| Classmates | |
|---|---|
&sq=Albert Einstein&lang=en&file=File:Classmates_(film).jpg) DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Lal Jose |
| Written by | James Albert |
| Story by | James Albert |
| Produced by | Prakash Damodaran P. K. Muralidharan |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Rajeev Ravi |
| Edited by | Ranjan Abraham |
| Music by | Alex Paul |
Production company | Arya Films |
| Distributed by | Lal Release |
Release date |
|
Running time | 150 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Budget | 2.02 crores |
Classmates is a 2006 Indian Malayalam-language coming-of-age romantic comedy-drama film directed by Lal Jose and written by James Albert. The film features an ensemble cast including Prithviraj Sukumaran, Narain, Jayasurya, Indrajith Sukumaran, Radhika and Kavya Madhavan.[1][2] The story revolves around a college graduate class of 1991. In 2006, working in different corners of the world, the friends get together for a class reunion to revive the joy and laughter of their college days. On the night of the reunion, one of the students is almost murdered and goes into a coma.[3]
Classmates was produced by Prakash Damodaran and P. K. Muralidharan through their company Arya Films, and is the company's debut production. The soundtrack album and background score were composed by Alex Paul. Classmates' cinematography was handled by Rajeev Ravi and editing was done by Ranjan Abraham. Principal photography primarily took place in and around C. M. S. College, Kottayam and Ooty and was completed in a span of 55 days, during the months of April and May.[4]
The film was released on 25 August 2006 during Onam holiday period. The film became a major box office success, with a theatrical run of 150 days at Abhilash Complex, Kottayam. It became the highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2006.[citation needed] The film won two Kerala State Film Awards, five Kerala Film Critics Association Awards and three Asianet Film Awards. It was later remade into Tamil as Ninaithale Inikkum and in Telugu and Marathi as Classmates (2007) and Classmates (2015), respectively.
Classmates has since become one of the most acclaimed films of its decade, particularly for its soundtrack. It is considered by many critics as one of the best campus films in Malayalam cinema.[5] The film developed a cult following in the years after its release and is frequently referenced in popular Keralite culture.[6] With the release of film, the concept of alumni meet started trending in Kerala, and schools and colleges started organising such get togethers to help the ex-students keep in touch with each other.[7] The film is now regarded as a classic in Malayalam cinema.[8][9][10]
- ^ "The Hindu : Metro Plus Thiruvananthapuram : Cinema is my life: Lal Jose". Archived from the original on 27 June 2009. Retrieved 6 March 2009.
- ^ "Yen for innovation". The Hindu. 2 November 2007 – via www.thehindu.com.
- ^ "Classmates Malayalam Movie Preview cinema review stills gallery trailer video clips showtimes - IndiaGlitz.com". Archived from the original on 27 June 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2009.
- ^ "Classmates on a faster track". movies.bizhat.com. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ "Balachandra Menon turns nostalgic as 'Classmates' is about to clock 15 - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ "'Classmates' - Best campus movies". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ James, Anu (25 August 2016). "10 years of 'Classmates': Why it still remains an evergreen Malayalam movie?". www.ibtimes.co.in. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ "'Classmates,' a trendsetter". The Hindu. 29 September 2006 – via www.thehindu.com.
- ^ "10 years of 'Classmates': A Lal Jose classic". www.onmanorama.com. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ "Vanitha awards Mammootty and Padmapriya - News". IndiaGlitz.com. 19 February 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2023.