The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Zooming in on nature, life and familiar issues

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Friday, Nov 03, 2006
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Zooming in on nature, life and familiar issues

Humorous asides lampooning established beliefs makes the film delightful

Photographer

Ranjan Pramod has penned scripts for several popular films and `Photographer' is his first directorial venture. He has written the script for `Photographer.'

The protagonist of the film, Dijo John, is a nature photographer who goes out in search of an Adivasi boy.

The boy goes missing following an encounter between the tribal people and the police.

In the process of his search, the protagonist acquires a new outlook on life. There is a scene in the film in which the protagonist sleeps on a boulder at night in the forest, a peaceful smile playing on his lips. A python quietly glides over the photographer's body without disturbing him. But for the scene, the effect is spoiled by the digression from the pivot of the film.

For instance, the role of the identical twin of the protagonist adds nothing much to the film. Actor Mohanlal plays both the protagonist and the twin. Dijo (Mohanlal) lives with wife, Sathyavathy, (Nithasree), and son, Saran (Sowgandh).

Dijo makes a living by selling nature photographs through the Internet.

Both Dijo and Sathyavathy are estranged from their parents because of their inter-religious marriage.

One day, while clicking photographs of butterflies in the forests of Wayanad, Dijo befriends an Adivasi boy, Thami (Master Mani).

At that time, a tribal agitation begins and the tribal people occupy the land by force. The Government decides to evict them. This leads to a police firing in which several tribal people are killed. Thami's father too is killed in the firing.

A police officer (Manoj K. Jayan) tries to kill the boy who is a key witness to the death.

Dijo captures the cruelty of the police officer on his camera. He flees to safety with Thami. Dijo then takes Thami to a children's home.

But after a few days Thami is found to be missing. Dijo suspects foul play by the police. However, when Dijo goes to the village to enquire about Thami, the Central Special Investigating Team takes him into custody.

He is taken to a secret place in the forest. Back home, Dijo's family is unaware of his whereabouts. His twin, Joy, (Mohanlal) and elder brother (Ramachandran) set out in search of him.

The team sets Dijo free when they learn of his innocence. But Dijo loses his way in the forest. As he wanders around in the forest, he gets fresh insights into nature and life.

Humorous asides lampooning religious beliefs are highlight of the film. Master Mani as Thami portrays the innocence of the Adivasi boy effectively.

The others in the cast include Murali, Venu Nagavally, and Mammukoya. Cinematographer Azhagappan has successfully captured the scenic beauty of Wayanad.

Music director Johnson makes a comeback in the film with some lilting melodies such as Enthe kannanu karuppu niram... and Pacha pulchadi...

The lyrics have been penned by Kaithapram.

The songs have been rendered by K.J. Yesudas, Sujatha, Vaishali, K.S. Chitra and Vijay Yesudas. The film has been produced by Howli Potur for Dream Team Productions.

G. Jayakumar

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