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Njan Marykutty

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Njan Marykutty
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRanjith Sankar
Screenplay byRanjith Sankar
Produced byRanjith Sankar
Jayasurya
StarringJayasurya
Jewel Mary
Aju Varghese
Innocent
CinematographyVishnu Narayanan
Edited byV. Saajan
Music byAnand Madhusoodanan
Production
company
Dreams N Beyond
Distributed byPunyalaa
Release date
  • 15 June 2018 (2018-06-15)
Running time
126 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Njan Marykutty (transl. I am Marykutty) is a 2018 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by Ranjith Sankar and co-produced with Jayasurya. The film stars Jayasurya as a trans woman named Marykutty, with Innocent, Jewel Mary, Jins Baskar, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Aju Varghese and Joju George in other prominent roles.[1] The music for the film was composed by Anand Madhusoodhanan.[2] The film was released on 15 June 2018 on the eve of Eid.[3]

Theme

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Marykutty, a transgender woman, strives to embrace her true identity in a society that stigmatizes gender transformation. Will she triumph against the societal taboos surrounding transgender individuals and the prejudices linked to gender-affirming surgery?

The film aims to educate the audience on various issues faced by transgender people, highlighting the distinction between being transgender and undergoing surgery to align with one's gender identity.[4] It portrays the emotional and physical trauma experienced by transgender individuals and their families, inflicted by societal and governmental oppression.[5] Through its narrative, the film sheds light on the challenges and resilience of the transgender community.[6][7]

Plot

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Mathukutty, originally male, undergoes sex reassignment surgery and becomes Marykutty, a transsexual woman. She leaves her job in Chennai and returns to her hometown. While her father and sister disown her due to her sexuality, her mother continues to support her. Marykutty lives with her friend Jovi and Jovi's child, Tanu. Determined to set an example in society, she aspires to become a sub-inspector and joins a coaching institute to prepare for the exam. Despite being mistreated by her peers daily, she perseveres and also joins the church's radio programme, eventually becoming the host of the show "Jingle" under the name RJ Angel.

One day, while traveling with her colleague RJ Alwin Henry, they encounter S.I. Kunjippalu, a corrupt police officer who demands a bribe. When Marykutty questions his actions, she is mistreated by the officers, leading to a conflict between her and Kunjippalu.

Marykutty rises to fame as a radio jockey in her town, with her program becoming a significant success. However, her application to the Kerala Public Service Union is rejected due to a lack of gender-related certificates. One night, while fulfilling Tanu's wish to buy Al-Faham chicken, Marykutty is harassed by a group of youngsters. SI Kunjipallu intervenes, taking her to the station and humiliating her. Her father visits the station and urges her to leave. Devastated, Marykutty is eventually released with the help of a church father, but her reputation is tarnished by negative portrayals in the local newspapers.

After this, Marykutty moves to a church-run home, where she tutors children. She visits her mother one day, unaware that her sister's engagement ceremony is taking place. Her father and sister disown her, introducing her as an "Unknown" to the guests. Despite being hurt, Marykutty leaves with a smile, telling her mother they will accept her one day. Leveraging her fame as RJ Angel, she befriends the District Collector, who helps her with her application and offers support.

With firm determination, Marykutty diligently prepares for her exam, successfully passing both the [[[Indian Police Service Limited Competitive Examination|written and physical tests]]. When SI Kunjipallu threatens to defame her, she bravely asserts that "the world is for the talented, not just for men or women." Marykutty assures her sister's fiancé that she will not interfere in their lives and promises to give her share to her sister.

During her interview for the sub-inspector position, Marykutty states her desire to set an example and successfully achieves her goal. In the end, Marykutty is shown as a police officer, returning to the police station, her home, and the church radio station, where she proudly introduces herself as the new guest, "I am Marykutty."

Cast

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Production

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Jayasurya agreed to collaborate with film director Ranjith Sankar in March 2018, for the project titled Njan Marykutty.[8][9] This film marks their fifth collaboration. Filming began in Muvattupuzha on 17 March 2018.[10][11][12]

According to an interview given by the team, originally they thought of making a comedy film.[13] As other trans movies with comedy, or sympathy theme already exist, later the plan was changed to create a movie with a positive message. Hence the character is someone who succeeded in life against all the odds. Also to avoid common pattern of long hair for trans characters in many movies, short hair was chosen in this movie. Additionally makeup man Ronex Xavier used less makeup for Jayasurya's character, and certain shot were taken without any makeup at all.[14] As preparation for movie Jayasurya pierced his ear, dieted to put on weight, and stopped his normal daily workout programs. Jayasurya also learnt to drape a saree within 4 minutes for the shooting of the film.[15]

Jayasurya revealed that his role as a transgender woman was the most difficult character that he ever played in his career and also revealed that he wanted to play the character to change the aspects and mindsets of the society that it generally thinks upon the transgender people.[16] The costume designs for the film were designed by Jayasurya's wife Saritha and the trans woman getup of Jayasurya was used by his wife Saritha to display as the model for the promotion of Saritha's costume design boutique.[17][18] Ranjith later revealed that he was inspired by transsexual actress Anjali Ameer to make a transgender-related film.[19]

Release

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The film had its theatrical release on 15 June 2018 in Kerala and a week later in rest of India. It was released in the Middle East on 5 July 2018.[20] The posters of the film displayed in the United Arab Emirates screenings featured a faceless Jayasurya as the UAE government prohibits sex assignment surgery in the country. The film was also tagged adult only and no promotions of the film were allowed in the country. According to Sankar, there were other restrictions as well.[21]

Reception

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The Times of India rated the film 3 out of 5 stars and lauded the performance of Jayasurya for his role as a transgender woman in the film stating that this is a fine effort to portray the respect and dignity of transgender people through the versatile acting of Jayasurya.[22] The Hindu newspaper gave positive reviews to the film for handling the troubles and challenges of a transperson with sensitivity.[23]

Deccan Chronicle rated 4 out of 5 stars and said "Njan Marykutty stands out for the fine way the lead character Marykutty has been scripted by director Ranjith Sankar and interpreted by actor Jayasurya".[24] International Business Times wrote "for the first time in the history of Mollywood, a transgender character has been portrayed with dignity and respect". Although he said there are some unrealistic moment it is forgettable for Sankar's good intention.[25]

Baradwaj Rangan of Film Companion South wrote "A finely tuned Jayasurya performance carries a black-and-white tale of a transgender who wants to become a cop "[26]

Accolades

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Music

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Anand Madhusoodhanan composed the music, who collaborated with Jayasurya and Sankar for the third time. Lyrics were written by Santhosh Varma.

  1. Doore Doore - Biju Narayanan
  2. Cherupulliyuduppitta Poompaatta - Nidhin P. K.
  3. Ennullil Ennum Nee Maathram - Sithara Krishnakumar
  4. Kaanaa Kadalaasilaaro - Sithara Krishnakumar
  5. Oru Kochu Kumbilaanennaakilum - Nidhin P. K.
  6. Penninullil Priya Mohangalkku - Nithin P. K.
  7. Thirakalethire Vannalum - Vineeth Sreenivasan
  8. Uyaraan Padaraan - Nidhin P. K

References

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  1. ^ BookMyShow. "Njan Marykutty Movie (2018) | Reviews, Cast & Release Date in - BookMyShow". BookMyShow. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Njan Marykutty out on June 15". Cinema Express. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  3. ^ "Before Njan Marykutty: Box Office Analysis Of Jayasurya's Previous 5 Movies!". filmibeat.com. 14 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  4. ^ "Jayasurya's 'Njan Marykutty' Wins Over Kerala's Trans Community". The Quint. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  5. ^ "Movie Review: "Njan Marykutty" - CLPR". CLPR. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  6. ^ "Anjali Ameer is in awe of Jayasurya in Njan Marykutty". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  7. ^ "The great transformation". Deccan Chronicle. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  8. ^ "'We as a society drive trans persons away': Director Ranjith on 'Njan Marykutty'". The News Minute. 8 June 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  9. ^ Nagarajan, Saraswathy (1 June 2018). "'Njan Marykutty' steps into the mindscapes of transpersons". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  10. ^ Palengil, Mrudula. "Jayasurya-Ranjith Shankar combo 'Njan Marykutty' to release on June 15". International Business Times, India Edition. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  11. ^ "Jayasuriya's transsexual drama 'Njan Marykutty' to release on June 15". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  12. ^ "'Njan Marykutty's' new teaser shows the fighter side of the protagonist". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  13. ^ "സ്പെഷ്യൽ ചാറ്റ് ഷോ -'ഞാൻ മേരിക്കുട്ടി' വിശേഷങ്ങളുമായ് താരങ്ങൾ". മഴവില്‍ മനോരമ. 10 June 2018. 15:20. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  14. ^ "'Challenging task': Makeup artist Ronex Xavier speaks about styling actor Jayasurya for 'Njan Marykutty'". The News Minute. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  15. ^ "How Jayasurya learned to drape a saree in just four minutes". OnManorama. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  16. ^ "Njan Marykutty is my gift to the LGBTQ community: Jayasurya". Cinema Express. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  17. ^ "Jayasurya models as Marykutty for wife's boutique". The News Minute. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  18. ^ "Saritha uses Jayasurya's female getup in her shop's ad!". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 15 June 2018.[permanent dead link‍]
  19. ^ "Ranjith Sanker: Anjali Ameer inspired me to write Njan Marykutty". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  20. ^ "'Njan Marykutty' releases in the Middle East". The News Minute. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  21. ^ "Njan Marykutty poster doesn't have a face in UAE, guess the reason!". The Times of India. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  22. ^ "Njan Marykutty Movie Review {3/5}: Jayasurya amazes with a subtle performance". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  23. ^ Sudhish, Navamy (16 June 2018). "'Njan Marykutty' review: Transperson's troubles handled sensitively". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  24. ^ "Njan Marykutty movie review: A breakthrough moment in Malayalam cinema". Deccan Chronicle. 17 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  25. ^ Narayanan, Nirmal. "Njan Marykutty review: The first-ever Malayalam movie to portray transgender with dignity and respect". International Business Times, India Edition. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  26. ^ "Njan Marykutty Movie Review: An Impressive Performance Let Down By The Contrived Screenplay". Film Companion. 30 June 2018. Archived from the original on 5 August 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  27. ^ S.R. Praveen (27 February 2019). "Kerala State film awards: ‘Kanthan...’, 'Sudani from Nigeria' win honours". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
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