The year 2021 hasn’t begun well for Malayalam film director Lijo Jose Pellissery. First, his film Jallikattu, India’s entry to the Oscars, didn’t impress the Academy judges, and now the director, who has acquired a cult following, seems to have disappointed his devoted fans with his latest film, Churuli, which premiered at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) on Thursday.
There was palpable enthusiasm in the lead up to the film’s show at Thiruvananthapuram’s Kairali theatre, causing much anxiety to IFFK organisers who are determined to maintain social distancing in theatres. But, daunted by the long queues of young boys and girls as well as unannounced guests of the state government, some adjustments had to be made in the cinema hall where alternate seats had been taped up to avoid Corona spread. For Churuli, the audience sat elbow-to-elbow in a few rows.
The director’s loyal fans applauded cheerily at all of the film’s…