Oru Naal Varum

Medium : Malayalam
Starring : Mohanlal, Sreenivasan, Suraj Venjarammood, Sameera Reddy, Devayani
Director : T.K.Rajeev Kumar
Music : M.G.Sreekumar

The tensions prevailing between various organizations in the malayalam cine industry like producers, distributors, exhibitors etc along with the monsoon season has affected badly the release of Mohanlal's new movie 'Oru Naal Varum'. The movie which was planned to release in the second half of May has now reached theaters, after affecting certain controversies also. We are aware of the fact that a third party came to the lime light claiming the real story credit of 'Oru Naal Varum'. Anyway now the issues are solved and the distributors assume that since the football fever is in its climax, this is the right time for the release.

After the hit movie 'Udayanaanu Thaaram', Sreenivasan once again decided to take the pen for Mohanlal. T.K.Rajeev Kumar, who is notable through his debutant project, 'Chaanakyan' (by Kamalhassan), has directed it. He did a a couple of projects like 'Pavithram' and 'Thacholi Vargheese Chekavar' with Mohanlal before. The producer Maniyanpillai Raju has given a movie with the same director before, 'Kannezhuthi Pottumthottu'. This time the hero's pair comes from the north, Sameera Reddy ('Musafir', 'No Entry' fame). The music section here is handled by M.G.Sreekumar, who is concentrating more on the composing side, these days.

Sukumaran (Mohanlal) wants to construct a new house in the city. He needs approval from Gopikrishnan (Sreenivasan), the Assistant Town Planning Officer, a corrupted guy. Gopikrishnan lives with his wife (Devayani) and daughter, who is deeply interested to join MBBS course. He is planning to get admission for his daughter in a self financing seat. Sukumaran tried hard, but he is unable to get positive sign from the officer. The instability in the family relationship between Sukumaran and his wife Meera (Sameera Reddy) is also shown. She is staying separately, leaving her husband and little daughter. At last, Sukumaran decided to bribe Gopikrishnan, which leads to a certain chain of incidents in both their families, thus the story of 'Oru Naal Varum' progresses.

Some of the incidents shown here has got the flavor of Mohanlal's recent movie, 'Ividam Swargamaanu' since both the projects discussed the activities related to the government departments. The base story idea is good, but script by Sreenivasan needs more professionalism in conceiving it. Though the family matters of the hero is shown parallelly, it is incomplete and has seen many times before. Such situations are incorporated to attract the family crowd and also to take an attention away from the cat & mouse game happening between Mohanlal and Sreenivasan's characters. No big humor is happening here, even though Suraj Venjarammood is given a role (under pressure), as Gopikrishnan's driver. The name of the village 'kundathode' written on a board and placed beside hero's plot is the last way to generate laughter. The full stop given to Nedumudi Venu's character in such a way is not acceptable. Even though we can demand realistic situations, a cinematic finish should have been done for such a story. Sameera Reddy struggled a lot to show emotions.

The transformation happening to the hero's character is an appreciated one, which is the highlight of the movie. Some of the lighter actions by him in the beginning areas is catchy. Manoj Pillai's cinematography is good. 'Paadan Ninakkoru...' song is already a hit and the only attraction of 'Naathoone...' song is Mohanlal's voice, but they are not included in the movie. Bg score by M.G.Sreekumar goes with the mood. The dialogues has got Sreenivasan's touch, the comic ones are not impressive all the time, but the serious punches in the combination between the hero and his opponent can caught attention. T.K.Rajeev Kumar is lucky enough to get a 'come back' movie, as he got the most experienced artists in the lead roles.

As viewers like us doesn't want anything new, the creators are also not ready for an experiment...let us hope, it will change, oru naal varum...

'Oru Naal Varum' cannot be rated as top class from Mohanlal-Sreenivasan combination. It targets family audiences and also good to see Mohanlal in the role of an 'ordinary' man, without much heroism incorporated in it. Watch this without much expectations, then you won't be disappointed...

Rating : 7 / 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)