oN De SoAp BoX

It's not that often that a movie that can aptly be called 'perfect' hit screens. When this happens, after keeping people waiting for two long years, having announced about the lump of cash that'll dazzle the eyes of an average Keralite, super added with Himalayan hype, you have no choice but to say..."wow"

This is exactly what happened with Pazhassi Raja, which in my opinion is a National Movie that'll pump lots of adrenaline. (The last malayalam movie that did the same to me was Kalapani).

This is one movie that will make every South Indian proud. No...i mean no regionalism. Facts force me to speak. The best talents from the south have made an union just like a rare conglomeration of stars that occur once in a hundred years. It has been 20 years since the release of Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha,perhaps the only Malayalam movie that worked absolutely well with critics and the box office. The celebration is back again with the same trio: Mammooty-T.Hariharan-M.T.Vasudevan Nair.

MAMMOOTY



The highlight of the movie is that it's not merely a 'mammooty' movie...it's far far beyond it. It shatters the trend where movies(even classic ones) are made centering on the magical acting skills of one Male protagonist. It's an epic movie and unlike Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha, is not just another attempt to once again sketch the acting legend called Mammooty. New dimensions are being experimented.

The worst fear I had was the same. I didn't want to watch another Chathiyan Chanthu. As an actor...Mammooty wouldn't have gained anything new if Pazhassiraja was just a modified version. He has already done what can be rated as one of the best perfomance in Indian cinema when he transformed into the magical character wielded by M.T.Vasudevan Nair.

This time what we find is a Royal prince. I honestly say you'll just feel 'royal'...the writer and the actor have done a beautifull attempt here. Mammooty is in perfect control...as the roaring lion of Kerala (that's what Pazhassiraja is described as in history). The director could have very well cast him in the role of an angry Hero with lots and lots of punch dialogues, donning all action power packed sequences. Hats off...the story is different. We can absolutely see a calm, strategy making ruler. I don't have words to describe the work Mammooty has done. The right blend of expressions. Bodylanguage is beyond descriptions. Just as T.Hariharan quoted "he didnt' have to search for another person when the charactor took picture".

I don't know if he'll walk away with another National Award(Just like Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha). But he has done this really really well.

SARATH KUMAR


I'll first of all admit a sin I commited. I had grossly underestimated this angry man of the Tamil screens. I often called him the 'Suresh Gopi' in Tamil.

It's a fatal mistake. Actually, Sarath Kumar is the one who wins all the applause of the youth. He is bestowed with all the 'punch sequences'. I'll say, this will be one of the best perfomances he has done till date. I can't even picture another person who could've done the same justice to the charactor. Let me now proclaim myself to be his new fan. The apt musculature, body movements...he brought into life the true warrior anyone would dream of. Hats off to you sir.

PADMAPRIYA



This lady is one unpredictable talent. I would personally say, she is an asset to the film industry. Unmatched potential. She gave a hint when she simply mesmerised the audience with the flexible perfomance in KaruthaPakshikal(Directed by Kamal)

No one else can replace her. It's for the first time in my life that I clapped at the perfomance of a female actor. She's so...so natural...!!! The tribal woman is too real. She's too lucky to get such roles. Remember, the current scenario is one where the actors filled with calibre does nothing but shed clothes to get branded as sex symbols.(Yeah I am referring to Nayantara...who is one of the best actors fit enough to do class roles, but rarely does that...)

Padmapriya has the right blend of all the charactors required for the movie. The action sequences she has in hand will...yeah trust me....remind you of 'crouching tiger n hidden dragon'.

She rocks.

MANOJ K JAYAN



I don't have much to say about this gem of the Malayalam Industry. This role wouldn't have demanded any extra strain from this flexible man. He had already attained an immortal status with his Digambharan from Ananthabhadram(directed by Santhos Sivan). So I didn't actually see a Manoj K Jayan here...just a tribal hero. Amazing feat I should say.

SURESH KRISHNA



My second mistake. I used to ask myself 'what's he going to do in such a movie'. Indeed, he's done a couple of spectacular roles in his career. But I can't help telling. YOU ROCK...!!! Brilliant perfomance.(Why isn't he on wikepedia?? can't link him!!!)

KANIKA




My third mistake. All I expected was a sexy heorine who would save you from boredom. Not only did the movie give a single instance to feel bored, this fairy has done a wonderful perfomance as the queen. She exposes a truly mature actress. She doesn't have such a big role. But she has commentable played her part well.Can't explain how pretty this damsel is on screen. Malayalam Film industry has lately being falling short of 'charming' ladies due to the potential business of 'outsourcing'. It's then that this Goddess of Luck walked in through a Satyan Anthikad movie (Bhagyadevada). Actually this was her first perfomance. But who knew it'll take 2 years...!!!

K.J.Yesudas

This singing legend is once again back with the mesmerising and powerful voice. Ilayaraja has done a commentable work again. But since Ilayaraja always compose magic, I have nothing new to tell. Once I listened to the audio tracks before the release of the movie, I didn't know how things would click. But everything suits to the situation. Mathangamana Mabajavasa [K.J. Yesudas] has magical effect. Then comes Aadhiushassandhya Poothathivide [K.J. Yesudas, MG Sreekumar & Chorus] filled patriotism.

The camera: I can't actually say that I missed Santhosh Sivan here...because, the work done is truly awesome. The movie is full of stunning shorts. Except for few shorts where the actors 'jump' (where the use of rope is evident to the eye) rest rocks. Well jumping is one skill our actors still require to master. Even multicrore projects like Dasavataram and Kanthasamy sucks when it comes to 'jumping'. !!! (remember the shot where Shreya chases and hops on to Vikram's byke?? yukk)

Sound editing is again notable. Perhaps even if I didnt know that Rasool Pookutty was behind the scenes I would've enjoyed things without prejudice. Sounds appear so real. I'm waiting for a dvd to get released so that I can enjoy his magic with a headphone.

On the whole...this is one of the Best Indian films in the recent past. Filled with lots of scenes where you actually jump out of yours seats. Patriotism fills every second. I still have the scene where a British Villain gets hanged.

The best part is ,it's when I reached back home that I realised I was inside the theatre for 3hours and 20 minutes. Hats off to MT VASUDEVAN NAIR n T.Hariharan. Not a scene made me feel bored. The climax scenes are still getting replayed in my mind as I'm typing this.


Cast and other details @ Wikepedia: link

Best wishes to the movie. Thanks to Gokulam Gopalan(Producer) for having taken up the venture. T.Hariharan for weaving magic again. He is one rare director who never bring into action anything that is not worth watching.

M.T.Vasudevan Nair for THE brilliant script, and golden dialogues with trillions of hidden meanings. This time the gem of Indian Literature didnot create a 'twist' to history !!! :) This was one aspect we were waiting for. Everytime he comes out there would be an interesting twist...Be it the potrayal of Chanthu as a hero or Perumthachan as a villain or Bheema senan as a weeping warrior !!!

THANKS TO THE AUDIENCE...THE FIRST DAY COLLECTION WAS A WHOOPING Rs.1.5 CRORES..A RECORD.