Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil on OTT: Is this film based on a true incident at Kerala Temple?

Suksham Sharma
Suksham Sharma
Updated on Jun 25, 2024, 16:12 IST- 6 min read
Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil on OTT: Is Prithviraj Sukumaran's Malayalam film based on a true story?

Prithviraj Sukumaran's latest comedy film Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil has hit the theatres, marking his return to the local comedy scene. Fans are excited, but they are also wondering if the film is inspired by real-life story. The discussion began on Reddit, where users speculated about the movie's origins. InsideMollywood suggested that Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil might be based on a true incident at Guruvayoor Temple.

Is the Malayalam movie "Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil" based on a real-life story? 

According to the Reddit post, "There are lots of rumors saying the movie is based on a real story from a famous incident at Guruvayoor Temple. Due to a mix-up during a mass wedding, the wrong couples ended up marrying each other." 

Reddit users also drew comparisons with the 1992 film Grihaprevesam, starring Jagadish and Rekha. One user noted, "The situation in 1992's Grihaprevesam is similar—two couples accidentally marry the wrong partners during a temple wedding." 

Is the Malayalam movie Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil Poster/X

6 interesting facts about Guruvayoor Temple mentioned in the viral Reddit post:

Guruvayoor Temple is situated in the town of Guruvayoor in Kerala, India. It is approximately 29 kilometers from Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala.

1. Historical Significance:

The temple is one of the most important places of worship for Hindus and is often referred to as the "Dwarka of the South." It is dedicated to Lord Krishna, who is worshipped here in his "Unnikrishnan" (child Krishna) form.

2. Architectural Style:

Guruvayoor Temple showcases classic Kerala architectural style with its unique gopuram (gateway tower), nalambalam (four-sided structure around the sanctum), and flagstaff (dhwajasthambam).

3. Legend of Origin:

According to legend, the temple's idol was worshipped by Lord Krishna in Dwarka. After Dwarka was submerged, the idol was brought to Kerala by Guru (the preceptor of the gods) and Vayu (the wind god).

4. Elephant Sanctuary:

The temple has an elephant sanctuary called Punnathurkotta, where more than 50 temple elephants are kept. It is one of the largest elephant sanctuaries in the world and is located about 3 kilometers from the temple.

5. Unique rituals:

The temple follows unique rituals, including the daily Seeveli procession where an elephant carrying the deity's idol parades around the temple. Another notable ritual is the Krishnanattam, a dance-drama performance depicting the life of Lord Krishna. 

6. Famous Wedding Destination:

Guruvayoor Temple is a popular destination for weddings, attracting thousands of couples who wish to tie the knot in the temple's divine presence. The temple witnesses hundreds of weddings every month, making it one of the busiest temples in Kerala for matrimonial ceremonies.

Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil on OTT: Is Prithviraj Sukumaran's Malayalam film based on a true story? Poster Of Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil/X

Here's what Reddit users think: 

GURUVAYOOR AMBALANADAYIL-REAL STORY?
by inInsideMollywood

One of the users recalling the old movie wrote, "1992il ee same situation ulla movie irangiyath aan - Grihaprevesam starring Jagadhish and Rekha. Story line - Two couples decide to marry in a collective wedding at a famous temple. Amidst a huge crowd of devotees, the brides get exchanged and accidentally marry the wrong person."

Another user said, "Yes, almost same line of story but more into current social scenario."

Despite these speculations, director Vipin Das clarified in an interview with The Hindu that Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil is not inspired by Grihaprevesam. He mentioned that both films share a common theme of mistaken identity in marriage, but he did not confirm whether his movie was based on a true story.

Vipin Das emphasised that Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil explores a different comedic approach from his previous work, particularly mentioning his unconventional techniques in JJJH (Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey). The director credited Deepu Pradeep for the script, expressing confidence in bringing the story to life on screen. 

What is the storyline of Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil?

The movie's plot centers on a young man who unwittingly marries a woman who dislikes him, resulting in humorous complications. The characters find themselves mistakenly married to the wrong partners at the temple. There are reports suggesting that the film could be inspired by a real-life incident.

When and where to watch Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil online?

Disney Plus Hotstar Malayalam recently announced on X (formerly Twitter) that Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil will start streaming on June 27. However, the exact release time has not been confirmed by the platform. Normally, Disney Plus Hotstar unveils fresh content at 6 pm (IST), although this timing may vary. 

Also Read: From Guruvayoorambala Nadayi to Thalavan, South OTT releases to watch this week on Netflix, Prime Video, Hotstar

Audiences can anticipate the film becoming available around this usual release time. It's worth noting that Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil will be streamed exclusively in Malayalam initially, so viewers looking for dubbed versions may need to wait longer.

As the Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil OTT release date approaches, the question of its inspiration remains a topic of curiosity and debate among moviegoers.

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