Antony (2023 film)

2023 Malayalam-language film by Joshiy

Antony

Theatrical release poster

Directed by| Joshiy
Written by| Rajesh Varma
Produced by| Einstin Zac Paul
Starring|

* Joju George
* Kalyani Priyadarshan
* Chemban Vinod Jose
* Nyla Usha

Cinematography| Renadive
Edited by| Shyam Sasidharan
Music by| Jakes Bejoy

Production
companies

* Einstin Media
* Nextel Studios
* Ultra Media & Entertainment

Distributed by|

* Dream Big Films

Release date

* 1 December 2023 (2023-12-01)

Running time

| 146 minutes
Country| India
Language| Malayalam

Antony is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language action drama film directed by Joshiy and written by Rajesh Varma.[1] The film stars Joju George in the title role, alongside Kalyani Priyadarshan, Chemban Vinod Jose, Nyla Usha, Asha Sharath, Appani Sarath, and Vijayaraghavan.[2]

The film was officially announced in April 2023 and principal photography commenced in May 2023 in Vellikulam. The filming wrapped up in August 2023. The music was composed by Jakes Bejoy, while the cinematography and editing were handled by Renadive and Shyam Sasidharan. Antony was released on 1 December 2023.

## Plot

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Antony Anthrapper is a ruthless gangster who accidentally kills a local goon named Xavier and becomes the guardian of Xavier's daughter, Ann Maria, an aggressive college student trained in MMA. Antony and Maria's presence in each other's lives reforms their violent ways until a forgotten foe named Tarzan arrives to finish them. Antony and Maria set out to overcome the threat using violent ways to lead a peaceful life.

## Cast

[edit]

* Joju George as Antony Anthrapper[3]
* Amal Shah as Young Antony
* Kalyani Priyadarshan as Ann Maria, Antony's adopted daughter
* Nyla Usha as Maya
* Asha Sharath as Jessy, Ann's mother
* Chemban Vinod Jose as Fr. Paul Kattakayam
* Vijayaraghavan as Avaran, Antony's adopted father
* Hariprashanth M G as Tarzan, Vedakku Xavier's younger brother
* Giju John as James
* Appani Sarath as Keecheri Simon
* Binu Pappu as Chacko Anthrapper, Antony's father
* Sijoy Varghese as College Principal John Fernandez
* Jewel Mary as Priyamvadha / Priya[4]
* Tini Tom as Vedakku Xavier
* RJ Shaan as Ratheesh
* Jinu Joseph as Lawrence
* Padmaraj Ratheesh as Johnnykutty
* Rajesh Sharma as Manoj
* Sudheer Karamana as Kandankeri Narayanan
* Srikant Murali as CI Pramod
* Assim Jamal as SI Martin
* Kottayam Ramesh as Adv. Madhavan
* Mohan Raman as Adv. Dhandapani

## Production

[edit]

### Development

[edit]

The film marks the second collaboration between Joju George and Joshiy after Porinju Mariam Jose (2019).[5] Apart from Joju George, Joshiy retained Nyla Usha, Chemban Vinod Jose, and Vijayaraghavan, who were part of Porinju Mariam Jose. Kalyani Priyadarshan was signed to play the role of a professional boxer in the film.[6][7][8] The story and screenplay are written by Rajesh Varma who previously worked in Upacharapoorvam Gunda Jayan (2022) and Life of Josutty (2015).[6] Einstin Zac Paul produced the film under his banner Einstin Media.[9] The film's title launch and pooja were held at Crowne Plaza hotel in Kochi on 14 April 2023.[10][11]

### Filming

[edit]

Principal photography began on 5 May 2023 with a pooja ceremony.[2] Vellikulam, Vagamon and parts of Tamil Nadu were the important shooting locations.[12] The filming wrapped up on 27 August 2023 in Erattupetta after a 70-day shoot.[13]

## Music

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The music was composed by Jakes Bejoy and the audio rights were acquired by Saregama.[7][14]

## Release

[edit]

### Theatrical

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Antony was theatrically released on 1 December 2023 in Malayalam.[15][16] The theatrical distribution rights were acquired by Dream Big Films.[14]

### Home Media

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The film was digitally streamed on Amazon Prime Video. It is also available in Hindi & Marathi language dubbed versions currently streaming on Ultra Play & Ultra Jhakaas app respectively.

## Reception

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### Critical response

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Anjana George of The Times of India gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Antony is a soulful Malayalam movie, resonating with the charm of yesteryear cinema. The characters evoke emotions with depth and nuances, crafting a gripping story. It transcends a mere bloodshedding drama, portraying a tale of love, redemption, and the sense of belonging."[17] Sanjith Sridharan of OTTPlay gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Antony follows the typical Joshiy-film template, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It has enough fresh elements to keep the audience hooked to the relationship between Antony and Ann Maria, even when the rest is predictable."[18]

Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave 2 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Despite having a plot that is bound to captivate Malayali audiences, Joshiy's film, starring Joju George and Kalyani Priyadarshan in the lead roles, falls flat due to sloppy writing."[19] Sajin Shrijith of The New Indian Express gave 1.5 out of 5 stars and wrote, "One can't dismiss a few satisfyingly cathartic situations where Joju and Kalyani use their fists to teach some lessons to a few distasteful characters. But, again, when the rest of the material is so tiringly predictable, what's the point?"[20]

Princy Alexander of Onmanorama wrote, "Antony following the stereotype of a broken boy turning goon is one of the drawbacks of this Joshiy directorial, though the makers have tried to add a whiff of freshness by including an unusual relationship in the picture."[21] Shilpa Nair Anand of The Hindu wrote, "Antony is a typical Joshiy film; there is action, plenty of it, and emotions spread over two hours and twenty-odd minutes. But there are also points when it feels longer."[22]

## References

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1. ^ "Director Joshiy And Joju George Reunite For Antony As Makers Drop The Film's Teaser". News18. 19 October 2023. Archived from the original on 21 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
2. ^ a b "Joshiy-Joju George film 'Antony' goes on floors". The Times of India. 5 May 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
3. ^ "'Antony': First look of Joju George's film with Joshiy out". The Hindu. 10 July 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
4. ^ "Antony teaser has both Joju George and Kalyani Priyadarshan flexing muscles". Cinema Express. 18 October 2023. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
5. ^ Devasankar, S. (9 October 2023). "Joshiy's Antony: Joju George, Kalyani Priyadarshan starrer teaser to be unveiled with Thalapathy Vijay's Leo". PINKVILLA. Archived from the original on 16 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
6. ^ a b "Antony actress Kalyani Priyadarshan says the film will test her versatility as an actor". OTTPlay. 15 April 2023. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
7. ^ a b "'Antony' teaser: Joju George and Kalyani Priyadarshan dazzle in the Joshiy directorial". The Times of India. 18 October 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 21 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
8. ^ "Joshiy-Joju George's Antony first look to be out on this date". Cinema Express. 7 July 2023. Archived from the original on 8 July 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
9. ^ "Joju George's next with filmmaker Joshiy titled 'Antony'". The Hindu. 14 April 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
10. ^ R., Chandhini (14 April 2023). "Joshiy-Joju George's next titled Antony". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
11. ^ "'പൊറിഞ്ചു'വിനു ശേഷം വീണ്ടും ജോഷി- ജോജു ജോര്‍ജ്; 'ആന്‍റണി' തുടങ്ങി". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd (in Malayalam). 5 May 2023. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
12. ^ "Antony: Check out the first look of the Joju Geroge-Joshiy film". OTTPlay. 9 June 2023. Archived from the original on 15 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
13. ^ "ജോഷിയും ജോജുവും വീണ്ടും, 'ആന്റണി'യുടെ ചിത്രീകരണം പൂർത്തിയായി". Mathrubhumi (in Malayalam). 27 August 2023. Archived from the original on 5 September 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
14. ^ a b ലേഖകൻ, മനോരമ (25 November 2023). "ജോഷി-ജോജു ടീമിന്റെ 'ആന്റണി' ഡിസംബർ 1 മുതൽ തിയറ്ററുകളിൽ". Manorama Online (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 25 November 2023.
15. ^ "Teaser of Joju George's Antony to be out tomorrow". Cinema Express. 17 October 2023. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
16. ^ "Joshiy's 'Antony' completed". The New Indian Express. 30 August 2023. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
17. ^ George, Anjana (2 December 2023). "Antony Movie Review : Soulful, with touches of yesteryear charm". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
18. ^ Sridharan, Sanjith (1 December 2023). "Antony movie review: Joju George, Kalyani Priyadarshan flex their muscles in typical Joshiy film". OTTPlay.
19. ^ Suresh, Anandu (1 December 2023). "Antony movie review: Joju George, Kalyani Priyadarshan film is let down by sloppy writing". The Indian Express.
20. ^ Shrijith, Sajin (2 December 2023). "'Antony' movie review: Overfamiliarity breeds fatigue". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
21. ^ Alexander, Princy (1 December 2023). "Antony Review: Joju George, Kalyani Priyadarshan share good chemistry in Joshiy's hazy, action drama". Onmanorama.
22. ^ Anand, Shilpa Nair (1 December 2023). "'Antony' movie review: A template Joshiy film that's pacy and offers value for money". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X.

## External links

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* Antony at IMDb
* Antony at Rotten Tomatoes
* Antony (Hindi) at Ultra Play OTT
* Antony (Marathi) at Ultra Jhakaas