Enthada Saji
 | This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. (June 2023) |
| Enthada Saji | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Godfy Xavier Babu |
| Story by | Godfy Xavier Babu |
| Produced by | Listin Stephen |
| Starring | |
| Edited by | Ratheesh Raj |
| Music by | William Francis |
Production company | Magic Frames |
Release date |
|
Running time | 123 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Budget | 3 crore |
Enthada Saji (transl. What's up Saji) is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language fantasy comedy film written and directed by Godfy Xavier Babu and featuring Nivetha Thomas in the title role, with Kunchacko Boban and Jayasurya in lead roles. It is produced by Listin Stephen under the banner of Magic Frames. This film marks the return of Nivetha Thomas in Malayalam film after 9 years hiatus.
Plot
Sajimol is a lazy and spoiled kid who is often teased about not being married. One day, after praying in the chapel she hears Saint Roch and can talk to him by his statue. She requests him to come face to face to meet him, but he keeps a condition in front of her that she should attend daily mass. As told, Sajimol does the same and comes face to face in front of Saint Roch. She meets and talks with him daily, and he helps her change her life. She then helps a stray dog and adopts it. She then finds her old crush Roy who came back to Kerala and falls in love with him. Saint Roch even promises that he will help so that her marriage can be done without obstacles. Later, Sajimol proposes to Roy in the cemetery, and Roy accepts it. Everything goes happily until one day when she finds the statue stolen and informs the people. Sadly, no one was bothered about it as they knew there was nothing on the statue which was expensive and decided to buy a new one.
The church donates money for the statue, but it is used illegally and divided by its members. Cleetus's son gives money to buy the statue so that his name may come on the statue. Sajimol finds out this statue does not speak to her and decides to find the old one with her friend Minimol. Saint Roch tells him in a dream that her adopted dog is his dog. She sees that her dog is missing and finds it. She reads the Bible to find clues to Saint Roch. She reaches an abandoned house where she finds the statue. But it is stolen again. Sajimol chases them with the cycle and gets the statue back. The chapel gifts the statue to Sajimol for finding and getting it back. A few months later, Sajimol marries Roy.
Cast
- Nivetha Thomas as Sajimol Thomas
- Kunchacko Boban as Saint Rocky
- Jayasurya as Roy Augustine
- Prayaga Martin as Annie
- Senthil Krishna as Vishnu "Minnal"
- Rajesh Sharma as Maliyekkal Thomas, Sajimol's father
- Sidhartha Siva as Priest
- Arya Rohit as Minimol
- Prem Prakash as Puthenpurayil Augustine, Roy's father
- Sreejith Ravi as Cleetus
- Baiju Ezhupunna as Puthenpurayil Kunjukunju, Augustine's younger brother
- Benny P Nayarambalam as the Parish Clerk
Production
Development
Kunchacko Boban, Jayasurya, and Nivetha Thomas were finalized in the film in 2022.The film started shooting on 1 April 2022 and wrapped on 24 May 2022. The First Look poster was released on 5 November 2022.
Filming
Principal photography started on 1 April 2022.[1] The film is the director's debut.[2] The trailer was released on 6 April 2023.[3] It received mixed reviews and opened in theatres on 8 April 2023.[4]
Music
The soundtrack album for Enthada Saji was composed by William Francis and the original background score by Jakes Bejoy. Neehaaram and Athmavil, Doorangal were composed by William Francis.
Reception
Vignesh Madhu critic of Cinema Express wrote that "Watching Enthada Saji feels like attending a prayer session as the makers indulge in plenty of preachiness, told mostly through Bible verses." and gave 2.25 star out of 5.[5] Sanjith Sidhardhan critic of OTTplay gave 3 out of 5 and stated that "Simple and pleasing, Enthada Saji is elevated by some warm moments and delightful performances of its cast".[6] The Mathrubhumi gave it a mixed review.[7]
Release
Theatrical
The film was released in theatres on 7 April 2023.
Home media
The digital streaming rights of Enthada Saji were sold to Amazon Prime Video.
References
- ^ "Shoot begins for Kunchacko Boban-Jayasurya film Enthada Saji". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 2023-04-12. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
- ^ "Kunchacko Boban - Jayasurya starrer 'Enthada Saji' starts rolling". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 2023-03-31. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
- ^ "Kunchacko Boban as St. Rocky; watch the trailer for 'Enthada Saji'". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 2023-04-11. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
- ^ "Jayasurya-Kunchacko Boban film Enthada Saji censored". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
- ^ "Enthada Saji Movie Review: Only real divine intervention could've saved this film". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 2023-04-12. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
- ^ "Enthada Saji review: Nivetha Thomas' feel-good film is a passable Easter treat". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 2023-04-15. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
- ^ "അലസയായ സജിക്ക് ഉത്തരവാദിത്തബോധം വന്നതെങ്ങനെ? ഈ പുണ്യാളൻ തരും അതിനുള്ള ഉത്തരം| Enthada Saji Review". Mathrubhumi. 2023-04-10. Archived from the original on 2023-04-12. Retrieved 2023-04-12.