The film was officially announced in January 2023 under the tentative title D 148, being the 148th film of Dileep. The official title, Thankamani, was announced in September 2023. Principal photography began in January 2023 in Kottayam and wrapped up in August 2023. The filming took place in Erattupetta, Kanjirappally, Koottickal, Poonjar, Kuttikkanam, Peermade, and Kattappana. The musical score was composed by William Francis, while the cinematography and editing were handled by Manoj Pillai and Shyam Sasidharan. The film was theatrically released on 7 March 2024.[2]
Premise
Police officer Arpita Nath is investigating the murder of two people - Retd. CI Eapen Mattakavan and Politician Varadarajan - and believes it is the work of a serial killer. She then finds a connection to the 1986 Thankamany tragedy and we are shown the backstory of what actually happened then, including human rights violations on a massive scale by the police.
At the centre of the story in 1986 is Abel Joshua Mathen who comes to Thankamany from Saudi Arabia where he is working, to meet his wife Anitha, mother and sister Rahel . He also meets his four childhood friends, including Roy, and gets to learn some things about them which he is not happy with. But just as he getting ready to go back to Saudi Arabia for his job in October, a massive fight breaks out in Thankamany which changes the destiny of everyone there, including him. And Arpita’s investigation into the murders leads her to Abel. What is the connection?
Cast
Dileep as Abel Joshua Maathan alias Thankamani, Anitha's husband
Neeta Pillai as Anitha Varkey / Anitha Abel, Abel's wife
Spadikam Sunny (PN Sunny) as Podippara Vakkan, Mani Peter's right hand
Sreeya Ramesh as Human Rights Commission official
Geethi Sangeetha as Sauda
Thomman Mankuva as Aloshy
Jibin Gopinath as Achankunju
Arun Sankaran Pavumba as Avira Aanthappan
Dasettan Kozhikode
Arun Punalur
Sujith Pookkalam as Doctor
Dinu Sathyan as Simon
Ratheesh Reghunanthan as News Reader (cameo appearance)
Production
Development
Director Ratheesh Raghunandan and Dileep from the sets of Thankamani
Thankamani marks the first collaboration of Ratheesh Reghunandan, who previously directed Udal (2022), with Dileep.[3] It is produced by R. B. Choudary under the banner Super Good Films, in association with Iffaar Media of Raaffi Mathirra.[4] It will be the 97th production of Super Good Films and the 18th production of Iffaar Media.[5] The film was tentatively titled D 148, as it is the 148th film of Dileep.[6] The film was officially announced on 27 January 2023 in Kochi with a pooja ceremony held at the Crowne Plaza hotel.[7][8]Joshiy inaugurated the function by lighting the Nilavilakku, while Jiiva performed the switch-on, and producer Raaffi Mathirra gave the first clap.[9] The official title Thankamani was announced on 4 September 2023.[10] In order to shoot the action sequences, the makers have hired action directors like Siva, Supreme Sundar, Rajashekhar and Mafia Sasi.[11][12]
Ratheesh Raghunandan in Thankamani film shooting location
Principal photography commenced with the first schedule on 28 January 2023 at CMS College Kottayam, and reportedly, around 500 junior artists were involved.[16][17] Dileep joined the shoot in the first week of February.[18]Erattupetta, Kanjirappally, Koottickal, Poonjar, Kuttikkanam and Peermade were other prominent filming locations.[19] The first schedule was completed on 8 March 2023 after a 40-day shoot.[20][21] The crew began the second schedule on 8 May 2023 in Kattappana and nearby locations.[22][19] With the help of art director Manu Jagath, a set was constructed on 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) of land near Kattappana to shoot some important scenes, involving a thousand junior artists for 15 days.[20][16] The shooting wrapped up on 17 August 2023 in Kattappana.[23][24]
Reception
The Indian Express rated 1 out of 5 stars and wrote: "Dileep’s performance in the film is particularly dismal, even worse than his previous work in Bandra."[25]The Times of India rated 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Ratheesh Reghunandan's film based on real-life incident fails to impress".[26]Hindustan Times wrote "Dileep's film is a major let-down, dilutes real-life tragedy with needless romance".[27]Onmanorama wrote "Dileep walks a tightrope between daring, melodrama" [28]Times Now rated 3 out of 5 and wrote "a decent premise let down by poor screenplay".[29]
