The Alphonse Puthren Effect: From 'Premam' to 'GIFT'

The Malayalam film industry witnessed a remarkable classic in 2015, Premam which not only achieved commercial success but also catapulted actors like Nivin Pauly and Sai Pallavi to overnight stardom. The film's director, Alphonse Puthren, emerged as a gem in the filmmaking world.

However, after this triumph, there was a seven-year hiatus before his next project in 2022, titled "GOLD." "GOLD" boasted an intriguing premise but failed to deliver the depth and powerful emotions that touch the hearts of the audience.

This disappointment led to criticism from fans who expected genius from the Premam director. Alphonse Puthren even expressed his frustration on social media in response to the backlash. Now, in 2023, he has announced his next project, titled GIFT.

This film features Mallu actors Sandy and newcomer Sahana Sarvesh in leading roles, with the legendary Ilayaraja composing the background score. The title announcement video for GIFT featured a fantastic alap by Ilayaraja, along with his signature strings.

The question that lingers is whether 'GIFT' will restore the director's fame, which 'GOLD' failed to accomplish. Fans and the industry eagerly await this new cinematic endeavor, hoping for a return to the brilliance that "Premam" showcased in 2015.