Kaathal – The Core

<p>Mathew Devassy, a retired bank manager lives with his family of four – his wife, Omana, daughter, Femy, and father, Devassy, leading a respectable life in his village. Thanks to his father’s contribution towards the CR Party, Mathew is given a chance to contest the Local Village Body elections. One evening, he discovers that Omana has filed a petition against him alleging that he is . Upon confronting that it might hinder his election candidature, Omana says that she had filed it two months ago. They approach for a speedy trial in the , where Omana had filed the petition alleging that he has not fulfilled her marital obligations, but was perfect in raising a family. The respondent lawyer asks her the number of times they had intercourse, to which she replies four – in their entire twenty years of marital life. Upon questioning the need for a divorce then, the representing lawyer argues that Mathew would have been accused of committing a crime if she had filed the petition earlier according to the then existing law (IPC 377). Mathew denies his homosexuality and relationship with Thankan, his alleged partner accused in the case, during the cross-checking by the prosecution. Thankan, who owns a driving school, expresses anguish that his sexual orientation is different and that his school is flooded by only women. His nephew, Kuttayi, breaks down facing harassment and bullying in school. Meanwhile, the party is puzzled about Mathew’s election campaigning. As the case proceeds, Devassy is called upon as a direct witness and accepts that his son has been a homosexual since his childhood and the marriage was pressurized by him due to the expectations of the society. That night, Devassy bursts into tears and agrees that he was responsible for the mishappenings of his son’s life. Mathew apologises to Omana and implores that he was afraid to come out. Omana says that she wanted a divorce to rescue them both from this meaningless family life; they both shed tears. The next day, as they sign the divorce papers, Mathew comes out as a gay man and proceeds to campaign for the elections. Post the elections, the victorious Mathew is seeking a potential groom for Omana, with Thankan as his partner. In August 2022, was rumoured to direct a film starring and in lead roles. However, he denied it as a rumour. In late-September, Baby confirmed that he would be directing Mammootty in a film produced by Mammootty Kampany, for which the pre-production works had already begun. Jyothika was yet to sign the film as the casting process was underway. On 18 October, the title of the film was announced and Jyothika’s inclusion was confirmed, thereby marking her return to after a hiatus of 12 years, since (2009). Jeo said that it was the first time that he was working on a script that was not his own. But when he heard the story, he liked it and then approached Mammotty to play the lead role. While considering options for a leading lady to play the role of the wife, Mammootty suggested casting Jyothika. The writing team included Adarsh Sukumaran and Paulson Skaria. Jeo retained most of his technicians from his film (2021) including cinematographer Salu K. Thomas, editor Francies Louis and music composer Mathews Pulickan. began on 20 October 2022 in with a customary ceremony. Jyothika joined the sets on 27 October. Mammootty completed filming for his portions on 18 November while Jyothika’s was completed on 20 November. Filming was up on 22 November 2022, in a span of 34 days. Post-production works began in late-January 2023. In March 2023, recorded a song composed by Mathews Pulickan. The version of the film was released on 23 November 2023, while , , and languages released on 5 January 2024 in . The film was praised by some members of the LGBT community for its portrayal of the gay character, but people from anti-LGBT groups commented negatively on Mammootty’s social media pages criticising the actor for his role and asking for a boycott of the film. Muslim clerics and Christian priests also criticized the film’s representation of homosexuality, suggesting that it would “brainwash the youth”. On the website , of 8 critics’ reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8/10. received mostly positive reviews from critics. Anandu Suresh of gave 4 out of 5 stars and wrote, ” is a groundbreaking film that should be watched by all, particularly those in the film industry who continue to present recycled age-old narratives, expecting unquestioning acceptance from the audiences.” Janani K. of gave 4 out of 5 stars and wrote, “‘ ‘ is not just about the coming out, it’s also about how these characters move on in life after the divorce. The last shot is dedicated to all the LGBTQIA+ members.” Sajin Shrijith of gave 4 out of 5 stars and wrote, ” is arguably the most daring attempt from Malayalam cinema so far, mainly owing to one of its biggest superstars spearheading a film that asks some much-needed questions about a complex topic that doesn’t have to be so.” Anna Mathews of gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote, “Good movies can make society think and even initiate change. might be one such.” Sukanya Shaji of gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote, “The heart of is, undoubtedly, the relationship between Mammootty’s Mathew Devassy and Jyothika’s Omana, and the heartbreaking dignity with which they help each other out of their predicaments.” Manoj Kumar R. of gave 4 out of 5 stars and wrote, ” navigates through a myriad of sensitive subjects and personal choices deeply influenced by the age-old societal concern of “What will people say?”.” S. R. Praveen of wrote, “‘ beautifully uses a conventional family drama setting to tackle a subject that is still largely a taboo in the industry and the larger society; it is quite a triumph in that sense.” Princy Alexander of wrote, “Just like Nivin Pauly and Geethu Mohandas’s , ‘ ‘ will be remembered for its unconventional theme and for lending Mammootty one more praise-worthy character in his illustrious career.” Sarath Ramesh Kuniyl of gave 4.5 out of 5 stars and wrote, ” is a watershed moment in Malayalam cinema, much like . Both Baby and Mammootty have shattered a glass ceiling, the sound of which, one hopes, will reverberate loudly in the society and for long.” Nikhil Sebastian of gave 4 out of 5 stars and wrote, ” stands as another masterpiece from Jeo Baby and Mammootty. With a compelling plot and a poignant subject, the movie succeeds in establishing a strong emotional connection with the audience throughout its two-hour runtime.” Harshini S. V. of wrote, ” speaks about the struggles of coming out and addresses the need for acceptance in a conventional society. And if that’s not bold and progressive, I am not sure what is.” Priyanka Sundar of gave 4 out of 5 stars and wrote, “Joe Baby, the director who also gave us the masterfully depicts the life of Omana and Mathew so sensibly and with a sensitive approach. It is rare to see a film so well made when it centers on a relationship — especially one that is forced to stick with heteronormativity.” Analysing the movie, Sajesh Mohan of wrote “In , Jeo Baby’s writers Adarsh Sukumaran and Paulson Skaria occasionally resort to the FAQ format to elucidate the necessity of proper understanding and acceptance of sexual orientation. However, it’s not these preaching sessions that drive the point home; it’s the characters.” Sujatha Narayanan of wrote “Kaathal – The Core is a sensitive, dignified, and nuanced film that brings to fore the importance of how big stars like Mammootty and Jyotika (who returned to the big screen after three years) fit into humble places with much grace. With Kaathal, Mammootty also squashes pre written stereotypes for how a hero should be on screen, what kind of roles a megastar can take up, and whether an actor with a good market should do an experimental, bold film at all. Kaathal makes us all want to be better human beings – and that’s the most important achievement of Jeo Baby’s film.” recorded an opening of ₹1.05 crore. The film recorded a 19% jump in revenue on its second day in theatres by earing ₹1.25 crore. On its first weekend, the film grossed ₹1.6 crores on Saturday with a 42.04% occupancy rate and grossed ₹1.75 crores on Sunday. grossed a total of Rs 5 crore within four days of its release. The film reportedly collected ₹16.25 lakhs from Aries Plex Theatre, . By its first weekend the film grossed ₹1 crore from ROI circuits. The next day, the film grossed around 6.25 crore. By its 8th day it grossed around ₹7.95 crores. On its 12th day the film grossed ₹13.15 crores and was declared a theatrical hit.</p>