Remember the short film Sangeeth Prathap’s Joel Davis was making in the Nivin Pauly-Mamitha Baiju starrer Bethlehem Kudumba Unit? Well, it has now stepped out of the film and onto YouTube. Titled Soulmates - Oru Saathukkudi Pranayam, the short was released on the Bhavana Studios YouTube channel on Sunday, in what has turned out to be a rather inventive promotional move.
The idea has clearly struck a chord. Soulmates crossed 2 million views within 12 hours of its release, with viewers embracing the short with the same enthusiasm they have shown towards Bethlehem Kudumba Unit. Packed with humour and references to the world of the feature, it expands on a small but memorable thread from the film.
Joel, the younger brother of Nivin Pauly’s Justin Davis, is an aspiring filmmaker in Bethlehem Kudumba Unit. His efforts to make Soulmates provide several comic moments in the film, where audiences get only glimpses of the project. The new release finally presents the film Joel was supposedly making in its entirety.
The short also carries over the playful meta-fiction of Bethlehem Kudumba Unit. Vineeth Viswam’s Nandan and Parvathy Ayyappadas’ Sayoojya headline it, while Nivin's Justin and Mamitha's Ashley make guest appearances. Sangeeth’s Joel is credited as the director, with Justin serving as producer. Moreli Pictures presents the short, with Shameer Khan’s Brinto Mundaparambil as co-producer. By turning an in-film gag into a standalone release, the makers have found a way to extend the film’s world beyond the theatre, and the early response suggests audiences were more than ready for it.
Meanwhile, Girish AD’s romantic comedy Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, centred primarily on Justin and Ashley’s age-gap romance, continues its blockbuster theatrical run. The film has crossed Rs 150 crore worldwide and is currently closing in on the Rs 200-crore mark. It also stars Suresh Krishna, Roshan Shanavas, Shameer Khan, Srinda and Vinay Forrt in prominent roles.
