Christian Brothers (film)

Plot

Palamattathu Varghese Mappila (Saikumar) is a wealthy Nasrani and a retired captain from the Indian Army. He is a widower and has four children, Christy (Mohanlal), Joji (Dileep), Jessy (Lakshmi Gopalaswamy) and Stella (Kanika). Varghese Mappila also has a property dispute with Kunnel Kumaran Thampy who kills Kochuthomma (Jagathy Sreekumar), brother of Vargheese Mappila.

Christy is a high-profile police informer who is working in Mumbai . His brother Joji goes to Italy to study theology, but later opts out of it after he falls in love with Meenakshi (Kavya Madhavan), daughter of the state home minister (Devan).

Christy is falsely arrested while rescuing his brother in law George Kutty. George Kutty later misleads Varghese Mappila & his family in believing that Christy is arrested due to his criminal activities and the relationship with Christy is broken. However the truth is that George Kutty is the one who is involved in sex racket and criminal activities. Meenakshi while returning to India is being kidnapped and the case is assigned to Christy since he is experienced in handling it. Christy finds that it is George Kutty who has kidnapped Meenakshi and rescues her. The next day the police finds that George Kutty is dead. Police arrest Christy for the crime through the assistance of IPS officer Joseph Vadakkan (Suresh Gopi) who is handling the case. Christy's friend (Sarath Kumar),known as Karim Lala alias Andrews,who was waiting to meet George Kutty (Andrews released Christy earlier when he jailed in Mumbai) assists him in escaping from the jail.

It is later revealed that Christy had not killed George Kutty but it was Joji who had done the crime. Joji learnt that George Kutty had killed his sister Jessy and forced her into prostitution. Joji could not tolerate and in a venegance killed George Kutty. In the end Christy kills Kunnel Kumaran Thampy and his family.

Production

The film was announced as a big budget film but the Association had set a norm that no Malayalam film should have a budget of more than ₹3.5 crore. The Association refused to give a clearance for the film's shoot. The producers stated that given the star-cast and the subject of the film, it is not possible to make it at a lesser budget. Following the interests from stars, exhibitors and theatre-owners, the film was given a clearance despite its budget, which was many times the restriction set by the Association.

The film started its production on 11 January 2010. First schedule of the film occurred at various locales in Kerala from January through September 2010. Palamattam tharavadu, where the major parts of the film are set was shot from Netto's bungalow near Edakochi. The second schedule, which mainly included picturisation of a song, commenced in London the same month. The principal photography completed by the end of 2010.

Tamil actor Arjun registered a complaint with Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) about using his name and photographs in connection with Christian Brothers without his consent or knowledge. Arjun commented that no one has approached him to act in Christian Brothers and all this has happened without his consent or knowledge. However, the issue was resolved when there came an official clarification that Arjun will not be a part of the film,. In February 2010, it was reported that the Producer of Christian Brothers excluded actorThilakan from the film at the request of the FEFKA, the predominant film technicians association. Thilakan had been earlier signed for the role played by Saikumar in the film. On 3 February 2010, Thilakan publicly protested against the unofficial ban enforced on him by FEFKA. The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) issued a show cause notice to Thilakan for bringing the issue into the public domain. Thilakan accused AMMA, of which he too is a member. Several political parties came out openly in support of Thilakan.

Release

The film released worldwide with a total of 327 prints on 18 March; 157 centres in Kerala and 90 centres outside Kerala and 80 centres overseas making it the widest release for a Malayalam Movie at that time.

Critical response

The film received mixed reviews upon release. Neethu Reghukumar of Bangalore Mirror gave a positive review and said, "The much-anticipated Christian Brothers proved to be worth the wait. Finally fans have something to rejoice as he has made a rollicking start this year. Back in all elements, all steals the show, firing on all cylinders. However, at no stage the multi-starrer film does appear as a one-man show."

M. Ashitha of Deccan Herald commented, "True, too many cooks spoil the broth. Despite having the luxury of actors like Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Dileep and Sarath Kumar together in the movie, Christian Brothers turns out not to be a disappointment. The film, heavily depending on the star power, is a good entertainment."

Paresh C. Palicha of Rediff.com stated, "Christian Brothers is a typical multi-starrer that is made with an eye at the box office with not much depth in the subject. But you still get entertained."

Sify.com's reviewer rated the film as a "Racy Entertainer" and stated, "Christian Brothers is a loud and high voltage thriller, for which you don't have to use your brains much. It could have definitely been more enjoyable if it was shorter by some twenty minutes or so, but even in the current form it could make you smile as the end credits start rolling. It's absolutely a no logic-popcorn fun and perhaps not meant to be taken too seriously."

Box office

The film made at a higher budget of ₹8 crore (US$1.2 million) completed 70 days run at the box office. In two weeks, it grossed ₹11.35 crore (US$1.8 million) from Kerala box office with a distributors share of ₹5.60 crore (US$870,000). The film done good business in initial weeks grabbing a distribution share of ₹8.5 crore (US$1.3 million) in 25 days. The film grossed ₹17.4 crore (US$2.7 million) at the box office in two months. Christian Brothers was the highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year. Apart from the box office revenue, the film made ₹5 crore (US$780,000) from satellite, overseas and outside Kerala distribution rights.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack features four songs composed by Deepak Dev with lyrics by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri. The songs managed to top the music charts in the initial weeks.

Home video

AP International released the movie on DVD and Blu-ray Disc in India in 2011.