Bhramaram

Director Blessy, came to the cine field almost 22 years before as assistant to Padmarajan through films like 'Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal', ‘Thoovanathumbikal’. He has also worked with directors like IV Sasi (‘Varnappakittu’), Venu Nagavally (‘Kizhakkunarum Pakshi’), Jayaraj (‘For the People’), Lohithadas (‘Soothradharan’) etc. His first independent film as director and script writer, ‘Kazhacha’ (with Mammootty), followed by ‘Thanmathra’ (with Mohanlal) gave an assessment on the caliber of this technician. His next few films like ‘Palungu’ (with Mamootty) and ‘Calcutta News’ (with Dileep) were not commercial hits. The concepts of those two films were good, but the main problem happened on the way in which it was narrated. Those who have seen ‘Calcutta News’ won’t forget some of the excellent visuals he took in the background of the city life (the scene in which Innocent’s character’s dreaming, treatment of climax fight etc are some of the examples).

Now the ace director is coming with his latest film ‘Bhramaram’ starring Mohanlal. The title has got some tag lines saying, “Brutally innocent…” and “First Road Movie in Malayalam…” It gives us the message that it is an action subject. (Even the posters of the film reminds us of the yester year film by Bharathan-MT-Lal, 'Thazhvaram'). After working with cinematographers like Azhagappan, Sethu Sriram, Santhosh Thundiyil and S Kumar in his previous films, now Ajayan Vincent gets the chance to hold the camera with Blessy. He is the younger son of veteran director- cinematographer Vincent and younger brother of senior cinematographer Jayanan Vincent. It is a history that Ajayan’s debut film was also ‘Thoovanathumbikal’. ‘Bhramaram’ is distributed by Max Laab (Mohanlal’s distribution company).

‘Bhramaram’ is the story a protagonist (Mohanlal) who comes to the city in search of his childhood friend (Suresh Menon). There is a mystery behind the former’s visit to the latter’s family (Laxmi Gopalasamy and Baby Niveditha). He fails to identify the hero who is his old friend, the instability in his behavior also created some doubts in the family’s mind. Anyway what is the reason behind the hero’s arrival and motive and how the hero tackles the situation is what the director Blessy told in a thrilling way through the revenge story, ‘Bhramaram’.

The highlight of the film is the outstanding performance by one of the finest actors in the country, Mohanlal. His one man show in which he delivers the emotions varying from smile, laugh, sentiments, aggressiveness, enmity etc is notable. After a long time, the superstar has got such a role to execute. The attitude of this central character changes from time to time, some times he is silent, sometimes violent, he laughs and at the same time he cries.

Next thing to be noted is the excellent cinematography. Ajayan Vincent has covered the maximum locations from city side (Coimbatore) to the high range (Marayoor and Nelliambathi). The film which involves many close-up shots and interior scenes of maximum vehicles like jeep, car, auto, lorry and bus has been shown differently in a superb way. The use of Jimmy Jib cameras in most areas also gives the authenticity to the visuals.

The binding factor between the hero and the camera man is, of course, the director. Blessy has proved again by doing an excellent job. The presentation of the film is the highlight here. The combination scenes involving the two friends (Mohanlal and Suresh Menon) will make the viewers curious every moment. By making the hero, drive vehicles like lorry and jeep in the high range, the complexity and outlook of the character is also projected. Suresh Menon, Muralikrishnan (Bharath Gopi's son), Laxmi Gopalaswamy, KPAC Lalitha, Baby Niveditha etc has also performed well as per director’s orders.

The action scenes by Thyagarajan are also good. Mohan Sitara has given two songs; “Annarakkanna Vaa…” song comes as bit in many times. Background score is also apt for the subject.

In the middle of many positives, the director has committed small mistakes by compromising. By placing a little girl (as hero’s daughter), who doesn’t know how to act, the flash back portions have gone out of control in few areas. (her performance has got the flavour of heroine's younger uncle's role done by Shajin in 'Aniyathipravu', hope u remember...) Also the crowd becomes restless for the village scenes of the hero, which affects the tempo of the movie for few minutes. Bhoomika (as hero’s wife), doesn’t have much to perform. In short, the motive behind hero’s journey should have treated more professionally. (I am ready to accept all these things in the sense, since it all happened in the middle of a breathtaking voyage; I don’t want to see another outcome of ‘Thirakkadha’ or ‘Pakalnakshatrangal’ here…!). Anyway it is good that such poor scenes covers only around 10% of the film's length.

‘Bhramaram’ is a thrilling experience which won’t happen always. Though there are small hurdles in the middle, the over all effect won’t make you boring.

Rating : 8 / 10