Rakshadhikari Baiju Oppu: A feel good entertainer  

By Mythily Ramachandran

Biju Menon is back and once again he bowls you over with his charm and versatility

Menon carries ‘Rakshadhikari Baiju Oppu,’ on his shoulders, a simple tale set in a nondescript village and like his character Baiju, Menon endears himself to the audience.  This is Ranjan Pramod, noted Malayalam screen-writer’s third directorial venture.

The village of Kumbalam could be any village of Kerala that is untouched by today’s growth. Baiju (Biju Menon) who grew here lives with his family. And, his main distraction is Kumbalam Arts Club that he founded in his young days. Much water has flown under the bridge since then, yet this father of one and a government employee in his early forties is often found hanging in the company  of its club members that includes school kids, teenagers and young men. The Kumbalam Brothers and their passion for cricket is enough to draw Baiju out onto the vacant land of the village, a space shared by the young and the old.
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While the story is pivoted around Baiju, Pramod has woven little stories into his screenplay. Baiju is that uncle you would run to when your father refuses to get you a cricket set and dismisses your love for the game. Baiju is also the neighbour, whom a father approaches when going through a personal tragedy and wants him  to talk to his grieving son. Baiju, howeveris not portrayed as a larger than life figure. He is an ordinary guy who prefers life’s slow lanes unlike his friend,  George (Dileesh Pothan) who has emigrated to the USA and realizes what he is missing during a visit to the village. Baiju is the rakshadhikari, the patron or mentor you could rely on.
Besides, the story is not about cricket only, there is love too and many moments to smile at. The humour is understated and situational. Pramod’s story free from loud drama and action beautifully captures the uncomplicated life of this small community where time stands still and the residents savour life’s little joys.

Menon is terrific and a natural. Complementing him are the supporting team members. Despite the three hours duration it seldom sags; its host of characters keep the wheels going.

Hannah Reji Koshy plays his wife Ajitha, an ordinary woman who yearns for her husband’s attention. When she feels ignored, she does not turn into a nagging shrew but a cute sulking child. Aju Verghese is Unni, Baiju’s friend determined to marry a fair-skinned woman but is pursued by Sreekala, a dark complexioned young woman. A love story brews on the side-lines of matches as team member Manoj runs into the garden of Rose, where the cricket ball often lands into. Wonderful is veteran actor Janardhan’s role as an annoying old man from the neighbourhood who becomes a party pooper when the children come out to play on the vacant space.

Without shouting himself hoarse, Pramod slips in a social message as curtains come down. ‘Rakshadhikari Baiju’ is a refreshing film with its characters leaving behind a nice feeling. You may relate to some or maybe reminded of someone if you have had your roots in those small villages of Kerala.