Marykkundoru Kunjaadu

Medium : Malayalam
Starring : Dileep, Biju Menon, Vijayaraghavan, Salim Kumar, Innocent, Bhavana, Vinaya Prasad
Director : Shafi
Music : Berny Ignateous, Bijibal (bg score)

These days, the publicity and promotional news for any project under production in malayalam, will be normally big. If the lead role in the movie is done by a notable actor like Dileep, then it can be the talk of the town. But, in the case of his new project directed by hit maker Shafi ('Pulivaal Kalyaanam', 'Kalyana Raman', Thommanum Makkalum', 'Mayavi', 'Choclates', 'Chattambinaadu' fame) and scripted by Benny P.Nayarambalam ('Chaandhupottu',

'Thommanum Makkalum', 'Chota Mumbai', 'Annan Thambi', 'Chattambinaadu' fame), the things were different. It does not created an expected hype before its release. But, once heard the title of the movie, 'Marykkundoru Kunjaadu', nobody can forget it due to the simplicity. Dileep's previous project 'Kaaryasthan' was not the best, even then the fact to be noted is that the family audiences for his movies have helped the project to lift up a lot. Bhavana is acting with the hero after a short gap (previous one being 'Twenty 20'). Shamdatt ('Ritu', 'Vargam', 'Tiger', 'Pramaani' fame) is the cinematographer. The movie is produced by Vysakh Rajan.

Solomon (Dileep) is a jobless guy living in a high range village with his father (Vijayaraghavan), mother (Vinaya Prasad) and two sisters. Being a coward person, he has got the nick name Kunjaadu. He is in love with Mary (Bhavana), daughter of a rich man (Innocent), right from the childhood days. Her father and brothers (Anand, Appa Haja etc) has strongly resisted their relationship. The arrival of a strong bold guy (Biju Menon) in the village, has brought some changes to Solomon's life, which is shown in the later portions.

Last few releases has not been the best for Dileep. He has now realized, what the malayalee viewers are expecting from him. Thus 'Marykkundoru Kunjaadu' is a come back movie for the actor, who is in his 101st project. He has done the role in an attractive way, in his old style, without looking for the heroism and stardom. Biju Menon has got a bold character to do, which he did well. Vijayaraghavan's father character is good. Benny P.Nayarambalam's good script has been neatly handled by Shafi. The hang over of 'Meesa Madhavan' and 'Chaandhupottu' are there in few portions. The humor elements used in the movie are good. Shamdatt's cinematography covers the colorful visuals of the hilly areas of Thodupuzha at its best. Manoj is the editor. Action sequences by Mafia Sasi are good. Songs by Berny Ignateous goes with the mood. The visuals for them are done without much complaints. Bg score by Biji Bal is good, but felt loud at some areas. The dts mixing done by Ajith George, felt noisy at certain portions (don't know whether it is the problem with the theater).

'Marykkundoru Kunjaadu' is an ideal family entertainer for this X'mas and New Year season.

Rating : 8 / 10

Asal

Medium : Tamil
Starring : Ajith Kumar, Prabhu, Sampath, Sameera Reddy, Bhavana
Director : Saran
Music : Bharadwaj


Tamil actor Vijay came twice to our state capital in the last 3-4years as a part of promotional campaign and to celebrate the victory of his movies. The big initial collection for the actor in these days, showed his popularity among the malayalee audiences. As Vijay's film 'Vettaikkaran' is running here successfully, his competitor Ajith Kumar had come up with his latest film, 'Asal'. The large number of publicity stills and posters near the releasing centers proved that he is also having many fans here. Though his last film, 'Aegan' was a big flop, his stylish appearance in 'Billa' had given him an extra mileage. It is a fact that both the actors mentioned above, who had started their career in the early 90's, is only one film behind in achieving their 50th film record.

Director Saran, who gave some notable films with Ajith Kumar like 'Kaathal Mannan', 'Amarkkalam' and 'Attagasam', had directed the film. Sameera Reddy, who got tamil debut through 'Vaaranam Aayiram' and malayalee girl Bhavana are the heroines. Prasanth D Mishale, who was as assistant to Nirav Shah, is becoming an independent cinematographer through this film. The director's favorite music director, who had worked for majority of his films, Bharadwaj handles the music department. 'Asal', yet another double role film for the hero, is mainly shot in the foreign locations of France, is produced by Prabhu for Sivaji Productions. Along with Saran, actor Yugi Sethu and Ajith Kumar himself shares the credits for the scripting side.

The story is about the rich father (Ajith), who is an international negotiator and arms dealer based in Paris. He always wanted to see his son Siva (Ajith) and his step brothers Sam (Sampath) and Vikky (Rajiv Krishna, 'Aaha', 'Devaragam' fame) living unitedly. Siva has always been father's favorite, unlike his brothers he is straight forward and has got a gutsy nature too. Even after opposed by their father, Sam and Vikky decided to do the business of supplying arms to terrorist and drug dealings with the help of their uncle (Pradep Rawat, 'Gajini' fame) and a police officer (Suresh, 'Panneer Pushpangal' fame). In between, the father is dead and Siva is cornered by his step brothers in his family. Vicky is being kidnapped by a Mumbai based don, Shetty (Keli Dorji, 'Billa', 'Don', 'Tango Charlie' fame). Siva reaches Mumbai with a lady (Sameera Reddy), working in the Embassy and when he reaches Mumbai he has got the support of his father's friend (Prabhu) and a girl (Bhavana) working with him. By his own master plan, Siva saves his brothers from Shetty; but the cruel and cunning attitude of Sam and Vicky has never been changed, they tried to destroy Siva.

The story of the film is not new, it reminds us of some of the old films by MGR and Rajnikant. But it is covered up with the colorful presentation in the foreign locations by the director Saran, accompanied by some fast action sequences. Stunt masters William Ong, Patrick Bruneton, Kanal Kannan and Dalapathi Dinesh should be mentioned. Baradwaj had given a heavy bg score. 'Totta Doing...' song inspired from 'Tantanaa...' in 'Kaminey' is a rememberable one, choreography by Raju Sundaram is also good. The credit for giving richness in each frames should go to new cinematographer Prasanth D Mishale. The most wanted editor in south india, Anthony has also given a good support. Ajith Kumar, in a fashionable appearance had done his role well.

The make-up given for the father character should have been different; here the director had made the job easier by giving an identical appearance for the father and the son characters. The first few scenes of Bhavana's character who behaves childishly can make you restless. Though Yugi Sethu has done well, placement of a popular comedian in that role should have created more laughing sequences. 'Thala', the nick name given to the actor is used along with the dialogues in too many areas.


'Asal' is a stylish film which won't keep you boring. The theme of the film may not be different, but it can be watched for its technical brilliance...


Rating : 6.5 / 10 (revised)

Robinhood

Medium : Malayalam
Starring : Prithviraj, Narein, Jayasurya, Bhavana, Samvritha Sunil
Direction : Joshy
Music : M Jayachandran, Rajamani

In the very late 70's, some new directors came to the malayalam cine field, who later gave many good films in their career. But, now at this point we can't spot out many seniors that belong to those group, who are still giving super hits. Joshy is exceptional case here. Right from his first film ('Tiger Salim', 1978), he had traveled through the action path on the majority of occasions ('Aarathri', 'New Delhi', 'Nairsaab', 'Naduvazhikal', 'Lelam', 'Pathram', 'Runway', 'Naran' etc). In his first film, he didn't get a chance to cast the superstars; now this 65+ films old director's new film has got the current sensation Prithviraj, supported by promising young stars like Jayasurya and Narein.

The script is written by Sachi-Sethu team ('Choclate' fame). It is produced by Muralidharan. He has given superhits like 'Classmates' and 'Choclate' before. Shaji ('Naran', 'Red chillies' fame) handles the camera.


The name of the film, 'Robinhood' with the biline comment, "prince of thieves" cleaarly indicates the nature of the story. ATM Robbery is the main thing discussed here which is shown in the beginning itself. Hero (Prithviraj) is shown as the culprit here. The bank appoints a private detective (Narein) for finding out the way in which it is done. In the meanwhile, the police officer (Jayasurya) investigates the case. The hero is working as a tutor in a private institution. His student (Samvritha), is in love with him. Heroine (Bhavana) is a bank employee. Anyway in the end, the reson for the revenge is revealed (as there is no suspense).


'Robinhood', acted by a group of youthful stars, has been presented by one of the senior director in the industry; this itself is the attraction here. Here you have got songs, action, humor, sentiments, revenge etc which are necessary for a commercial entertainer. Prithviraj is stylish as always. Narein's role is different from his ususal style; here he has got some humor also to do, which he has managed to a certain extend. "Jayasurya in the IPS role", won't be too good to hear, but seeing it I felt that he has not done bad. (He has tried the same kind of role in the film 'Positive' before).


I am not entering into the logic of the robbery discussed in the story. But the script writers should have created a suspense till the end for the story. Since the robbery is shown straight away, only thing to reveal here is the motive; the thrill would have been more on the other way. (this is what top directors like Shankar might have been done in such a postion). But the film is not boring.

M Jayachandran has given some peppy numbers. "Priyanu Maathram..." featuring Prithviraj and Samvritha has been excellently choreographed by Shobi ("karuppana kaiyyale...", "valameenukkum..." fame). Though the tall heroine's body language has every chance to become awkward, it has not been projected due to the different frames used here. While choosing some of the female extra artists for such a good dancing sequence, there should have been extra care given.


Rajamani, "the fastest man in the re-recording field" has given the background score. He has used some English sounds in the bg for the hero's introduction and his proceedings. (I dont think that. it is necessary to create the mood; more over it is noisy also).


Still the malayalam films has not reached an above average level position on the action sequences. The carpets and floor mats for the fighters to jump and dive are clearly visible. Action directors, Aanal Arasu and Palaniraja should have been more vigilant on this by using fast frames. The title credits done in animation is good, but it had got black texts in black bg, which is not readable...(the most experienced man, who is the captain of the ship should be responsible for all such negatives happened also).


'Robinhood' is a watchable movie. It has got a revenge subject done by some youthful stars.


Rating : 7 / 10

Winter

Medium : Malayalam
Starring : Jayaram, Bhavana, Manoj K Jayan
Director : Deepu
Music : Rajkrishnan, Benny

Following the trend of films like ‘Nammal Thammil’ and ‘Ayirathil Oruvan’, another film ‘Winter’ has released now, after being kept unreleased on a span of 5-6years. It is acted by Jayaram and Bhavana. The director of the film is Deepu (once assistant to Priyadarshan, Rajeevkumar etc). Though Deepu’s first film is releasing now only, he has given a film with Dileep last year, ‘Crazy Gopalan’.

The story happens in a village situated far away from Hyderabad. The hero (Jayaram) is a doctor, who lives with his wife and two young daughters. They are witnessing some unusual experiences from their newly bought house. They find the problem with the vasthu, as the reason for this. Even though an atheist, he decides to shift the house since the tensions are high. They came to know about the brutal killings of many children happened in the same place, a year before. Though the culprit was killed in an accident, similar incidents have started again. The police are adamant in capturing the new criminal. In the climax, the killer attacks the hero’s daughters and at the same time, the hero reaches there and finishes the villain. The family decides to stay back in the house.

It looks like the writer-director has been deeply inspired by the style of notable film maker Ram Gopal Varma and hollywood films. ‘Winter’ has got the flavor of many films by RGV like ‘Bhoot’, ‘Raat’, ‘Jungle’, ‘Darna Mana Hai’, ‘Darna Zaroori Hai’, ‘Phoonk’, ‘Vasthushastra’ etc. Most of these films have got the theme mainly concentrated on a house and the happenings inside it. Even the calling bell sound is repetitive (but Varma used a more frightening sound).

Here the director has tried to keep the suspense from the beginning. At the moment the villain is showed all on a sudden inside the hero’s house, the whole tempo is lost and thus the ending of the film becomes usual. In the middle, the attitude of hero’s daughter created a doubt on the mind of psychiatrist (Manoj K Jayan), but that was also not discussed properly later. The base story thus affected the film a lot. The lack of rich outdoor scenes is evident. (Some frames have been affected with the “old-syndrom effect” due to the late release…)

Horror movies had always been a passion for me. If it is neatly visualized, a good thrilling experience is guaranteed from it. Even Ram Gopal Varma’s new film is based on the unknown enemy in the dense forest; this shows the popularity of horror movies. Still I believe that ‘Bhoot’ is one of the best horror movie made in the country. So after seeing many such films, we can’t easily accept something which is not created with the cent percent quality, even if in malayalam.

Deepu, as a director has done his job well; but his skill as a writer failed in the middle. The film covering only 5 or 6 artists is shot using a small budget within the limitations (location courtesy – Ramoji Rao film city). Background score by Benny and DTS mix by Rajkrishnan, helped to maintain the tempo to a certain level. Jayakrishnan Gummidi is the cinematographer and Arunkumar, who always works for Priyadarshan films, is the editor here.

‘Winter’ is a different attempt which would have been done more neatly. Since we have seen many better films in the same category before, it lacks freshness.

Rating : 6 / 10