Like Nalan Kumarasamy and Karthik Subbaraj, Balaji Mohan came to national prominence by participating in a reality show-like short film competition called Naalaya Iyakunar and then releasing his maiden works via the net – a realm he returned to recently for a series called As I’m Suffering from Kadhal (2017), the taboo-defying use of language in which made it an instant hit.
Mohan’s knack for juggling narrative strands and various moods is already evident in the bizarre universe of Speak with Your Mouth Shut, where a new virus called Mute Flu causes all kinds of social borders and conventions to crumble – quietly. Which is to say: this is a splendid piece of socially conscious comedy whose panoply includes the power-boozing boss of a drinkers’ association, the film business and an orphanage in dire need of saving. A subversively rowdy and raucous satire on the deafening sound of silence.
Film details
Country of production
India
Year
2014
Festival edition
IFFR 2018
Length
140'
Medium/Format
DCP
Language
Malayalam, Tamil
Premiere status
None
Director
Balaji Mohan
Screenplay
Balaji Mohan
Production company
Ynot Studios, Radiance Media
Producer
S. Sashikanth, Varun Manian
Sales / World rights holder
Radiance Media
Cinematography
S. Soundar Rajan
Editing
Abhinav Sunder Nayak
Production design
A.R. Mohan
Sound design
S. Vijay Rathinam
Music
Sean Roldan
Principal cast
Dulquer Salmaan, Nazriya Nazim, Madhoo, R. Pandiyarajan, Vinuchakaravarthy, Robo Shankar, John Vijay