Praanjiyettan & The Saint

Medium : Malayalam
Starring : Mammootty, Innocent, Sidhiq, Jagathi, Khusboo, Priyamani, Master Ganapathy
Director : Ranjith
Music : Ouseppachan

In an years gap, after the super hit performance (on acting and direction sides) in 'Paleri Manikyam', Mammootty and Ranjith once again teamed up for a movie named 'Praanjiyettan & The Saint'. In the beginning years of his career, Ranjith wrote comedy flicks like 'Peruvannapurathe Viseshangal', 'Georgekutty c/o Georgekutty, 'Nanma Niranjavan Sreenivasan etc and he is the trend setter creator of 'Devasuram' also, he will go to the extreme low level by making movies like 'Rock n Roll' and 'Chandrolsavam'. It is a sad thing that though his movies like 'Paleri Manikyam', 'Thirakkadha', 'Kerala Cafe' and 'Kaiyoppu' were excellent and different attempts, they didn't do well at the box office, Ranjith is still known as the creator of action hits like 'Narasimham' and 'Raavana Prabhu'.

The title itself shows that his new project will also be a different attempt from the experienced writer. Cinematographer Venu and music director Ouseppachan came to the Ranjith's camp for the first time through this movie. Another specialty is that the mega star is appearing in a business man's role and that too in a Thrissur slang. Priyamani (after 'Thirakkadha') and Khusboo (after 'Kaiyoppu') once again comes in notable roles under the guidance of the same director. The movie is produced by Ranjith and distributed by Mammootty under the banner Play House.

If you want to watch the movie, please don't go through the next paragraph...

Francis alias Praanjiyettan (Mammootty) is a rich business man based in Thrissur. His companions (Innocent, Raamu, Tiny Tom, Idavela Babu) are ready to do anything for him. Francis was having an inferiority complex when others calls him as Praanji. Though he started jewelery business, still Praanjiyettan is known as the old rice merchant. Even after having lot of money, Praanji has been suffering from the disadvantage of not having proper education. In the club elections, he failed against his old friend (Sidhiq). Being an open minded personality, Praanji was always willing to help any one who comes on his way. Praanji came across Padmasree (Priyamani), an interior designer and helped her to solve some personal problems. He liked her, but he was unable to express his love. At one stage, Praanji adopted a student to give him proper education, which later lead to some incidents in his life.

Though I have mentioned the story line, it won't travels in the way as you expected. Thus the main attraction of 'Praanjiyettan & The Saint' is the style in which the story is told. Ranjith needs special claps for doing that part successfully. The movie presented in a humorous way has got some messages also. This is yet another brilliant and unique performance by Mammootty. The actor who reproduced maximum variety of slangs and modulations through movies like '1921', 'Sooryamaanasam', 'Vidheyan', 'Oru Vadakkan Veeragaadha', 'Kottayam Kunnachan', 'Mrigaya', 'Daany', 'Raajamaanikyam' etc; once again thrills you with his new appearance in 'Praanjiyettan & The Saint'. It is time for the actor to establish the Thrissur talking style like the way he did the capital city's slang.

All the artists did well in their roles. The new face who comes in the Saint's role and director Ranjith (his name was not shown in the credits), who gave voice to him did an excellent job. Jagathi, who is seen consecutively in the third Ramzan release, did the teacher's role in his style. Master Ganapathy ('Vinodayathra' fame) has also got a lengthy role to do. Some of the Thrissur natives like T.G.Ravi, Sreejith Ravi, Jayaraj Warrier, Idavela Babu etc also got a chance to perform. Drama artists like Sasi Kalinga, Sivaji Guruvayur etc also performed well. Priyamani and Khusboo also did well. Vimmy Mariam George who dubbed in Trichur slang should be noted here. Venu's camera work is excellent. Vijay Shankar is the editor. Ouseppachan's bg score goes well with the story, the picturisation of 'kinnavile janaalakal...' song is good.

Director Ranjith's extra boldness and his faith on the malayalee viewers were revealed at the time itself he did a different climax for 'Nandanam'. In 'Praanjiyettan & The Saint', he took a step ahead and established the fact that any creativity would be accepted if it is told in a believable way.


In the 30th year of his career, with around 350+ movies experience, Mammootty proved that he can still show wonders. 'Praanjiyettan & The Saint' is a different humorous attempt by Ranjith, don't miss it...


Rating : 9 / 10