Jan. E. Man

Jan.E.Man is a 2021 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film written and directed by Chidambaram in his directorial debut. It was co-written by Ganapathi (Chidambaram's younger brother) and Sapnesh Varachal. The film stars Basil Joseph, Lal, Arjun Ashokan, Balu Varghese and Ganapathi S Poduval in important roles. The film was produced by Lakshmi Warrier, Ganesh Menon, Sajith Kookal and Shawn Antony under the banner of Cheers Entertainment. The film was released on 19 November 2021, and was unanimously met with critical acclaim with praise towards the performances (particularly Basil Joseph's and Balu Varghese's), clean humour, emotional depth, story and Chidambaram's direction.

Plot
Joymon is a nurse working in a cold and desolate part of Canada. He grapples with persistent loneliness and finds comfort in calls to his family and childhood friends in Kerala. He decides to celebrate his 30th birthday with a big party in Kerala and invites all of his old school friends. Faizal, one of his friends who is now a doctor, helps him organize it. Faizal asks another friend, Sampath, to host the party at his house. Initially reluctant, Sampath later agrees assuming that the birthday party will be a small affair. They pick Joymon from the airport and head to Sampath's house. Soon other friends like Ratheesh, an actor in a Malayalam TV serial, Sampath's childhood sweetheart Ammu and Sajith, a gangster joins the party along with his sidekick Kannan. Contrary to Sampath's assumption, Joymon has planned a grand party including fireworks, lighting decorations, liquor, DJ and so on. He has even hired Akshay who is an event coordinator.

While the party starts to get going, an older gentleman named Ittichan, who lives in the house opposite to Sampath's has an heart attack and passes away. This leads to the unusual situation where there is a birthday party celebration in one house and a funeral being planned in the other house. Sampath, is unsympathetic, since he has had conflicts in the past with Monichan, who is Ittichan's estranged son. Soon, Ittichan's family, including his younger brother Kochukunju, Monichan and his friends arrives at his house. The somber event at one house clashes with the loud and brightly lit party at the other house. Akshay is now the event coordinator for both events and runs back and forth between the two. At the midnight, Joymon sets off fireworks which causes anger in the grieving house. Due to this, Sampath and Faisal fights with Joymon. However, the guests from both events start to commingle with each other and start to understand each other. When Ittichan's will is read, they are surprised to hear that some property has been left to Sampath's grandmother. When they rush to ask her the reason why, they find her dead in her bed.

They discover an old photograph of Ittichan and faded letters in her possession and discover that the two were star crossed lovers in the early 1970s. Due to their different faiths, they were not able to marry each other but nevertheless continued to love each other from afar. Ittichan fondly called her Jan E Man (Darling in Urdu). Monichan and Sampath gets into a fight along with their friends after Monichan's friend Chacko hits Sampath and in retaliation Sajith accidentally hits Kochukunju. During this, Ittichan's younger daughter Jesnamol goes into labour and Faizal and Joymon have to work together to deliver the baby. She gives birth to a healthy baby girl. Everyone is overjoyed and Monichan names her Jan E Man. Joymon wishes her "Happy Birthday". The movie ends showing Ittichan and Sampath's grandmother being buried in the adjacent graves surrounded by their family and friends.

Production
The movie marks the directorial debut of Chidambaram. The movie was made during the COVID-19 pandemic and its shooting started on 9 September 2020, and it was wrapped up in 35 days. It was shot in Kochi and Kashmir. Arjun Ashokan and Balu Varghese were part of the project from the get-go.

Vishnu Thandassery, who had worked in many films as a still photographer has debuted as a cinematographer through this film. Bijibal composed the background score for this movie. Kiran Das is the editor and Vinesh Bangalan is the art director of the film. R. G. Vayandan did the makeup and Mahser Hamsa arranged the costumes for the movie. The film was co-written by Ganapathi S Poduval who is the brother of the director.

Marketing
The teaser of the movie was released by Dulquer Salmaan on 9 July 2021. Mohanlal, Tovino Thomas and Asif Ali released the first look poster of the film on 30 August 2021. The song Mizhiyoram from the 1980 Malayalam movie Manjil Virinja Pookkal was remastered in this film. The song was released by Manju Warrier on 3 November 2021. The official trailer of the film was released on 11 November 2021, by Mammootty through his official Facebook Page. The satellite right of the movie was grabbed by Surya Tv.

Release
The movie was released in theatres of Kerala on 19 November 2021. Initially the movie had previews in 90 release centers, the movie was welcomed by a low initial response but after increased demand from the audience, the movie was previewed in 150 release centers across Kerala after a week. The movie was released outside Kerala on 10 December 2021.

Reception
The movie received critical acclaim from the critics as well as from the audience. The Times of India gave a rating of 3.5 on 5 and wrote that, "This is a film that will make you both laugh and cry at the same time, offering insights into the meaning of happiness, togetherness, friendship and more. This movie is suited for those who like situational comedy, real-life people and quirky connections." Sajin Srijith of The New Indian Express commented that, "Jan.E.Man is a welcome bundle of laughs, emotions, and other surprises. The film finds a neat balance between its laughs and intense emotions." Firstpost rated the movie with 3.5 on 5 and exclaimed, "The outcome of Chidambaram's confident direction and a sharp script is an intelligent and entertaining film." Appreciating the script and the performances of the movie S. R. Praveen of The Hindu wrote that, "Jan-E-man, with its inventive script and earnest performances, hits all the right notes."

Vishal Menon of Film Companion said that, "Jan.E.Man is a movie that you would have got when Lijo Jose Pellissery had co-directed Ee.Ma.Yau. with Rafi Mecartin. The movie is an original, if uneven, dark comedy with an excellent ensemble." Sify gave a rating of 3.5 on 5 and wrote that, "Jan-E-Man is A feel good entertainer. Lal and Balu Varghese shines as Kochu Kunju and Monichan respectively. Arjun Ashokan, Ganapathi, Basil Joseph, Riya Saira and Siddharth Menon are impressive." Malayala Manorama appreciated the movie by writing that, "Janeman is a procession of laughter." OTT Play gives a rating of 3.5 on 5 and writes that, "Jan.E.Man movie review: Basil Joseph, Arjun Ashokan -starrer takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions."