Shylock (2020 film)


Shylock is a 2020 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film directed by Ajai Vasudev. The film stars Mammootty, Rajkiran, and Meena Durairaj. Shylock is written by newcomers Aneesh Hameed and Bibin Mohan.

Cast

Principal photography of the film began on 9 August 2019. Mammootty joined the sets a week after the shoot started.
The film marks the debut of actor Raj Kiran in the Malayalam film. Raj Kiran and Meena who had earlier worked in Pasamulla Pandiyare is acting together after 28 years. Actor Bibin George was roped in to play an important role.
The art direction of the film is done by Girish Menon.

Release

The film was scheduled for release on 23 January 2020. The film was dubbed in Tamil and released as Kuberan.

Marketing

The first look poster of the movie was released on 8 November 2019.

Soundtrack

The film's music is composed by Gopi Sundar. The soundtrack was launched on 18 January 2020.

Reception

Critical response

Sajin Shrijith of The New Indian Express gave 3.5 out of 5 stars stating "Shylock is an exuberant celebration of Mammootty, the star, that attempts to milk his charisma to the fullest". Anjana George of The Times of India gave 3 out of 5 stars stating "For the fans of 'mega star Mammootty', Shylock is a treat and for the followers of actor Mammootty, this is a complete 'no'."
Cris from The News Minute rated 1.5 out of 5 and wrote: "Yet another Mammootty 'mass' movie that numbs the mind... This is that kind of a movie - it is forgettable, it is done to death… it is running out of boring descriptions for itself". Manoj Kumar R. of The Indian Express rated 1 out of 5 star and said: "Ajai Vasudev has served up another snoozefest... Shylock is a mess. You know this story. You know how things would pan out. And you know what happens to the bad guys even before the film arrives at its depressingly predictable climax".
Anna M. M. Vetticad of Firstpost rated 0.25 out of 5 stars and wrote that "To compensate perhaps for the absolute lack of novelty in the script, camerawork and all else here, multiple references are made to other films and their Tamil superstars... The music of Shylock is so painful and the narrative so clichéd, that if this were an Easter week release, Jesus might have raced back into his tomb begging never to be resurrected. And don't get my imagination started on paavam William Shakespeare's reaction to the appropriation of one of his most famous characters for this story's protagonist".