Trance (2020)

Anwar Rasheed‘s “Trance” is a Malayalam-language neo-noir psychological thriller that hit theaters in 2020. The movie boasts an ensemble cast including Fahadh Faasil, Dileesh Pothan, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Nazriya Nazim, Chemban Vinod, Vinayakan, Sreenath Bhasi, Arjun Ashokan, Soubin Shahir, and Jinu Joseph. Rasheed, the director and producer, oversaw production through Anwar Rasheed Entertainments. The film follows the life of Viju Prasad, played by Faasil, an atheist motivational speaker from Kanyakumari who is recruited by a fraud agency to pose as a Christian pastor. The plot explores addiction, religion, and spirituality’s commercialization.

“Trance” marks Rasheed’s directorial return following an eight-year hiatus since “Ustad Hotel” (2012). It was produced on a budget of ₹35 crores, with principal photography starting in July 2017 and wrapping up on September 1, 2019. The movie was shot primarily in coastal Kanyakumari, Mumbai, India, and Dubai, utilizing Bolt High-Speed Cinebot cameras and sync sound – a first for a Malayalam film. Jackson Vijayan, a newcomer, composed the film’s soundtrack album, while Vinayakan TK created the title song. Vijayan and Sushin Shyam composed the background score, with Amal Neerad handling cinematography and Praveen Prabhakar editing.

“Trance” had several release delays due to censorship and production issues. After being leaked on piracy websites a week before its scheduled release, the movie premiered on February 20, 2020, in Kerala and on February 28, 2020, nationwide. The film received critical acclaim for its storyline, screenplay, cinematography, music direction, background music, sound effects, concept, and ensemble cast performances. However, the movie’s box office performance suffered a financial blow due to the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, leading to it being considered a flop.