‘Drishyam’ brings back the Mohan Lal we love

By Mythily Ramachandran

Mohan Lal’s films are eagerly awaited and ‘Drishyam,’ is no different. The legendary actor who in his 35 years-old career has explored umpteen roles, gets into the skin of George Kutty, a father to two school going girls and turns this ordinary soul into a romantic hero.
Playing a common man is something that Lal has always done with a natural ease and in ‘Drishyam,’ he wins hands down.
George Kutty manages a cable television business in a small town of Thodupuzha. A film buff, he is forever hooked onto films.  A class four school drop-out, George Kutty is married to Rani who has studied beyond class four, but could not clear class ten. While George Kutty is tight fisted, Rani strikes a contrast with her yearning for the good things of life which apart from shopping and eating biriyani in a hotel includes sending her two daughters to an English convent instead of an ordinary English medium school.
Theirs’ is a happy household with the usual chaos mingled with cackles of laughter, so typical of an Indian middle class home.
But the joy is cut short with the arrival of Varun, a teenager who takes George’s family on an unexpected journey and that becomes a test of their love and commitment towards one another.
Carving each character with great care director Jeethu Joseph orchestrates this saga with a pop rapture.
Little throw away details like Kutty always chiding his family for leaving the lights switched on, adds a realistic touch to the narration.  And when you have comfortably settled down in the Kutty household, Jeethu springs upon viewers a surprise when they least expect it. From surprise to shock, this family drama turns into a gripping thriller.
And, when the law abiding George Kutty is arrested the film surges ahead. As the scenes unfold, you wonder will he and his family ultimately succumb to the pressure of the policemen.
With a brilliant screenplay, Jeethu narration is almost flawless. Abetting him every step of the way is a terrific ensemble cast of actors who shine individually and in tandem. While this film joins the list of Lal’s best performances, Meena after a hiatus, shares a wonderful onscreen chemistry with Lal. The two child actors Ansiba and Esther fit into the Kutty family beautifully. Surprising viewers with an incredible performance is Kalabhavan Sajon as a cop with negative shades. Siddique as the bereaved father of a teenager is at his subtle best.
Without sounding preachy, Jeethu points out the flaws some of us parents make when we decide to compensate money with time for our children. Keeping in tune with today’s times, he rings it clear, how a cell-phone can become an instrument of blackmail.
As the climax scene rolls, George Kutty and Joseph have the last laugh leaving the audience stunned and asking: ‘Why did I not think of that before?’ Because until then without their realizing George Kutty’s problem had become theirs to solve.
‘Drishyam’ is an unforgettable picture, shorn of irrational fight sequences and mindless dance numbers.
This is the Mohan Lal we fell in love with through his earlier films, sans his larger than life images of his subsequent films.
Don’t miss ‘Drishyam.’ Go for it with family and pop corn in hand.