Chotta Mumbai
| Chotta Mumbai | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Anwar Rasheed |
| Written by | Benny P. Nayarambalam |
| Produced by | Maniyanpilla Raju Ajayachandran Nair Raghuchandran Nair |
| Starring | Mohanlal |
| Narrated by | Mohanlal |
| Cinematography | Alagappan N. |
| Edited by | Don Max |
| Music by | Rahul Raj |
Production company | Sree Bhadra Pictures |
| Distributed by | Vaishakha Release |
Release date |
|
Running time | 137 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Chotta Mumbai (transl. Small Mumbai) is a 2007 Indian Malayalam-language action comedy film directed by Anwar Rasheed, written by Benny P. Nayarambalam, and co-produced by Maniyanpilla Raju. The film stars Mohanlal in the lead role with Kalabhavan Mani,Siddique, Jagathy Sreekumar, Indrajith Sukumaran, Manikuttan, Bijukuttan, Sai Kumar, and Bhavana in supporting roles. Rahul Raj composed the score and songs of the film. The plot follows Vasco da Gama (Thala) and his gang of friends, all unemployed and leading a happy-go-lucky life until they encounter a corrupt police officer and gangster, Nadeshan.
Plot
[edit] | This article needs an improved plot summary. (July 2019) |
Vasco da Gama (Mohanlal) is a charming but aimless small-time gang leader in Fort Kochi, affectionately called "Thala" by his loyal friends—Mullan Chandrappan (Siddique), Padakkam Basheer (Jagathy Sreekumar), Tomichan (Indrajith Sukumaran), Sainu (Manikuttan), and Susheelan (Bijukuttan). The gang spends their days pulling off petty scams, often targeting tourists in their neighborhood, known as Chotta Mumbai. Their carefree existence is disrupted when they fall victim to a visa fraud, losing their savings to a conman (Cochin Haneefa) who deceives them with fake visas for overseas jobs. Desperate to recover the money, Vasco secretly mortgages his family home, risking the wrath of his father, Michael Asan (Sai Kumar), a retired wrestler and respected community figure.
Meanwhile, Michael arranges Vasco’s marriage to Latha (Bhavana), a spirited auto-rickshaw driver nicknamed "Parakkum Latha." However, Latha confesses to Vasco that she plans to elope with her boyfriend, Suni (Suraj Venjaramoodu). Vasco agrees to help, but the plan falls apart when Latha discovers Suni’s deceitful nature. This revelation brings Vasco and Latha closer, with Latha beginning to see the goodness beneath his roguish exterior.
The story takes a darker turn when Vasco, Michael, and Latha witness the murder of an honest police officer, Mohandas (Vijayaraghavan), by Satheesan (Vinayakan), the brother of corrupt CI Nadesan (Kalabhavan Mani). To protect Satheesan, Nadesan frames Tomichan for the murder, exploiting his vulnerabilities. When Nadesan betrays Tomichan, he is arrested, and Nadesan turns his vengeance on Vasco’s gang.
As tensions escalate, Vasco faces mounting crises: the bank threatens to seize his home, leading to a bitter confrontation with Michael, while Nadesan’s threats put his friends and family in danger. The climax unfolds during the Cochin Carnival, an event organized by Michael, where Vasco and his gang devise a clever plan to outsmart Nadesan and expose his crimes. In a chaotic and action-packed finale, Vasco clears Tomichan’s name, reconciles with his father, and saves his home, restoring his family’s honor.
Cast
[edit]- Mohanlal as Vasco da Gama a.k.a. Thala
- Kalabhavan Mani as CI Nadesan, The main antagonist
- Siddique as Mullan Chandrappan, Thala's friend and sidekick
- Jagathy Sreekumar as Padakkam Basheer, Thala's friend and sidekick
- Indrajith Sukumaran as Tomichan, Thala's cousin and sidekick
- Manikuttan as Sainu, Thala's friend and sidekick
- Bijukuttan as Susheelan, Thala's friend and sidekick
- Bhavana as Latha, Thala's girlfriend
- Sai Kumar as Pehlwan Michael Ashan, Thala's father
- Rajan P. Dev as Pambu Chackochan, Latha's father and Michael's longtime friend
- Vinayakan as Satheeshan, Nadeshan's younger brother and the secondary antagonist
- Maniyanpilla Raju as Advocate Pradeep Menon
- Mallika Sukumaran as Rosily, Tomichan's mother and Thala's aunt
- Suraj Venjaramoodu as Mama Suni, Latha's ex-boyfriend
- Cochin Haneefa as Vasuttan, Susheelan's cousin
- Bheeman Raghu as CI Alex, Nadeshan's associate
- Vijayaraghavan as CI Mohandas
- Baburaj as Bhargavan, Satheeshan's henchman
- Jasper as Sebbatti, Thala's rival
- Sanusha as Daisy, Tomichan's sister
- Thara as Rachel, Thala's sister
- Saranya Sasi as Sherin, Thala's sister
- Geetha Vijayan as Bhama, Pradeep's wife
- Ramu as DGP Rajendran Nair IPS
- Kunchan as Philipose, announcer at the carnival
- Narayanankutty as Nanappan, Basheer's rival
- Santhosh Jogi as Shaji, Nadeshan's henchmen
- Biju Pappan as SI Hameed, Nadeshan's associate
- Kalabhavan Haneef as Kunjoonju, broker
- Kochu Preman as Premachandran, Banker
- Nisha Sarang as Saritha, Nadeshan's wife
- Shakeela as herself (cameo appearance)
- Rachana Mauryas an item girl Song Vasco da gama (cameo appearance)
Production
[edit]Jayasurya was cast in a role, but he had to opt-out from the film due to scheduling conflicts with Kangaroo (2007 film).[1]
Music
[edit]| Chotta Mumbai | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | March 2007[2] | |||
| Studio |
| |||
| Genre | Film soundtrack | |||
| Length | 25:20 | |||
| Label | Satyam Audios | |||
| Rahul Raj chronology | ||||
| ||||
Composer Rahul Raj made his feature film debut through this film. The songs Thalaa and Vasco da Gama became chartbusters.
| Track | Song Title | Singer(s) | Lyricist | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Vasco da Gama" | Afsal, Rimi Tomy, Vipin Xavier | Sarath Vayalar | Carnival song in the climax |
| 2 | "Poonila" | Sangeeth, Sangeetha Prabhu | Santhosh Varma | Raga: Kalyani, Sindhu Bhairavi[3] Not picturised |
| 3 | "Thala" | Shankar Mahadevan, Arjun Sasi, Sangeeth, Rahul Raj | Sarath Vayalar | Highlighting the lead character Thala |
| 4 | "Chettikulangara" | M. G. Sreekumar, Sayanora Philip | Sreekumaran Thampi, Sarath Vayalar | Mohanlal's intro song Cover version of yesteryear song composed by M. K. Arjunan |
| 5 | "Chotta Mumbai" | Rahul Raj, Sreerag, Sreelakshmi | Sarath Vayalar | Title song. Showing the life of Chotta Mumbai gang. |
| 6 | "Chettikulangara (Tell Me Now)" | M. G. Sreekumar, Sayanora Philip | Sreekumaran Thampi, Sarath Vayalar | Not picturised |
Release
[edit]The film was released on 6 April 2007 in 60 screens in Kerala, the biggest release for a Malayalam film.[4]
Critical reception
[edit]The film was well received by critics. Unni R. Nair, in his review for Nowrunning.com said, "An out and out entertainer, it's a film that you would like to just sit back and enjoy, pushing all logical thinking to the background. Chotta Mumbai is a film that cashes in on Mohanlal's superstar image and its aim is merely to entertain and enthrall." (
)[5] Paresh C Palicha of Rediff.com gave the film a rating and positively reviewed the film's script, Mohanlal's lead performance, Anwar Rasheed's direction as well as the performances of the supporting cast.[6] Sify.com also published an extremely positive review and said: "What makes the film tick is Mohanlal's at the heart of this mad, mad, mad world with his impeccable sense of comic timing. Clearly, he is at home playing this type of character- for him, it is the equivalent of an old pair of Hawai slippers. If laughter is the best medicine then Anwar Rasheed has earned his stripes yet again."[7]
Box office
[edit]The film was a blockbuster at the box office and became one of the top five highest-grossing Malayalam films of the year. It ran for over 101 days in theatres.[8][9]
References
[edit]- ^ George, Vijay (4 January 2008). "Interview : A positive impact". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 January 2008. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
- ^ "Audio CD Cover". Facebook. 14 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
- ^ "Chotta Mumbai - MSIDb". malayasangeetham.info. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
- ^ "Is Rajni bigger than the Mega M's ? - Sify.com". Sify. 16 June 2007. Archived from the original on 16 June 2007. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ "Review by Nowrunning.com"
- ^ "Chotta Mumbai is fun"
- ^ "Movie Review: Chotta Mumbai"
- ^ "Malayalam top ten 2007". Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
- ^ "Chotta Mumbai 75days". Archived from the original on 1 April 2012.