2018 (film)

2018 (also known as 2018: Everyone is a Hero) is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language survival drama film based on the severe 2018 Kerala floods that devastated Kerala.[8][9] It is directed by Jude Anthany Joseph, who wrote the screenplay with Akhil P. Dharmajan, and stars Tovino Thomas, Kunchacko Boban, Asif Ali, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Narain and Lal with an ensemble supporting cast.[10][11][12]

2018
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJude Anthany Joseph
Written by
  • Jude Anthany Joseph
  • Akhil P. Dharmajan
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyAkhil George
Edited byChaman Chakko
Music by
  • Songs:
  • Nobin Paul
  • William Francis
  • Background Score:
  • Nobin Paul
Production
companies
  • Kavya Film Company
  • PK Prime Production
Distributed byKavya Film Company
Release date
  • 5 May 2023 (2023-05-05)[1]
Running time
148 minutes[2]
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam
Budget₹20–30 crore[3][4]
Box officeest. ₹176–200 crore[5][6][7]

The film was announced on 16 October 2018 by Jude Anthany Joseph. Principal photography commenced on 27 May 2022. The film was shot in different parts of Kerala, as well as Tirunelveli and Hyderabad. The filming was wrapped up on 13 November 2022.

Initially set to release on 21 April 2023, it eventually released on 5 May 2023. It grossed over ₹2 billion (US$25 million)[13] at the box office, to emerge as the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all-time and one of the highest grossing Indian film of 2023.[14][15] On 27 September 2023, the film was chosen by the Film Federation of India as the Indian entry for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.[16][17][18]

Plot

Anoop, a former military officer who withdrew from service due to the trauma of witnessing soldiers' deaths in combat, is currently employed at a small store owned by the visually impaired Bhasi. Anoop's affection is directed towards Manju, a teacher who recently joined the local government school. The two are contemplating marriage. Anoop aspires to travel to Dubai and enlists the help of his friend Rameshan to secure a visa.

Rameshan is entangled in personal turmoil, as his marriage is on the rocks, but he has kept this situation hidden from his mother. His wife is presently living with her parents. Meanwhile, the tale introduces Sethupathi, a truck driver hailing from a drought-stricken village in Tamil Nadu. His encounter with a television reporter named Noora, who is covering the water scarcity crisis in his region, leads to a fateful incident. Noora's subsequent journey brings her to Kerala, where her family faces health challenges, including her mother's hospitalization.

A series of events unfold as tensions rise among a group of protestors, dissatisfied with media coverage of their cause. This discontent escalates to a violent plan involving explosives, prompting the involvement of Sethupathi, tasked with transporting the materials. The story also follows the trajectory of Shaji, a government officer overseeing disaster management, who grapples with missing fishermen following a severe storm at sea.

Mathachan, a fisherman, and his family play a significant role, in rescuing lost fishermen and engaging in family conflicts. Nixon, Mathachan's son, defies his family's fishing heritage and pursues a modeling career, leading to complications in his romantic relationship with Jiji, the daughter of a businessman named Chandy. However, Nixon returns to help his family when the floods hit, overcoming his differences with his father. Rameshan's family troubles intensify, prompting him to return to Kerala, while Anoop's plans for his impending wedding are disrupted by the onset of heavy rainfall and floods.

The floods devastate the region, causing widespread chaos. Various characters, including Shaji, Anoop, and Sethupathi, become involved in rescue efforts. Mathachan and his son Winston employ their boats to aid stranded villagers, while Anoop constructs a makeshift bamboo boat to contribute to the relief efforts. Tragedy strikes when Mathachan loses his life during a rescue operation.

The story further explores Sethupathi's transformation, as he abandons his initial intentions and contributes to relief efforts by delivering groceries. Koshy, a taxi driver assigned to show a Polish couple around the city, finds himself trapped by the floods. He and the Polish couple seek refuge in Anoop's house.

Anoop's heroic acts extend to aiding Air Force officers in saving a pregnant woman and attempting to rescue a distressed family. He also saves the blind shopkeeper Bhasi, who was stuck at his house. Anoop calls out to Bhasi and manages to save him. Unfortunately, Anoop's own life is claimed by the floodwaters while saving others, leaving a legacy of selflessness. As the floodwaters recede, the community honors Anoop's sacrifices by erecting a monument in his memory. The narrative concludes with a poignant scene involving Bhasi, the blind shopkeeper, the pregnant woman, and her daughter, highlighting the enduring impact of Anoop's actions.

Cast

Production

The film was officially announced in September 2018 with the initial title 2403 Ft.: The Story Of Unexpected Heroes, which was later changed to the current title.[19]

Filming

Principal photography started on 27 May 2022. Locations span across different parts of Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Idukki, and Kollam districts. Tirunelveli and Hyderabad were significant locations outside Kerala. The major shooting was done in a 15-acre film set situated in Maravanthuruthu near Vaikom.[20] The flood sequences were shot entirely using practical effects. The decision to have real water to depict the flood was made because of financial restrictions in Malayalam cinema on using high-quality graphics. The scene showing a flooded Aluva river was shot in August 2022, where the Aluva river overflooded during that time, and the shots showing actors walking on floodwaters were actually filmed.[21] The scenes, including the helicopter sequences were created utilising construction sets. The airlift scene was shot over a span of eight nights. The filming was completed on 13 November 2022.[22]

Release

Theatrical

Originally scheduled for release on 21 April 2023, the film was postponed and subsequently released on 5 May 2023 in Kerala.[23][24] The Hindi, Tamil and Telugu dubbed versions were released on 26 May 2023.[25] Anand Pandit released the Hindi dubbed version, which was distributed by E4 Entertainment.[26][27] The Telugu dubbed version was released by Bunny Vas of GA2 Pictures.[28][29]

Home Media

SonyLIV obtained the digital rights and began streaming it on 7 June 2023.[30][31] Apart from Malayalam, it was dubbed into Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi.[32]

Music

The soundtrack and background score were composed by Nobin Paul along with William Francis.[33] The first song "Minnal Minnane" was released on 2 May 2023, three days before the film's release.[34][35]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicSinger(s)Length
1."Minnal Minnane"Joe PaulWilliam FrancisShankar Mahadevan1:57
2."Venmegham"Joe PaulNobin PaulK . S Harisankar3:15
3."Innithile"Joe PaulNobin PaulEzma Nobin, Madhuri Seshadri3:21
4."Uyirayi Maarave"Joe PaulNobin PaulK . S Harisankar1:19
5."Save Me" Nobin PaulKashyap Rammohan, Ezra Nobin, Shubhangini1:38
Total length:11:31

Reception

Box office

2018 was a commercial success at the box office, grossing over ₹200 crore (US$25 million) globally, thereby becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time.[7][36] The film collected over ₹32 crore on its fourth day.[37] The telugu version released in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana grossed over ₹5.47 crore on its fourth day.[38][39] The film grossed over ₹50 crore (US$6.3 million) within one week of its release.[40] It also became the fastest Malayalam film to earn ₹100 crore (US$13 million).[14][41] The film has reportedly collected ₹1 crore from Aries Plex Trivandrum.[42] On its 17th day it grossed over ₹137.6 crore (US$17 million) with ₹65 crore from Kerala and ₹9 crore from other states.[43] On its 22nd day, it reached the mark ₹150 crore (US$19 million) grossing over ₹75 crore from Kerala State and ₹65 crore from overseas.[44] The film reportedly had a successful run in Karnataka.[45] The film grossed ₹87 crore from Kerala alone making it the first Malayalam film to achieve the feat.[46]

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 100% based on 5 reviews, with an average rating of 6.3/10.[47]

Gopika Is of The Times of India praised the songs and the background scores, gave a rating of 4 out of 5 stars and wrote "The quality of the writing shows and Akhil P. Dharmajan and Jude has done a commendable job. Cinematography by Akhil George needs special mention. Add Chaman Chacko's editing and quality VFX, the movie is a good watch."[48] Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave 4 out of 5 stars and wrote "The makers quickly establish that rain is a pervasive and influential character in the movie."[49]

Janani K. of India Today gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Director Jude Anthany Joseph's 2018 is a film that reminds us of the Kerala floods. It is also a reminder that humanity still exists and how solidarity matters when survival is in question."[50] Jose K. George of The Week gave 3.5 out of 5 stars, praising the cast's performance particularly Tovino Thomas, Sudheesh and Kalaiyarasan and wrote "The movie's tagline says it all. This isn't the story of extraordinary people; this is the story of, and tribute to, ordinary people who became extraordinary because of their willingness to risk their lives for total strangers."[51]

Sanjith Sidhardhan of OTTPlay gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Aided by a gripping storyline and stirring moments, Jude Anthany Joseph's 2018 tells the story of hope and resilience, and serves as a reminder of how the Kerala floods was a great leveller."[52] Telangana Today wrote "2018 is a must-watch film for its engaging narration and superior technical standards. One cannot miss this best presentation of humanity on the big screen."[53] S. R. Praveen of The Hindu noted "Jude Anthany Joseph's technically solid recreation of the floods is a message of unity too."[54]

Princy Alexander of Onmanorama wrote "Jude Anthany Joseph's '2018: Everyone is a Hero' is a well-balanced film that will leave you satisfied, and keep you engaged till the end."[55] Anna M. M. Vetticad of Firstpost rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, stating that "This is definitely not the sort of film that has the intellect to treat with empathy a man's desire to rise above his family's station in life even while judging him for being judgmental towards them."[56]

See also

References
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