Nancy Rani
| Nancy Rani | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Joseph Manu James[1] |
| Written by | Joseph Manu James |
| Produced by | Rajesh George Kulangara |
| Starring | Ahaana Krishna Aju Varghese Arjun Ashokan Lal Lena Sunny Wayne Vishak Nair |
| Cinematography | Christy Saviour |
| Edited by | Nithin Raj |
| Music by | Mujeeb Majeed |
Production company | Reporter Films |
| Distributed by | YouTube |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Nancy Rani is a 2025 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by Joseph Manu James.[2] The film was completed posthumously by his wife, Naina, following his death in early 2023.[3][4] It stars Ahaana Krishna in the title role, alongside Aju Varghese, Arjun Ashokan, Lal, Sreenivasan, Lena, Sunny Wayne, Vishak Nair, Mallika Sukumaran, Indrans, and Mamukkoya.[5] The film was released on 18 June 2025 directly on YouTube.
Plot
[edit]Nancy Rani is a young woman from a modest background with dreams of becoming an actress. She idolizes the legendary actor Mammootty and aspires to meet him someday. The film explores her journey through the challenges and struggles she faces in the film industry and personal life, highlighting her perseverance, aspirations, and the sacrifices she makes to chase her dreams.
Cast
[edit]- Ahaana Krishna as Nancy Rani
- Thennal Abhilash as Young Nancy
- Aju Varghese as Dr. Iype Ibraham
- Arjun Ashokan as Director Raj
- Lal as Akkaraparambil Chackochan
- Sreenivasan as Mess Mohan[6]
- Lena as Sister Clare
- Sunny Wayne as Sunny
- Vishak Nair as Motti
- Mallika Sukumaran as Yamuna, Raj's mother
- Indrans as Mani
- Mamukkoya as Kuttanpilla
- Maala Parvathi as Parvathy Menon
- Pauly Valsan as servant
- Irshad Ali as Arnold Perumal
- Sooraj Thelakkad as Unni Valyaveettil
- Abu Salim as Vava
- Vishnu Govind as Appukuttan
- Sohan Seenulal as Kozhi Soman
- Devi Ajith as Dr. Arundhati
- Aneesh G Menon as Vivek Khan
- Sudheer Karamana as Idiyan Idikkula
- Azees Nedumangad as Politician
- Nandu Poduval as Karadi Achan
- Druvan as Ashik Peter James
- Achudanadan as Achuvettan
- Kottayam Ramesh as Professor Vinod Kumar
- Kottayam Purushan as Security
- Baby as Doctor
- Shine C George as Relative
- Franko Davis as Jaison Disouza
- Jolly Chiriyath as Motti's mother
- Irena Mohini Mihalkovich as Theresa
- Vetri as Himself
- Miah Essa Mehak as singer
- Shankaran as Mammootty fan
Production
[edit]The film’s production began in early 2020.[7] It experienced multiple difficulties during shooting, including lack of clear planning, scheduling conflicts, and some on-set tensions. Director Joseph Manu James reportedly faced health issues and struggled with managing the set. Unfortunately, he passed away in February 2023 before completing the film. His wife Nyna took responsibility for finishing the project, overseeing post-production to bring the film to release.[8]
Release
[edit]The film planned for theatrical release multiple times but was postponed due to director's demise, financial and legal issues.[9][10] Nancy Rani was released directly on the digital platform YouTube on 18 June 2025, under the Speed Audio & Video channel.
Controversy
[edit]The release of Nancy Rani was accompanied by a major public controversy involving lead actress Ahaana Krishna and Nyna, the widow of director Joseph Manu James.[11] The dispute centered around promotional obligations, working conditions, and personal accusations exchanged through media and social platforms.[12]
Promotional Dispute
[edit]Shortly before the film’s digital release, Nyna publicly accused Ahaana Krishna of refusing to participate in the film’s promotional activities.[13] At a press meet, she stated that Ahaana had been fully compensated and was contractually obligated to take part in the promotion, but chose to distance herself from the project. Nyna appealed to Ahaana to show "humanitarian consideration," especially given the film was the late director’s last work and a tribute to his vision.[14][15]
Ahaana Krishna’s Response
[edit]Ahaana Krishna responded to the allegations through a detailed statement shared on her social media handles. In the statement, she explained her reasons for staying away from promotions:
- She alleged that the filming process was chaotic and emotionally distressing, with constant delays, mismanagement, and lack of professional planning.[16]
- She claimed that the production had used a dubbing artist to complete her lines without her knowledge or consent, and also suggested that a body double may have been used to shoot scenes after her part was completed.[17]
- Ahaana also said she was subjected to personal defamation, alleging that Nyna had spread rumors to damage her reputation, including comments directed at her family.[18]
- While she considered taking legal action at the time of filming, she ultimately chose not to proceed out of respect for the director’s sudden death.[19][20]
She emphasized that her contract covered only acting duties, and she had not agreed to participate in post-release promotion. She also stated that the ongoing narrative being circulated was, in her view, a strategic move to gain sympathy and attention for the film.[21]
Technician Allegations and Production Issues
[edit]Several crew members and technicians associated with Nancy Rani later came forward in support of actress Ahaana Krishna’s claims, stating that the production experienced serious disruptions. According to their accounts, the shoot extended far beyond its original schedule due to mismanagement. They alleged that the director, Joseph Manu James, was frequently under the influence of alcohol on set, with assistant directors reportedly joining him. Although shoots were often scheduled for 9 AM, filming would not begin until late afternoon, causing widespread dissatisfaction among cast and crew.
The technicians also stated that the film's script changed significantly after initial schedules and that the final film did not resemble the original narrative. One crew member claimed that actress Ahaana Krishna opted out of dubbing after the director allegedly spoke inappropriately to her mother over the phone. As a result, her voice was dubbed by someone else without her consent.
Additionally, multiple technicians claimed they were never paid for their work. A camera operator revealed that he was owed ₹3 lakhs and had filed a legal complaint. He said that the director had promised to resolve the matter before the film’s release, but passed away before it could be settled. The producer later deferred the matter, citing his absence abroad.[22]
References
[edit]- ^ "Director Manu passes away before the release of his dream movie". Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "Malayalam Filmmaker Joseph Manu James Dies Days Before Release of His Debut Film Nancy Rani". Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "Naina's fight against fate to fulfil her husband's dream". Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "മരണമേ തോൽക്കൂ, ഇത് ഞങ്ങളുടെ 'കുഞ്ഞ്'; മനുവിന്റെ സിനിമ നെെന തിയേറ്ററുകളിലെത്തിക്കും". 23 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "Ahaana Krishna to play a die-hard Mammootty fan in Nancy Rani, second poster out". Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "Ahaana Krishna on her experience working with Sreenivasan". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "Ahaana, Arjun Ashokan and Lal in Nancy Rani". 15 October 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "മനുവിന്റെ സ്വപ്നങ്ങള്ക്ക് ഇനി നയനയുടെ ചിറകുകള് - നൈന ജിബി അഭിമുഖം - NYNA JIBY PITTAPILLIL INTERVIEW". 6 March 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "Nancy Rani Movie: അർജുൻ അശോകൻ, അഹാന കൃഷ്ണകുമാർ ചിത്രം 'നാൻസി റാണി' മാർച്ച് 14ന് തിയേറ്ററുകളിലേക്ക്". 14 February 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "Nancy Rani: Aju Varghese on how Ahaana Krishna-starrer is finally releasing in theatres after director's death". Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "'May suffer financial loss but will not plead with her again'; Film director Naina calls out Ahaana Krishna". Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "We have requested enough: Director's wife on Ahaana Krishna not promoting 'Nancy Rani'". Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "'There may have been issues when Manu was alive': Nyna on Ahaana's absence from 'Nancy Rani' promo". Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "'കഴിയാവുന്നത്ര അപേക്ഷിച്ചു, മാനുഷിക പരി ഗണന ഉണ്ടാവേണ്ടതാണ്'; അഹാനക്കെതിരെ അന്തരിച്ച സംവിധായകന്റെ ഭാര്യ". 4 March 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "'നാൻസി റാണി' പ്രമോഷന് എത്താതെ അഹാന; മാനുഷിക പരി ഗണന വേണമായിരുന്നെന്ന് സംവിധായകന്റെ ഭാര്യ". Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "നാൻസി റാണിയുടെ സെറ്റിൽ എന്താണ് സംഭവിച്ചത്? പ്രൊമോഷനിൽ പങ്കെടുക്കാത്തത് എന്തുകൊണ്ട്?: അഹാന കൃഷ്ണ". Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "'She tried to portray me as a drug addict'; Ahaana Krishna responds to allegations raised by director's wife". Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "Ahaana Krishna | അഹാന മയക്കുമരുന്ന് ഉപയോഗിച്ചു എന്നാരോപിച്ചു, മറ്റൊരാളെക്കൊണ്ട് ഡബ് ചെയ്യിച്ചു; 'നാൻസി റാണി'യിലെ ദുരനുഭവം വിവരിച്ച് നായിക". 11 March 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "'Made mockery out of my work': Actor Ahaana Krishna responds to controversy over absence in 'Nancy Rani' promotions". 2 March 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "Ahaana Krishna breaks silence on Nancy Rani controversy". Cinema Express. 11 March 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ ""I had unpleasant experiences with the director and his wife," Ahaana Krishna breaks the silence on 'Nancy Rani' allegations". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "'നാന്സി റാണി' റിലീസ് ചെയ്യില്ല? പ്രതിഫലം ലഭിച്ചിട്ടില്ല, കേസ് നല്കി ടെക്നീഷ്യന്മാര്; സിനിമ വീണ്ടും കുരുക്കില്". 12 March 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
External links
[edit]- Nancy Rani on IMDb
- Nancy Rani -Youtube