Moothon review: Moothon has been co-produced by Anurag Kashyap.
Moothon releases in theaters today. After receiving acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival and MAMI 2019, the film will now open for the general audience. The Geetu Mohandas directorial stars Nivin Pauly, Shashank Arora, Sobhita Dhulipala and Roshan Mathew and has been co-produced by Anurag Kashyap.
Nivin Pauly earlier told indianexpress.com, “It was a great experience to be on the sets of Moothon. We shot in live locations. It was sync sound and there was no light setup. We shot using a small camera. There was no caravan. Geetu Mohandas (director) wanted her actors to become the characters that they were playing. Mobile phones were not allowed on the sets. We were not allowed to crack jokes on the sets. We had to be in our character all the time. It was a totally different experience.”
He added, “Geethu told me that Akbar was a very intense character. And I wanted to approach the character in a new way. I wanted to start from scratch. We had a workshop with Atul Mongia in Mumbai. Instead of acting as Akbar, he helped me to find the Akbar in me. It all started from there. And you have other strong actors in the cast who push you to do better.”
Director Geetu Mohandas spoke about the struggle of making Moothon and told indianexpress.com, “It’s hilarious because with Liar’s Dice, with the Oscar nomination, National Award one would think that my journey would be easy second time around, at least I thought that. I sincerely thought that but it’s funny because nobody wanted to produce Moothon because they thought I was such a minus for the market. It’s got this big star (Nivin Pauly) but the moment they heard my name they were like, ‘No, her movies are all international.'”
User @bijupeter tweeted, “@NivinOfficial is in a very unchartered territory playing the role of Akbar. Not many actors would want to do such a character at this stage of their career, but he pulls it off superbly with just his expressions. Probably his best in terms of acting.”
Director Geeth Mohandas, who helmed Moothon, spoke to Indianexpress.com about the challenges she faced before making the film, . She said, “I thought my journey to make my second film would be easier but funnily, it remained the same. Producers thought I was a minus for the market. They said, ‘Her films are all international!'”
User @dineshprabu27 tweeted, “#Moothon is a kind of film, that grows on you like the transition of a caterpillar ? to a butterfly ?. Women's idealogy and creative expression is always on a higher and deeper note than men. Kudos #GeethuMohandas for her vision and @NivinOfficial for his career best ? 3.5/5.”
User @abhi_talks1 posted on Twitter, “#Moothon - Bold,Brutal,Brilliant statement from actor #NivinPauly What a phenomenal transformation??? A #Geethumohandas Cinema???????.”
A user @dineshprabu27 shared on Twitter, "#Moothon is a kind of film that grows on you like the transition of a caterpillar to a butterfly. Women's idealogy and creative expression is always on a higher and deeper note than men. Kudos #GeethuMohandas for her vision and @NivinOfficial for his career best. 3.5/5"
“#moothon terrific perfomance by @NivinOfficial. Superb movie with a bold theme and characters!! Making was super,” user @syamlal1998 tweeted.
Twitter user Manu Thankachy felt the film lacked in execution. He wrote, “#moothon is a mammoth disappointment among the much hyped award series. despite the rawness in content the film lacked a core writing and execution. #NivinPauly puts up a decent show but felt struggling with Hindi dialogue delivery. it's a thumbs down ? in all ways.” He added, “the only high point was interval reveal, #moothon had immense potential to get exploited but left undiscovered.”
Muhammad Adhil took to Twitter to share, “#Moothon : Bold and beautiful. Effective handling of a taboo subject by Geetu Mohandas. Career best performance from Nivin, accompanied well by others. Nothing out of the world, but absorbing for sure.”
#Moothon interval. The film is dark and gritty with a twist towards the interval. @NivinOfficial as the dreaded Bhai is in a new territory and looks convincing. The kid Mulla (Sanjana) is the lead as of now and holds the film together,” user @bijupeter posted on Twitter.
User @Forumkeralam1 shared via Twitter, "#Moothon There are some pace issues in the second half, but the bold theme, gripping narration and excellent performances from the cast makes it a very good watch? @NivinOfficial delivers his best performance till date who is brilliant here in both the shades of the character ?." He further added, "#Moothon : Rajeev Ravi's frames are one of the best attractions as expected and the background score elevates the impact in many key sequences ?."
“#Moothon one of the best storyline which I watched recently! Such a wonderful narrating N screenplay @NivinOfficial enjoyed your character "Akbar" very much it's really a satisfying flim ?? #nivinpauly #Moothon,” shared one user @abiramshankar on Twitter.
In an exclusive interview with Indianexpress.com’s, Sobhita Dhulipala said, “I am very excited about this indie, an adventure-fantasy film I shot for last year called Moothon by Geetu Mohandas alongside Nivin Pauly. It has been an incredible learning experience for me.”
A user @SSTweeps shared on Twitter, “Slow but class making from @GeethuMohandas??Career best performance from @NivinOfficial as bhai. His rough look & performance stands tall. The boy who acted as 'Mulla' is excellent.And also excellent visuals, both Lakshadweep & dark visuals from Bombay.”
Twitter user @KollyGala wrote, “#Moothon Moothon - First half - thoroughly engaging so far ? @NivinOfficial giving his best and rest of the cast are impressiv as well Interval block is bang on rightly sets the tone of the film.”
In an interview with Indianexpress.com, Nivin Pauly spoke about his character, Akbar, in Moothon. “Geethu told me that Akbar was a very intense character. And I wanted to approach the character in a new way. I wanted to start from scratch. We had a workshop with Atul Mongia in Mumbai. Instead of acting as Akbar, he helped me to find the Akbar in me. It all started from there. And you have other strong actors in the cast who push you to do better,” he said.
“#Moothon : Engaging first half with Geetu getting the tone right. Nivin and rest of the cast are impressive. Interval block ? Good so far,” wrote one user on Twitter.
Director Balaji Mohan, who has helmed films like Maari and Maari 2, wished the cast and crew luck. He tweeted, “Best wishes for the release @vinod_offl @NivinOfficial @sobhitaD Director Geethu Mohandas and the whole team of #Moothon”
Mollywood actress Manju Warrier wrote on Twitter, “#MOOTHON is releasing all over South India today!!! It's so rich with extraordinary performances, hard-hitting taboo-breaking narrative with brilliance. Makes you forget that you are watching a movie! Don't miss it!!! Cheers to the team! @geetumohandas @NivinOfficial #RajeevRavi.”
Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota director Vasan Bala showered praises on Nivin Paul and Moothon. He tweeted, “The tender moonlit soul beneath all the grit and grime of #Moothon is the real triumph of @geetumohandas and #rajeevravi. So loving crafted! @NivinOfficial you are such a special artist! So much has already been said...but it'll never be Enough! Releasing Today!.
“#Moothon feels! Just watched the theatrical version of this hard-hitting, sensitive, poignant film by @geetumohandas, shot by @rajeevravi & am so moved again! Big salute @NivinOfficial #roshanmatthew #shashankarora #shobhita #MelissaRajuThomas #SanjanaDipu @sharmamatvipin ??????,” tweeted Jyoti Kapur Das.
Actor Kubbra Sait urged everyone to watch Moothon in theatres. “Tomorrow a film named #Moothon releases. Please go watch it... ‘coz it’s a memoir. A tale that will keep your tears snuck in till the last scene.Cheering for @NivinOfficial along with his FAN CLUBS. I just love you @ShashankSArora #MelissaRajuThomas BIG HEART ? @geetumohandas,” she tweeted.
Director Anjali Menon of Bangalore Days fame tweeted, “Watched #Moothon last night and was blown away! Fantastic!! Gritty and yet tender as can be ? So so proud of this film and all the people who made it. Releasing all over South India today. Go watch it TODAY! Big claps to @geetumohandas @NivinOfficial #RajeevRavi #VinodKumar ???.”
Kubbra Sait had earlier shared on Twitter, "Tomorrow a film named #Moothon releases. Please go watch it... ‘coz it’s a memoir. A tale that will keep your tears snuck in till the last scene. Cheering for @NivinOfficial along with his FAN CLUBS. I just love you @ShashankSArora #MelissaRajuThomas BIG HEART ? @geetumohandas"