Neru (2023 film) Full Movie Download, MP4, Mkv, 720p, 480p, Cast & Review

Neru (transl. Truth) is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language courtroom drama film directed by Jeethu Joseph, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Santhi Mayadevi. It was produced and distributed by Antony Perumbavoor of Aashirvad Cinemas. The film stars Mohanlal and Anaswara Rajan while Priyamani, Siddique, Sankar Induchoodan, Santhi, Jagadish played supporting roles. The music was composed by Vishnu Shyam.

Principal photography took place between August and October 2023 in and around Thiruvananthapuram. Neru was released in theatres worldwide on 21 December 2023.The film received positive response from critics and audience alike.

Cast

• Mohanlal as Advocate Vijayamohan, Special Public Prosecutor
• Anaswara Rajan as Sara, a Blind Sculptor
• Sankar Induchoodan as Michael Joseph
• Priyamani as Advocate Poornima, Rajashekhar’s Daughter
• Siddique as Advocate Rajashekhar, Defense Lawyer and Poornima’s father
• Jagadish as Mohammed, Sara’s father
• K. B. Ganesh Kumar as CI Paul Varghese
• Santhi Mayadevi as Ahaana, Vijayamohan’s Junior (Old)
• Sreedhanya as Sara’s mother
• Harikrishnan as Jayachandran
• Aditi Ravi as Niharika Jayachandran
• Nandhu as Public Prosecutor (Cameo Appearance)
• Mathew Varghese as Judge
• Dinesh Prabhakar as Robin
• Krishna Prabha as Doctor
• Kalesh Ramanand as Vinod, Michael’s Friend
• Poojappura Radhakrishnan as Vijayamohan’s Clerk
• Prashant Nair
• Ramadevi
• Resmi Anil
• Antony Perumbavoor
• Kalabhavan Jinto as Junior Advocate
• Chef Pillai

Production

Development

I asked Shanti to write down in order as to how the legal procedures would unfold for such a case. But once she wrote it, I realised that it would be ideal for a series but there are different sets of challenges when you package it for a film. Also, there is a risk of monotony that can creep into the narrative. So the challenge was to keep it engaging and play to the gallery a bit without taking away the authenticity.

– Jeethu Joseph about the challenges in writing.

On 13 July 2023, producer Antony Perumbavoor officially announced an untitled film directed by Jeethu Joseph and starring Mohanlal. This project, with a working title Production No.33, signifies the 33rd production from Aashirvad Cinemas, with filming set to commence in August that year. It was reported that Mohanlal would complete his work in a single short schedule before the commencement of the filming of Prithviraj Sukumaran-directed L2: Empuraan, which was postponed due to Prithviraj’s leg injury, allowing Mohanlal to engage in Neru.

The title was officially announced on 12 August with a moster featuring the tagline “seeking justice,” along with the title presented in Braille inscription. Neru marks the fifth collaboration between Mohanlal and Jeethu. The film was authored by Santhi Mayadevi and Jeethu, with the former having previously collaborated with Jeethu as an actress in Drishyam 2. Jeethu conceived the story several years ago. Santhi, a professional lawyer, was initially hired by Jeethu to assist him in writing the court scenes in Drishyam 2. Impressed by her contributions, he invited her to co-write Neru. Jeethu shared the story with her on the set of Drishyam 2. She characterized the genre of the film as a “courtroom drama”. Santhi explained that they approached the courtroom scenes in a more realistic manner, deviating from the dramatic courtrooms typically portrayed in films. According to Jeethu, his intention was to make an authentic courtroom drama that incorporates all technical procedures while maintaining a balance between dramatic elements and procedural tone. He said he was careful not to “stretch” the film with excessive realism. His objective was to offer a real courtroom experience to the majority of the audience who may not have encountered such a setting in real life.

Casting

Mohanlal plays a lawyer in the film. Priyamani was cast in an important female role. She joined the sets in September 2023. Anaswara Rajan was cast as Sara, a blind sculptor, around whom the story unfolds. Santhi Mayadevi, who initially had no plans to act in her own screenplay, eventually took on a role in the film at the invitation of Jeethu. The cast also includes Jagadish, K. B. Ganesh Kumar, Siddique, Aditi Ravi, Nandhu, Dinesh Prabhakar, Sankar Induchoodan, Mathew Varghese, Kalesh Ramanand, Ramadevi, Sreedhanya, Kalabhavan Jinto, Resmi Anil, and Prashant Nair.

Filming

Principal photography commenced on 17 August 2023, coinciding with the commencement of the Malayalam month of Chingam, considered an auspicious day. It began with a customary pooja function held at the Freemasons Club in Vazhuthacaud, Kerala. Subsequent filming took place in and around Thiruvananthapuram. Mohanlal joined the sets in Chitranjali Studio in early September. Filming was wrapped up on 4 October 2023. Satheesh Kurup was the cinematographer. Art director was Boban, while costumes were designed by Jeethu’s wife Linta Jeethu.

Music

The film’s music was composed by Vishnu Shyam with lyrics for the songs written by Vinayak Sasikumar. A pre-release single, “Roohe”, was released on 19 December 2023, sung by Karthik along with a chorus by Shyam and Cathy Jeethu. The Times of India called it an “evocative composition” that showcases the “emotional ambiance of the narrative” which “further cemented the film’s genre as an emotional drama”.

Release date

Neru was released in theatres worldwide on 21 December 2023. According to the media, the slot, initially reserved for Mohanlal’s directorial debut, Barroz, was reassigned to Neru due to delays in post-production. The film competed with other major Christmas releases, such as Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Dunki, and Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire. The film’s OTT streaming right was bought by Disney+ Hotstar.

Review

Neru received positive reviews from the audience and the critics alike. The performances of Mohanlal, Siddique and Anaswara Rajan were highly appreciated. The script had a solid impact on the story without any twists or turns, but emotional elements were the highlight.

Anna Mathews of The Times of India gave 4.5 out of 5 stars and wrote that Mohanlal’s and Siddique’s David-Goliath battle “keeps viewers on the edge of their seats and emotional for the full 152-minute duration of the film. You will barely take your eyes off the screen” and noted that the film merits from its realistic story, “nonetheless, it is no less massy, and will appeal to all audiences”. She also praised the cast, particularly Mohanlal’s “superb subdued performance”. Sajin Shrijith of The New Indian Express rated 3.5 out of 5 stars, describing it a “sensitive, insightful legal drama with an unwavering focus”, acknowledging the makers for ensuring “Mohanlal’s presence doesn’t take the limelight away from Anaswara and the issues addressed”. He singled out the performances of Mohanlal, Anaswara and Siddique, and praised the makers for exploring “various intricacies of the legal system” and its call for increased sensitivity from the public.

Sowmya Rajendran of Moneycontrol stated that “the screenplay is so fast-paced and the performances so superlative that Neru is almost always riveting even when it takes cinematic liberties”. K. Janani of India Today gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote, “Neru is a riveting courtroom drama that holds your attention throughout. And to have Mohanlal belting out dialogues on consent, women’s rights and victim-shaming makes this film a worthy addition to the long list of women empowerment films.” S. R. Praveen of The Hindu said the film “almost delivers a cathartic high” and that “Mohanlal is back to form with an understated performance, while Jeethu Joseph has found his mojo in this mostly riveting legal drama”.

Nirmal Narayanan of International Business Times India commented that “Neru is not a fully-fledged commercial entertainer. But it is an emotional courtroom drama which will make you thrill until the credit starts rolling”. He particularly praised the acting of Mohanlal and Anaswara, and the background score. Pavithra A. of The Week called it an “engaging courtroom drama” and concluded that “Jeethu Joseph’s touch is evident throughout the film, reminding me of Drishyam and its sequel”. She praised Mohanlal, Anaswara, and Siddique and rated 3 out of 5 stars. Rating 3 out of 5 stars, Cris from The News Minute described it a “poignant court drama” and added that “despite its amateurish setting, Neru becomes an important film with a few careful arguments, strongly worded and delivered by its key actors, from Mohanlal to Anaswara Rajan”.

Swathi P. Ajith of Onmanorama wrote, “Neru is undeniably a satisfying and enjoyable watch, marking a successful return for Mohanlal in more serious roles. Witnessing Mohanlal portraying a lawyer and participating in thrilling courtroom debates for the case is truly refreshing.” Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote that Mohanlal’s performance makes the “150-minute runtime feel less prolonged. By fully immersing himself in the narrative and the filmmaker’s vision, Mohanlal avoids letting his star persona become a burden to the story. He adeptly portrays the role of Vijayamohan with precision, balancing the character’s vulnerability and abilities without overshadowing Vijayamohan’s ordinary nature”.