The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Sathyan-Lal chemistry clicks

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Sathyan-Lal chemistry clicks

Rasa Thanthram

Sathyan Anthikkad has teamed up with Mohanlal, with whom he had created a number of hit films, in `Rasa Thantharam.' When Satyan chose Meera Jasmine as Lal's heroine, he shaped the storyline in such a way that the hero was continuously heard echoing the opinion that he was not suited for a teenaged girl. Unlike many other films that have thrust a macho image on Lal, Prema Chandran has a down-to-earth hero in `Rasa Thantharam' like the characters he did in many other films directed by Sathyan.

The film progresses well where Prema chandran is shown as successful carpenter who is quite busy with his routine chores. He befriends a female domestic help, Kanmani, and also sympathises with her plight. Kanmani is the victim of exploitation of a family with whom she works. When the sufferings become totally unbearable, she decides to commit suicide and Prema Chandran comes to her rescue. From there Meera gets a chance to prove her acting skills disguised as a boy, Velayudhan Kutty. Prema Chandran decides to take the `boy' home and keeps him there as his servant.

But the ploy is exposed by the slip of the tongue of his colleague, Manikantan, played by Innocent.

The hero also has to go through a lot of travails. He is forced to vacate the house that stands on revenue land.

The revelation that the girl was willing to marry him also adds to his confusion. Prema Chandran decides to find a practical solution and does not ape other heroes who show their mettle by wearing the saviour's mantle.

The director has presented Lal in an entirely different mould.

He is not the daredevil hero who spits fire, but rather a helpless man who meekly succumbs to his sufferings. All through the film he is seen compromising and not taking any firm action, be it against his cunning brother, the cruel family whose every member finds a delight in harassing an impoverished girl or even his close friend, Shivan, played by Mukesh whom he saves but who ditches him in the hour of crisis.

The role of Meera Jasmine is also not so strong. She had a great chance for displaying her acting skill as boy but her make up fails her.

Her Velayudhan Kutty reminds one of the brilliant servant boy played by Annie in `Ammayane Sathyam' directed by Balachandra Menon.

Had the director and costume designer taken a little more effort, the character would have come out very well.

The story by Sathyan Anthikkad also would have become more poignant with a little effort.

The denouement too lacks the desired punch. Music by Ilayaraja falls short of expectations Innocent and Mamu Koya as the colleagues of the hero add humour to the story. Jagathy Sreekumar's role of Sundara Pandya, the fake uncle of Kanamani, is too small and too delayed in the film. Bharath Gopi as affectionate father, oblivious of the cruelties of his second son, played by Siddique, and finally dying as a broken man, has done a remarkable job. Azhakkappan's camera work is highly praiseworthy.

Rishi Raj Singh

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