Poppins

This article is about the 2012 Malayalam film. For the character, Mary, see Mary Poppins (character).

Poppins is a 2012 Indian Malayalam-language anthology film directed by V. K. Prakash. It stars ten lead actors, appearing as five couples; the characters are played by Kunchacko Boban and Nithya Menen, Jayasurya and Meghna Raj, Indrajith and Padmapriya, Shankar Ramakrishnan and Mythili, and Siddique and Ann Augustine. The film was shot with two cameras at the same time by Jomon T. John and Arun.

Poppins
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	V. K. Prakash
Written by	Jayaprakash Kuloor
Based on	18 Natakangal by Jayaprakash Kuloor
Produced by	Darshan Ravi
Starring	Kunchacko Boban Jayasurya Indrajth Meghana Raj Nithya Menen Padmapriya Siddique Ann Augustine Shankar Ramakrishnan Mythili
Cinematography	Jomon T. John Arun James Pradeesh M. Varma
Edited by	Mahesh Narayanan
Music by	Ratheesh Vegha
Production company	Dimac Creations
Distributed by	Central Pictures
Release date	30 November 2012 (2012-11-30)
Country	India
Language	Malayalam

The film is an adaptation of the Sahitya Akademi award-winning play 18 Natakangal by Jayaprakash Kuloor. Prakash had already adapted this play into a Kannada film titled Aidondla Aidu. The plot is centred on man-woman relationships which is weaved into a single story encapsulating the struggles of a filmmaker, exploring different facets of the institution called marriage. Nithya Menen and Padmapriya reprised their role from the Kannada film.

Plot

All the tales revolve around the relationships between a husband and wife and although each explores different facets of the marital relationship, at their core, they involve communication and the consequences of misconception.

Cast

• Shankar Ramakrishnan as Hari
• Mythili as Gauri, Hari's wife
• Kunchacko Boban as Unni
• Nithya Menen as Ammu, Unni's wife
• Jayasurya as the husband in the movie Kannadi
• Meghana Raj as the wife in the movie Kannadi
• Indrajith Sukumaran as Kanthan
• Padmapriya Janakiraman as Kantha, Kanthan's wife
• Siddique as Sajan, the film actor
• Ann Augustine as Ann, a journalist
• P. Balachandran as Gabriyel Methalakuzhi
• Saiju Kurup as George, Gabriyel's son
• Sreelatha Namboothiri as Nancy, Gabriyel's fiance
• Kochu Preman as Alex, Hari's senior officer
• Indrans as Charlie, the film producer
• Jayaraj Warrier as Appu, the film producer
• Nandhu as Babu, the film producer
• Parvathy Nair as Julie, Job's wife
• Baby Nayanthara as Hari's daughter/Chakki
• Master Dhananjay as young Hari/Chankaran
• Jayaprakash Kuloor as Ammu's father
• Moly Kannamali as Annamma, the servant
• Maya Vishwanath as Geetha
• Hareesh Pengan as the driver

Production

It is a new thought that the director wanted his critically acclaimed film Aidondla Aidu to be made into Malayalam. After completing Trivandrum Lodge, the director wanted to try a different Aidondla Aidu. The director was selective in choosing hardworking young and character-suiting actors. Kunchacko Boban and Nithya Menen were chosen to play a pivotal couple, and Jayasurya and Meghana Raj were chosen to play a supporting couple. This is the second time the pair has come together; the first was the director's Beautiful. Jayasurya was cast again after V. K. Prakash's Trivandrum Lodge in which he played the lead role.

The shooting of the film began on 10 June 2012. Jomon T. John is the cinematographer. The film was shot in Bangalore and Trivandrum in two schedules.

Soundtrack

The audio release of Poppins by V. K. Prakash was a star-studded affair with the entire cast and other guests attending the function. Among the cast, Jayasurya, Meera Nandan, Aparna Nair, and Sarayu were present. Ratheesh Vegha's music was the highlight of the day. He had also penned the lyrics of the songs. G. Venugopal and Sithara lent their voices. The audio release was officially carried out by East Coast Vijayan, and the CD was first given to Shankar Ramakrishnan by Jayasurya. East Coast Vijayan had coordinated the entire function that was held on 24 Nov 2012. Nithya Menon sings the Malayalam version of the same song she sang for in "Aidu Ondla Aidu".

Reception

The film opened to negative reviews from critics and audiences alike. Sify.com gave the verdict "Below Average" and said, "Poppins is a lazy film, which takes the viewer for a ride. Unlike the sweet that it has named after, this one is disturbingly tasteless and has been made without much honesty." Paresh C Palicha of Rediff.com rated the film two out of five start and concluded his review saying that the film is a "very bland one."