Kerala   

Blinded by the glitter

Swarnam

Directed by debutant Venugopan, Swarnam attempts to describe how faith triumphs over man’s greed for the yellow metal. Scripted by Suresh Babu, the film also throws light on the inhuman practices in the name of faith.

Divakaran (Kalabhavan Mani), ever greedy for money, lives in a village close to Shiruvani river with his mother, wife Radha (Praveena) and niece Ponnu (Baby Nayantara). The legend goes that a treasure is hidden in the river. Though his mother advises him to look for it, Divakaran is not interested. Because, those who attempted to get it never came back. So, he opts to sell wares in the market in a bullock-cart and dreams of buying a lorry.

Kalabhavan Mani excels as Divakaran. Praveena makes a strong comeback as a woman who has to put up with an inconsiderate husband. Murali portrays the anguish of a tormented father. Baby Nayantara’s dialogues at times appear unnatural for a five-year-old. The cast includes Indrans, Nedumpram Gopi, Narayanan Nair, Asokan, Arun Perigottu, Sona, Cherthala Lalitha and Valsala Menon. Saloo George cranks the camera.

Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma’s lyrics and Mohan Sithara’s music, however, do little to sustain the viewer’s interest. Swarnam has been produced by Soman Pallad for Jyothigamaya.

G. Jayakumar

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