SonyLIV has been acquiring an extraordinary library of Malayalam originals during the pandemic phase, but started falling back in content shortly. Some of the Malayalam language titles they’ve acquired this year barring Aavasavyuham and Puzhu were down-right terrible. Understandably, the streaming giant started cutting down on promotions too. But it seems like the streaming platform went wrong in the way they under-marketed a potentially good film ‘Appan’.
This Malayalam language crime drama started streaming on SonyLIV without any furore and uproar. Surprisingly, things changed when Appan started gaining exceptional reviews from the target audience. The reviews were all praises for the film and Alencier’s performance in particular. Early reviews also claim the film to be a neatly done dissection of patriarchy.
Considering the genre of the film, Appan had and still has chances to crossover and reach more number of people. Looking at the reception coming its way, SonyLIV should ideally amp up its promotional activities for Appan. It’s unarguably disappointing that the film hasn’t fully reached Malayalam speaking audience either. Small films always need that marketing push from the streamer’s end for that extra reach. The reach smaller films like ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’ and ‘Helen’ achieved can be repeated only if the streamers choose to push the films to a larger audience.
Appan follows Njoonju a rubber tapper who lives with his father, mother, wife and his son in a small village. His father Ittyachan is a cruel womaniser who harasses, abuses and tortures his wife, Kuttyamma and Njoonju. All his family members await for his death. The villagers who had bitter experiences with him in the past fetches plans to murder him. On a Christmas evening, an ugly brawl unravels and a string of crime happens.
Co-written and directed by Maju and jointly produced by Josekutty Madathil, Appan is produced under the banners of Sunny Wayne Productions and Tiny Hands Productions.The film stars Sunny Wayne, Ananya, Alencier, Grace Antony and Pauly Valsan in major roles. Appan is streaming on SonyLIV.