The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Dark elements to the fore

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Dark elements to the fore

Big B

The common refrain is that an inefficient police force breeds anti-social elements. But in reality it is films such as `Big B,' where the superstar takes law into his hands, which eulogise such dark elements in society.

Bilal (Mammootty) is a criminal and a sidekick to one of Mumbai gangsters and returns to Kerala after being shot at in a Mumbai in gang war. Back home in Fort Kochi, his foster mother Mary Teacher (Nafisa Ali) is murdered by a local gang as her social activities, such as campaigns against child trafficking, create problem for the greedy Mayor, who is hand in glow with a ruthless killer Tony (Sharvir).

Bilal with the help of Mary's three sons - Freddy (Manoj K. Nair), Bijo (Bala) and

Murukan (Sumith) - finally succeeds in tracking down the criminals and annihilating them. It is not the story by Amal Nirad but style and manner in which the film is shot that evoke curiosity. One can experience Bollywood and Hollywood traits through out the film. The film, aided by good editing by Vivek Bhushan, is a fast paced one. Photography by Samir Tahir; fight scenes by Anil Arash; and raspy background music by Alphonse all add to the mood of the film. Amal Nirad, who also made his directorial debut through `Big B,' banks more on action rather than morose dialogues.

The way Mammootty has handled the lead character speaks of his brilliance. Nafisa Ali is full of grace and poise while Bala and Manoj K. Jayan have come up with good performances. Mamtha Mohan Das' role is nothing much to speak about. Others in the cast include Vijayaraghavan and Innocent. The moot question that the film throws up is whether depiction of such gross violence in the name of entertainment is good for society's psyche.

A CORRESPONDENT

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