| Rekhachithram | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Jofin T. Chacko |
| Screenplay by | John Manthrickal Ramu Sunil |
| Story by | Ramu Sunil |
| Produced by | Venu Kunnappilly |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Appu Prabhakar |
| Edited by | Shameer Muhammed |
| Music by | Mujeeb Majeed |
Production companies | Kavya Film Company Ann Mega Media |
| Distributed by | Kavya Film Company |
Release date |
|
Running time | 140 minutes[2] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Budget | ₹6 - 9 crore[3][4][5] |
| Box office | est. ₹54 crore[6] |
Rekhachithram (transl. Composite sketch) is a 2025 Indian Malayalam-language mystery crime thriller film directed by Jofin T. Chacko, scripted by John Manthrikal, based on a story by Jofin and Ramu Sunil. The film was produced by Kavya Film Company and Ann Mega Media. It stars Asif Ali and Anaswara Rajan with Manoj K. Jayan, Siddique, Jagadish, Saikumar, Harisree Ashokan and Indrans in Supporting Roles. In Malakkappara, Vivek rejoins as the SHO and take charge of suicide case of Rajendran who revealed details on a crime he had done years ago; the investigation leads to disappearance of a young girl from the filming location of Kathodu Kathoram.
The filming started on 3 May 2024. Its title was officially announced on 13 August 2024. Filming was concluded on 15 July 2024.[7] The soundtrack and score were composed by Mujeeb Majeed. Appu Prabhakar was the editor and Shameer Muhammed shot the film.
It was released theatrically on 9 January 2025. Upon release, it received positive response from critics and emerged as the top grossing Malayalam film of the year 2025 so far earning ₹50 crore worldwide.[8]
Plot
[edit] | This article needs an improved plot summary. (January 2025) |
In the secluded hills of Malakkappara, Vivek is reinstated as the SHO after being suspended from the police force due to his gambling habits. On taking charge, he is pulled into the suicide case of Rajendran, who had revealed - live on social media - some details about a crime he committed with his associates 40 years ago. The rest of the story follows Vivek as he investigates the disappearance of a young girl from the filming location of the film Kathodu Kathoram in 1985 unravelling secrets buried for over 40 years.
Cast
[edit]- Asif Ali as CI Vivek Gopinath
- Anaswara Rajan as Rekha Pathrose, an Aspiring Actress and Mammootty's fan
- Mammootty as Himself / Mammoottichettan (AI) in Kaathodu Kaathoram movie shooting location
- Manoj K. Jayan as Vincent aka Vakkachan, The main antagonist
- Unni Lalu as Young Vakkachan
- Siddique as Rajendran
- Shaheen Siddique as Young Rajendran
- Jagadish as Himself (Extended Cameo)
- Saikumar as Francis Thadathil
- Shajeer P. Basheer as Young Francis
- Harisree Ashokan as Gopinath, Vivek's Father
- Indrans as Chandrappan, Kaathodu Kaathoram movie Production Controller
- Saleema as Pushpam aka Alice, Vakkachan's Girlfriend and Wife
- Zarin Shihab as Young Pushpam
- Nishanth Sagar as DYSP Mohandas IPS
- Bhama Arun as Sereena, Vivek's Girlfriend and Journalist
- Megha Thomas as Sister Stephy
- Srikant Murali as Forensic Surgeon Dr. Sajan
- T. G. Ravi as Pallasheri, a Film Tabloid Journalist
- Sreejith Ravi as Young Pallasheri
- Priyanka Nair as Asha Pathrose, Rekha's Sister
- Nandu as Pathrose, Rekha's Father
- Sudhi Koppa as Sajeevan
- Vijay Menon as Adv. Jacob, Vincent's Legal Advisor
- Shaju Sreedhar as Crime Branch CI Salim
- Sanju Sanichen as Vincent's Son
- Anuroop P.
- Jayashankar Karimuttam as Mathai's Son
- Dileep Menon as SP Yasin Iqbal IPS
- Arun Sankaran Pavumba as SI John
- Pauly Valsan as Vincent's Aunt
- Devendranath as Young John Paul
- Akhil Shylaja Sasidharan as Young Saroj Padi
- Kamal as Himself (Extended Cameo)
- John Paul as Himself (Cameo)
- Jayashree Sivadas as Herself (Cameo)
- K.R Nayar as The Bishop (Cameo)
Production
[edit]Development
[edit]Mammootty's The Priest (2021) director Jofin T Chacko's next film was launched in May 3 2024, featuring Asif Ali, Anaswara Rajan, Zarin Shihab and Manoj K Jayan. It is scripted by John Manthrikal, based on a story by Jofin and Ramu Sunil. The film is jointly produced by Venu Kunnappilly’s Kavya Film Company and Anto Joseph’s Ann Mega Media.[9] Official title was announced on August 13, 2024 titled Rekhachithram with a tagline "An alternate history". The cast also includes Siddique, Indrans, Bhama Arun, Megha Thomas, Nishanth Sagar, Harisree Ashokan, Shrikant Murali, Sudhi Koppa, Priyanka, Jagadish, Saikumar, Nandu, Vijay Menon, TG Ravi, Sreejith Ravi, and Pauly Wilson.[10][11] On the technical front, it has cinematographer Appu Prabhakar, editor Shameer Muhammed and music director Rahul Raj as part of the team. Rahul Raj who was part of the announcement was replaced by Mujeeb Majeed.[12][13]
Filming
[edit]The film went on floors on May 3, 2024, at Fort Kochi.[14] Filming was wrapped in 15 July 2024.[15]
Release
[edit]Rekhachithram was released theatrically on 9 January 2025.[16][17][18]
Reception
[edit]Critical response
[edit]Rekhachithram received positive reviews from critics.
Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave a positive review for the film and gave a rating of 3 out of 5 mentioning "Unlike typical althist films, which reimagine an important, highly influential moment from the past to explore speculative outcomes, Rekhachithram takes an intriguing approach by choosing the production period of a movie, a seemingly less impactful event, as its historical touchpoint and John Manthrickal and Ramu Sunil, who penned the screenplay, handle it well. While this could be seen as playing it safe within the genre, it proves to be a boon for the film, adding a layer of fascination. At the same time, considering the audience’s unfamiliarity with althist as a genre and the risk of viewers mistaking fiction for fact, the writers maintain restraint and push the boundaries only just enough to stay authentic to the movie’s backdrop."[19] Writing for The Hindu, Shilpa Nair Anand praised the direction mentioning,"Jofin T Chacko’s film stirs nostalgia like no other in recent times. It is a cinephile’s love note to Malayalam cinema, perhaps to the movies and technicians who might have kindled his love for cinema. The writing is intelligent, the past and the future organically weave in and out of the narrative. Where it is not and lags a wee bit, it is forgivable for the sheer inventiveness of the movie to tell a story where the past and the present crisscross effortlessly."[20]
Princy Alexander of Onmanorama gave a positive review mentioning," 'Rekhachithram' featuring Asif Ali and Anaswara Rajan is an overall experiment, treading on a path that many filmmakers, including veterans, have not dared to do in the past. Many of the ingredients in the film makes do with the same elements used in investigation thrillers like 'Paapan' and 'Ozler', but what it truly differs in is its premise and the film's unique treatment."[21] Cris of The News Minute gave a positive review mentioning,"Director Jofin T Chacko does not try to force nostalgia into the mood, but manages to weave in backstories of known films and artists, creating an alternate reality that rouses the film lover in you."[22] Writing for Cinema Express, Vivek Santhosh praised the direction: "The real masterstroke of Rekhachithram lies in its unique backdrop, just like the filmmaker kept on promising during promotional interviews. The film isn’t just set in the present—it also revisits the making of the 1985 film Kathodu Kathoram, directed by Bharathan and starring Mammootty. By weaving its story around the production of a real film, Rekhachithram does something few Indian films have attempted: it crafts an alternate history, one that feels entirely plausible."[23]
Box office
[edit]The film earned ₹1.90 crore on its opening day at the Kerala box office and ₹2.10 crore the next day to a total of ₹4 crore in Kerala.[24] It began to pick up from the following day and over the first 4 day weekend, it grossed ₹10.50 crore from Kerala.[25] The total global opening weekend collection (4 days) was ₹26.50 crore.[26]
In 12 days, it grossed ₹48.75 crore globally with Kerala gross reaching ₹21.65 crore.[6] The film grossed ₹50 crore globally on its 14th day.[27]
References
[edit]- ^ "Asif Ali's Rekhachithram gets a release date". The New Indian Express. 10 December 2024. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "CBFC | Search Film". Central Board of Film Certification. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
- ^ "ആസിഫേ.. ഇതെങ്ങോട്ടാ; നേടിയത് ചെലവാക്കിയതിന്റെ ഇരട്ടിയുടെ ഇരട്ടിയിലധികം; കളക്ഷനിൽ തിളങ്ങി രേഖാചിത്രം" [Rekhachithram box office collection]. Asianet News (in Malayalam). 15 January 2025. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
- ^ "Rekhachithram Box Office Collection Day 4: गुमशुदगी का केस सुलझाने निकला जुआरी पुलिस अफसर, बॉक्स ऑफिस पर हुई नोटों की बरसात" [Rekhachithram Box Office Collection Day 4: Gambler police officer goes out to solve a missing person's case, money rains at the box office]. NDTV (in Hindi). 13 January 2025. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
- ^ "Asif Ali's Rekhachithram becomes first Malayalam film of 2025 to surpass ₹50 Cr at box office". Mathrubhumi News. 22 January 2025. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
- ^ a b "Rekhachithram 18 Days Box Office Update: Asif Ali's blockbuster grosses Rs 54 crore worldwide; nears end of glorious run". Pinkvilla. 29 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
- ^ "Second Look Of Asif Ali-Anaswara Rajan's Rekhachithram Released!". Rohit Panikker. Times Now. 30 September 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Asif Ali-starrer Rekhachithram gets a release date". Vivek Santhosh. Cinema Express. 8 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ Features, C. E. (4 May 2024). "Asif Ali's next with The Priest director Jofin T Chacko launched". Cinema Express. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
- ^ "Asif Ali, Anaswara Rajan team up for 'Rekhachithram'". The New Indian Express. 13 August 2024. Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Rekhachithram poster OUT: Asif Ali takes charge as a cop in Jofin T Chacko's intriguing thriller". Hridyambika A Manu. Desimartini. 29 September 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Kishkindha Kaandam Music Director Mujeeb Majeed Aboard For Asif Ali's Rekhachithram". Rohit Panikker. Times Now. 2 October 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Trailer Talk: Another Cult Crime Thriller?". Akhil. m9.news. 25 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Asif Ali and Anaswara Rajan to star in Jofin T Chacko's next". The Hindu. 4 May 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
- ^ "Asif Ali wraps up shoot for his next film with The Priest director Jofin T Chacko; see location PICS". PINKVILLA. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
- ^ "Asif Ali's Rekhachithram Gets A Release Date!". Rohit Panikker. Times Now. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Asif Ali and Anaswara Rajan horror thriller Rekhachithram trailer gets positive talk". Yamini Chowdary. Bigtvlive English. 24 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Rekhachithram trailer: Asif Ali sets out to unravel mystery surrounding Anaswara Rajan as 'only corpses are left behind wherever she has been'". The Indian Express. 24 December 2024. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ^ "Rekhachithram movie review: Asif Ali, Anaswara Rajan's mystery thriller is a tribute to the magical allure of cinema". The Indian Express. 9 January 2025. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
- ^ Anand, Shilpa Nair (10 January 2025). "'Rekhachithram' movie review: Asif Ali, Anaswara Rajan impress in this clever thriller that presents an alternate cinema history". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
- ^ "'Rekhachithram' is a mix of nostalgia and freshness with a good douse of mystery". 'Rekhachithram' is a mix of nostalgia and freshness with a good douse of mystery. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
- ^ Cris (9 January 2025). "Rekhachithram review: This Asif Ali thriller is a subtle tribute to 80s Malayalam cinema". The News Minute. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
- ^ Santhosh, Vivek (9 January 2025). "Rekhachithram Movie Review: An intriguing mystery that effectively reimagines history". Cinema Express. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
- ^ "Rekhachithram Day 2 Kerala Box Office: Asif Ali and Anaswara Rajan's film collects Rs 2.10 crore on Day 2". PINKVILLA. 10 January 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
- ^ "Rekhachithram Day 4 Kerala Box Office: Asif Ali starrer mystery crime thriller continues WINNING streak; grosses Rs 10.50 crore in 1st weekend". PINKVILLA. 12 January 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
- ^ "Rekhachithram Day 5 Kerala Box Office: Asif Ali, Anaswara Rajan-fronted movie passes Monday test with solid hold; grosses Rs 1.75 crore". PINKVILLA. 13 January 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
- ^ "Rekhachithram Worldwide Box Office: Asif Ali-led mystery thriller crosses Rs 50 crore mark; targets Rs 60 crore finish". PINKVILLA. 23 January 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2025.