Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam: Here’s why the Mammootty film won’t have a Tamil version on OTT

Malayalam superstar Mammootty’s critically-acclaimed film Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam, which hit theatres in January, finally began streaming on Netflix from February 19. Apart from its original Malayalam version, the movie, helmed by Lijo Jose Pellissery and written by S Hareesh, was also dubbed in Hindi, Telugu and Kannada – all of which are also streaming on the OTT platform.

Also read: Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam review: Mammootty's film is a tranquil ode to social acceptance in uncertain times 

The Tamil version of the movie is, however, missing. Previously, Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Gold had its original Malayalam version out on Amazon Prime Video first and the Tamil dub followed weeks later. But in Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam’s case, there won’t be a Tamil dub at all.

This is because the movie, which is set in Tamil Nadu and has most of the dialogues in Tamil, was intended to be a Malayalam-Tamil drama that could be watched by audiences of both States. In fact, Mammootty, who had also produced the movie, had said in a recent interview, “This is a Tamil film for Malayalis and a Malayalam film for Tamilians.” About 50% of the artistes in the movie, which was shot in a village near Palani, were also from Tamil Nadu. “The highlight of the movie is what happens to a group of Malayalis in Tamil Nadu,” he said.

Also read: Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam is about what happens to a group of Malayalis in Tamil Nadu: Mammootty 

The film had Mammootty speaking a certain dialect that is used in the area and the megastar had sought the help of Peranbu director Ram to ensure those dialogues in the movie were accurate. The movie was also shot in sync sound, leaving no room for errors.

Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam, which also has Remya Pandian, Poo Ram, Ashokan, Rajesh Sharma and Vipin Atley, revolves around a Malayali theatre artiste, who on his way back from Velankanni, begins to show erratic behaviour after waking up from a siesta. He transforms into a village, who had passed away six years ago. How the relatives of both persons come to terms with his predicament form the plot of the movie.