Shikkar

Shikkar (English: The Hunt) is a 2010 Indian Malayalam mystery-thriller film directed by M. Padmakumar and written by S. Suresh Babu which was produced by Sreeraj Cinema. The film stars Mohanlal in lead role along with Kalabhavan Mani, Kailash, Ananya, Sneha, Samuthirakani, Jagathy Sreekumar, Suraj Venjaramood and Mythili in supporting roles. M. Jayachandran composed the music for the lyrics of Gireesh Puthenchery. The art direction was done by Manu Jagadh.[3]

Shikkar: The Hunt
Malayalamശിക്കാര്‍
Directed byM. Padmakumar
Produced byK. K. Rajagopal
Written byS. Suresh Babu
StarringMohanlal
Samuthirakani
Ananya
Sneha
Kailash
Music byM. Jayachandran
Background Score:
Ouseppachan
CinematographyManoj Pillai
Edited byRanjan Abraham
Distributed byMaaxlab (India)
P J Entertainments (Europe)
Release date
  • 11 September 2010 (2010-09-11) (India)
Running time
165 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam
Budget₹3.5 crore (US$490,000)[1]
Box office₹21 crore (US$2.9 million) [2]

Shikkar was a Ramzan release on 11 September 2010, it received mixed reviews from the critics, and garnered critical praise for cinematography and Mohanlal's performance. It was one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of 2010.[1][4] The film received the Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Popular Film.[5]

Plot

The story takes place at Chittazha, a mountainous terrain in Idukki where bamboo reeds flourish. After much wandering from place to place, Balraman (Mohanlal), a lorry driver who lost his wife Kaveri (Sneha), has finally settled down with his daughter Ganga(Ananya) at Chittazha. Peace evades him as his past catches up with him, and Balaraman has to take risky methods to safeguard his own life and that of his daughter's.

Balaraman's past of him being a police office was a secret to many. A group of Naxal's are behind him to kill his daughter and also Balaraman to avenge the death of their leader.

Cast

Production

Filming

The film was mainly shot at various locations in Pooyamkutty, Kothamangalam, also in Telangana (Andhra Pradesh) and Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. The climax scenes were shot in Guna caves and the hills in Kodaikanal, including a place termed as "Devil's kitchen". The filming completed in August 2010.[6]

Reception

Box office

The film was a commercial success despite receiving mixed reviews from critics. Shikkar released on September 9 in Kerala, Chennai and Bangalore made an extraordinary opening in 110 screens. It grossed ₹5.47 crore (US$770,000) in 8 days from 110 screens, which was phenomenal for a Malayalam film at that time. And took distributor share of around ₹2.10 crore (US$290,000) from 8 days. It was found at the number one position at the Kerala box-office among the Ramzan releases.[7] The film made at a budget of ₹3.5 crore (US$490,000),[1] collected ₹3.75 crore (US$530,000) as distributor share from first two weeks. The New Indian Express called it an "ultimate winner".[8] Shikkar was found at the second place in the third week.[9] The film collected over ₹12 crore (US$1.7 million) in 20 days.[2] The film completed 100 days and was a box office success.the film was a huge hit in the box office

Critics review

Shibu B. S of The New Indian Express praised the cinematography of Manoj Pillai and Mohanlal's performance. He commented "The story is as old as the history of revenge sagas. However, scriptwriter has done a commendable job compared with his earlier scripts like Thaandavam, and has tried to inject oodles of energy".[10] Paresh C. Palicha of Rediff.com rated 2/5 stars and said "Suresh Babu's script seems to be heavily inspired by two recent, much-discussed films; Madhupal's Thalappavu and Blessy's Bhramaram. The subject of Naxalism seems borrowed from the former while the edgy-eerie feel has been taken from the latter." and concluded as "Young Padmakumar tried to make Shikkar a mass-entertainer as well as a film with artistic merit; unfortunately, it falls somewhere in between". He appreciated the camera works of Manoj Pillai.[11] Veeyen of Nowrunning.com awarded 2/5 stars and said "There are no directorial flourishes visible in Padmakumar's Shikkar that is old wine in an older bottle. As much as it remains a visual delight, the mysteries that it offers do not much thrill, and the story that it tells seldom excites". he highly praised the cinematography saying, "The real hero of the film is none other than cinematographer Manoj Pillai, the camerawork of the film seems like an adventure in itself".[12]

Sify.com gave the verdict "very good" and said, "This film is far from being perfect especially in its first half, but it has been packaged quite well. With some superb performances, brilliant visuals, reasonably engaging script and nice music", he gave special mention to Manoj Pillai's camera and Ranjan Abraham's editing and was highly enthusiastic about Mohanlal's performance.[13] Indiaglitz.com reviewer stated "The highlight of the story by Suresh Babu is that even if you may find the story a damn regular after the show, the narrative techniques used and the finesse in keeping the suspense element till the last 30 minutes, succeeds big time". And appreciated cinematography and Mohanlal's performance saying, "The movie remains a visual treat with Manoj Pillai working at his helm, panning over the landscapes and lush green forests with some real adventurous shots. The other highlight naturally remains Mohanlal.[14]

Soundtrack
Shikkar: The Hunt
Soundtrack album by
M. Jayachandran
Released
10 August 2010
RecordedMusic Lounge Studios, Chennai
GenreSoundtrack
Label
Satyam Audios
ProducerM. Jayachandran
M. Jayachandran chronology
Sahasram
(2010)		 Shikkar: The Hunt
(2010)		 Khaddama
(2011)

All lyrics are written by Gireesh Puthenchery except where noted; all music is composed by M. Jayachandran.

No.TitleLyricsArtist(s)Length
1."Enthedi Enthedi" Sudeep Kumar, K. S. Chithra3:54
2."Sembakame" Shankar Mahadevan, Malathy Lakshman4:22
3."Pinne Ennodonnum" K. J. Yesudas4:36
4."Pratikhatinsu"Bhuvana ChandraS. P. Balasubrahmanyam4:08
5."Pinne Pinne" K. J. Yesudas, Latha Krishna4:37
6."Pada Nayichu" Biju Narayanan4:08

Accolades
Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Kerala Film Critics Award Best Popular Film K. K. Rajagopal Won
[5]
J. C. Foundation Award Best Supporting Actor Lalu Alex Won
[15]
Best Newcomer Samuthirakani Won
Jaihind TV Film Awards Best Male Playback Singer K. J. Yesudas (for "Pinne Ennodonnum") Won
Best Lyricist Gireesh Puthenchery (posthumous) Won
Special Jury Award Lalu Alex Won
gollark: You ARE to read that by the way.
gollark: Like the rust paper I posted earlier.
gollark: For instance, <@319753218592866315> make macron.
gollark: I can *very much* hold people accountable.
gollark: https://github.com/FPSG-UIUC/lotrWow, it appears that none are safe from side-channel attacks.

References
  1. "Top 10 Malayalam grossers of 2010". Sify. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  2. P. K Ajith Kumar (29 September 2010). "Three-fold success for Malayalam cinema this season". Kozhikode. The Hindu.
  3. "Shikar (2010) (Malayalam)". Nowrunning.com.
  4. Four new releases for Ramzan
  5. "Kerala Film Critics Awards announced". The Indian Express. Thiruvananthapuram. 26 February 2011.
  6. "Mohanlal completes Shikar climax scene". Filmibeat.com. 4 August 2010.
  7. "Kerala Box-Office (September 1 to 16)". Sify.com. 18 September 2010. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  8. Sampurn Wire (2 October 2010). "Shikkar' wins the Ramzan race". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  9. "Kerala box office: September 17 to 30". Sify. 5 October 2010. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  10. Shibu B. S (19 September 2010). "Shikkar". The New Indian Express.
  11. Paresh C. Palicha (10 September 2010). "Shikkar: Not exactly a mass-entertainer". Rediff.com.
  12. Veeyen (10 September 2010). "Shikar Review". Nowrunning.com.
  13. "Review: Shikar". Sify.com.
  14. "Shikaar Review". Indiaglitz.com. 11 September 2010.
  15. "Mammooty, Navya, Lal Jose bag JC foundation award". Mathrubhumi. 9 August 2011.
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