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Moppala

  • 2020
IMDb RATING
9.3/10
16
YOUR RATING
Deva Nandan and Santhosh Keezhattoor in Moppala (2020)
A Theyyam performer's grandson from a mixed-caste marriage faces discrimination. Despite his passion, traditionalists bar him from performing. He exits wearing Theyyam costume and makeup.
Play trailer2:06
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29 Photos
Drama

A Theyyam performer's grandson from a mixed-caste marriage faces discrimination. Despite his passion, traditionalists bar him from performing. He exits wearing Theyyam costume and makeup.A Theyyam performer's grandson from a mixed-caste marriage faces discrimination. Despite his passion, traditionalists bar him from performing. He exits wearing Theyyam costume and makeup.A Theyyam performer's grandson from a mixed-caste marriage faces discrimination. Despite his passion, traditionalists bar him from performing. He exits wearing Theyyam costume and makeup.

  • Director
    • Santhosh Puthukkunnu
  • Writer
    • Upendran Madikkai
  • Stars
    • Santhosh Keezhattoor
    • Rithesh Aramana
    • Kookal Raghavan
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    9.3/10
    16
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Santhosh Puthukkunnu
    • Writer
      • Upendran Madikkai
    • Stars
      • Santhosh Keezhattoor
      • Rithesh Aramana
      • Kookal Raghavan
    • 10User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Moppala Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:06
    Moppala Official Trailer

    Photos29

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    Top cast15

    Edit
    Santhosh Keezhattoor
    Santhosh Keezhattoor
    Rithesh Aramana
    Rithesh Aramana
    Kookal Raghavan
    Kookal Raghavan
    Sudhakaran Thekkumbadan
    Sudhakaran Thekkumbadan
    Soniya Malhaar
    Deva Nandan
    Prajna R Krishna
    • Prajna R. Krishna
    • (as Prajna r Krishna)
    Vinod Alanthatta
    Ardra
    Prabha Aswathy
    Ranjiraj Karinthalam
    Anandu Narayanan
    Suresh Pallipara
    Devi Panikar
    Subhash
    • Director
      • Santhosh Puthukkunnu
    • Writer
      • Upendran Madikkai
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews10

    9.316
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    Featured reviews

    10casablancafilmfactory

    A Haunting Portrait of Cultural Exclusion and Identity

    Moppala is a deeply moving exploration of how caste hierarchies manipulate even sacred art forms. Director Santhosh Puthukkunnu crafts a story that is both intimate and universally resonant. Devanandan's yearning to perform Theyyam is not just about art - it's about belonging, dignity, and self-expression. Santhosh Keezhattoor shines as Ambhu Panickar, whose internal conflict reflects generations of conditioned silence. The film is steeped in the colors and rhythms of Theyyam, yet never loses sight of its political undercurrent. Its quiet moments are its loudest, especially the ending that leaves a lasting impression. Moppala is not loud in its protest, but its silence is thunderous.
    10dileepthariode

    A Stirring Ode to Identity and Resistance

    A Bold Commentary Wrapped in Ritual and Colour!

    Rooted in Culture, Soaring with Emotion!

    Tradition Meets Rebellion in This Theyyam-Centric Drama!

    Moppala is a poignant reflection of the cultural and social struggles rooted in Kerala's caste matrix. Santhosh Puthukkunnu crafts a deeply affecting tale of tradition and defiance through the story of Devanandan. Santhosh Keezhattoor delivers a mature, understated performance as Ambhu Panickar, embodying the weight of legacy and sorrow. The film's climax - where Devanandan walks away adorned in Theyyam regalia - is a haunting metaphor for reclaiming silenced identities. Unmissable.
    9superstars-0

    Moppala is the Revolution That Wears Face Paint

    Moppala is more than just a film - it is a rebellion dressed in devotion. In the heart of North Kerala, a boy's dream to embody Theyyam is crushed under casteism, and the story unfolds with grace, intensity, and deep cultural insight. Santhosh Keezhattoor delivers a nuanced performance that echoes long after the credits roll. Director Santhosh Puthukkunnu doesn't use force; he uses silence, color, tradition, and performance to drive home a timeless message. The final scene, where Devanandan walks away in full Theyyam attire, is one of Malayalam cinema's most defiant closing moments. Moppala is cinema that doesn't just speak - it chants, dances, and resists.
    10BC1989

    Moppala Dares to Question Who Owns Tradition

    Rooted in the rich cultural soil of North Kerala, Moppala is a powerful story that challenges who has the right to perform, preserve, and inherit tradition. Director Santhosh Puthukkunnu presents a drama that is deeply personal yet socially urgent. At the heart of the story is Devanandan, a boy caught between his love for Theyyam and a society that refuses to accept him. Santhosh Keezhattoor, as Ambhu Panickar, delivers a heartfelt performance of a man torn between societal norms and his own blood. The visuals are stunning, the sound design evocative, and the screenplay thoughtful. Moppala shows how tradition can become a prison - unless someone breaks free. A bold and essential film.
    9pkbkvm

    A Culturally Rich, Socially Bold Drama That Demands Attention

    Moppala is a remarkable film that uses the power of cultural storytelling to highlight social injustice. Through the lens of a grandfather-grandson relationship, the film portrays how caste hierarchies still dictate access to even the most spiritual aspects of culture. Santhosh Keezhattoor as Ambhu Panickar gives a deeply resonant performance, revealing the emotional weight carried by those torn between custom and compassion. Santhosh Puthukkunnu's direction is elegant, letting the narrative unfold naturally while never losing grip on its message. The final sequence is poetic yet unsettling. This film should be seen, discussed, and remembered.

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    • Release date
      • 2020 (India)
    • Country of origin
      • India
    • Language
      • Malayalam
    • Filming locations
      • Kasaragod, Kerala
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

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    Deva Nandan and Santhosh Keezhattoor in Moppala (2020)
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