Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (1775-1805) - 2009!

Writing a review an hour after relishing a movie and a month later are wholly different experiences. It is highly likely that a few details otherwise gripping can be missed out here. Just consider the experience of savouring a spicy hot samosa served directly from the cook's frying pan to eating it the next day morning. I reckon the uneasiness will be the same for all of us. Out of choice, I am trying to pleasure myself upon a cold samosa today but the experience will hopefully be worth enough. In a sense I am not too sure that this piece qualifies to be called as a 'movie review'. It is an attempt to recall a theatre experience than make a detailed review.

My Pazhassi experience happened on a Sunday - a second show screening at Veeraih theatre, Aleppey. Indian Cinema is a marathon affair usually spanning over three hours. Had it been any other movie, I would have hesitated in opting for a second show sitting. I have to confess that the ghost of 'Kanthasamy' is still haunting me. In the movie, he distributed the riches among the poor in vintage Robin Hood style but it is a fact that he robbed 100 bucks off my wallet and further tortured me with his cocky ways for the next 2.5-3.0 hours.

''No, Pazhassi won't disappoint us'' quipped my friend. He was right.

A few days before we went, there was power failure during the movie and the Mammootty fans ran amok in the theatre. The theater was closed for a day for repair work.

''Good! So there won't be any more power failures!''

There was a loud cheer in the theater when the Cast and Crew list showed up. To add to the DTS DOLBY effect, my peers in the first class filled the cinema hall with bombshell shrill and howls. A never ending thundering applause every time their Superstar Mammooka (Mammootty) appeared in full splendour. Understandably, when 'SPECIAL THANKS TO MOHAN LAL'' was accorded, the response was lukewarm. After all, it is advantage Mammootty when Pazhassi's hitting the silver screen:-)

However, lets not jump the gun and call it another Troy. Yes, the Industry does hold promise and it's a landmark film not just for Keralites but for the whole country. Pazhassi Raja is a grand beginning for world-class movie productions from the Kerala soil but we still have miles to go.

Returning to analysis, Pazhassi Raja had everything to make it a magnum opus. The cast was perfect and the crew did a remarkable job. The king (Mammootty) was calm and composed, chivalrous and tactful and his demeanor befitted his royal stature. Although Pazhassi's heroics mostly happened in forest settings, the grandeur and splendour of royalty was sprinkled everywhere and the film literally took us back in time. The invincible Edachena Kunkan (played by Sharath Kumar) was the towering muscle-studded Commander-In-Chief of the Pazhassi army. He had glorious support from the tribal archers led by Thalackal Chandu (played by Manoj K Jayan) who almost did the impossible for his king. If Chandu is Tarzan with bow and arrow, he found a lioness partner in Neeli (Padma Priya) who was at ease while traversing the rough terrain of Wayanad. Hers was a rustic charm and this charm more or less superseded the queen's beauty. (Kanika as Kaitheri Makkom). Although Suresh Krishna's imposing figure suited his role as Kaitheri Ambu, he would have done better had he possessed a seasoned warrior's physique if not a six-pack. The same applies to Suman (Pazhayaveedan Chandu) too.

After Anandabhadram, Manoj K Jayan once again showcased his rich repertoire. If anyone doubted Sharath Kumar's fan following in Kerala, the debate must be settled by now. His was a class act. M.T.Vasudevan Nair did a commendable job in scripting the film although one felt that some of the dialogues lacked punch and was too naive. Resul Pookutty's brilliance came to the fore through out the film. If there is one scene that stands out in the film, that is when Thalackal Chandu was hanged in front of his own people in dramatic settings. There was thunder and lightening and coupled with Manoj's brilliance, the scene had a containing effect on the audience. Music and Romance didn’t have much of a stake in the movie, which was mostly immersed in a plethora of good fight scenes, military strategies and great warriors. However, one of the songs in the movie "Aadiushassandhya Poothathivide" did have an impact on the audience.

Like in the case of all period films there were minor flaws that could have been avoided. For example: The introduction of the English Company with a march past of soldiers was clearly lacking in synchronisation. The intro scene of Pazhassi Raja could have been a little bit more eye-catching if not pompous. Above all, one is bafffled by Hariharan's decision to use Padma Priya's own voice that spoke phonetically incorrect Malayalam. A tribal woman in Kerala should be knowing Malayalam right? There is an email doing the rounds with a snap shot of the movie in which Manoj K Jayan is seen wearing Lunar slippers:-) Not sure about the authenticity of the claim but it looks funny. Refer the picture below. This is nothing new as Rolex watches and airplanes have been featured before in similar period films and dramas:-)These minor misnomers, however, can't take the credits away from what is an amazing film.

The theater offers an experience so unique that you won't get it at home. There is a scene in the movie, which shows the oppressors and traitors in a party mood. The three generals clinked their glasses and said 'cheers'.

'Cheers'

That was cheers number four. Now where did that come from? Surely, there isn't a fourth general seen anywhere on the screen ...for a fraction of a second the audience wondered where it came from. The next fraction - the entire theater burst into a unanimous laughter and applause. This general had been waging his own guerrilla war for a while now and his voice had become familiar to the audience. This general was actually sitting somewhere in the Royal First Class category, probably drunk! The timing of his toast was such that it was hard to distinguish it from the actual toast on the screen - so the 'feel good'.element of the movie is working alright.

To sum it up, when Mammotty and Hariharan joined hands 20 years after Vadakkan Veeragadha, another classic is born - The legend of Pazhassi Raja. My verdict: Must see if you pride yourself in being a son of the soil, a true patriot! Long live the king!