{{Short description|2023 Indian film by Ganesh Raj}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2024}} {{Infobox film | name = Pookkaalam | image = Pookkaalamfilm.jpeg | alt = | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Ganesh Raj | producer = {{Ubl | Thomas Thiruvalla | Vinod Shornur}} | writer = | screenplay = Ganesh Raj | story = | based_on = | starring = {{Ubl | Vijayaraghavan | Basil Joseph | Vineeth Sreenivasan | K. P. A. C. Leela }} | narrator = | music = Sachin Warrier<ref>{{cite web |script-title=ml:പ്രേക്ഷകമനസ്സിൽ പൂക്കാലം തീർത്ത് പാട്ട്; കൈതപ്രത്തിന്റെ വരികള്ക്ക് സച്ചിൻ വാരിയറുടെ ഈണം |language=ml |trans-title=The song fills the minds of the audience; Sachin Warrier's tune to kaithapram's lyrics |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/music/music-news/2023/03/18/manasilum-pookkaalam-song-from-the-movie-pookkaalam.html |publisher=Manoramaonline.com |access-date=24 March 2023 |date=18 March 2023}}</ref> | editing = Midhun Murali | cinematography = Anend C. Chandran | studio = {{Ubl | CNC Cinemas | Thomas Thiruvalla Films}} | distributor = | released = {{Film date|2023|04|8|df=y|ref1=<ref name=date>{{cite web |script-title=ml:തിയേറ്ററുകളിൽ ഇനി 'പൂക്കാലം'; 'ആനന്ദ'ത്തിന് ശേഷം ഗണേഷ് രാജ് ഒരുക്കുന്ന ചിത്രം റിലീസിനൊരുങ്ങുന്നു |language=ml |trans-title='Pookalam' to hit theatres; After 'Ananda', Ganesh Raj's film is gearing up for release |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/vijayaraghavan-in-pookalam-movie-release-date-announced-1.8425487 |publisher=Mathrubhumi |access-date=28 March 2023 |date=26 March 2023}}</ref>}} | runtime = | country = India | language = Malayalam | budget = | gross = }}
'''''Pookkaalam''''' ({{Translation|Spring}}) is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film written and directed by Ganesh Raj. It stars Vijayaraghavan as a 100-year-old man, with K. P. A. C. Leela paired opposite him.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=ml:പ്രേക്ഷകമനസ്സിലൊരു പൂക്കാലം തീർത്ത് 'പൂക്കാലം' ആദ്യ വീഡിയോ ഗാനം പുറത്ത് |language=ml |trans-title=The first video song of 'Pookkalam' is out. |url=https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment-news/actor-vijayaraghavan-starrer-new-film-pookkaalam-song-out-hrk-rrpg0j |publisher=Asianet News |access-date=24 March 2023 |date=18 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |script-title=ml:'ആനന്ദ'ത്തിന് ശേഷം 'പൂക്കാല'വുമായി ഗണേഷ് രാജ് |language=ml |trans-title=After 'Ananda', Ganesh Raj to come up with 'Pookkala' |url=https://malayalam.samayam.com/malayalam-cinema/movie-news/director-ganesh-rajs-next-after-aanandam-film-titled-as-pookkalam/articleshow/92285566.cms |publisher=Samayam |access-date=24 March 2023 |date=17 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Malayalam Director Ganesh Raj Reveals First Look of His Next Film Pookkaalam |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/malayalam-director-ganesh-raj-reveals-first-look-of-his-next-film-pookkaalam-5398879.html |publisher=News 18 |access-date=24 March 2023 |date=18 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title='Pookkaalam' to arrive this summer! |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/pookkaalam-to-arrive-this-summer/articleshow/98517140.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=24 March 2023 |date=9 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=First-look poster of Pookkaalam is out |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/mar/05/the-first-look-poster-of-pookkaalam-is-out-40668.html |publisher=Cinema Express |access-date=24 March 2023 |date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
''Pookkaalam'' was released on 8 April 2023.<ref name="date" /><ref>{{cite web |script-title=ml:വിജയരാഘവൻ 100 വയസ്സുകാരനായി അഭിനയിക്കുന്ന 'പൂക്കാലം' റിലീസ് പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു |language=ml |trans-title=Pookkalam {{!}} Vijayaraghavan's 'Pookkalam' release announced as a 100-year-old |url=https://malayalam.news18.com/news/film/movies-release-date-for-the-movie-pookkalam-starring-vijayaraghavan-mm-591965.html |publisher=News 18 |access-date=28 March 2023 |date=27 March 2023}}</ref> It was featured at the 54th IFFI Indian Panorama section.<ref name="pib:ip">{{Cite news|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1970040|title=Indian Panorama 2023 Announces Official Selection for 54th IFFI, 2023|date=23 October 2023|access-date=21 November 2023|publisher=Press Information Bureau|via=press release}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2023/04/08/pookkaalam-audience-review.html | title=തിയറ്ററുകളിൽ പൂത്തുലഞ്ഞ് 'പൂക്കാലം'; പ്രേക്ഷക പ്രതികരണം }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/vijayaraghavan-starrer-pookkaalam-gets-an-ott-release-date/articleshow/100323066.cms | title=Vijayaraghavan starrer 'Pookkaalam' gets an OTT release date | newspaper=The Times of India | date=18 May 2023 }}</ref>
== Plot == {{Expand section|date=October 2023}} ''Pookkaalam'' is the story of the lives of Ittoop and Kochu Thresiamma and the people surrounding them.
== Cast == * Vijayaraghavan as Ittoop * Basil Joseph as Advocate Jikkumon * Vineeth Sreenivasan as Judge Ravi * K. P. A. C. Leela as Maya Thattakathu Kochu Thresiamma, Ittoop's wife ** Nandini Gopalakrishnan as young Kochu Thresiamma * Roshan Mathew as Johnnymon, Ittoop's eldest son * Sarasa Balussery as Alamma, Ittoop's eldest daughter * Suhasini Maniratnam as Clara, Ittoop's second daughter ** Noila Francy as young Clara * Radha Gomathy as Rosamma, Ittoop's third daughter * Ganga Meera as Elsamma, Ittoop's youngest daughter * Jagadish as Puthanveetil Kochousepp * Johny Antony as Advocate Narayanan Pillai * Annu Antony as Elsi, Elsamma's daughter * Arun Kurian as Susheel, Elsi's fiancé * Abu Salim as Venu, Elsamma's husband * V. Suresh Thampanoor as Xavier * Sarath Sabha as Father Gabriel, Elsamma's son * Amal Raj and Kamal Raj as Michael and Angelo * Kavya and Navya as Dinsy and Donna * Arun Ajikumar as Guinness * Kanakalatha as Susheel's mother * Harish Pengan as Kochousepp's son * Kochu Preman as the sexton * Ranjini Haridas as the astrologer * Shebin Benson as K. C. Unnikrishnan * Gilu Joseph as Narayanan Pillai's wife * Honey Rose as herself * Anjali Thachillath as Adv. Anjali
==Production== After his debut film ''Aanandam'', director Ganesh Raj took 4 years to complete the script of Pookkaalam,<ref name=gr/> and he penned a note as "Pookkaalam... The season of growth, change, and Love" along with the first look poster.<ref>{{cite web |title='Pookkaalam': 'Aanandam' director Ganesh Raj's next is all about the season of growth, change, and pure love |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/pookkaalam-aanandam-director-ganesh-rajs-next-is-all-about-the-season-of-growth-change-and-pure-love/articleshow/92273151.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=24 March 2023 |date=17 June 2022}}</ref> This film was bankrolled by Vinod Shornur for CNC Cinemas in association with Thomas Thiruvalla's Thomas Thiruvalla Films.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/its-a-wrap-for-pookkaalam/articleshow/96244807.cms |title=It's a wrap for 'Pookkaalam' |date=15 December 2022 |newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/pookkaalam-to-arrive-this-summer/articleshow/98517140.cms |title='Pookkaalam' to arrive this summer! |newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/pookkaalam-aanandam-director-ganesh-rajs-next-is-all-about-the-season-of-growth-change-and-pure-love/articleshow/92273151.cms |title='Pookkaalam': 'Aanandam' director Ganesh Raj's next is all about the season of growth, change, and pure love |newspaper=The Times of India |date=17 June 2022}}</ref> Sachin Warrier was signed to provide the music and background score of the film.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/basil-s-kadin-kadorame-andakadaham-release-eid-174853 |title=Basil's Kadin Kadorame Andakadaham to release for Eid |date=21 March 2023 |website=The News Minute}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://theprimetime.in/manasilum-pookkaalam-movie-lyrical-video/ |title=Manasilum Pookkaalam Movie Lyrical video |first=Revathy |last=Anil |date=18 March 2023 | publisher=Prime Time | accessdate=11 February 2024}}</ref> Actress Honey Rose also plays a cameo role.<ref>{{cite web |title=At Bakery Inauguration In Vijayawada, Actress Honey Rose Expresses Thoughts On Marriage |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/at-bakery-inauguration-in-vijayawada-actress-honey-rose-expresses-thoughts-on-marriage-7393249.html |publisher=News 18 |access-date=28 March 2023 |date=27 March 2023}}</ref>
Principal photography started on 13 April 2022. The filming wrapped up on 14 December after 37 days of shooting.<ref name="gr">{{cite news |title=It's a wrap for Ganesh Raj's 'Pookkaalam' |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2022/dec/16/its-a-wrap-for-ganesh-rajs-pookkaalam-2528826.html |access-date=24 March 2023 |website=The New Indian Express |date=16 December 2022}}</ref>
==Reception== ===Critical reception=== Princy Alexander of ''Onmanorama'' noted that the film is "a fresh take" on elderly couple relationships and compared the film to ''Oru Cheru Punchiri'', and wrote: "Though the movie dwells on a serious subject like a marital discord, Ganesh Raj's 'Pookkaalam' is not a tear-jerker. Instead, he relies on the youthful vibrancy that was the pillar of his earlier work to narrate this film, too. … Despite the good performances, the weak dialogues and the failure to explore some of the characters further affect the film, which is otherwise an interesting family drama."<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 April 2023 |access-date=12 August 2025 |title=Movie Review: 'Pookkaalam' - a feel-good film revolving around a 100-year-old man|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2023/04/08/pookkaalam-movie-vijayaraghavan-ganesh-raj-review.html |website=Onmanorama |language=en}}</ref> Sajin Shriijth of ''Cinema Express'' gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote: "Despite some of its rough edges, Pookkaalam is what I would call a wholesome family entertainer ideal for the holidays. There are places where the exaggerated acting from Basil Joseph, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Johny Antony, and others doesn't land, but their presence also makes Pookkaalam lively when necessary. In a way, they remind us of some of our family members. We don't always like what they do, but we can't live without them either."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shriijth |first=Sajin |date=9 April 2023|title=Pookkaalam movie review: A wholesome family entertainer designed to lift your spirits |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/review/2023/Apr/09/pookkaalam-movie-review-a-wholesome-family-entertainer-designed-to-lift-your-spirits-42118.html |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref>
==Awards== === National Film Awards === * '''71st National Film Awards''' <ref>{{Cite web |title=71st National Film Awards announced {{!}} Who won Best Actor, Best Film, and more? |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/71st-national-film-awards-announced-bb9jti7e |access-date=2025-08-01 |website=Mathrubhumi News |language=en}}</ref> (presented in August 2025 for films certified in 2023) ** Best Supporting Actor – Vijayaraghavan ** Best Editing – Midhun Murali
=== Kerala Film Critics Association Awards === * '''Kerala Film Critics Association Awards 2023''' ** Best Actor – Vijayaraghavan ** Best Supporting Actress – K. P. A. C. Leela ** Best Makeup - Ronex Xavier <ref>{{Cite web |title=Kerala Film Critics Awards 2023: ‘Aattam’ bags best film award|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/kerala-film-criticsawards-aattam-bags-best-film-award-5aa74905 |access-date=2025-08-01 |website=Mathrubhumi News |language=en}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb title|21071620}}
Category:Indian comedy-drama films Category:2023 Malayalam-language films Category:Films scored by Sachin Warrier Category:2023 Indian films Category:Best Supporting Actor National Film Award winners