Evidam Swargamanu (2009)

Ividam Swargamanu (transl. This is heaven) is a 2009 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by Rosshan Andrrews and written by James Albert. It was produced by Antony Perumbavoor under the company Aashirvad Cinemas. The film stars Mohanlal, Lalu Alex, Thilakan, Sreenivasan, Shankar and Lakshmi Rai. The music was composed by Gopi Sunder. It tells the story of Mathews, a farmer who has to fight the real estate mafia over selling his farmland which he refuses to give away.

Ividam Swargamanu was released on 25 December 2009. The film won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value. Also, the film was a commercial success.

Plot

The movie narrates the tale of a diligent farmer named Mathews and his struggle against a land mafia that seeks to seize his lands. Hardworking farmers Mathews and his father Jeremias have developed a dairy farm that can house many cattle. Together with his father, mother Elsamma and her sister Rahelamma, Mathews has a quiet, contented life.

Problems arise when Mathews' farm is eyed by Aluva Chandy, a powerful real estate dealer and land mafia, who tries to persuade Mathews to sell the land to Chandy so that he may flip it and resell it to a Mumbai-based businessman for a sizable profit. However, Mathews is unwilling to comply to Chandy's demands and complains to the police about Chandy's intrusion into his property. Instead, the policeman works as Chandy's agent, leaving Mathews in a hopeless predicament.

Chandy's false promise of establishing a township enticed the locals to support Chandy. They try to persuade Mathews to sell the property, but he refuses, and the other villagers started hating him for it. Mathews and his father are adamant about staying in the community although several of his friends and neighbours opt to leave by selling their farm to Chandy. The court appoints a one-man committee to visit, submit, and report after Aluva Chandy fabricates many civil complaints against Mathews and his dairy farm using his neighbours for nuisance causes by the farm. When attorney Sunitha visits the farm, she considers it to be quite satisfactory and provides a report to the court. She gets fired from her team by her senior, acting on Chandy's orders. In order to get Jeremias from being imprisoned, several government agencies are now bringing legal claims against Mathews' farm, including allegations of financial irregularities and failure to return the loan.

A news reporter named Betsy tries to broadcast on her station about the difficulties Mathews is having, but the channel's administrators prevent her from doing so. Sunitha now takes up Mathews' cause, petitions the court on his behalf, and is successful in appointing an "amicus curiae" ("friend of the court") to investigate shady real estate activities in the State. An effective lawyer named Advocate Prabalan is chosen to serve as the "amicus curiae." The remaining portion of the narrative describes how Mathews, with Prabalan's assistance, uncovers the corruption of numerous government agencies and finally wins back his land.

Cast

Production

The film was made on a budget of ₹4 crore.

The crew bought cattle and 15 acres of land to build the farm of protagonist. Vegetable cultivation was initiated 6 months prior to production with instructions from agricultural department.

Soundtrack

Though the movie did not feature any songs, a promotional album was released by Manorama Music. The album features two songs composed by Mohan Sithara, with lyrics by Bichu Thirumala and Kaithapram.

Awards

Kerala State Film Awards

Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value – Antony Perumbavoor (producer), Rosshan Andrrews (director)

Kerala Film Critics Association Awards

Best Film

Best Director – Rosshan Andrrews

Best Screenplay – James Albert

Asianet Film Awards

Best Actor – Mohanlal

Best Villain – Lalu Alex

Most Popular Actress – Lakshmi Rai

Amrita Mathrubhumi Film Awards

Best Villain – Lalu Alex

Most Popular Actress – Lakshmi Rai

Atlas State Film Critics Award

Best Film

Best Screenplay – James Albert

Vanitha Film Awards

Most Popular Actor – Mohanlal

Best Screenplay – James Albert

Kairali TV – World Malayali Council Film Award

Best Film

Best Actor – Mohanlal

Best Director – Rosshan Andrrews

References

External links

Ividam Swargamanu at IMDb

Evidam Swargamanu at Oneindia.in

Review Archived 31 December 2009 at the Wayback Machine from Nowrunning.com

Review from sify.com