Shikkar

Medium : Malayalam
Starring : Mohanlal, Lalu Alex, Jagathi, Kalabhavan Mani, Kailash, Ananya, Sneha, Mythili
Director : M.Padmakumar
Music : M.Jayachandran, Ouseppachan (bg score)

A project planned with Mohanlal and Nasrudeen Shah on the background of forest and bamboo trees, has been announced with Viji Thamby as the director, almost 7-8years ago. If my memory is right, Mohanlal's character name 'Balaraaman' itself was the title for the movie. Any way that project didn't happened, in the middle, the name of Lal Jose came in the director's list. Now, the chance has gone for M.Padmakumar ('Ammakkilikkoodu', 'Vasthavam', 'Vargam', 'Parunthu' fame), to be the captain of the ship, a former associate to master craftsman Renjith. 'Shikkar', which is shot in the dense forests of Kothamangalam, Pooyamkutty etc were also in the news as actor Sreenath's end happened during the shooting days of particular movie. S.Suresh Babu ('Thaandavam', 'Daada Saahib' fame) is the script writer.

The story happens in the high range village of Chittaazha which is busy in the bamboo season. Balaraaman (Mohanlal) is a lorry driver, he has got a companion (Kalabhavan Mani) always. He acted against the baddies who came to create an unstable environment with in the workers, thus he is loved by all in the locality. He lost his wife (Sneha), he now stays with his daughter Ganga (Ananya, 'Positive', 'Naadodikal' fame) is a medical student. Some of the incidents that happened in the life of Balaraaman always haunts him. Ganga started loving Manu (Kailash), a press photographer. When known about Manu's past, Balaraaman opposed their relationship and later he was forced to reveal his flash back.

Mohanal is excellent and his appearance has got the flavor of movies like 'Naran' and 'Bhramaram'. M.Padmakumar has not been successful to dominate 'Shikkar' over those projects, the inclusion of some unwanted scenes added to the negative. The tamil song 'Sembakame Sevappazhake...' featuring Lal (director) and a girl with dancers was only helpful for some viewers for going out to have a smoke and come. Please don't forget that Lal doesn't have a Prabhudeva image among the crowd. It is time for Suraaj Venjarammood to be choosy in his roles, more over his character is showing identical behavior as Jagathi's one. Kalabhavan Mani was not at all needed, he is here to support the hero in punches. Jagathi coming in a rich man appearance for the second time, is shown with his son-in-law (Kannan Pattaambi, production controller), such a scene won't creates laughing as you expected; the reason for the former calling the latter as brother-in-law is not known.

The story of 'Shikkar' is good, but the movie is lagging in many areas. The telugu dialogues heard in the forest has got a 'nagavally' tone, which should have been avoided, as the owner of the voice is shown later. The climax fight happening in between the thick mountains and forest shows that the crew had suffered well, but the output was not thrilling as expected. Since the time and location of the incidents are shown in between the title credits, it creates a confusion in the beginning. The relation of Balaraaman and Ganga can be doubtful (at least for me), whether she is his daughter or his brother's ?. The funny dialogues told by most of the characters in the end of every shot or scenes (might have done during dubbing) are not attractive. The characters of Kochu Preman, Sreelatha, N.L.Balakrishnan etc can be used as fillers only. The reason for Jagathy's fear for the hero's character left unknown. The action scenes and its build up in the first half is an adaptation from many such heroic subjects. The hit duet 'Enthedi Enthedi...' should have been visualized welll, in a greenery backdrop rather than the Hyderabad location.

The telugu song and the associated incidents are shown well to register Abdulla's character to a great extend (though I expect the crowd would be restless, it was not like that). The message given in the climax is good. M.Jayachandran had given the songs for the mood. Bg score by Ouseppachan is good. Manoj Pillai's cinematography is excellent. Ranjan Abraham is the editor. By giving her own voice, Ananya did well in the role. Even in a small role Samudrakkani marked his presence.


'Shikkar' won't stands up to your expectation. It can be watched to witness Mohanlal in another rough and tough role.


Rating : 7 / 10 (revised)

Nadodigal

Medium : Tamil
Starring : Sasikumar, Bharani, Vijay Vasanth, Ganja Karuppu, Ananya, Abhinaya
Director: Samudrakkani
Music : Sundar C Babu

Delivering hit films one after other will create the expectation more, when the team behind comes up with a new project. After ‘Subramanyapuram’ (as director, producer, actor) and ‘Pasanga’ (as Producer), Sasikumar has done the lead role in the film ‘Nadodigal’. This time the director is Samudrakkani, who did the villain role in ‘Subramanyapuram’. Vijay Vasath (new face), Bharani (‘Kalloori’ fame), Ganja Karuppu etc are there in the supporting roles. Malayalam actress Ananya (‘Positive, ‘Rahasya Police’ fame) and new face Abhinaya are the heroines. Sundar C Babu (“Vaalameenukkum…” fame) gave the music and Kathir (‘Subramanyapuram’ fame) is the cinematographer.

In the beginning itself we are shown the motto “Your friend is also the friend of mine“. Hence it is clear that ‘Nadodigal’ deals with the story of friendship. The three friends have got their own ambitions. Karunakaran (Sasikumar) wants to get a government job, his friend (Vijay Vasanth) wants to open a computer centre. Their love matters are also shown. In the middle, former’s friend reached there. He is seeking their help to solve the problem happened to him due to love failure. They took the risk in helping the friend to be got married. The incident has become a turning point and causes problems in all their lives. They have to put down their ambition due to this. After few months, they are shocked to see the present condition of the newly married couples and what happens to all of them is discussed through the film ‘Nadodigal’.

This is yet another example of a film where the attraction lies in the simplicity in the story and its realistic presentation. We have seen kidnapping scenes in many films presented seriously and also in a humorous way, but the one lead scene to the interval where the lover girl is being kidnapped from the parents is stunning. “Sambo…” song in the background suits the mood well. Like the previous films, here also you are having good performances from many new faces. The real atmosphere of the village is truly brought to the canvas once again. Though it is not a necessity as far the story is concerned, the creators have included one or two gana songs also to give a local flavor considering the regional audiences.

Sasikumar has done well; it doesn’t feel that he acts, rather he is behaving. Vijay Vasanth, Bharani and Ganja Karuppu also did a good job. Ananya, who comes in the bubbly character, will get a good name through this film. It is good to see that she has acted by giving her own voice in her first film. The director should be appreciated for casting a deaf and dump girl like Abhinaya in the lead role. It should be noted that she has done well in a normal character like the hero’s sister role. The director had given a good dubbing for her and the camera angles help her to perform like a normal girl.

Sundar C Babu has given a lively mood with an excellent background score. Even after doing a Vijayakanth film, he was not notable as a director before, here after Samudrakkani will be remembered as the creator of ‘Nadodigal’. Kathir, the cameraman has given some good visuals also.

‘Nadodigal’ is simple, straight and sometimes haunting. Its realistic presentation gives a message also.

Rating : 9 / 10