The movie starts with a temple festival scene, where everyone is eagerly waiting for the arrival of Krishna Prasad, who is supposed to measure the height of the elephants, so as to decide who will have the right to carry the thidambu. This prestigious contest is won by the elephant, Mampully Arjunan. This makes Anirudhan (Sai Kumar), owner of the elephant which lost to Arjunan, vengeful towards Krishna Prasad and this incident set the tone and direction for the movie.
The story happens in the village of Chungham, where the elephant lover Krishna Prasad (Jayaram) lives. Prasad is obsessed with elephants and most of his time is spend on elephant related matters. Such is his mastery on elephants related matters, that at any given moment he can tell you where each of Kerala’s elephants would be. On many occasions people from faraway places comes and meets this elephant GPS to find out where exactly would be certain elephants so that they could be booked for festivals. Prasad lives in a joint family under his big brother, role enacted by Balachandran Chullikkad. The rest of his family members are scornful of his elephant love and wants to get their share and get out of the joint family. Prasad tries to make a living by being subcontractor for supplying palm leaves for Guruvayoor temple elephants.
Devious Anirudhan tries to get Mampully Arjunan killed by running him over with a truck. Arjunan didn’t die, so Anirudhan plots with veterinary Doctor to kill him by poisoning, with the knowledge of Arjunan’s owner. Krishnaprasad comes to know about this plot and rushes to the owner of Arjunan. Owner offers Arjunan to Krishnaprasad in as-is condition. Krishnaprasad decides to adopt Arjunan and brings him home. Horrified family members raise a ruckus and big brother kicks him out of the house. Arjunan and Krishna Prasad lives in the street.
Then there is the love angle, Jayaram’s love interest Gauri (Ramya Nambeesan). Because of some financial dealings involving Prasad, Gauri and her mother loses her house and she is given refuge in Prasad’s house by Prasad’s elder brother, much to other family members chagrin. On a previous occasion Anirudhan, who was the president of Chungam’s Cooperative Bank, had misbehaved with Gauri and Prasad had beaten him up. Anirudhan’s hatred towards Krishnaprasad reaches everest proportions. Now with Gauri living in his house, and he living in the road, and the whole world against Prasad and how he turns around things makes up rest of the story.
Apart from main protagonists there are a host of endearing characters in this movie. Notable among them are Innocent, Salim Kumar,KPAC Lalitha, and Jagathy. Cochin Haneefa, as usual, acts as an idiot who gets slapped around. Jagathy’s role as a dynamic Animal welfare board officer draws some applause. Salimkumar, as Arjunan’s mahout does a good job.
Krishnaprasad and Gauri’s love lacks chemistry. Their alliance seemed more of convenience rather than love. Their relationship is written and portrayed in a vague manner. Jayaram lives in the role of elephant lover Krishnaprasad. His enthusiasm is almost infectious. Ramya Nambeesan didn’t have much to do, and script does not provide any challenging tasks to her. Saikumar excels in his villain role, definitely he’s one of the best villains in Malayalam cinema. Balachnadran Chullikkad’s portrayal of sacrificing brother was competent.
P.Aravind, Kamesh, Sudheesh John’s story and screenplay, written in a straightforward manner, devoid of any subplots and complications. Even though the story and script lacks any depth the narration is smooth. There are some comic moments also. We have seen the best of Jayaraj, this one is no where near that. He was successful in giving a decent fare to the viewers. The rural settings and beauty are captured very well.
Seeing a Jayaraj movie is a big risk, one is not sure what to expect. His movies are either fantastic or damp squibs. Nothing in between. Aanachantham is different by being an average movie, doesn’t offend anyone, nor does it provide a great fare.
Music by Jason J Nair is beautiful is the best part of the movie. Please read Jo’s Anachantham music review here.
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