Blessy, the director of the acclaimed Malayalam film The Goat Life (Malayalam title: Aadujeevitham), has garnered international attention with two prestigious nominations at the 2024 Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA). This notable achievement highlights the film's impactful soundtrack and powerful score, both crafted by the Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman.
A.R. Rahman won a nomination in the "Song-Feature Film" category for the song "Periyone," which Jithin Raj performed. With lyrics penned by Rahman and Rafiq Ahamed, the track brings a soulful and evocative touch to the film’s emotional narrative. Moreover, Rahman's poignant background score for The Goat Life has earned him a nomination in the "Score Independent Film (Foreign Language)" category, enhancing the film's depth and dramatic appeal.
The HMMAs, organized by Hollywood Music in Media Academy, are one of the top global events honoring original music across a wide range of visual media, including film, television, video games, and advertising. This year’s nominees showcase an impressive roster of over a hundred celebrated songwriters, composers, and performers with well-known names such as Elton John, Brandi Carlile, Miley Cyrus, Lainey Wilson, and Pharrell Williams. Also nominated are accomplished composers Hans Zimmer, Harry Gregson-Williams, Kris Bowers, Trent Reznor, and Atticus Ross, underscoring the high caliber of talent featured at the awards.
The Goat Life is based on Aadujeevitham, the best-selling 2008 novel by Benyamin, and chronicles the life of Najeeb, a young man who, in the early 1990s, leaves the lush landscape of Kerala to seek his fortune abroad. However, his journey takes a dark turn, leading him into an arduous struggle for survival in a desolate desert. The adaptation, featuring Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role, brings this gripping story to the screen with a compelling cast, including Amala Paul, K.R. Gokul, Hollywood actor Jimmy Jean-Louis, and Arab actors Talib al Balushi and Rik Aby in significant roles.
Upon receiving news of the nominations, the film’s official Instagram page celebrated the achievement, expressing gratitude to the entire creative team. Their post read: “We are incredibly proud of this achievement and grateful for the incredible talent involved in bringing this powerful piece to life. Big congratulations to the entire The Goat Life team and all the other nominees! Let’s celebrate music, storytelling, and the magic that happens when both come together.”
Singer Jithin Raj also shared his excitement about the nomination for “Periyone” on social media, thanking Blessy, the film’s director, and A.R. Rahman for their encouragement and support. “Congratulations to all the nominees! Here’s to celebrating the magic of music and cinema,” he posted.
The film has already achieved critical acclaim domestically, winning multiple awards at the 54th Kerala State Film Awards, including Best Director, Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Sound Mixing, among others. The nominations at the HMMAs further solidify The Goat Life as a powerful work of cinema with an emotional reach that resonates globally.
The Hollywood Music in Media Awards will take place on November 20 at the Avalon Theatre in Los Angeles, with fans and film enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the results.
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