midukki:
stormycastles:
midukki:
stormycastles:
Because people want to see themselves as more than violent extremists or slaves to family pressure.
Quality not assured but I’ve bolded the ones I’ve actually seen. I have only Malayalam films but I’m happy to add more, especially from other languages.
Usthad Hotel - I’m sure you’ve heard a lot of about it already.
Thirakkatha - Prithvi’s character is a director called Akbar Ahmed.
1 by Two
Angels
KL.10 Pathu - Lots of food, football and family drama but no terrorism or inter-religious strife.
Salalah Mobiles
Mosayile Kuthira Meenukal - The most beautiful abayas, hijabs and ocean view you’ve ever seen on film.
Chaappa Kurishu - Vineeth’s character is arguably a protagonist along with Fahad’s.
Urumi - Ayesha is Muslim, a member of the ruling matrilineal (/sometimes matriarchal) Arakkal family and a Kalari fighter. Prabhu Deva’s Vavvali is Muslim as well.
Zachariyayude Garbhinikal - Five protagonists but the best one and the one with the most screentime is Rima Kallingal’s Fathima.
God’s Own Country - Lal and his family are Muslim, as is Isha Talwar.
Aami (5 Sundarikal) - One in an anthology of five stories.
Bavuttiyude Namathil
I’d like to add:
Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvvana Bhoomi- Dulquer and his family are Muslim. Although there’s a bit of trouble in the family it’s more to do with their political alignment. Also the heroine, Surja Bala Hijam is from Nagaland! (Here for the East Indian representation + stunning cinematography)
Manglish- as trash a film that it is- Mammootty and his family are Muslims, and I loved the family dynamic. Srinda has a kick-arse role as the funny younger sister who is also kindof a single mother.
One Way Ticket- again, not that great a film. All the leads are Muslim, including Mammootty- who plays…Mammootty in a cameo.
Amar Akbar Anthony- I haven’t seen it but I do know that Jayasurya plays Akbar, and (again) Srinda plays the single Muslim mother with daughter Pathumma, who lives with Amar’s (Prithviraj’s) family .
Adaminte Makan Abu- the film that won many awards, was India’s official entry to the Oscars, and got Salim Kumar his National award. The story of an elder couple (played by Salim Kumar and Zarina Waheb) who want to go on Hajj
And I know Thattathin Marayathu & Ennu Ninte Moideen don’t belong on this list because of the [family pressure] arc but they have such fierce individual characters. And there is a fair few movies that have the Muslim side-characters, best friends and whatnot- Pathemari,Da Thadiya etc
and on Bavuttiyude Namathil, I’ve seen it! It’s actually a really simple, sweet film- a little slow. But it’s like the Muslim version of Pranchiyettan and the Saint (definitely not as engaging though). I love the Allahoo song. But avoid Salala Mobiles (although Nazriya looks gorgeous in her hijab).
From other languages I can only think of this as of now (feel free to add);
Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju (Telugu)- Nithya’s character is a lovely Muslim girl called Nazeera
Damn! How could I forget Adaminte Makan Abu! Adding more I’ve thought of:
Philips and the Monkey Pen - Ryan/Rayan Philips is the son of a Christian father and Muslim mother who eloped as teenagers.
Paradesi - a Malayali Muslim gets stuck across the border in Pakistan during Partition and the repercussions after he returns home
Big B - Stretching the definition of Muslim, Bilal John Kurishingal was at least named by a Muslim before being adopted as an older orphan.
Picket 43 - The Pakistani soldier is generously written but more broadly drawn than a Malayali Muslim would be. They are fighting insurgents but that’s almost beside the point.
Avakai Biryani - Telugu (dir. Anish Kuruvilla = Malayali). The leads mistrust each other from prejudice at first and fall in love as they help each other achieve their dreams. There is inter-religious family drama but the story is unique and well-told and I wanted to include a non-Malayalam film in this list.
Ahhh yes! Picket 43 is a welcome change from the classic Indian ‘all Pakistanis being evil’ trope. And Philips and the Monkey Pen is an absolute joy of a children’s fantasy film. A+,would recommend!
Speaking of Adaminte Makan Abu, some more National award winners:
Paadam Onnu: Oru Vilapam- Meera Jasmine is the lead as Shahina. Although a slow paced flick (award film after all), it is quite a poignant look at the social evils surrounding a young Muslim girl. The film went on to win Meera both the state and national best actress awards.
Perumazhakkalam- Meera Jasmine again, playing Raziya (Dileep as her husband Akbar), who finds herself entangled in the life of a Palakkadan Iyer named Ganga (played brilliantly by Kavya Madhavan- again- state award winning performance) in a plea for mercy. The film was remade/rather poorly/ into Hindi as Dor.
I guess if we’re going to include Big B we could also include
His Highness Abdullah: a stretch in the definition yet again, but it’s such a great film. Mohanlal is Mumbai based singer Abdullah who disguises himself as Ananthan Namboodiri,
Gangster- which is definitely not a great film but has all the markings of Aashiq Abu’s signature style and creativity. Mammootty is ‘the gangster’ Akbar Ali Khan and Nyla Usha is Sana Ibrahim.
and if we’re going to throw back a bit (although His Highness Abdullah is an even further throwback) there’s also- as @neelaakasham suggested:
Kilichundan Mampazham- again slight [family pressure] arc but it’s sooo much fun. An out and out comedy. Soundarya is adorable! As are the songs.