Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol (2017)

Interesting facts

Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol is a 2017 Indian Malayalam-language domestic drama film directed by Jibu Jacob and written by M. Sindhuraj. It is loosely based on the Malayalam short story "Pranayopanishath" by V. J. James. Produced and distributed by Sophia Paul through Weekend Blockbusters, the film stars Mohanlal and Meena as panchayat secretary Ulahannan and his wife Annyamma. The soundtrack features songs composed by Bijibal and M. Jayachandran, and a film score by Bijibal. The film is about Ulahannan, a man having a midlife crisis, who rediscovers himself and overcomes boredom in his routine life.

Production

Mohanlal announced an untitled film through his Facebook page on 26 June 2015, to be produced by Sophia Paul for Weekend Blockbusters, written by M. Sindhuraj, and directed by Jibu Jacob. At that point, the project was in its initial phase of development and the script was incomplete. The screenplay is loosely based on the Malayalam short story '"Pranayopanishath" by V. J. James.

The film was in development since 2015. Paul had Mohanlal's dates for a project and was looking for a story. After hearing about it, she liked Sindhuraj's story. Mohanlal agreed, and the project was greenlit. Sindhuraj saw a potential film when he first read "Pranayopanishath" and expressed his interest to James in adapting it into a screenplay.

M. Jayachandran and Bijibal were signed as the film's composers, and Pramod K. Pillai as the cinematographer. Bijibal also composed the film's score. The film's title was announced in the middle of filming in September 2016. The title Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol (meaning: When the Grape Vines Sprout) was derived from the verses of the Song of Songs (Song of Solomon) in the Hebrew Bible.

Ulahannan, the leading character was tailor-made for Mohanlal. As of June 2015, the filmmakers were in the process of casting actors for other roles. For the female lead, Ulahannan's neglected homemaker wife, Sophia Paul wanted "a classy beauty" and Vidya Balan was her first choice. The synopsis impressed Balan, but she could not commit to the film due to scheduling conflicts.

In March 2016, Weekend Blockbusters released a cast list including (apart from Mohanlal and Meena): Biju Menon, Nedumudi Venu, Aju Varghese, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Kalabhavan Shajohn, and Sudheer Karamana. Biju Menon was said to be playing a government employee even though he, Nedumudi Venu and Aju Varghese were not part of the final cast. In June, Aima Rosmy Sebastian was confirmed in the role of Ulahannan's daughter, Jini, a class 12 student.

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