Mayookham - a ray of hope
SREEDHAR PILLAI
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Veteran filmmaker Hariharan is back with a movie that promises to appeal to the mind and the heart.
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The film has been made against the backdrop of a childhood friendship that blossoms into love between the lead pair. Relationships, love, pain and sacrifice are highlighted in the film. -- Hariharan
NEW FACES: Saiju Kurup and Mamta Mohandas, who don the main roles in `Mayookham,' have been able to breathe life into their characters.
Hariharan has kept the flag of good cinema flying for the last 35 years. He is one of the few surviving filmmakers whose calling card remains his artistry in mainstream cinema. He tries to combine film aesthetics with cinematic sensibilities seen in films made during the Seventies and Eighties.
Who can forget his classics like `Panchagni,' `Vadakkan Veeragatha,' `Sargam' or `Nakhashathangal?' They were huge commercial hits that appealed as much to the mind as to the heart. Now the veteran director is back after a sabbatical of five years with his latest film `Mayookham, ' which is being released on May 6.
It has an all-new star cast of Saiju Kurup and Mamta Mohandas in the lead along with veterans Nedumudi Venu, Sujatha, Jagathy Sreekumar and Indrans. The supporting cast also has debutants like Rathya, Roshan Bijli, Srijith, Javed Hussain and Vishal.
`Mayookham,' which has the Hariharan touch, tells the story of a girl who makes a difference in the life of a Brahmin boy who has turned a rebel owing to the drawbacks of the reservation system prevailing in Kerala's educational and government sectors.
Hariharan is ably supported in his effort by his favourite music director Bombay Ravi and cameraman Ramachandra Babu. Says Hariharan: "The film has been made against the backdrop of a childhood friendship that blossoms into love between the lead pair. Relationships, love, pain and sacrifice are highlighted in the film."
Old school
Hariharan says that he is from the old school of filmmaking which relies more on story telling and characterisation rather than glamour, glitz and gimmicks. Says Hariharan: "For me good cinema is a story that is well-narrated. If the story appeals to the audience, it will click irrespective of stars and other trappings." He adds that Malayalam cinema today is largely influenced by Tamil and Bollywood films and is superstar driven. He wants to bring back the culture and traditions that seems to have been forgotten by the new generation. Adds Hariharan: "I want to bring back the golden era of Malayalam cinema when we had produced some of the best films that were backed by gripping stories. I don't know if I will succeed in my attempt but will keep on trying."
`Mayookham' seems to be a step in the right direction. The relationship and simmering undercurrent of romance between the lead actors - Unni Kesavan (Saiju Kurup) and Indira (Mamta Mohandas) have been deftly handled.
Indira, a student of psychology in the United States, is on a holiday with her father (Sai Kumar). Hariharan has delved into the mind of youngsters who go astray owing to their frustrations in life and a system that is not based on merit. `Mayookham' also brings out the anguish of parents who have built their hopes and aspirations around their children.
Says Hariharan: "Every human being requires a spark in his life to change and become a responsible citizen. Here Indira brings about the change in Unni Kesavan's life and proves that miracles can happen." The most refreshing aspect about `Mayookham' is that Saiju and Mamta live their roles to perfection. Saiju Kurup makes a fine debut as he portrays the frustrations of Unni Kesavan and his impulsive nature. Mamta Mohandas, a Malayali model from Bangalore, who bears a striking resemblance to Konkana Sen Sharma brings compassion and conviction to her role as Indira.
Team work
The superb cinematography of Ramachandra Babu captures the beauty of Kannur, Thalassery and Taliparamba while Bombay Ravi's soft melodies and V.T. Vijayan's elegant editing add to the aesthetics of the film. So will `Mayookham' start a new and promising trend in Malayalam cinema?
Says a confident Hariharan: "Good cinema with a straightforward narrative will always survive. I feel that the subject will click with the audience."
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