Vimaanam
Vimaanam is a 2017 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by debutant Pradeep M. Nair, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role as Venkateswaran, a hearing- and speech-impaired man from Kerala who overcomes personal and societal challenges to build a lightweight aircraft from recycled materials.[1] The film, produced by Listin Stephen under Magic Frames, draws inspiration from the real-life story of Saji Thomas, highlighting themes of determination, disability rights, and human resilience.[2] Released on December 22, 2017, it features a supporting cast including Durga Krishna as Janaki, Venkidi's love interest; Saiju Kurup as Anandan; Alencier Ley Lopez as Roger; and Sudheer Karamana as Murugan, with music composed by Gopi Sundar.[3] The narrative follows Venkidi's journey from ridicule and hardship to achieving his aviation dream, blending emotional depth with inspirational elements while addressing issues like ableism and rural ingenuity in Kerala.[4] Critically, the film received mixed reviews for its heartfelt storytelling and Prithviraj's nuanced performance, though some noted its occasional melodrama, earning it a 6.5/10 rating on IMDb from over 650 users.[1]Story
Plot
Vimaanam is loosely based on the life of Saji Thomas, a hearing- and speech-impaired man from Kerala who built his own ultralight aircraft. The film opens in the present day with Professor J. Venkiteshwaran, a Padma Bhushan awardee for his contributions to aircraft design, receiving a call from Gouri, the daughter of his old flame Janaki. Gouri requests that Venkiteshwaran fulfill Janaki's dying wish to fly with him in an aircraft. The narrative then flashes back to Venkidi's youth. As a hearing-impaired school dropout in a rural Kerala village, Venkidi faces ridicule from peers and society, who call him "pottan" (fool). Despite this, he nurtures a passion for aviation, inspired by books and models. He finds support from Janaki, a kind-hearted girl who communicates with him through sign language and encourages his dreams. With help from his mentor-like figure Roger, a local mechanic, Venkidi begins constructing a makeshift aircraft from scrap materials.[5] Venkidi encounters numerous setbacks, including failed test flights that result in crashes and injuries. Financial constraints and societal skepticism intensify the challenges. Janaki's father opposes their relationship due to Venkidi's disability. In a desperate bid for parts, Venkidi steals a car, leading to his arrest. Meanwhile, Janaki is sent to Singapore by her family. Before her departure, Venkidi completes a daring flight over the airport, crashing but symbolically reaching her. In the present, Venkiteshwaran reunites with a terminally ill Janaki. He builds a new aircraft, and they share a poignant flight together, fulfilling her wish and closing the circle of their lifelong dreams. The story emphasizes themes of perseverance, love, and overcoming disability through ingenuity.Cast and characters
Prithviraj Sukumaran portrays Professor J. Venkiteshwaran / Venkidi, a hearing- and speech-impaired inventor whose determination to build and fly his own aircraft drives the narrative, highlighting resilience against societal barriers.[1] Durga Krishna plays Janaki, Venkidi's supportive love interest who stands by him through hardships, providing emotional depth to the romance and his pursuit.[1] Alencier Ley Lopez appears as Roger, a mentor figure who aids Venkidi in his engineering efforts. Sudheer Karamana as Murugan and Saiju Kurup as Anandan fill key supporting roles, contributing to the community dynamics and challenges faced by the protagonist. Anarkali Marikar plays Gouri, Janaki's daughter in the present-day frame.[6]Production
Development and pre-production
Vimaanam is loosely based on the life of Saji Thomas, a hearing- and speech-impaired man from Kerala who designed and built his own ultralight aircraft. Director and writer Pradeep M. Nair developed the script, acquiring the story rights in 2014 and redrafting it multiple times. The narrative draws inspiration from Nair's interest in unconventional thinking, influenced by Richard Bach's novel Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Nair conducted extensive research on aircraft construction, consulting former fighter pilot S. K. J. Nair. Five ultralight aircraft were incorporated as key elements in the film.[7] The film was produced by Listin Stephen under the banner of Magic Frames. Prithviraj Sukumaran was cast in the lead role after expressing interest during the shoot of their previous collaboration, Sapthamasree Thaskaraha. For the role of the 20-year-old protagonist, Prithviraj underwent weight loss and took flying lessons to perform scenes involving aircraft operation. Durga Krishna was selected as the female lead in her acting debut, portraying the love interest. Supporting roles were filled by actors including Saiju Kurup, Alencier Ley Lopez, and Sudheer Karamana.[8][9] Pre-production emphasized authentic locations and aircraft integration, with scouting focused on coastal areas suitable for flight scenes featuring sea gulls and take-offs.Filming and post-production
Principal photography commenced on 9 February 2017 in Kochi, Kerala. The primary filming locations included Bhatkal and Mangalore in Karnataka for their shoreline settings, as well as Delhi, Mysore, and Thiruvananthapuram. These sites were chosen to capture the film's rural and coastal environments, enhancing the narrative's themes of aspiration and ingenuity.[7][10] The film spans two time periods, requiring Prithviraj to appear in different looks. Cinematographer Shehnad Jalal handled the visuals, focusing on the protagonist's journey. In post-production, significant visual effects (VFX) work was undertaken for the flying sequences to depict the aircraft construction and flights realistically. The editing and sound design, including Gopi Sundar's score, were finalized ahead of the film's release on 22 December 2017.[11]Music
Soundtrack
The soundtrack album of Vimaanam, composed by Gopi Sundar with lyrics primarily by Rafeeq Ahamed, features five songs and was released on 16 December 2017 by Sony Music Entertainment.[12] The music emphasizes emotional themes of aspiration, love, and resilience, aligning with the film's narrative.[13]| Track No. | Title | Duration | Singer(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vaaniluyare | 4:55 | Gopi Sundar, Najim Arshad, Shreya Ghoshal | A melodic duet celebrating dreams and freedom, featuring orchestral strings.[14] |
| 2 | Anthike Varikente | 3:40 | Kavya Ajith, Divya S Menon, Radhika Sethumadhavan, Seba Tomy | A folk-inspired ensemble song evoking rural affection and simplicity.[15] |
| 3 | Meghakanavinu | 3:47 | Kavya Ajith, Divya S Menon | An uplifting track reflecting hope and natural beauty.[16] |
| 4 | Vaanamakalunnuvo | 4:42 | Gopi Sundar, Sithara Krishnakumar | A tender melody exploring longing and familial bonds.[17] |
| 5 | Anthimaanam | 5:22 | Gopi Sundar, Nandini Srikar, Anusha Joseph | A poignant finale song highlighting pride and achievement.[18] |