Stand Up
Directed byVidhu Vincent
Written byUmesh Omanakuttan
Produced byAnto Joseph
Unnikrishnan.B
StarringRajisha Vijayan
Nimisha Sajayan
Sajitha Madathil
CinematographyTobin Thomas
Edited byChristy Sebastian
Music byVarkey
Production
company
Anto Joseph Film Company
Release date
  • 13 December 2019 (2019-12-13)
Running time
118 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Stand Up is a 2019 Malayalam-language film directed by Vidhu Vincent.[1] It tells the story of Keerthi, an aspiring stand-up comedian, who is trying to find opportunities for her shows amidst several difficulties.[2]

Plot

Keerthi, an aspiring stand-up comedian, narrates the story of her friend Diya who was attacked in an apartment and is branded a victim.

Keerthi is at a stage where many stand-up comedians are presenting their acts. She starts with the typical stand-up comedy and talks about her family. Her brother Amal and her friend Diya are in a relationship. However, there is always a friction between them as Amal considers Diya to be more fond of her friends. Things go downhill at times. Amal convinces his mother to agree to their marriage and he meets Diya to tell her. Diya tells him that she has been admitted to Delhi University and is going to pursue the same. Amal is enraged because he had previously told Diya not to. Things become very bad and eventually they break up, but Amal is still not willing to let go. Sujith asks Diya to his flat for a final talk. Amal tells Sujith off and begins to talk to Diya angrily. He assaults her and leaves her unconscious. Sujith is framed for the rape and there is immense pressure on Diya to refrain from legal proceedings. Keerthi is forced to leave her home for supporting Diya. They come together to find justice for Diya.

Cast

Reception

The Times of India said that the film is "a brave female perspective on addressing abuse" and rated it 3.5 out of 5.[4] A review in The Hindu praised the film for similar reasons;[5] as did The New Indian Express, that found the film "disturbing, enraging and uplifting all at once." but its first half weaker than the second.[6]

The website Lensmen Reviews also praised the film’s message but criticised its ’amateurish’ production.[7]

The News Minute recalled the film had been criticised for its writing but that "Rajisha (Vijayan)'s performance as Diya, a sexual assault survivor, was appreciated", characterising her performance as "raw" and finding that her acting as well as Nimisha Sajayan's one were among the main assets of the film.[8] Cinema express too praised the actress's performance in the film.[9]

References

  1. ^ George, Anjana (8 April 2019). "Rajisha and Nimisha in team up for Vidhu Vincent's Stand Up". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 12 May 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  2. ^ "Nimisha, Rajisha roped in for Vidhu Vincent's 'Stand Up'". OnManorama. 9 April 2019. Archived from the original on 15 November 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
    - Anjana George (11 November 2019). "Stand Up is a story of six friends: Divya Gopinath". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 9 January 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  3. ^ "Actor Venkitesh Talks About His Movie 'Stand Up'". Mathrubhumi.
    - "എല്ലാം കൊണ്ടും 'സ്റ്റാൻഡ് അപ്' അടിപൊളിയാണ് -വെങ്കിടേഷ്". Madhyamam (in Malayalam). 14 December 2019. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  4. ^ Deepa Antony (13 December 2019). "Stand Up Movie Review: A brave female perspective on addressing abuse". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 14 December 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  5. ^ Nagarajan, Saraswathy (1 November 2019). "Vidhu Vincent's Malayalam film 'Stand Up' exhorts women to speak up". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 4 May 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  6. ^ "'Stand Up' review: Rajisha Vijayan powers this brave film". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 7 May 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  7. ^ Bharadwaj, Aswin (14 December 2019). "Stand Up Review | An Amaeturishly Made "Socially Relevant" Film". Lensmen Reviews. Archived from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  8. ^ "Anna Ben, Rajisha, Nimisha: Three women stars from Malayalam cinema to watch out for". The News Minute. 29 June 2020. Archived from the original on 2 May 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Ace Performers of Malayalam cinema in 2019". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 8 May 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
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