Neru (film)

Neru is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language courtroom drama film directed by Jeethu Joseph, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Santhi Mayadevi. It was produced and distributed by Antony Perumbavoor of Aashirvad Cinemas. The film stars Mohanlal and Anaswara Rajan in the lead roles while Priyamani, Santhi Mayadevi, Siddique, Sankar Induchoodan, Jagadish and K. B. Ganesh Kumar in the supporting roles.

Antony Perumbavoor officially announced the project on 13 July 2023, marking Jeethu Joseph's fifth collaboration with Mohanlal under the working title Production No. 33 (33rd film from Aashirvad Cinemas) and the official title was announced on 12 August 2023. The Principal photography took place between August and October 2023 in and around Thiruvananthapuram. The music was composed by Vishnu Shyam. The film has cinematography by Satheesh Kurup and editing by V. S. Vinayak.

Neru released in theatres worldwide on 21 December 2023 to positive reviews from critics praising the cast performances (particularly of Mohanlal, Anaswara Rajan and Siddique), screenplay and direction. The film was a commercial success and grossed over ₹86 crore worldwide becoming the second highest grossing Malayalam film of the year and the ninth highest grossing Malayalam film of all time. The critics described Neru as the commercial comeback of Mohanlal, following a series of unsuccessful films, becoming his third highest grosser.

Plot
Sara Muhammed, a blind girl, is raped while she is alone at home. The police are unable to identify the offender due to Sara's blindness. Sara sculpts a statue of her rapist and based on the similarities, they arrest Michael Joseph, the son of a Mumbai-based businessman. Michael's parents hire Advocate Rajashekhar, a renowned defense lawyer. Due to the Public Prosecutor unreliability, alongside Rajashekhar's twisting questioning tactics, Michael is granted bail, an unforeseen situation in a case like this. While Sara's family receive a settlement offer, they decide to fight the case.

CI Paul Varghese, the investigating officer, recommend Vijayamohan as the special public prosecutor, since no other lawyers will take up the job owing to Rajashekhar's influence. However, he no longer practices law. A few years earlier, Vijayamohan was a junior to Rajashekar along with his daughter Poornima, whom he got close to. Unhappy with their relationship, Rajashekar committed foul play that resulted in Vijayamohan getting debarred from practising law for 5 years. Initially reluctant to take up the case, Vijayamohan meets Sara and changes his mind, after meeting her.

As the trial begins, Rajashekar uses many tactics such as character assassination of Sara's parents; her father, Muhammed, was in a previous marriage and left his first family for Sara's mother. He tries to frame Sara's father as the culprit, by deducing that his story was fabricated as a way of trapping Michael and family due to their wealth. Vijayamohan's key witness, Sara's neighbor and Michael's friend, whom Michael had stayed with on the day of the incident, change their version of events, making the case hard to believe. Additionally, no semen sample was found, leaving no scientific evidence or eyewitness to link Michael to Sara's assault, causing the case to be open-and-closed.

Rajashekar argues that at the time of the incident, Michael was with his friends at a party in a different location. CCTV footage prove his alibi, shocking Vijayamohan. However, Vijayamohan discovers that the footage was edited by Rajashekar and that Michael had left his phone in the car of his driver to make it seem like he was there. Vijayamohan proves in the court that footage was edited and Rajashekar won many cases by presenting fake evidences. The magistrate debarres Rajashekar and Poornima takes her position as the defense lawyer. Media activists make the case go viral, leading to Michael's fiancée to break off their engagement. Enraged, Michael shows up at Sara's house again and threatens her to withdraw the case.

Sara's family, however, continue to fight the case. Witnesses who claimed to be with Michael at the time of the crime are disproven by Vijayamohan due to errors in their story. Vijayamohan is still unconvinced that this case can be won, as Sara has to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty, and the current eyewitnesses cannot do so. The sculpture, which was Sara's way of ‘sight’, is discredited, due to her father also being a skilled sculptor and possibly its creator. Vijayamohan convinces the judge to allow Sara to create another sculpture based on a random person in the courtroom to prove her skills. Rajashekar is picked and tries distracting her so that the sculpture is messed up. Nonetheless, Sara manages the create the sculpture perfectly, making an exact replica of Rajashekar. Michael is found guilty and given life imprisonment. Vijayamohan shocks everyone with his talent as a lawyer and Sara touches him, implying that she is going to make a sculpture and a replica of Vijayamohan, after which she walks out of the courtroom with no cover, refusing to be anonymous and gaining respect from the media around her (who refuse to film her) and the world.

Development
On 13 July 2023, producer Antony Perumbavoor officially announced an untitled film directed by Jeethu Joseph and starring Mohanlal. This project, with a working title Production No.33, signifies the 33rd production from Aashirvad Cinemas, with filming set to commence in August that year. It was reported that Mohanlal would complete his work in a single short schedule before the commencement of the filming of Prithviraj Sukumaran-directed L2: Empuraan, which was postponed due to Prithviraj's leg injury, allowing Mohanlal to engage in Neru.

The title was officially announced on 12 August with a moster featuring the tagline "seeking justice," along with the title presented in Braille inscription. Neru marks the fifth collaboration between Mohanlal and Jeethu. The film was authored by Santhi Mayadevi and Jeethu, with the former having previously collaborated with Jeethu as an actress in Drishyam 2. Jeethu conceived the story several years ago. Santhi, a professional lawyer, was initially hired by Jeethu to assist him in writing the court scenes in Drishyam 2. Impressed by her contributions, he invited her to co-write Neru. Jeethu shared the story with her on the set of Drishyam 2. She characterized the genre of the film as a "courtroom drama". Santhi explained that they approached the courtroom scenes in a more realistic manner, deviating from the dramatic courtrooms typically portrayed in films. According to Jeethu, his intention was to make an authentic courtroom drama that incorporates all technical procedures while maintaining a balance between dramatic elements and procedural tone. He said he was careful not to "stretch" the film with excessive realism. His objective was to offer a real courtroom experience to the majority of the audience who may not have encountered such a setting in real life.

Casting
Mohanlal plays a lawyer in the film. Priyamani was cast in an important female role. She joined the sets in September 2023. Anaswara Rajan was cast as Sara, a blind sculptor, around whom the story unfolds. Santhi Mayadevi, who initially had no plans to act in her own screenplay, eventually took on a role in the film at the invitation of Jeethu. The cast also includes Jagadish, K. B. Ganesh Kumar, Siddique, Aditi Ravi, Nandhu, Dinesh Prabhakar, Sankar Induchoodan, Mathew Varghese, Kalesh Ramanand, Ramadevi, Sreedhanya, Kalabhavan Jinto, Resmi Anil, and Prashant Nair.

Filming
Principal photography commenced on 17 August 2023, coinciding with the commencement of the Malayalam month of Chingam, considered an auspicious day. It began with a customary pooja function held at the Freemasons Club in Vazhuthacaud, Kerala. Subsequent filming took place in and around Thiruvananthapuram. Mohanlal joined the sets in Chitranjali Studio in early September. Filming was wrapped up on 4 October 2023. Satheesh Kurup was the cinematographer. Art director was Boban, while costumes were designed by Jeethu's wife Linta Jeethu.

Theatrical
Neru was released in theatres worldwide on 21 December 2023. According to the media, the slot, initially reserved for Mohanlal's directorial debut, Barroz, was reassigned to Neru due to delays in post-production. The film competed with other major Christmas releases, such as Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Dunki, and Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire.

Home media
The streaming rights of the film were acquired by Disney+ Hotstar. The film was premiered on Disney+ Hotstar from 23 January 2024.

Critical response
Neru opened to positive reviews from critics praising the cast performances (particularly Mohanlal, Anaswara Rajan and Siddique), screenplay and direction.

Anna Mathews of The Times of India gave 4.5 out of 5 stars and wrote that Mohanlal's and Siddique's David-Goliath battle "keeps viewers on the edge of their seats and emotional for the full 152-minute duration of the film. You will barely take your eyes off the screen" and noted that the film merits from its realistic story, "nonetheless, it is no less massy, and will appeal to all audiences". She also praised the cast, particularly Mohanlal's "superb subdued performance". Sajin Shrijith of The New Indian Express rated 3.5 out of 5 stars, describing it a "sensitive, insightful legal drama with an unwavering focus", acknowledging the makers for ensuring "Mohanlal's presence doesn't take the limelight away from Anaswara and the issues addressed". He singled out the performances of Mohanlal, Anaswara and Siddique, and praised the makers for exploring "various intricacies of the legal system" and its call for increased sensitivity from the public.

Sowmya Rajendran of Moneycontrol stated that "the screenplay is so fast-paced and the performances so superlative that Neru is almost always riveting even when it takes cinematic liberties". K. Janani of India Today gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Neru is a riveting courtroom drama that holds your attention throughout. And to have Mohanlal belting out dialogues on consent, women's rights and victim-shaming makes this film a worthy addition to the long list of women empowerment films." S. R. Praveen of The Hindu said the film "almost delivers a cathartic high" and that "Mohanlal is back to form with an understated performance, while Jeethu Joseph has found his mojo in this mostly riveting legal drama".

Nirmal Narayanan of International Business Times India commented that "Neru is not a fully-fledged commercial entertainer. But it is an emotional courtroom drama which will make you thrill until the credit starts rolling". He particularly praised the acting of Mohanlal and Anaswara, and the background score. Pavithra A. of The Week called it an "engaging courtroom drama" and concluded that "Jeethu Joseph's touch is evident throughout the film, reminding me of Drishyam and its sequel". She praised Mohanlal, Anaswara, and Siddique and rated 3 out of 5 stars. Rating 3 out of 5 stars, Cris from The News Minute described it a "poignant court drama" and added that "despite its amateurish setting, Neru becomes an important film with a few careful arguments, strongly worded and delivered by its key actors, from Mohanlal to Anaswara Rajan".

Swathi P. Ajith of Onmanorama wrote, "Neru is undeniably a satisfying and enjoyable watch, marking a successful return for Mohanlal in more serious roles. Witnessing Mohanlal portraying a lawyer and participating in thrilling courtroom debates for the case is truly refreshing." Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote that Mohanlal's performance makes the "150-minute runtime feel less prolonged. By fully immersing himself in the narrative and the filmmaker’s vision, Mohanlal avoids letting his star persona become a burden to the story. He adeptly portrays the role of Vijayamohan with precision, balancing the character’s vulnerability and abilities without overshadowing Vijayamohan’s ordinary nature".

Netizens pointed out that the film has similarities with the plot and climax scenes of Sketch Artist II: Hands That See, and that this is an inspired remake of it.

Box office
Neru collected ₹30 crore worldwide in 5 days of its release. It reached the ₹50 crore mark within 8 days of its release. The film crossed ₹60 crore globally in 11 days. The film grossed ₹75.25 crore on its 15th day with an overseas collection of ₹29.50 crore and a domestic gross of ₹45.75 crore. The film reached the ₹80 crore mark in 18 days. The film has grossed ₹84.50 crore worldwide by collecting ₹51.50 crore from India and ₹33 crore from overseas. In its final theatrical run, Neru grossed ₹85.30 worldwide.

Plagiarism allegations
The allegations arose when Deepu K Unni filed a case with the Kerala HC that Jeethu Joseph and Santhi Mayadevi had plagiarized the script that he had written. Deepu alleged that he had met Jeethu and Santhi and narrated the story.

There were reports that Neru is inspired by the film Sketch Artist II: Hands That See directed by Jack Sholder.

Sequels and spin-offs
In a pre-release promotional discussion in December 2023, Mohanlal, Jeethu, Santhi, and Antony disclosed that potential sequels to Neru might happen if the first film proves successful at the box office. These sequels would explore additional cases handled by advocate Vijayamohan. Mohanlal also mentioned the possibility of spin-offs centered around other characters.