{{short description|2016 film by Ranjith Sankar}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}} {{Use Indian English|date=May 2016}} {{Infobox film | name = Pretham | image = Pretham film poster.jpg | alt = | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Ranjith Sankar | producer = Ranjith Sankar<br />Jayasurya | writer = Ranjith Sankar | starring = Jayasurya<br />Govind Padmasoorya<br />Sharaf U Dheen<br />Aju Varghese<br />Shruthi Ramachandran | music = Anand Madhusoodanan | cinematography = Jithu Damodar | editing = V. Saajan | studio = Dreams N Beyond | distributor = {{Plain list| * Fox Star Studios * Central Pictures }} | released = {{Film date|df=yes|2016|08|12|India}} | runtime = 126 minutes | country = India | language = Malayalam | budget = <!--Must be attributed to a reliable published source with an established reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb.--> | gross = <!--Do not remove-->{{Estimation}}<!--per WT:ICTF consensus-->{{INR}} 12.45 crore<ref name="James" /> }} '''''Pretham''''' ({{translation|Ghost}}) is a 2016 Indian Malayalam comedy horror drama film, written, co-produced, and directed by Ranjith Sankar. The film stars Jayasurya, Govind Padmasoorya, Sharaf U Dheen, Aju Varghese, Shruthi Ramachandran, Pearle Maaney, Dharmajan Bolgatty and Hareesh Peradi in prominent roles. It is co-produced by Sankar and Jayasurya. The film was a commercial success and in 2018 a sequel, Pretham 2, was released.<ref>{{citation |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Jayasurya-ropes-in-Shruti-Ramachandran-for-Pretham/articleshow/52416843.cms|last1=Somani|first1=Deepa|date=25 May 2016| work=The Times of India|access-date=30 May 2016|title=Jayasurya ropes in Shruti Ramachandran for Pretham}}</ref>
It was remade in Telugu under the title ''Raju Gari Gadhi 2''. It is also the third collaboration of Sankar and Jayasurya after ''Punyalan Agarbattis'' and ''Su.. Su... Sudhi Vathmeekam''.<ref name="IBT1">{{citation |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/jayasurya-ranjith-sankar-announce-their-next-horror-comedy-pretham-665657|last1=James|first1=Anu|date=4 February 2016| work=International Business Times|access-date=30 May 2016|title=Jayasurya and Ranjith Sankar announce their next horror comedy 'Pretham'}}</ref> Principal photography began in Cherai, Ernakulam, on 24 May 2016.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/pretham-begins-filming-malayalam-news-159628.html|date=25 May 2016| work=IndiaGlitz|access-date=30 May 2016|title='Pretham' begins filming}}</ref> The film was released on 12 August 2016.<ref name="IBT1"/> A sequel titled ''Pretham 2'' was released in 2018.
== Plot == Three young men - Denny Kokken, Shibu Majeed and Priyalal - have been friends since college. Together, they work till they hit their 30s and start their own business so that they can enjoy life in a semi-retired manner. They invest all their money in a resort in Kerala. However, their happy beginning is thwarted by paranormal activities, and they approach John Don Bosco, an exorcist, who works as a mentalist on cruise ships and in the entertainment industry. John also assists the police as a human lie detector with his cold reading techniques.
John informs the three hoteliers that their resort is haunted by a ghost who is seeking answers as to who killed her, why was she killed, and what did they gain from her death. Through his investigation, John reveals that the ghost is Clara, a bright and intelligent student from National Law College. Amrita, the college principal's daughter was jealous of Clara's popularity and the fondness of her father towards Clara. Amrita secretly filmed Clara while bathing in the same resort owned by the three hoteliers and leaked it online. Unable to bear the shame, Clara committed suicide, by jumping off the building. John brings justice to Clara by answering her questions. He asks Amrita to see Clara by touching his hand. She falls down in shock, cringing away from the ghost glaring at her. This proves her guilt and she is arrested for the crime.
== Cast == *Jayasurya as John Don Bosco, an exorcist and mentalist *Govind Padmasoorya as Shibu Majeed *Sharaf U Dheen as Priyalal *Aju Varghese as Denny Kokken *Shruthi Ramachandran as Clara *Sharanya Menon as Amritha *Nyla Usha as Maya Thomas *Pearle Maaney as Suhaanisa *Dharmajan Bolgatty as Yeshu *Sunil Sukhada *Sathi Premji as Mary (Dakini) *Hareesh Peradi as Priest *Devan as Principal of National Law College and Amritha's father *Vijay Babu as Commissioner Akash Kurien IPS *Arya Rohit as Shalini *Biyon as Tony *Sini Abraham as Lecturer of National Law College
== Production == In 2000, Ranjith Sankar wrote the script for the TV serial, ''Nizhalukal'', "probably the first horror serial" to premiere on Malayalam television. Citing it as an inspiration for the film, he said, "(I) have thought of umpteen subjects to explore the genre in movies all these years before arriving on this. Pretham is a horror comedy," on his Facebook profile.<ref name="IBT1"/>
Jayasurya played a Mentalist named John Don Bosco alongside Shruthi Ramachandran and Pearle Maaney. Initially, Mamta Mohandas was considered for the lead role but didn't materialize.<ref name="Full Cast & Crew">{{Cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5436168/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm |title=Full Cast & Crew |website=IMDb |date=2017-09-03 |access-date=2017-09-03}}</ref> Justin Jose, known for his work in the Telugu film ''Baahubali: The Beginning'' and the Bollywood film ''Bajrangi Bhaijaan'', did the sound design. The filming began on 24 May 2016 in the small town of Cherai in Ernakulam.
== Music == Music: Anand Madhusoodanan<br />Lyrics: Rafeeq Ahamed.
===Single===
* Oruthikku Pinnil - Vineeth Sreenivasan
== Release == ''Pretham'' was released on 12 August 2016.
== Box office == The film had over 40% hike in collection from day 1 to day 2 at the Indian box office. It grossed {{INR}}6.7 crore in three days.<ref>{{cite news|first=Anu|last=James|title=Kerala box office: Jayasurya's 'Pretham' and 'IDI' cross Rs. 2 crore mark in 3 days|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/kerala-box-office-jayasuryas-pretham-idi-cross-rs-2-crore-mark-3-days-690038|access-date=17 August 2016|work=International Business Times|date=16 August 2016}}</ref> It remained in more than 185 screens in Kerala in its third week.<ref>{{cite news|last=James|first=Anu|title=Kerala box office: Jayasurya's 'Pretham' enters Rs. 10 crore club|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/kerala-box-office-jayasuryas-pretham-enters-rs-10-crore-club-691738|access-date=19 November 2016|work=International Business Times|date=30 August 2016}}</ref> The film grossed {{INR}}18 crore in 23 days at the Indian box office.<ref name="James">{{cite news|last=James|first=Anu|title=Kerala box office: 'Pretham' becomes biggest solo blockbuster of Jayasurya|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/kerala-box-office-pretham-becomes-biggest-solo-blockbuster-jayasurya-692615|access-date=19 November 2016|work=International Business Times|date=6 September 2016|language=en}}</ref> The film collected $4,650 from UK box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/intl/?page=&wk=2016W38&id=_fPRETHAM01|title=Pretham|work=Box Office Mojo|date=18 September 2016}}</ref> The film collected ₹25 lakhs from USA box office in its third weekend.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-overseas/pink-collects-6-55-crores-overseas-markets/|title='Pink' collects 6.55 crores in the overseas markets|work=Bollywood Hungama|date=20 September 2016}}</ref> It was a commercial success.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2018/jan/11/jayasurya-ranjith-sankar-join-hands-for-their-next-njan-marykutty-1751373.html|title=Jayasurya, Ranjith Sankar join hands for their next 'Njan Marykutty'|work=The Indian Express|date=11 January 2018}}</ref>
== Sequel == {{main article|Pretham 2}}
The sequel to the film was titled ''Pretham 2'' and was released on 21 December 2018 during the Christmas season.
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title|5436168}} {{Ranjith Sankar}}
Category:Indian comedy horror films Category:Films set in Kerala Category:2016 Malayalam-language films Category:2016 Indian films Category:Films shot in Kochi Category:Malayalam films remade in other languages Category:2016 comedy horror films Category:Films directed by Ranjith Sankar Category:Malayalam films in series