Vela (film)
{{Short description|2023 Indian crime drama film}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Vela
| image = Vela poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Syam Sasi
| writer = M. Sajas
| producer = George Sebastian
| starring = {{Plainlist|
}}
| cinematography = Suresh Rajan
| editing = Mahesh Bhuvanend
| music = Sam C. S.
| studio = {{Plainlist|
- Cyn-Cyl Celluloid
- Badusha Productions
}}
| distributor = {{Plainlist|
- Wayfarer Films (Kerala)
- Truth Global Films (Overseas)
}}
| runtime = 148 minutes
| country = India
| language = Malayalam
}}
Vela ({{Translation|Job}}) is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language crime drama film directed by Syam Sasi in his directorial debut. It stars Shane Nigam and Sunny Wayne in the lead roles, alongside Siddharth Bharathan and Additional Balance. The story is set in a police control room in Palladium.
Principal photography commenced in June 2022 in Palakkad. The music was composed by Sam C. S., while the cinematography and editing were handled by Suresh Rajan and Mahesh Bhuvanend. This movie is a loosely based on movie The Guilty (2018)
Vela was released in theatres on 10 November 2023.
Cast
- Shane Nigam as CPO Ullas Augustin
- Sunny Wayne as SI Mallikarjunan
- Sidharth Bharathan as CI Ashok Kumar
- Aditi Balan
- Bipin Perumbilli as KK
- M. Sajas as Askar
Production
The script was written by M. Sajas, who previously worked in Mandharam (2018).{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Onmanorama |date=17 September 2022 |title=Sunny Wayne plays a cop in 'Vela'. First look poster out |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2022/09/17/sunny-wayne-vela-character-poster-george-s-police-roles-shane-nigam.html |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=Onmanorama |archive-date=10 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110155833/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2022/09/17/sunny-wayne-vela-character-poster-george-s-police-roles-shane-nigam.html |url-status=live }} In an interview with The New Indian Express, M. Sajas said that he wrote the script for the film based on some real-life incidents faced by his father, who was a former police officer.{{Cite web |last=Shrijith |first=Sajin |date=28 September 2022 |title=Vela will present a different side of Shane Nigam: Writer M Sajas |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2022/sep/28/vela-will-present-a-different-side-of-shane-nigam-writer-m-sajas-2502536.html |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=The New Indian Express |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008072816/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2022/sep/28/vela-will-present-a-different-side-of-shane-nigam-writer-m-sajas-2502536.html |url-status=live }} He also got information from some active police officers. The film was produced by George Sebastian under the banner of Cyn-Cyl Celluloid.{{Cite web |date=30 August 2022 |title=Sunny Wayne, Shane Nigam team up for crime drama 'Vela' |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2022/aug/30/sunny-wayne-shane-nigam-team-up-for-crime-drama-vela-2492765.html |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=The New Indian Express |archive-date=2 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902134832/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2022/aug/30/sunny-wayne-shane-nigam-team-up-for-crime-drama-vela-2492765.html |url-status=live }} Suresh Rajan and Mahesh Bhuvanend were recruited as the cinematographer and editor.{{Cite web |date=24 August 2023 |title=Vela trailer: RDX actor Shane Nigam's film is a thrilling police drama |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/vela-trailer-rdx-actor-shane-nigams-film-is-a-thrilling-police-drama/9edacc215c608 |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=OTTPlay |language=en |archive-date=10 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110174320/https://www.ottplay.com/news/vela-trailer-rdx-actor-shane-nigams-film-is-a-thrilling-police-drama/9edacc215c608 |url-status=live }} In an interview with OTTPlay, Sidharth Bharathan said that he was offered the role of a sub-inspector by Syam Sasi before the release of his directorial Chathuram (2022).{{Cite web |last=Sidhardhan |first=Sanjith |date=27 December 2022 |title=Exclusive! Vela: Sidharth Bharathan explains why he decided to sign Shane Nigam, Sunny Wayne-starrer |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/exclusive-vela-sidharth-bharathan-explains-why-he-decided-to-sign-shane-nigam-sunny-wayne-starrer/0b2510ef77188 |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=OTTPlay |language=en |archive-date=10 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110174349/https://www.ottplay.com/news/exclusive-vela-sidharth-bharathan-explains-why-he-decided-to-sign-shane-nigam-sunny-wayne-starrer/0b2510ef77188 |url-status=live }} Principal photography began on 18 June 2022 in Palakkad with a customary puja ceremony.{{Cite web |title=Vela {{!}} വേല (2023) |url=https://www.mallurelease.com/2022/08/vela-movie.html |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=Mallu Release |language=en |archive-date=4 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604182052/https://www.mallurelease.com/2022/08/vela-movie.html |url-status=live }} The film also marks the directorial debut of Syam Sasi.{{Cite web |last=ലേഖകൻ |first=മനോരമ |date=3 December 2022 |title=സണ്ണി വെയ്നും ഷെയ്ൻ നിഗമും; വേല ടൈറ്റിൽ പോസ്റ്റർ |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2022/12/03/vela-movie-title-poster.html |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=Manorama Online |language=ml |archive-date=7 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207130454/https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2022/12/03/vela-movie-title-poster.html |url-status=live }}
Music
The music and background score was composed by Sam C. S.{{Cite web |last=Features |first=CE |date=20 October 2023 |title=Shane Nigam-Sunny Wayne film Vela gets a release date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/oct/20/shane-nigam-sunny-wayne-film-vela-gets-a-releasedate-48795.html |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=Cinema Express |language=en |archive-date=4 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104154936/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/oct/20/shane-nigam-sunny-wayne-film-vela-gets-a-releasedate-48795.html |url-status=live }} The audio rights were acquired by T-Series.{{Cite web |date=13 October 2023 |title=ഷെയ്ൻ നിഗവും സണ്ണി വെയ്നും പ്രധാന വേഷത്തിലെത്തുന്ന 'വേല'; ലിറിക്കൽ ഗാനം മമ്മൂട്ടി റിലീസ് ചെയ്തു |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/shane-nigam-sunny-wayne-movie-vela-lyrical-song-released-1.8983761 |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=Mathrubhumi |language=ml |archive-date=28 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028174442/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/shane-nigam-sunny-wayne-movie-vela-lyrical-song-released-1.8983761 |url-status=live }} The first song "Paathakal" was sung by Haricharan and written by Anwar Ali.{{Cite news |date=15 October 2023 |title=Shane Nigam's 'Vela' unveils romantic melody 'Paathakal' – A Sam CS musical magic! |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/shane-nigams-vela-unveils-romantic-melody-paathakal-a-sam-cs-musical-magic/articleshow/104438533.cms |access-date=10 November 2023 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=25 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025103009/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/shane-nigams-vela-unveils-romantic-melody-paathakal-a-sam-cs-musical-magic/articleshow/104438533.cms |url-status=live }}
{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Paathakal
| length1 = 3:29
| lyrics1 = Anwar Ali
| extra1 = Haricharan
| title2 = Bambadiyo
| length2 = 3:21
| lyrics2 = Anwar Ali
| extra2 = Sam C. S., Anthony Daasan
| total_length = 6:50
}}
Release
It was previously reported that the film would be released in 2022.{{Cite news |date=30 August 2022 |title=Shane Nigam and Sunny Wayne to play cops in the crime drama 'Vela' - EXCLUSIVE! |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/shane-nigam-and-sunny-wayne-to-play-cops-in-the-crime-drama-vela-exclusive/articleshow/93882318.cms |access-date=10 November 2023 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=31 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831173905/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/shane-nigam-and-sunny-wayne-to-play-cops-in-the-crime-drama-vela-exclusive/articleshow/93882318.cms |url-status=live }} The film was released in theatres on 10 November 2023.{{Cite web |date=21 October 2023 |title=Shane Nigam And Sunny Wayne's Vela Gets A Release Date |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/shane-nigam-and-sunny-waynes-vela-gets-a-release-date-8627897.html |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=News18 |language=en |archive-date=29 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029181520/https://www.news18.com/movies/shane-nigam-and-sunny-waynes-vela-gets-a-release-date-8627897.html |url-status=live }} It was distributed in Kerala by Dulquer Salmaan's Wayfarer Films and internationally by Truth Global Films.{{Cite web |last= |date=8 November 2023 |title=കൊമ്പ് കോര്ത്ത് ഷെയ്നും, സണ്ണി വെയിനും: വേല പ്രീറിലീസ് ടീസർ റിലീസായി |url=https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment-news/shane-nigam-and-sunny-wayne-as-cops-vela-pre-release-teaser-released-vvk-s3sih9 |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |language=ml |archive-date=10 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110155907/https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment-news/shane-nigam-and-sunny-wayne-as-cops-vela-pre-release-teaser-released-vvk-s3sih9 |url-status=live }}
Reception
= Critical response =
S. R. Praveen of The Hindu wrote, "Vela sets up an intriguing premise, but fails to make use of it with things fizzling out in the end."{{Cite news |last=Praveen |first=S. R. |date=10 November 2023 |title='Vela' movie review: This Shane Nigam-starrer fails to make use of its intriguing premise |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/vela-movie-review-this-shane-nigam-starrer-fails-to-make-use-of-its-intriguing-premise/article67521116.ece |access-date=10 November 2023 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=10 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110155756/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/vela-movie-review-this-shane-nigam-starrer-fails-to-make-use-of-its-intriguing-premise/article67521116.ece |url-status=live }} Princy Alexander of Onmanorama wrote, "'Vela
Cris of The News Minute gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote, "'
Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Vela is one of those movies that offers a rare experience, thanks in large part to Shane Nigam and Sunny Wayne's remarkable performances, but is hindered by a scarcity of engaging moments."{{Cite web |last=Suresh |first=Anandu |date=10 November 2023 |title=Vela movie review: Shane Nigam, Sunny Wayne deliver superb performances |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/vela-movie-review-shane-nigam-sunny-wayne-deliver-superb-performances-9020645/ |access-date= |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=10 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110174320/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/vela-movie-review-shane-nigam-sunny-wayne-deliver-superb-performances-9020645/ |url-status=live }} Sajin Shrijith of Cinema Express gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Vela is most gripping when the two actors spew venom at each other."{{Cite web |last=Shrijith |first=Sajin |date=10 November 2023 |title=Vela Movie Review: Sunny Wayne and Shane Nigam excel in a suitably tense ride |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/review/2023/nov/10/vela-movie-reviewsunny-wayne-and-shane-nigam-excel-in-a-suitably-tense-ride-49435.html |access-date= |website=Cinema Express |language=en |archive-date=10 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110174225/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/review/2023/nov/10/vela-movie-reviewsunny-wayne-and-shane-nigam-excel-in-a-suitably-tense-ride-49435.html |url-status=live }}
Accolades
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Award !Category !Recipient !Ref. |
| 2023 |
References
{{Reflist}}