7 - in - 1

The theory of happiness is that once you get it, you will always try to give back more. I wanted to thank all the readers of my blog who made the last post, “The Devil’s Advocate” a blockbuster one. For someone like me, it means a lot. I hadn’t expected such a sudden wave of love and appreciation from all corners – the known and the unknown, the family, best friends, ‘just’ friends and strangers.  And, I want to give back something to each one of you. Nothing comes close to suggesting a good book to read. Nowadays, with the continuous arrival of uninteresting movies to watch out for, recommending your friends to selectively watch a decent and entertaining film is an equivalent thing! 

7-in-1 is my review of seven Malayalam films which I watched over the last one month or so and had an impact over such extremes that I have now started to self- learn Malayalam. My love for the language and Kerala has grown leaps and bounds and I have become addicted to the slang. This post will not be a regular kind of movie review and it might lack the professional touch shown by the likes of Baradwaj Rangan (‘The Hindu’ fame). I have tried my best to cover up what is needed and left out what is not. Hope you will take back something out of this.

Premam

Premam was the best of all the seven. It will be no surprise if Nivin Pauly is regarded as the next Superstar in Malayalam Cinema, after Premam. My God, this movie can be watched many times simply for his bearded look, his walk, his authority and so on. He scores his best through all those self-admiration scenes and never misses even a half-chance to impress the audience. The three stages of love – infatuation, rudeness and maturity came out best on screen, just because of the way Nivin handled his emotions and expressions during each phase. 

All the three women have given their best as Mary, Malar and Celine. But no doubt, Sai Pallavi as Malar throbs your heart and sets it beating hard for some life. Her eye-locks with Nivin and the occasional blush which she controls so desperately from popping out of herself are some of the things that should never be missed. Hoping to see her in Tamil movies very soon.  Her choreography and the spontaneity she exhibits while dancing are so catchy that you will keep gaping at the screen for some time just like few men in the film. The flirting teacher who comes in the college can be definitely found in any college/school these days and his teaching methods (Zimble and Bowerful) are a real mockery of how worst classroom education has become in India.

This movie will bring out fresh memories of your teens; if ever you had chased any girl so badly that her father came running behind to beat you up. And it was a sweet coincidence that just a day after watching it, we had come late to the class like Nivin and his friends and ‘Malar Miss’ of CSE department sent us in after excusing us with a smile. My friend and I couldn’t stop reminding about the exact sequence from the movie!

It’s worthy enough to watch the movie one time for the songs alone. All the songs are beautifully written and visuals are stunning too. The comic number ‘Scene Contra’ before the climax, the heavy weight ‘Rockaankuthu’ during college cultural fest and the completely romantic ‘Aluva Puzhayudai Theerathu’ steal the show entirely. The ‘hand-sign’ that Nivin does and the church scene during the first song are so awesome that you can’t stop laughing and trying it yourself time and again.

Premam is not just about love, love and love alone. It’s even about the beautiful friendship and bonding between 3 friends who stay close to the protagonist throughout all the 3 stages. The Veshti adjustment that they do, when all three of them walk in slow motion, along with Premam theme song running in background is one of the best ever mass scenes that I have watched so far. The song keeps running inside my mind whenever I walk alone or with two of my friends to college!

“Ee Logathil Marakkan Padikkumbozhum, Sahikaan Madikkumbozhum, Chirikkaan Marakkalley Nee!”, which means

“Don’t forget to laugh, when you forget to learn or when you are lazy!”

Bangalore Days

Bangalore Days is one movie in recent times that has best described the love of cousins. These are the people who will help you keep yourself humble and grounded no matter how big you get, how far you go in life. They are the ones who always silently care about you and never show it outside. It was a star studded cast with Nivin pauly, Nazriya and Dulquer Salman, but all of them kept things very simple. They casually took on to their roles and there was not even a single moment when I felt anything out of more than reality. In place of these three, I imagined myself, Jay and Vigi and I could connect with the movie in each and every frame. The best times of my life have always been the ones I spent chatting with them, teasing each other, playing, growing together and what not! The overall plot was amazing and the twists were aided with perfect sense and acting. I underestimated the role of Fahad, but truth be told, he was the best amongst them all. He never gave anything more than what was needed and simply played to his strengths. Some may call this movie a bit slow moving, but I fell in love with the same aspect. I wanted the movie to be a never ending tale of cousin love, recollecting all my cherished childhood days fresh in mind. The “Mangalyam” song is a special one that can bring a lot of positivity to your life. No wonder, it has become a part of my playlist too!

Vikramadithyan

Before watching this movie, I wasn’t really fair about judging Dulquer Salman. I had seen three of his movies (Vaayai Moodi Pesavum, OK Kanmani and Bangalore Days) and except for a few good scenes and his smart looks, I didn’t believe that he had the intent and motive to carry on the legacy of his famous father. But I was dulquered all the way in Vikramadithyan! Not only he was super handsome, but the actor in him came out really well. His possessiveness for the girl, the naughty gimmicks that he does throughout the film and the way he scolds his girl by calling her ‘Eerkilichamandi’ (Skinny Girl) will speak volumes of the potential heart-throb in him. During a particular scene when the results of his college exams are declared, he is seen carried over by his friends in street with loud music being scored in background. He just dances and shakes his head in tune to that music which changes his hairstyle every single time he does that.
Girls, you will just love him for that! 

The plot was pretty simple. Two guys and a girl are close friends from childhood. Is it Vikram or Adithyan? Who gets hold of the girl in the end?

To my happiness and surprise, Nivin Pauly plays a cameo role as a friend to Dulquer and brings an unexpected twist in the end. 

Dulquer’s smile in the climax is just priceless and he makes sure that he is the beginning, middle and end of the movie. The first few minutes of the movie seems to be a little boring, but that forms the base to the entire story. Some comic background score with a sepia tone aid in keeping us awake at those times. The ego of a father and helplessness of a mother are portrayed very clearly. I was deeply moved by the quote about life that comes in the pre-climax scene.

“Sometimes, we fail to achieve smaller goals in life. Bigger goals are waiting only to those who still keep running!”

1983

1983 is fully about what Cricket truly does to a fanatic. A fan is not really a fanatic, because he/she doesn’t take life decisions based on cricket. Nivin Pauly plays ‘Rameshan’ and shows us why he wasn’t able to become a Sachin ‘Ramesh’ Tendulkar despite having the same amount of talent. Kerala’s village life, simple families are covered in a perfect way. The hero is often seen in a dull colored shirt wearing a lungi. The first night scene just before intermission will make you laugh out loud, for sure. Rameshan is shocked to know that his wife is ignorant of the identity of his idol (Sachin Tendulkar) and she asks if he is some famous Bollywood Hero! The village cricket scenes and the affection one shows for each other within the team are superb. The way parents in our country discourage sports for a child in his/her early life are shown exceptionally well. Of course, there are a lot of problems in life, where cricket can provide and arrive at solutions. In my life too, I have had several cricket moments coming to my rescue. 

 

There was a popular saying during the 90s when the after-effects of a natural calamity will wither down immediately if Sachin hits another century and it becomes news! Such was the impact of his name that even mothers forced their children to get back to study for their exams when they knew that Sachin had got out and India will eventually lose. There are various nostalgic Sachin moments shown throughout the stretch of the movie, right from his debut to his final match in Mumbai. The movie ends with a famous quote from the Cricketing God Himself, 

“Chase your dreams. But no matter what, do not take shortcuts in your life!”

Ohm Shanthi Oshaana

Ohm Shanthi Oshaana is a heroine centric film and Nazriya carries the movie on her shoulders just like that. She fits perfectly on the role of Pooja and her narration of the entire story stands out. It was just the dream role for any actress and Nazriya made sure that the director was justified in choosing the right person to do it. I was completely under the feel of reading a novel as I watched it. The beautiful visuals of Kerala, its nature and beauty exemplified in every single frame (Rain Scene, Hill-top Temple) have rendered proof to why Kerala is regarded as God’s own country.

  

 

The film had its portions of light humor – the scene where Nazriya imagines Nivin to bring Coffee to her family members as part of the ‘Bridegrooom Viewing’, and the way Nazriya speaks in an authoritative tone (just like how bridegrooms usually do) and Nivin blushes and stands behind his mother (just like how brides do). Aju Vargheese who plays David Kanjyani (Nazriya’s cousin in the movie) has given his best effort in making us laugh whenever he takes screen presence. I can never forget the pre-climax when he yells out “Podddaaaaaaa” to Nivin, out of victory! Apart from the lead roles and the plotline, the supporting cast has lent the biggest weight. Nazriya’s father (who always boasts of the greenery and warmth that you can get in Kerala over phone to someone who is probably in gulf), the wine-maker, the doctor friend (played by Vineeth Srinivasan, who says ‘Take one’ during oral test and picks up Nazriya’s friend in the end) will all stay in mind for some time.

Ustaad Hotel

Ustaad hotel was like a novel made into a documentary film with some commercial touch. Unlike in Tamil movies where the hero gets all the attention, the character ‘Karim Ikka’ aka ‘Ustaad’ assumes central importance. Dulquer fits into the role hand in glove and does what the character demands from him. His happiness, love, frustration, disappointment and anger have all come out in the right measure as an actor. The scene when he gets really charged up and serves ‘Fresh Chicken’ to a customer in Five Star Hotel, stands out amongst all. The movie developed a sense of sympathy in me for women in Muslim families who face a lot of restrictions. It’s as if they are born just to be married to some wealthy man in the Gulf and they don’t get the respect and freedom that is actually due to them. One particular scene in a lorry makes you laugh and at the same time, think about the problems that women face in everyday life. It was so perfect when Dulquer shouts out, “Haven’t you got a sister or mother?” and runs along with Nithya Menon. 

  

“Food is the only thing which man refuses to have after some limit”

“It’s always about the mental fulfillment that a person gets after eating your food more than the taste that you could offer by cooking it”

“I have taught him how to cook, now it’s time he gets to know why to cook. Teach him that!” 

These are some of the instances when I felt so moved, thanks to well written dialogues and punch lines spread out wherever necessary. The movie ends with a very good social message and it would be great if every one of us contributed some part of our salaries to help those who are in real need of a helping hand to fill their tummies.

Oru Vadakkan Selfie

Right from the first minute I got engaged with the movie, ‘Oru Vadakkan Selfie’. The introduction was the best part of the movie and all college going people can easily connect with it. Any hostel resident would have felt bad when they show that youngsters make calls to their parents only to keep them informed of all the kind of fees that have to be paid at regular intervals. Once again, Nivin proves why he is the best in business, when portraying the character of a realistic hero. With no build-up or extra image, he just enters and entertains. He depicts the angst and bitterness of the average youngster of the current generation when he says, ‘Supplee is not a good word to hear’ and when he beats up the friend whom he is often seen compared with, by his mom. The train scene deserves special mention when he desperately tries to flirt with the heroine, trying to imitate Suriya from Varanam Aayiram. I couldn’t stop laughing when Nivin’s dad counter-teases him saying that he doesn’t know to fill up forms and buy tomatoes because they never taught those in engineering. Of course, engineering never teaches you real life.

 

Chennai being regarded as the dream destination of people who aspire to become film makers is well described, though without hard work and patience one has to pack up and go back to their hometowns! Others – the heroine Manjima Mohan who looks so young and charming (nice way of blocking an unwanted conversation in the train), Vineeth Srinivasan as private detective, who boasts a lot about himself whenever there is a chance to, and Aju Vargheese who makes us laugh continuously through his body language and dialogue delivery (especially when he exclaims ‘Marana Mass’ and ‘Vera Level’) have all lent their valuable contribution as supporting cast. The story dips slightly towards the end, but the message is delivered quite clearly. It comes as a hammer to all those who have become addicted to social networking. 

“Earlier bondages grew because of people’s interaction with the society. But today, when all of us get confined to 4 walls, people whom we have never seen become our friends through internet. Secrets which are not shared to friends and family are shared with them. Many relationships go beyond our control. Our life’s total control is thrown into the hands of a complete stranger!”

The Devil's Advocate

September  5, 2015

Location: Madras High Court.

The day the nation has been waiting for, anticipating the judgement on “Devaki Nandhan vs Government of India”. The case had been taken under the Fast Track Scheme, after direct intervention from both the Central and State Governments into it, thereby absorbing utmost pressure from all print, news, online and social media.

Devaki Nandhan:

She was calm and appeared to be relaxed after 3 hectic months of court proceedings. There wasn’t a hint of sadness in her when she stepped inside the courtroom for probably one last and final time in her life. Initially it had been very difficult for her – it took days for her, to even speak her first word in court. The trauma after that long bad night and the humiliation that she faced after being convicted for the same, had given her suicidal thoughts very often. She broke down, gave up all hope, tried and failed. Twice. Such things only happen in India. A rape victim getting convicted for a defamation case against the rapist, only because he was the grandson of the honorable Home Minister. Even the media was reluctant to bring to light, the false accusation claimed by the Government. She refused to speak to anyone, not even her parents. Only one man made some sincere attempts to make her speak, dress up, walk and show up once again. Because he was the one whom she always listened to, someone who would bring down anything under the sun for her.

Kailash:

Like every other day, he entered the room with a smile. He never seemed to be 30 and young women couldn’t stop having a second look at him. He was unmarried though. He knew her like his right hand for the last 12 years. It was quite unfortunate because he had to step up in pursuit of his best friend. This must have been the debut that he had always dreamt of, in his career. When he first came into the courtroom, he had a tinge of nerves. But today, he felt unfathomed by all the attention that the case had been getting, throughout the trial. He had given his best effort in acquitting her and at the same time trying to convict the rapist. His arguments were intact with all circumstantial evidences pronounced at the right measure. However, apart from all the legal battle, there was a personal battle running too, in his mind. He was opposite Madhavan Menon, his guru, mentor and a father figure whom ­­Kailash had assisted as a lawyer and worshipped for the last couple of years.

Madhavan Menon:

One of the best leading advocates in India. With a success rate of more than 90%, he was the most sought-after person for anyone who wanted a reprieve from the clutches of law and order. He was a charismatic personality, someone who was in the limelight forever. Media took due care and attention of him and never missed even half a chance to get some petty news about him. Very recently, he had made a complaint to the local police about his 6.35 mm pistol that was missing. There was an article about it in the 11^th page of a leading newspaper. He had a bunch of highly talented juniors and it was a privilege to work under him. Kailash was one of them who joined him after being inspired by his golden words. 

“Justice should prevail at any cost. It should neither be denied nor delayed.  Even if you are on the losing side, make sure that you are true to your conscience and in line with justice” 

He lived by example and always stood by what he spoke.

Unfortunately, not in “Devaki Nandhan vs Government of India”.

It was forged. Ridiculous. He was waiting for an interesting case to sign off and that’s how he ended up on the wrong doer’s side.

“Good luck to you, my boy!”

Madhavan used to say this to him on the morning of every day in court. And in the evenings, Kailash would meet him up and say,

“Thank you for everything!” and at times, fell on his toes.

His defense was ferocious and he was very serious about each and every word that he spoke. He argued, counter-attacked and kept his teacher quiet on most of the days. Madhavan often gaped in pride about the proficiency and attitude of his student. It was a very important day for both of them. 

One wanted to end his career on a high. And one wanted to bring justice to his friend and in turn, kick start his career.

Even a layman with fair knowledge and understanding of the proceedings would claim an easy win for Kailash and Devaki.  But that’s how severe law can get, at times. Justice was denied. The girl was convicted for defamation. The monster was set free. Media started to howl like anything, with newly found freedom as usual.

“It’s not about winning. He did really well. Good lad, tried his best. Even I didn’t expect the verdict to go my way. Not a bad attempt to start himself at the big stage. Better luck next time!”, Madhavan commented on, when asked about Kailash.

Kailash was fully charged up and shouted back with haste and anger,

“Don’t speak another word. You taught me something called conscience and truth. But you never followed anything here. It’s a shame that I served you and learned my way here following your footsteps. It was not about justice. For you, it was only about making money and settling for life. I don’t want to see you again. Never ever come back to this place, Get lost, old man. Good bye!”

“May be, this is the last time you have misunderstood me. It wasn’t money. Not fame. Not farewell. Nothing in this world comes close to protecting your loved ones. We will meet again very soon.”, he replied.

“In your dreams.”

A few days later…

Kailash received a text from Devaki.

“Im leavn Chennai @ 10:30 tonyt. Need 2 talk wid yo. Pls cum ovr. Vil be waitn 4 yo @ Central.”

They almost had an hour to speak. But, both were blank. They saw each other eye-to-eye, perhaps a lot of words were exchanged through them. Kailash had tears and straightly admitted how disappointed he was about the verdict.

“I am sorry Deva. I should have done better.”

“Idiot. No worries. You have always given beyond your best for me. Thank you so much for everything in life. So much for all your love and affection. You taught me to live life on my terms. Even after all the indignity and pain that night and all the nights after that have given me, I am bold and confident right now. I am more than just alive, all because of you. Only you. I owe this second life to you and I will prove to everyone else why I am to survive.”

He was running tears all through his face and other people started noticing the two. She continued.

“Don’t break down now. Just like how you will tell me every single time when I broke down, ‘All is well. Cheer up, idiot!’ Stay in touch. I must leave now.”

“Hmmm.. Delhi? That’s where you belong. Follow your heart and come back in the way I wanted to see you. No. The way you wanted to see yourself.”, he said.

They were silent for a few minutes. There was a single honk of the train.

“And… I did it. Out of courage, I did it Kailash, Yes!”

“Did what?”, he asked.

“Wait for tomorrow’s news. Don’t forget to thank Madhavan sir. Without his help and support, I couldn’t have managed it.”

“What the hell are you speaking? I completely hate him now for his actions and attitude. He chose to be on the wrong side and betrayed us on the whole!”, he spoke with hatred.

The train just began to move. Kailash started to walk along with it.

“No. Thank him from your heart. He was like a father to me all these days. Great man. Great career. Follow him as far as possible. “

“You are confusing me.” He nodded saying that.

“There is answer to all your confusions or questions in tomorrow’s news. Watch out, see you soon. Goodnight!”

Kailash stood there until the train left the station. Now that he cannot sleep for the night, he decided to use Facebook for some time. He thought. He slept. He woke up. He thought again. He slept again, finally.

Next day…

Ashwin, infamous grandson of Home Minister, shot dead.
Killer missing. 6.35 mm pistol used to fire all 6 bullets, from a point-blank range. No finger prints found. No clear leads early on.
Three special teams formed to investigate on the case.

“6.35 mm pistol”, Kailash read and dropped the newspaper. He called him at once.

“Thank you sir. Thank you very much. No words, sir. You have won over me again sir, I feel I can never understand you the first time, ever. There can never be another great like you!”

“Well, I had been expecting your call for some time. Get yourself a pen and note something down, now. ‘Sometimes, justice is to be served beyond the four walls of a court!’ So, when are you re-joining here? If I may ask”

“Will come there at once, sir.”

“I am no more a working advocate. Guess something? I am suspected of murder now. And I need the best man in business to represent me! Hope you will accept my request.”

“It’s my privilege and honor to do, sir.”

“By the way, how much will you charge for me?”, Madhavan was full of sarcasm.

“I have always asked for one thing from you sir and you have never agreed with me in that. As usual, your beloved daughter!”

“Rascal. Get lost. Oh no, just come over!”