Thuramukham (2023 film)

Thuramukham is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language period drama film directed and filmed by Rajeev Ravi and written by Gopan Chidambaran. It is based on the play of the same name by K. M. Chidambaran, Gopan's father. The film stars Nivin Pauly, Indrajith Sukumaran, Joju George, Arjun Ashokan, Sudev Nair, Manikandan R. Achari, Senthil Krishna, Nimisha Sajayan, Poornima Indrajith, and Darshana Rajendran in prominent roles. It presents the harbor workers protest against the Chappa labor allocation system practiced during the 1940s and 50s in Cochin district of Kerala.

After multiple delays, Thuramukham was theatrically released on 10 March 2023.

Plot
The story is set in the backdrop of workers' struggles and protests against the infamous 'Chappa' system of casual labour allocation and the primitive "work guarantee" scheme that was practiced at the Mattancherry harbor in Kochi during the 1940s and 50s. Metal tokens called chappa were thrown into the waiting crowds of labourers who would fight for them. Whoever managed to get one would be given work for the day at the wharves or godowns. Protests against this system had resulted in the police shooting and the killing of three labourers. The story further revolves around two brothers on opposing sides on the day of labourers' epic struggle against dock bosses.

Cast

 * Nivin Pauly as Mattancherry Moidu
 * Indrajith Sukumaran as Santo Gopalan
 * Joju George as Mymoo, Moidu's father
 * Arjun Ashokan as Hamza, Moidu's brother
 * Darshana Rajendran as Khadeeja, Moidu's sister
 * Nimisha Sajayan as Umani, Moidu's wife
 * Poornima Indrajith as Moidu's mother
 * Sudev Nair as Pacheek
 * Manikandan R. Achari as Umboocha, Mymoo's friend
 * Senthil Krishna as Srank

Production
The principal photography of the film was completed in January 2020 but the release was delayed for a long time due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

Theatrical
Thuramukham was scheduled for worldwide theatrical release in summer 2021 but was postponed due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Kerala. The film was later scheduled to be released on 10 December 2021, but was postponed again, to avoid the clash with Mohanlal starrer Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham which released on 2 December 2021. Later, the film was announced to be released on 24 December 2021 during the festival time of Christmas but was again postponed. The film was postponed yet again after being scheduled to be released on 7 January 2022. The film was finally released in theatres on 10 March 2023.

Marketing
On 13 May 2021, the makers released the first teaser trailer.

Music
The film features songs and background score composed by K and Shahabaz Aman.

Reception
Anna Mathews, a critic of The Times of India, gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote that "Director Rajeev Ravi infuses his usual atmospheric heft to the film". Anandu Suresh, critic of The New Indian Express, stated that "But for those who enjoy the slow pace, this movie is unquestionably a gem", and gave 4 out 5 stars. The Hindu critic S.R.Praveen wrote that "Rajeev Ravi’s film is an important document of the struggles to unionise for rights". Firstpost critic wrote that "Thuramukham is, nevertheless, significant for playing spoilsport in a world where it is the eternal goal of oppressors to ensure that their stories are never told by those with empathy for the oppressed", and gave 2.75 rating out of 5. Princy Alexander, critic of Onmanorama, stated that "The narration is slow-paced and jerky at times." The Quint critic gave 3 stars out of 5, in a review headlined "Rajeev Ravi & Nivin Pauly Mount a Strong Film on Communism". OTTplay critic gave 3.5 out of 5 and wrote that "The powerful performances and the electrifying ending make it an engrossing watch."