The trailer launch coincided with the 91st birthday of Jnanpith Award winner MT Vasudevan Nair, who wrote the script for the Malayalam anthology series helmed by eight legendary filmmakers.
Published Jul 16, 2024 | 11:49 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 18, 2024 | 1:24 PM
'Manorathangal' Malayalam anthology series trailer out. (Supplied)
Manorathangal, an anthology series of nine stories featuring nine superstars and helmed by eight legendary directors, will be streamed on the ZEE5 from 15 August. The makers launched the official trailer of the anthology series in Kochi on Monday, 15 July.
The trailer launch coincided with the 91st birthday of Jnanpith Award winner MT Vasudevan Nair, who wrote the script for Manorathangal.
Manorathangal trailer begins with Kamal Hassan saying “MT Vasudevan Nair is the definition of modernity in Malayalam literature.” And then, the trailer gives us a glimpse into different stories.
Mammootty, Mohanlal, Fahadh Faasil, Madhoo, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Aparna Balamurali, Nadhiya, Ishit Yamini, Ann Augustine, Durga Krishna, Indrajith Sukumaran, Asif Ali, Biju Menon, Indrans, and Siddique acted in the anthology series.
Interestingly, Mohanlal’s story has been shot in Black-and-White format. Mammootty is shown constantly travelling. The trailer initially captures the happy moments in the lives of the protagonists and then turns serious as they face various challenges.
The anthology series was directed by Priyadarshan (Ollavum Theeravum and Shilalikhatam), Ranjith (Kadugannava Oru Yathra), Shyamaprasad (Kazhcha), MT’s daughter Aswathy V Nair (Vilpana), Mahesh Narayanan (Sherlock), Jayarajan Nair (Swargam Thurakkunna Samayam), Santosh Sivan (Abhyam Theedi Vendum), and Rathish Ambat (Kadalkkattu).
Manorathangal was produced by Vikram Mehra, Siddharth Anand Kumar, Rohandeep Singh, Rajesh Kejriwal, and Jay Pandya. The Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi versions will also be released simultaneously on ZEE5.
Team Manorathangal celebrated MT Vasudevan Nair’s 91st birthday by cutting a cake.
Addressing the gathering, Kamal Hasan said Manorathangal was more than just a collection of stories. “It is a tribute to MT sir’s outstanding storytelling abilities and the rich culture of Malayalam cinema. Each story in the anthology is a thorough examination of the human condition, diving into the intricacies and contradictions that define us as individuals.”
Mammootty, who worked with the legendary writer in many films, said, “Anthologies like Manorathangal are quite rare in Malayalam and this will be a remarkable project in the industry.” The senior actor praised MT Vasudevan Nair for being updated, upgraded, and aware of the happenings across the world. Citing an example, Mammootty said despite the generation gap, his daughter likes reading the books gifted by the writer.
MT Vasudevan Nair’s birthday was celebrated at the trailer launch. (Supplied)
He also revealed that he and director Ranjith planned to do a full-length film and it (Kadugannava Oru Yathra) was now part of the anthology series. “It is a story that will touch hearts with its profound narrative and emotional depth. Manorathangal is a masterpiece, and I am proud to contribute to this remarkable celebration of MT sir’s legacy.”
Mohanlal sent birthday wishes to veteran filmmaker MT Vasudevan Nair through a video message. He observed that Manorathangal is a celebration of MT Vasudevan Nair’s incredible legacy, which shaped and inspired generations of storytellers and artists.
“Working on Ollavum Theeravum under the direction of Priyadarshan has been a truly remarkable experience for me. The story captures the essence of human emotions and relationships, set against the beautiful and culturally rich backdrop of Kerala.”
Priyadarshan, who made 97 films until now, said he always wanted to direct a film written by MT Vasudevan, which turned into a reality with the Manorathangal anthology series, where helmed two stories.
The filmmaker pointed out that MT Vasudevan Nair’s scripts were masterpieces that delved into the intricate nuances of human nature. “Bringing his vision to the screen is both a responsibility and a joy. This anthology is a collective effort of the greatest talents in our industry, each contributing their unique voice to create a mosaic of stories that are deeply human and universally relatable.”
Unveiling the trailer, the makers said Manorathangal was the biggest anthology series ever made that showcased the timeless stories of the legendary MT Vasudevan Nair.
ZEE5 India Chief Business Officer Manish Kalra said Manorathangal brings together an unprecedented array of Malayalam cinema’s finest talents under one roof. “This anthology not only celebrates MT sir’s brilliance but also showcases the exceptional creativity of Malayalam cinema.”
(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
