Very often we have lamented about the sad state of Malayalam Cinema where only superstar movies provide guaranteed return. Why don’t Malayalees encourage youngsters or why don’t we have great scripts like the ones seen two decades back? These are questions we always asked.

Most often we hear the response that the “taste” has changed and film makers are just trying to cater new delicacies that tickle the palette. While that is acceptable, what we would like to see is film makers, who go against the convention. Now if you look for film makers like that there are plenty, but their movies remain in cans and you hear about a few of them when they win awards.

Real success is when you make an off beat film which is accepted by the masses. So it brings great joy to us to see Thirakkatha complete fifty days. The success of this movie is a tribute to Ranjith’s skill as a writer and if he is able produce occasional movies like this in the midst of his Narasimhams it would do good both for the industry and the actors involved.

We know that one swallow does not make a spring, but at least the success of this movie  shows that Malayalees are willing to give good Malayalam movies a chance so long as the movie has something fresh and is well made.

Here’s couple of reviews of this movie:

IndiaGlitz says that the movie is Thirakkatha – refreshingly different

The highlight of the movie is definitely the exquisite script work by the director, telling the plot as monologues of different personalities involved. This juxtaposing of stories between past and present may sound very complex and confusing, but in reality ‘Thirakkatha’ is one of the simplest stories you will ever see. The complexity comes from the depth of the characters, the strength of the script, and the extra investment that every single actor brings to their roles.

The story offers a lot of curiosity about whom on which the movie is based. The makers have placed the late actress Sreevidhya, directors Bharathan and Padmarajan on the posters and presented the movie as a tribute to the late beautiful actress. The movie also shows striking similarity with many actual incidents that happened in the eighties like the film ‘Kazhinja Manjukaalam’ that introduces three stars -of which the villain later turns out to become the superstar. The movie also shows the sets of ‘Rudhiram’ (or is it Roudram?) where the super star even behaves like a police officer even in his own circles, outside the film’s sets.

sify.com says that movie is ‘Quite Good’:

Director Ranjith has gone to tinsel town for his new film Thirakatha. It is about the importance of a script in filmmaking and how it evolves. But what makes this script more interesting is that the main characters are from the show world.

It is his pursuit for a new theme that takes director Akbar Ahmed (Prithviraj) to the tragic affair between Malavika (Priyamani), a yesteryear heroine who has gone into oblivion now, and the evergreen hero Ajayachandran (Anoop Menon).

Nikhil writes

The very first shot itself gives us the mood and treatment of the film. Ranjith has taken good care in selecting the BGM for the shot and the entire film. The film revolves around three main characters, that of Prithviraj, Anoop Menon and Priyamani. The real hero in the film is the story itself. Once more hats off to Ranjith.

NowRunning.com writes

I was totally impressed by the narrative structure of ‘Thirakkatha’; a series of monologues that rampantly fling the viewer back and forth across vigilantly placed flashbacks. In all probability, the obvious unevenness is intentional, inkeeping with the complex emotions that it attempts to depict.

According to IndiaGlitz

The highlight of the movie is definitely the exquisite script work by the director, telling the plot as monologues of different personalities involved. This juxtaposing of stories between past and present may sound very complex and confusing, but in reality ‘Thirakkatha’ is one of the simplest stories you will ever see. The complexity comes from the depth of the characters, the strength of the script, and the extra investment that every single actor brings to their roles.

PS: We are in the process of migrating VC to a new server. Hence the infrequent blogging. As Steve Jobs said recently, The news of our death is greatly exaggerated.

I don’t have absolutely anything against mindless entertainers.After all, cinema is an escapist fare and as long as they manage to entertain the audience it doesn’t matter how good or bad the story is..But what will you do if a movie (which is scripted and directed by one of the cinematic geniuses whom you admire the most) is at the same time mindless and fails to entertain you? That is exactly what Minnaminnikootam is.It is such a trash that makes you cringe to your seat and put you in deep slumber!

Minnaminnikootam starts the ‘classmates’ way,goes to the flash back mode and then comes to the present in the climax scene.Ya…right from the beginning it sounds clichéd no?This is the main flaw of Minnaminni.. it is clichéd,predictable and except for a few gags from Jayasurya and Roma is plain boring. Kamal’s intentions are clear,to make a movie about a group of friends who are I.T.professionals (who quite often behave like teenage boys and girls, and their main job is to sit and chat in the Office ‘Canteen during working hours!) and their woes in life.But what Kamal lacks is a strong story line which keeps the viewers hooked to the movie.

Coming to the performances…The movie has a dozen of stars from the youth brigade though the story revolves round the lead pair of Narein and Meera which infact is the biggest blow as far as the audience is concerned!While the supporting cast of Jayasurya,Roma,Indrajith,Samvrutha have done their roles effectively both Meera and Narein seems to be miscast in their respective roles.Narein lacks screen presence ,his acting is pretty bad (at times amateurish, esp in the ‘drunken’ scene!).Meera’s role is nothing but an extension of what she did in Vinodayathra,Calcutta News and a dozen of other recent films.She over emotes at times and becomes irritating often..Anoop Chandran and Radhika have nothing much to do except to look pretty in the posters designed for the movie!

The songs by Biji Bal and Anil Panachooran is a big let down.Technically also the movie is weak.Cinamatography by Manoj Pillai is just ordinary.

Bottom Line: This Minnaminni is not worth your time and Money!

In our preview, we wrote that Rafi-Mecartin and Rajasenan have just one trick up their sleeves and they repeat it again and again. According to the reviewers, this time it is no different. It is the same comedy routine repeated ad infinitum. One of our regulars, Jibs, had noted that if Dileep did not change his tactics, he might go the Jayaram way and that is exactly what Rediff’s reviewer too had to say.

Unni Nair writes

< The plot seems good and interesting coming as it does from Rajasenan, but post-interval things seem to go out of control and even seem to be boring at places. Dileep is OK as Manu, but there is nothing outstanding about his performance or character. Vimala as Priya is passable, but at places she seems to be rather uncomfortable with the role. Samvritha as Leena is good while new girl Shruthi doesn't impress much as Bhama
The film moves at a brisk pace in the first half especially as the emphasis is mostly on verbal comedy, but post interval the pace slows down and some of the scenes seem to lack freshness and appeal. The songs though in tune with the theme and mood, are ordinary and won’t stay in our memories for long. Nambiathiri’s camerawork is good and so is Raja Mohamed’s editing. The film is an average comic entertainer, and not a terribly bad one at that. But judging by the response inside the theatres on day one, it is to be seen whether the film does good business or not.

Moviebuzz writes

Rafi and Mecartin loves the Priyadarsan type of comedies where bus load of characters, some of them with mistaken identities, others with their own comic agenda meet in the climax and its total bedlam. Once more the “mad, mad, mad world formula” has been beaten to death. There is no original bone in the story or narration, everybody does their comic act and provide their quota of laughs and disappears.
Dileep, Haneefa, Sooraj, Salim Kumar, Bheeman Reghu (comic villain), Riza Bava, Asokhan, Malika Sukumaran (a new addition to the laugh brigade) does their roles competently and proves again that they have terrific comedy timing, while the girls Vimala, Samvrutha and Sruthilakshmi looks good.

Paresh Palicha, for a change has some analysis

The screenplay has everything that you can imagine in the slapstick films of a bygone era. There are impersonations, mistaken identities and what have you.

The first half works with ‘a laugh a minute’ situations. But this gets too much in the second half. It would have worked if the gung-ho spirit was maintained throughout the duration of the film. Somehow we get a feeling that the writer(s)-director team were clueless about how to get out of the quagmire they found themselves in.

Dileep seems to be control in the beginning as the role of Manu is tailor made for him. But this does not last long as the film proceeds. Known as a poor man’s Mohanlal when he started doing roles like this, the actor, of late seems to have lost some sheen in executing them. He had better rediscover himself soon or his career will go Jayaram’s way.

(Image via NowRunning.com)

Finally in December a new Dileep movie is going to be released. This time he has not chosen any auspicious day like Bakrid or Christmas but a rather uneventful day like Dec 14. Remember that scene in Lagaan where the villagers dance around seeing the rain clouds (Ghanana Ghanana song); for Dileep fans it is such a moment when they eagerly await the release of Romeo. With this movie, Dileep returns to his strengths – mimicry, oops, we mean comedy. In the movie he plays Manu, a male home nurse who romances Vimala Raman and Samvritha Sunil at the same time.

The script writers Rafi-Mercartin know one story, which is basically mixup of people and circumstances and they have mixed it very well in movies like Thenkasi Pattanam and Punjabi House. Then there is their guru Rajasenan who basically knows to make one type of movie. When all these single act ponies get together for a movie, the resulting story line can be predicted. Then after watching movies like Alibhai, Paradesi and Rock’n'Roll everyone could use a little laugh, even if it is the predictable one.

One of the first movie reviews about Chocolate was published here at vc by our guest contributor Movie Mazaa or MM for short. MM used a few words and metaphors which were later liberally found in reviews published by web sites of main stream media or MSM for short. (Watch out for the words in bold)

MM wrote

Chocolate is as scrumptious as it possibly can get. It’s a film that has its target audience chalked out in precise and exact strokes, and as such does a great job catering to its taste. Pretty darn funny at times, and wickedly humorous at others, it definitely won’t set new standards in film making, but would remain a true wild entry in the genre.

Chocolate is in no mood to lay itself down on a platter for a critical scrutiny, I agree. It doesn’t merit an elaborate analysis either. However, even a faint mark with an inquisitive scalpel would reveal chauvinism at its extreme in almost all the guffaws that it offers.

Shafi as the man at the helm has a real smart penchant for hit-craft as they call it and the film moves at a lightning pace towards a mirthful finish. Here he is a man with an excessively silly script and nothing much to say. And yet, and this is the most important point, he tremendously entertains.

IndiaGlitz wrote

Living by his words for the nth time, he again delivers another super hit that strictly entertains. His Ramzan flick ‘Chocolate’ is not a subtle film – It has only a thin line thread, and the script takes many too-predictable turns. Yet despite the lack of surprises, ‘Chocolate’ is indeed a hilarious comedy riot that knocks you over the head with its well directed sequences. With its target audience marked out in precise strokes, the film very well caters to their tastes and appeals without doubt.

But Shyam is also politically incorrect as they come. He insults the gang, tells offensive chauvinistic jokes, and generally goes out of his way to offend their leader Anna

Even though ‘Chocolate’ doesn’t set new standards in film making, it does provide just the right sort of escapist entertainment we’ve come to expect from films of this genre. Make  sure you  secure a seat at the earliest to enjoy this  hilarious  fun, which will definitely make you  give a smile that will linger.

Shafi  shows his real smart penchant for hit-craft  which he applies brilliantly  to hold the flick together  and present it at a lightning pace towards a jovial finish. It’s one of those films, that aren’t as much about the ending, as it is about the journey, which is hilarious, heart-warming and pleasant. And yet the most important point is that the flick tremendously entertains

Sify wrote

Shafi’s script is what makes the film work, its minty cool along with the comedy in the first half which is rip-roaring, and the drama within a play in the climax makes it sweet. He has been able to make it a non-stop entertainer with humour, romance and sentiments mixed in the right proposition. Added to that the Alex Paul- Vayalar Sarathchandra Varma teams music like the song Ishtam alle Chollu…, and the chic looking campus have made it rocking.

Pritviraj as Shyam has come out with his most lovable performance, letting his hair down and also proving that he has a gift for comedy and dramatic subtlety, which has remained neglected all these years. Pritvi’s petticoat scene is a riot! Roma is strikingly sweet while Samvrutha and Remya are OK. Jayasurya has played second fiddle to Pritvi, while Salim Kumar is once again able to bring the house down with his comic timing.

On the whole Chocolate is not only sweet, but hot –‘n’- happening. Go for it and enjoy!

Unni Nair writes

What would you expect from the director of films like One Man Show, Kalyanaraman, Pulivaal Kalyanam, Thommanum Makkalum and Mayavi? No doubt a full-length, colourful entertainer with an interesting story and ample dosages of humour, songs and well-choreographed dance sequences. Well, that’s exactly what Shafi gives you in his sixth and latest offering, which too is on the way to becoming another box office success. Chocolate, true to its name, is a yummy kind of film, one that you’d love to savour to the fullest extent. It’s colourful, entertaining and youthful to the core.

The songs have been choreographed well, in true Shafi style and sync perfectly with the theme and the mood. “Kalkanda Malare…” and “Ishtamalle…” are good ones. Technical aspects are excellent. Debutantes Sachi and Sethu, who penned the story and the script, deserve to be appreciated for having come up with so exciting an entertaining a subject. Bravo Shafi, Sachi, Sethu, Prithviraj, Roma and everyone else! To sum up, Chocolate is a clean entertainer, a perfect film for a festive season! Go and watch it with your family!

Paresh Palicha in Rediff writes

The premise may sound weird when read, but Shafi miraculously pulls it off with gusto. He has pulled off a lighter role with uncanny ease, effectively silencing all those who felt that the young actor was becoming a tad repetitive with his intense roles.

What follows is a rollicking ride through campus humour, which sometimes borders on innuendoes, but nevertheless flows seamlessly without any feeling of awkwardness. In fact this film can be an advocate for an inclusive society as we see our man struggling to find a urinal to relieve himself. But looking for depth will be futile. So relax and enjoy things while the going is good.

But the overall bouncy effect does not dissolve till the end. Things move swiftly under Shafi’s baton and don’t jangle on your nerves.

(Reader Nikhil sent us this review of Chocolate)

Shafi’s Chocolate tells the story of a boy, who comes to study in a women’s college. Prithviraj plays the lead Shyam Balagopal who carries nine suspensions and seven police cases during his graduation. Roma is the heroine Ann Mathews. The movie starts with the PTA meeting happening in the St.Mary’s women’s college (Sacret Heart College, Thevara) to make it a mixed one. Veteran actress Shari makes a come back through this movie, and she plays the role of the principal. Due to the parents’ protest, the college authority turns down the decision but allots one boy as per the rule for the PG course. The main gang of Ann, Nandana (Samvritha) and Susan (Ramya) are against the arrival of a boy where the opposite gang welcomes it.

After his arrival, there happens a lot of funny moments and even a ‘ragging’ against him. It results in the suspension of Ann and Shyam. But the initial war between Ann Mathews’ gang and Shyam gives way to friendship and the college election result becomes a turning point in the story. Prithviraj carries the film on his shoulders and Shafi handled Shyam with care. Roma’s performance is not up to that of Notebook but she handled the bold Ann Mathews very well.

After Classmates, Keralites get the chance to see some nice romance on the screen. Prithviraj and Roma carries good on-screen chemistry and it is handled well by Shafi. Samvritha gives a commendable performance and Ramya’s role is just an eye candy one. Jayasurya plays the role of a young fashion designer (Ranjith) who falls for Nandana. But his role is only a supporting one. Unlike Classmates, Chocolate does not carry a strong story line, but it overcomes Classmates in the entertainment value.

Among the crew, the debutant writers Sachi and Sethu deserves the first applause for the gripping script. But the second half could have been made even better . Some scenes are predictable and the unnecessary fight scene could have been avoided. The climax scene is innovative and it suits the film’s mood. Salim Kumar also contributes to the comedy part, but there is a comic scene from Salim Kumar on the drama stage where he tries to improvise Chandrika’s dialog, which misfires unexpectedly.

With Chocolate, Shafi proves that he can also make visually appealing movie if there is a good script with him. He has improved a lot from his previous venture Mayavi. He took care of the song picturization too. My favourite scene in the film is Shyam’s first day in the classroom. He couldn’t take his eyes from the surrounding girls and this scene provides enough laughter even without any dialogue. Prithviraj’s performance in this scene is enough to shut the mouth of his critics who says that he is weak in doing comedy. It seems he had done enough home work for Chocolate.

The art director Salu.K George deserves a special mention for making the film really colorful. The film has four songs, but Alex Paul’s music is a let down except the romantic melody “Ishtamalle…” which is really hummable and shot well. All the songs are apt to the situation. But I think the last one, “Thamarayum..” could have been avoided. The background score slightly resembles “Ente Khalbile” but it is used well in apt situations.

In short, Chocolate is a must watch with the family for its end to end entertainment value, with a unique theme. The film is sure to get many repeat viewers among the youth and is going to become this year’s mega hit.

(Image Courtsey: Rediff.com)