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Munnariv (Foreknowledge)

Munnariv (Foreknowledge) is a thrilling Sci-Fi movie that portrays an IT Engineer, whose monotonous solo life takes a drastic turn when he hears the voice of his daughter from the future. Together they embark on a journey that might change the course of the world.

This is an independent crowdfunded film from Kerala, India, the first ever to be shot entirely on an iPhone.

  • Ashik Kumar Satheesh
    Director
  • Ashik Kumar Satheesh
    Writer
  • Ashik Arts LLP
    Producer
  • Arun G Nair
    Key Cast
    "Arun Shankar"
    Oru Kuprasidha Payyan, Irattajeevitham, Kammattippadam, C/O Saira Bhanu, Vaayi Moodi Pesvom
  • Syju John Suchitha
    Key Cast
    "Purvi"
    Waft
  • Shivani MR
    Key Cast
    "Aayushi Madhav"
    Nirangal Thodan Varu, Luca, Ka
  • Rajeev Varghese Thomas
    Key Cast
    "Buddy"
  • Mruthul Viswanath
    Cinematography
  • Rajeev Varghese Thomas
    Editor
  • Jithin Madanan
    Art Director
  • Sreenath K
    Sound
    Reetha
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Munnariv
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 20 minutes 52 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 1, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    7,227 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    Malayalam
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.4:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Ashik Kumar Satheesh

Ashik Kumar Satheesh is an heart touching writer, film director and screenwriter, besides being an engineer. He founded and heads Ashik Arts LLP to fulfill his dream of making life meaningful, one story at a time.

Who Is Ashik?
Born on May 20, 1990, in Kerala, India, Ashik received attention for his early short film, Dhaarna (2017). After directing his first short film, Boomerang (2012), Ashik's next film came 3 years later, as he worked full time in Tata Consultancy Services, saving money to pursue his future ambitions.

In 2015, he resigned, traveled across the country, and came back to put his attention and focus entirely on filmmaking. Since then he has worked as Assistant Director to Award winning short films and feature films, like Ottamurivelicham (2017). He made 8 short films of his own, to hone his craft.

Early Years and Training
Ashik started writing stories as a child. Unaware of his artistic talents, he went on to secure a First Class in Engineering. An avid reader and photographer he created his first short film with his friends from college, many of whom are now producing his debut feature.

Cinematic Sensibilities
Ashik's movies are known for its brilliant stories, depth of characters, and his audacious filmmaking. Both Dhaarna and Munnariv had narrative structures that captured people's attention from the getgo, with Munnariv receiving much of its attention for being a rare science fiction movie in Malayalam.

The director's work focuses on protagonists who try come to their identities working through complex challenges.

Personal Life
A native of God’s Own Country, Kerala, he lives with his parents in Kochi. He loves this place, its people and believes it to be a melting pot of religions and cultures, with innumerable stories that a global generation can look up to.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

It was sometime in late 2017 that my grandmother, out of the blue, transferred a fifty thousand into my account and asked me to go make my movie. I had no more excuses. I had to go do it. And so it began.

The successful completion of our movie Munnariv is the culmination of my four long years of study, research, and preparation, not only on filmmaking, but on writing, camera, sound, budgeting, marketing, team building and what not. I had the privilege to be trusted by 11 actors, 10 crew members, and 26 friends and family members who put in their hard earned money, from a INR 1,000 to INR 50,000 with no demands in return. And many well wishers standing strong by our side in cocreating this movie.

Why shoot Munnariv on iPhone?
It sounds ridiculous. 10 years down the line, when an aspiring filmmaker asks me what they should do to become a filmmaker, I wish to look straight in their eye and tell them that “this is what I had in 2019, Munnariv is what we made with that, and this is where I am right now. You figure out the rest.”

How did you make such a good quality movie for just 5 lakhs?
I rewrote the script around what had, which is why 70% of the movie happens in my bedroom. The remaining locations were so close by that we literally walked from one set to another. We raised money and awareness by putting the script on Amazon, something unique. All my collaborators are all friends, working for differed payments. Even the clapboard is a just a flat piece of board painted black.

Isn't it a risk?
No. I’ve come to a point where not attempting to do this is even more risky.