Doing full justice to all the hype, ‘Pazhassi Raja’ turns out to be a well-made film, one that satisfies all those who had been waiting to get something from the team that had earlier come together twenty years ago to deliver ‘Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha’. A film of real epic proportions, ‘Pazhassi Raja’ is a real brilliant work, one that would appeal to average film-goers as well as to critics.

‘Pazhassi Raja’, which presents on screen the war that Pazhassi Raja of Thalassery in Kerala fought with the British about half a century before the Sepoy Mutiny, begins from where the British government decides to levy heavy taxes on local rulers and begins seizure and annexation related procedures. Pazhassi Raja, his queen Kaitheri Manickam, his commander Edachena Kunkan and his lieutenant Kaitheri Ambu are forced to flee and take refuge elsewhere. And then, with the help of the tribal warriors, led by Thalackal Chanthu and Neeli, the begin a war against the British, who of course has the support of some traitors too, including Pazhayamveedan Chanthu, who had in fact got trained in martial arts under Pazhassi Raja. It’s this and the consequent happenings that the film endeavours to trace, in a very spectacular manner.

Hariharan, MT Vasudevan Nair and Mammootty coming together after twenty long years has of course been big news for Malayalam Cinema. Those who had liked ‘Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha’, one of the best movies ever made in Malayalam, were awaiting the film with all eagerness, of course doubting at the same time whether the film viewers of today, who were not so particular or fascinated about the MT factor (MT no doubt is the best scenarist that Malayalam Cinema has ever had and attracted youngsters too to the box office at one time. But times and preferences have changed and hence the doubt). But it’s heartening to see large crowds thronging to see ‘Pazhassi Raja’ and all shows going house-full, everywhere. Of course you may tend to say that it’s more due to the hype surrounding the movie and the fact that it’s also a multi-starrer of sorts. Maybe yes, but it’s indeed heartening to see that the film has got a real great opening. Hope it does get to revive the costs incurred in the making of the movie, a budget never heard before in Malayalam Cinema. And hope the film does well in other parts of India too, because it’s going to be released in other languages too.

Performances

A young chap was heard saying, outside a theatre showing ‘Pazhassi Raja’, “No one else can do this role”. A very precise observation indeed, though not coming from an ‘erudite’ critic. The character of Pazhassi Raja seems to have been made for Mammootty and Mammootty alone. He fits into the role with all ease and looks handsome and majestic as the Raja. He does full justice to the role. Anyway, on the down side, it has to be mentioned that the character of Pazhassi Raja has been done in such a manner that in the first half Mammootty seems to be playing it down to a great extent. In fact it could even be said that the scenarist has not cared to make the characters, including that of Pazhassi Raja, multidimensional and hence there are scenes where Mammootty gets to do or perform nothing. He even seems to be a rather mute spectator to the proceedings and then takes over in the latter half of the film only. Thus Mammootty doesn’t get to perform or emote much in the first half, but does that brilliantly towards the end of the movie. Sharath Kumar as Edachena Kunkan is simply mesmerizing. You may even tend to see this as his career best. He has done a great job of the role and has proved that he is much more than a star, a real good actor indeed. Padmapriya has done a great work of the character of Neeli and she needs to be appreciated for the pains she had taken for the role. Manoj.K.Jayan as Thalackal Chanthu is equally good. Suresh Krishna impresses as Kaitheri Ambu while Suman is good as Pazhayamveedan Chanthu. Kaniha as Kaitheri Manickam looks good and fits into the character perfectly, though she doesn’t have much to do, performance-wise. Thilakan, who appears in a couple of scenes, is his very usual, impressive self. Jagathy Sreekumar’s performance is in his usual style and doesn’t stand out as did his character and performance in the Hariharan- M.T film ‘Parinayam’. The others are all OK.

Technical aspects

Cinematography for ‘Pazhassi Raja’ is excellent, simply splendid. The frames are all composed brilliantly. Editing and art-direction are among the other highlights. Of course sound recording by Resul Pookutty is good and syncs well with the whole of the movie. But we often tend to wonder if we would have taken note of his work or for that matter sound-recording in any movie, hadn’t Resul bagged the Oscar!

Music

The music scored by Illayaraja may not seem outstanding, but is good nevertheless. But it could have been bettered, a lot. Of the songs, the patriotic song rendered by Yesudas, beginning “Aadhiyushassandhya…” has come out really well and has a patriotic fervour to it. The other song, sung by Chithra, beginning ‘Kunnaththe…” is equally good and has been filmed well.

Script

Jnanpith recipient writer M.T.Vasudevan Nair, who has given us so many brilliant scripts as well as first rate films, has no doubt done an enormous amount of research for the film and has done a good work of the script. He has taken special care of the characterization aspect too. It’s to be noted that he had taken care not to make it all romantic and had made the treatment thoroughly realistic, as the subject of course demands. At the same time, it seems he had forgotten that people are often many personalities rolled into one and that characters should be multi-dimensional or multi-faceted, something which is lacking as far as the characters in ‘Pazhassi Raja’ are concerned. Let’s not forget the scene where we come to adore Aromal Chekavar, in ‘Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha’, for criticizing those who had stood up as a mark of respect on seeing him and at the same time hadn’t cared to respect his father. That makes the character stand out. It’s that streak that’s not to be seen in ‘Pazhassi Raja’. There isn’t the kind of dialogues in ‘Pazhassi Raja’ that you still like to remember about ‘Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha’ or most MT films. Anyway for die-hard admirers of MT scripts, there may be a word of caution to put across. This of course may not be his best; and hence don’t try to compare ‘Pazhassi Raja’ with any of MT’s earlier ventures. See it for what it is; it is a good work from MT indeed.

Direction

Director Hariharan, who has always taken special care to make the best out of MT’s scripts, has done a good job here too. And he needs to be appreciated for having been in total control and taking good care of the characters. Hats off to the director for having done a really brilliant movie.

As a postscript, let me add this. Well, if you stop and wonder, after seeing the movie as to whose movie it was, you will perhaps be surprised. It’s definitely not MT’s, in the usual sense, because every film scripted by MT has some trademark qualities that make it stand out as an MT film on the whole. The script scores the most and the film remains etched on our memory as an MT film. But here, with ‘Pazhassi Raja’, this is not the case. MT has done a brilliant job, but let us better not call it an MT film. It’s definitely not a Hariharan movie too. And neither is it Mammootty’s. It’s everyone’s movie. It belongs to all those who have come together to make it and becomes much more than an MT film or a Hariharan film or a Mammootty film.

Overall verdict- Excellent. Worth the wait.

Rating: 4/5

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Mammootty speaks on ‘Pazhassi Raja’ – Exclusive Interview >>>

Mammootty on ‘Pazhassi Raja’ and more

Mammootty is no doubt one of the most adored among film stars in India. In his late fifties and already a grandpa, the mega-star of Malayalam Cinema, whose acting talent and fame has crossed all frontiers and many seas, still looks much younger than he really is and dons all kinds of roles with an ease that causes envy to many. It’s no exaggeration that even youngsters admire and adore him for the physique that he has been maintaining down the years. The actor, who has been portraying roles of all hues, is all set to enthrall us with ‘Pazhassi Raja’, the magnum opus in which he teams up once again with Hariharan and MT Vasudevan Nair. Here’s Malayalees’ favourite Mammookka in a casual chat about ‘Pazhassi Raja’ and of course some other topics too:

*In the first place, what made you choose to do this film, or rather this character?

- To be honest, it was an actor’s urge to do something significant, something worthwhile that attracted me to the role.

*You, Hariharan and MT are teaming up after a gap of two decades. How come this project happened?

- We have been planning to do something again after ‘Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha’, a film on the same lines. We discussed many other subjects and finally landed upon this as we felt that the story of Pazhassi Raja has much significance.

*So many stars- you, Sharath Kumar, Manoj.K.Jayan, Padmapriya, Kaniha, Suresh Krishna; so big a budget; involvement of stalwarts like Illayaraja and Resul Pookutty. What kind of a movie is ‘Pazhassi Raja’- commercial or arty?

- It’s a movie that has to it the commercial feel and is not at all the typical art-house film.  But it’s artistically done. In fact it would rate high on the artistic side.

*Could you comment on the relevance of doing such a film now?

- The story of ‘Pazhassi Raja’ has its relevance at all times. We need not see it as a period film or a historical movie. It’s a film with a definite story-line. It’s the story of a freedom fighter. The intention behind making the film is of course to make known to the people of India the story of a hero from South India. Pazhassi Raja had fought a war against the British much before the Sepoy Mutiny. That’s the reason why the film is going to be released in different languages.

*Did you, on your side, make any preparations for this film or for your character?

- Not much. On the acting side, it’s just like doing any other role. Only the martial arts thing makes it different. Anyway, I did do some reading and all to keep myself informed about the character.

*There are other actors too in Malayalam. How come only you are selected to play characters like Chanthu (‘Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha’) and ‘Pazhassi Raja’?

- That’s for the makers of these films to answer. As for me, it’s my job to do the role that I am entrusted with. And once I am chosen to do a role, I do it with all sincerity.

*On the professional front, Mohanlal, the other super-star of Malayalam movies, is your rival and competitor. How’s it on the personal level? Are you friends?

- More than friends. Our personal relationship has always been strong; and it has been growing stronger over the years.

*You look so young compared to your real age and are so fit and agile. What’s the secret of it all?

-It’s no secret at all. It’s God’s grace, that’s all I can say.

*You have always been making strong, categorical statements in many social and political issues. Do you have any intentions to enter politics?

- Not at all. I am happy here, in cinema. Of course I have my political vision and my own opinions too in everything of social and political relevance. But I don’t want to be actively into politics.

*You have earned so many awards and recognitions, on the national and international level. You are so popular. But it seems success has never taken to your head. How do you keep so cool? How’s it that you are so humble?

- That’s my nature. That’s all I can say about it.

Courtesy: Sampark PR, Mumbai