Nothing but Life
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Nothing but Life
| image = Nothing but Life Malayalam V.png
| caption = Malayalam version poster
| director = Rajiv Anchal
| producer = Naveen Chathappuram
| writer = Bobby Nair
| starring = R. Madhavan
Neha Pendse
Kaveri
Nassar
Sreenivasan
| music = Vidyasagar
Biju Kurian
Ouseppachan
| cinematography = Keith Gruchala
| editing = Ajoy Varma
| distributor = Mudra Arts
| studio = Golden Wings Studio
| released = {{Film date|2004|12|25|English|2005|05|06|Malayalam|df=y}}
| runtime = 120 minutes
| country =
| language = Malayalam
English
| budget =
}}
Nothing but Life is a 2004 Indian English language film and directed by Rajiv Anchal. The experimental film featured actors R. Madhavan, Neha Pendse, Kaveri, Nassar and Sreenivasan. The film was made simultaneously in Malayalam and released later on as Made in USA on May 6, 2005.
Plot
Roby Thomas migrates to the U.S. with the help of a priest and works as a barman in a casino in Las Vegas. Roby is a simple youngster who believes in helping people in distress but he has a suicidal tendency. The film focuses on the inner turmoil of a youngster who seems to have a positive attitude towards life and emphasizes the importance of inter-personal relationship and friendship.
Cast
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Cast (English) !Cast (Malayalam) !Role | ||
| colspan="2"style="text-align:center;"|R. Madhavan | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Roby Thomas | |
| colspan="2"style="text-align:center;"|Kaveri | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Vandhana | |
| colspan="2"style="text-align:center;"|Neha Pendse | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Rachel | |
| colspan="2"style="text-align:center;"|Thampi Antony | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Colonel Abdullah | |
| style="text-align:center;"|Nassar | style="text-align:center;"| Sreenivasan | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Doctor Maddy |
| colspan="2"style="text-align:center;"|Innocent | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Prof. Ponnachan PhD | |
| colspan="2"style="text-align:center;"|Babu Antony | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Omar (special appearance) | |
| colspan="2"style="text-align:center;"|Madhupal | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Johnny | |
| style="text-align:center;"| John Weltz | style="text-align:center;"|Nassar | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Rachel's father |
Production
Madhavan signed the film in June 2004 and began shooting for the film almost immediately.{{Cite web|url=http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2004/jun/28madhavan.htm|title = Madhavan to star in a bilingual}} The film was initially titled Life in Las Vegas, before the makers decided on different titles in English and Malayalam.{{cite web |url=http://www.rmadhavan.com:80/forthcoming.html |title=Forthcoming movies of R Madhavan |website=www.rmadhavan.com:80 |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040804181109/http://www.rmadhavan.com:80/forthcoming.html |archive-date=4 August 2004 |url-status=dead}} Actress Kaveri as heroine and actress Neha Pendse made her debut in South Indian films, whilst Nassar and Sreenivasan reprised the roles of the doctor alternatively in the English and Malayalam versions respectively.{{cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/09/10/stories/2004091002200300.htm |title=The Hindu : Nasser - fearless and forthright |website=www.hindu.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040927161918/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/09/10/stories/2004091002200300.htm |archive-date=27 September 2004 |url-status=dead}} The film was shot within 40 days in Las Vegas, Albuquerque and New Mexico in the United States, whilst scenes were later recorded in New York City.{{cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/08/11/stories/2006081100520300.htm |title=The Hindu : Friday Review Thiruvananthapuram / Interview : On the ties that bind society |website=www.hindu.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109104049/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/08/11/stories/2006081100520300.htm |archive-date=9 November 2012 |url-status=dead}} The movie was shot using high-density television camera with cine lenses instead of a TV lens.{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/14525.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050507104952/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/14525.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 May 2005|title = Tamil Cinema News {{pipe}} Tamil Movie Reviews {{pipe}} Tamil Movie Trailers - IndiaGlitz Tamil}}
Soundtrack
The soundtrack for this film was composed by Vidyasagar and Biju Kurian. Biju Kurian has composed a song for the film, Vidyasagar has composed the remainder. Lyricists were O. N. V. Kurup and Rajiv Alunkal. The background score for this film was recorded by Ouseppachan.{{Cite web|url=https://malayalasangeetham.info/php/MovieDetails.php?mid=1687&encode=utf|title=മലയാളസംഗീതം.ഇന്ഫോ - MSI MalayalaSangeethamm.Info MSIDB.org|website=malayalasangeetham.info}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Made in USA
| type = soundtrack
| artist = Vidyasagar
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 2005
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = World Music
| length =
| label =
| producer = Vidyasagar
| prev_title = Chanthupottu
| prev_year = 2005
| next_title = Kochirajavu
| next_year = 2005
}}
| class="wikitable" | ||||
| # | Title | Singer(s) | Composer | Lyricist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Chirapuraathana" | K. J. Yesudas | Vidyasagar | O. N. V. Kurup |
| 2 | "Ilamaan Azhake" | Aparna Rajeev | Biju Kurian | Rajeev Alunkal |
| 3 | "Punnellin Kathirola" | Aparna Rajeev | Vidyasagar | O. N. V. Kurup |
| 4 | "Punnellin Kathirola" | P. Jayachandran | Vidyasagar | O. N. V. Kurup |
| 5 | "Thaazhunna Sooryane" | Sujatha | Vidyasagar | O. N. V. Kurup |
Release
The English version played across film festivals such as at the Kerala International Film Festival. The Malayalam version of the film opened to audiences in Kerala on 6 May 2005 gathering mixed reviews.{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/made-in-usa-review-malayalam-13738705.html |title=Movie Review : Made in USA |website=Sify |access-date=10 August 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628022731/http://www.sify.com/movies/made-in-usa-review-malayalam-13738705.html |archive-date=28 June 2013 |url-status=dead}} Whilst one reviewer cited that "given the present crisis in Malayalam films where good themes are in short supply, "Made in USA" is certainly a welcome change";{{Cite web|url=http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/2234/malayalam/made-in-usa/484/review.htm|title = Made in USA Review {{pipe}} Made in USA Malayalam Movie Review by Sanu George}} another cited that the movie "left audience confused", describing the film as "plainly mediocre".{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/review/7594.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051203081228/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/review/7594.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 December 2005|title = Malayalam Cinema News {{pipe}} Malayalam Movie Reviews {{pipe}} Malayalam Movie Trailers - IndiaGlitz Malayalam}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.apunkachoice.com/titles/mad/made-in-usa/mid_528/reviews-editor/|title=THE MADE IN USA MOVIE REVIEW|url-status=dead|work=apunkachoice|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006183319/http://www.apunkachoice.com/titles/mad/made-in-usa/mid_528/reviews-editor/|archive-date=6 October 2012}} The film became a financial failure at the Kerala box office, gaining poor collections.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nowrunning.com/news/news.aspx?it=3380|title='Kochi Rajavu' - the surprise topper|work=IANS|via=Nowrunning|last=Palicha|first=Paresh C.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012212241/http://www.nowrunning.com/news/news.aspx?it=3380|archive-date=12 October 2012}}
The English version prepared for a release in India in August 2006, with director indicating that the film will be released across multiplex cinemas nationwide.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bharatwaves.com/news/-Week-long-Kerala-International-Film-Festival-begins-10518.html|title=Malayalam Cinema News : Week-long Kerala International Film Festival begins|work=Bharat Waves|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011155259/https://www.bharatwaves.com/news/-Week-long-Kerala-International-Film-Festival-begins-10518.html|archive-date=11 October 2008}} The film won Surya S. Nair a Kerala State Award for her dubbing work in the Malayalam version of the film.{{cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/05/13/stories/2010051351510400.htm |title=The Hindu : Metro Plus Kochi / Profiles : "Sound" work |website=www.hindu.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109104940/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/05/13/stories/2010051351510400.htm |archive-date=9 November 2012 |url-status=dead}} The film was later dubbed in 2008 into Tamil and released as Ananda Punnagai, and then in Telugu as Anjali in America.{{cite web |url=http://indihot.com/indihot-news/madhavans-made-in-usa-now-in-tamil.html |title=Madhavan's "Made in USA" now in Tamil {{!}} IndiHot.Com |website=indihot.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005222452/http://indihot.com/indihot-news/madhavans-made-in-usa-now-in-tamil.html |archive-date=2008-10-05}}
References
{{Reflist|2}}