find it triggering to watch and relive those moments. This is why Emerald Fennell’s Promising Young Woman (2020) is considered a significant and outstanding movie. Director Jude Anthany Joseph’s 2018 – Everyone Is A Hero excels in this area by showing empathy towards survivors.

2018 – Everyone Is A Hero, as the title suggests, is a homage to the hundreds of thousands of people who banded together in the face of extreme rainfall and helped one another during a time of great darkness, rather than being the documentation of actual events that unfolded in the weeks that led up to mid-August that year.

In the movie’s opening sequences, people are seen going about their regular lives amid light rain. The film’s numerous characters are mostly introduced in the first act, and these people later play crucial roles in the story. The majority of them are good-hearted, although there are some who are petty and egotistical. They are hostile towards some people, including their family members. But nearly everyone initially has no idea that a catastrophe is just outside their door. 

The makers quickly establish that rain is a pervasive and influential character in the movie, and as the story progresses, the rain becomes more intense. Gradually, people who were initially unconcerned begin to recognise that the situation is spiralling out of control and take action to help. Soon, the rain and flash floods escalate into a catastrophic disaster, leaving many in dire straits. However, people who were previously divided by various factors put their differences aside and come together to assist those in need.

In a nutshell, 2018 portrays how Kerala overcame the challenge rather than focusing solely on the struggles it faced. Instead of following a straightforward plot with ups and downs, the film is like a beautifully crafted necklace, with each incident and occurrence adding to its charm. 2018 presents a heartwarming tale of unity and resilience that give goosebumps at every juncture. 

The movie deserves praise for emphasising the significance of the fisherfolk, who were like Kerala’s own army, leading altruistic rescue operations and saving numerous Malayalis who were stranded when the entire state was flooded. Even when the government’s efforts were stymied, the fisherfolk stepped up and became the heroes of the hour, deserving commendation for their selfless actions.

Despite featuring a vast array of actors, including Tovino Thomas, Indrans, Kunchacko Boban, Aparna Balamurali, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Asif Ali, Lal, Narain, Tanvi Ram, Sshivada, Kalaiyarasan, Aju Varghese, Siddique, Joy Mathew, Sudheesh, and others, the two-and-a-half-hour-long film manages to give each character adequate significance and follow up on their lives later on. Although all actors exhibit exceptional skill, Indrans and Tovino Thomas deliver outstanding performances that make them stand out from the rest of the cast.

Although visual effects are not typically a strong suit in Malayalam cinema, the film 2018 demonstrates that the industry is capable of pulling them off. Akhil George’s cinematography and Chaman Chacko’s editing are the standout features of the film. They managed to capture emotions effectively and produce a final product that would move anyone who watches it. Nobin Paul’s music and Vishnu Govind’s audiography also contribute to creating a fantastic atmosphere that will evoke feelings of déjà vu. Additionally, colourist Srik Varier’s work is praiseworthy for providing an immersive experience.

Given that the film is based on one of the biggest natural disasters in Kerala’s history, which resulted in the death of 483 individuals and the destruction of thousands of homes, there were concerns about whether Jude, who is known for his comedy films, could handle the subject matter effectively. Rightly so, as it can be emotionally challenging for survivors to revisit the events that caused them so much pain and suffering. However, Jude’s understanding and empathy towards the survivors are remarkable. Throughout the film, he manages to avoid making anyone feel uncomfortable or distressed when revisiting the tragedy that occurred five years ago. 

As previously stated, the movie is a tribute to the heroes who saved lives during the calamity and does not delve into the specifics of the actual events. As a result, it avoids pointing fingers or making political statements, which could be considered a minus since negative campaigns against Kerala were widespread even during that period. Some of the fisherfolk who were involved in the relief operations stated that they were mistreated later when they were in need of help. Despite these issues, the makers’ aim was to portray the heroes’ story rather than focusing on the specifics of what happened, and this approach is justifiable from their POV.

One area where the movie falls short is its portrayal of female characters. The film focuses solely on male heroes, while women are often depicted as helpless and in need of rescue, which does not accurately reflect reality. In actuality, thousands of women also contributed to rescue operations and relief efforts, but this is rarely shown in the movie. While there are female characters played by Aparna Balamurali and Tanvi Ram, their potential is not fully realised, and the movie fails to adequately represent the role of Kerala women in the state’s recovery efforts.

In her review of the controversial Hindi film The Kerala Story, which was released alongside 2018, The Indian Express ’ Shubhra Gupta wrote “The Kerala Story is nothing but a poorly-made, poorly-acted rant which is not interested in interrogating the social complexities of Kerala, a state proud of its multi-religious, multi-ethnic identity. All it is intent upon is creating the most simplistic, paper-thin characters to tell us that Kerala is in danger.” Amid the false narrative of hate, a film like  2018 – Everyone Is A Hero emphasises the unity of people and their can-do attitude. 

2018 – Everyone Is A Hero movie cast: Tovino Thomas, Indrans, Kunchacko Boban, Aparna Balamurali, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Asif Ali, Lal, Narain, Tanvi Ram, Sshivada, Kalaiyarasan, Aju Varghese 2018 – Everyone Is A Hero movie director: Jude Anthany Joseph 2018 – Everyone Is A Hero movie rating: 4 stars

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Anandu Suresh is a Senior sub-editor at Indian Express Online. He specialises in Malayalam cinema, but doesn't limit himself to it and explores various aspects of the art form. He also pens a column titled Cinema Anatomy, where he delves extensively into the diverse layers and dimensions of cinema, aiming to uncover deeper meanings and foster continuous discourse. Anandu previously worked with The New Indian Express' news desk in Hyderabad, Telangana. You can follow him on Twitter @anandu_suresh_ and write (or send movie recommendations) to him at [email protected]. ... Read More

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Home » Review » 2018 review: The Kerala story of hope, humanity and resilience, expertly crafted by Jude Anthany Joseph »

2018 review: The Kerala story of hope, humanity and resilience, expertly crafted by Jude Anthany Joseph

Jude Anthany Joseph’s gripping disaster movie is high on stirring moments that will take you back to the 2018 Kerala floods

• Sanjith Sidhardhan

Last Updated: 02.38 PM, May 06, 2023

Story: The movie draws inspiration from several true incidents during the 2018 Kerala floods and showcases interconnected stories of unlikely heroes who emerged during the distressing times and also how people, across the State, rallied through with hope, resilience and support for each other.

Review: A doubt expressed by a lot of people, from the time that director Ohm Shaanti Oshaana director Jude Anthany Joseph announced his movie on the 2018 Kerala floods till it hit theatres, was if the audience in the State are ready to relive one of the most distressing times in the past decade. This doubt seems to have weighed down as a heavy cloud in the minds of the makers too. After one has seen Jude’s creation, which instead of being a documentation of all that transpired, stresses more on the positives. It works as a reminder of the time when people across social strata and States came together to help and even save each other’s lives.

Also read: Jude Anthany Joseph: Even leading DOPs dropped out of 2018 as they believed it was impossible to shoot the floods  

For cinematic reasons, Jude and the movie’s co-scriptwriter Akhil P Dharmajan have picked only a select number of stories, with a particular village being the focus for most parts. In a movie that is filled with characters and telling a tale that the whole of Kerala have experienced, this approach works, because it heavily relies on the audience’s memory of the 2018 floods.

Also read: Tovino Thomas on 2018: It’s a reminder of the time that people supported each other, and not about the disaster  

Among the set of stories, a few stand out – that of Anoop (Tovino Thomas), a young man who ran away from the Army for fear of being a casualty of war and risks his life to save his villagers, that of a family of fisherfolk (Lal, Narain and Asif Ali), who are financially struggling and have their own squabbles, venturing out fully aware of the danger, and that of a Tamil lorry driver (Kalaiyarasan), from the arid, other side of Mullaperiyar, where water is scare. These three threads are the core of the film, but the multiple other strands – be it that of a journalist’s (Aparna Balamurali) family, a tourist taxi driver (Aju Varghese) or of a land revenue department official (Kunchacko Boban) – neatly ties this film, which is filled with emotionally stirring moments that are sure to move the audience, just like they did almost five years ago.

Also read: Candid Review | 2018: This Kerala story is an epic blockbuster that deserves a wider audience  

Cinematographer Akhil George and Jude deserve credit for pulling off a disaster movie without a lot of VFX. The former smartly uses a few wide shots to show the magnitude of the disaster, but otherwise keeps the audience hooked due to the suspense of what’s happening onscreen. What unfolds on screen coupled with the performances grip the audience from the start till finish. Every time the script becomes flat, mostly because the viewer is already aware of what has happened, Jude masterfully uses a rousing moment – be it through its characters’ actions or just by fleshing out that connection between people. 

It’s also laudable that despite centring most of the movie’s plot in a village, through several snippets of what happens to people there, Jude also tries to cover most of the elements – from relief camps, the plight of the specially-abled and the animals, the misjudgment of the authorities and the apathy of several people. In a movie that is only two and half hours long, editor Chamman Chakko doesn’t linger on these moments more than what’s required either and this helps in the pacing of the movie.

Also read: 2018 is a journey about unseen, unheard stories and unsung heroes: Jude Anthany Joseph  

Even though the film has multiple storylines, it’s easy to follow due to the familiar faces playing the major characters. Among the bevy of actors who are part of the film, Tovino Thomas, Asif Ali, Narain, Lal, Kunchacko Boban and Kalaiyarasan get most of the screen time and make the best use of it. Sudheesh, Indrans and Aju Varghese also get memorable parts in the movie. Nobin Paul’s music further elevates the stirring moments, which are plenty in a film that tries to shine light on the selfless heroes and the moments that led them there. 

Verdict: Aided by a gripping storyline and stirring moments, Jude Anthany Joseph’s 2018 tells the story of hope and resilience, and serves as a reminder of how the Kerala floods was a great leveller.

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2018 Review: The Real Kerala Story That Brings to Life The Nightmare People Went Through

Curated By : Nishad Thaivalappil

Edited By: Chirag Sehgal

Last Updated: May 27, 2023, 08:18 IST

Mumbai, India

• 5 May 2023 | Hindi
• 2 hrs 15 mins | Mystery
• Starring: Tovino Thomas
• Director: Jude Anthany Joseph
• Music: Nobin Paul

Overall, 2018 is a triumph in Malayalam cinema, showcasing the industry's ability to produce compelling narratives with profound social relevance.

Malayalam cinema has always been celebrated for its unique storytelling and realistic portrayal of characters. And when it comes to real-life stories being told, Malayalam film industry has always been lauded for it. This time, too, Jude Anthany Joseph’s 2018 exemplifies this tradition. The film, which is being coined as the ‘Real Kerala Story’ is based on the catastrophic floods that washed the state of Kerala in August 2018. The movie stars Tovino Thomas, Kunchacko Boban, Indrans, Lal, Asif Ali, Narein and Vineeth Srinivasan, among others in the lead roles. The film takes audiences on a journey that brings to light the events that happened on a dreadful night during the floods of 2018. Though the movie released in Malayalam on May 5, the makers have now released a Hindi-dubbed version.

At the heart of the film is a compelling narrative that not only delves into the challenges people faced during the floods, but it also shows how everyone in Kerala came together to help each other in times of need. The screenplay weaves together multiple storylines, effortlessly blending the personal struggles of the characters with larger societal issues. The script is masterfully crafted, with well-defined characters that evoke empathy and emotional investment from the audience.

The performances in 2018 are nothing less than outstanding. Though everyone in the movie has been exceptional in their roles, one character that stands out in the film is that of Anoop played by Tovino Thomas. The depth and authenticity of his performance is truly commendable, making the character relatable and endearing. The portrayal of how each and every character arch unveils from time to time, and their interactions create moments of both intense drama and heartfelt emotion.

Besides the storytelling and acting, the technical aspects of the film are equally praiseworthy. The cinematography and VFX is visually stunning, capturing the scenic beauty as well as the catastrophe that struck Kerala that year. Each frame attempts to add to the overall aesthetic appeal of the movie. The film’s background score is another highlight that enhances the narrative and evoke a range of emotions.

One of the film’s strongest aspects is its ability to showcase societal issues with subtlety and nuance, and also give a message through scenes which have absolutely no dialogues, but just characters in motion. It seamlessly integrates these themes into the narrative, providing thought-provoking commentary on subjects such as class disparities, and cultural traditions.

In addition to its compelling storytelling, 2018 also excels in its production design and attention to detail. The sets and costumes are authentic, transporting the audience to the specific time and place depicted in the film. The art direction and editing are seamless, maintaining a steady pace and ensuring a smooth flow of the narrative about the incidents that happed in August 2018.

Overall, 2018 is a triumph in Malayalam cinema, showcasing the industry’s ability to produce compelling narratives with profound social relevance. With its exceptional performances, captivating storytelling, and meticulous craftsmanship, this film is a must-watch for cinephiles.

• Movie Reviews
• regional cinema
• Tovino Thomas

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The three-star rating that I've given to the equally thrilling and upsetting Indian period spectacular "Padmaavat" does not reflect my personal disagreement with the film's politics. A review's star rating is usually supposed to be a holistic approximation of a critic's response. But "Padmaavat," a controversial adaptation of Malik Muhammad Jayasi's 16th century epic poem, is a different kind of film, and it needs a different sort of review/rating. 

"Padmaavat" is, after a certain point, propaganda for a pseudo-traditional and highly romanticized fundamentalist attitude. It is possible to enjoy most of the film without asking yourself why this 11th-century-set drama was made, particularly during scenes where the mild-mannered King Ratan Singh ( Shahid Kapoor ) and his head-strong queen Padmavati ( Deepika Padukone ), the rulers of the small kingdom Chittor, try to stop greedy Sultan Alauddin ( Ranveer Singh ) from abducting Padmavati. But the real trouble starts in the film's final stretch: "Padmaavat" hinges on a dramatic act of of "jauhar," the Hindu ritual where women threatened by rape and/or enslavement set themselves on fire.

When considering how to review and rate "Padmaavat," I thought of other milestone period dramas that were this ideologically extreme, like "The Birth of a Nation" and " The Passion of the Christ ." Those earlier films also seemed designed to appeal to a hypothetical like-minded choir who already shared the filmmaker's point-of-view on the subject. "Padmaavat" is likewise a passion project. Its main appeal stems from its seductive rhetoric. It tries to draw you in and make you see the world through the eyes of its main characters, to better understand the appeal of values that many consider outdated. The movie is a powerful explosive with a very long fuse. "Padmaavat" is, in that sense, exactly the kind of movie that writer/producer/director Sanjay Leela Bhansali ("Black," "Saawariya") set out to make, so I want to try to judge how successfully he and his collaborators convey the story's ideas, apart from the blatant provocation of its ending.

Bhansali implicitly extols questionable concepts of femininity, loyalty, and spirituality, even if "Padmaavat" is more concerned with secular traditions than religious beliefs. Still, try telling that to the right-wing Hindu rioters who, according to Reuters , took to the streets of New Delhi last week to protest the film's depiction of a Muslim Sultan trying to seduce a Hindu queen who has come to symbolize purity, and inner strength. It's hard to imagine being able to talk about this film, or its characters' symbolic importance without getting into a fight about its inherently retrogressive nature. The Huffington Post India's Betwa Sharma notes that the film exposes a raw nerve during her conversation with Indian school-teacher Rakhi, who says that she cannot begin to talk to her family about why she dislikes treating Padmavati as a positive role model: "[My family] said that 'you are anti-national, anti-Hindu and a disgrace to your caste ... "

Still, "Padmaavat" seems to exist to show the beauty of Jayasi's archetypal love story. Through several key scenes, we watch as Bhansali emphasizes Alauddin's secular greed and obsessive character. Singh's intensely committed performance makes you believe in his character's Iago-like malevolence, even when Singh himself goes so far over the proverbial top that he flies into the stratosphere. Singh's charisma makes you believe him when he snarls, grimaces, and even dances out Alauddin's character-defining aggression. Singh's dancing is especially impressive, as in the scene where Alauddin gathers his men and boasts that he's "aloof before heaven." This setpiece is so rousing that it stands out as the best musical number in a film full of strong vocal performances and well-conceived choreography.

Bhansali also makes Padamavati and Rhatan Singh's relationship look strong enough to be attractive. She does inevitably ask him for permission to kill herself. But that choice feels like a decision that her character would make based on her previous actions. Bhansali convincingly sells Padamavati's perspective in scenes like the one where she defiantly tells Rhatan Singh's treacherous Brahmin adviser what she believes: that "happiness" in a relationship depends on mutual trust, and personal "sacrifice" is only possible when you believe that your physical body is a fleeting expression of your self. Bhansali uses similarly fraught but relatively innocuous scenes to make inflexible characters seem affable and attractive. Consider the scene where Rhatan Singh and Padamavati celebrate the spring festival of Holi by dying each other's faces and ankles with brightly colored powders. It's a genuinely sexy and tender sequence, and it makes you believe that the couple's uneven power dynamic is more level than it really is. 

Still: even if you admire the film's craft, what can be said to a viewer incensed at the idea of a woman using self-immolation as a means of standing up for herself? Nothing. I sympathize and share the feelings of actress Swara Bhasker when she asserts, in an open letter to Bhansali, that "Women have the right to live, despite the death of their husbands, male 'protectors', 'owners', 'controllers of their sexuality'... whatever you understand the men to be. Women have the right to live—independent of whether men are living or not." I also confess that Bhansali momentarily convinced me that, within the context of his drama, Padmavati's representative actions reflected her inner strength. "Padmaavat" is a rare work of pop art that is both powerful and repugnant.  

Simon Abrams

Simon Abrams is a native New Yorker and freelance film critic whose work has been featured in  The New York Times ,  Vanity Fair ,  The Village Voice,  and elsewhere.

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Padmaavat (2018)

164 minutes

Deepika Padukone as Rani Padmini

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• Sanjay Leela Bhansali

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2018 Movie Review : A thoughtfully crafted movie that tells the story of Kerala's biggest tragedy and its heroes

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Guest 220 16 days ago

Abin thomas thattil 2 73 days ago.

BEST MOVIE EVER IN MALAYALAM INDUSTRY.IT IS AN IMMOTIONAL MOVIE TOO.

Malkiat Singh 16 110 days ago

One of the best movies seen and would like to see the boat "Mary Matha".

Sinan Shafeek 1 133 days ago

The best I have ever seen so far

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