Mayanadhi- This mystic river directed by Aashiq Abu carries a beautifully made romantic thriller

‘Mayaanadhi,’ written by scenarists duo Syam Pushkaran  and Dileesh Nair is directed by Aashiq Abu. Cradled inside this crime thriller is a romantic drama. Many love stories have been narrated. ‘Mayaanadhi’ is a compelling watch with its exquisite writing and top notch performances of all the actors, I repeat all. 

Mathan (Tovino Thomas) a driver for a gang that deals with counterfeit currency is on the run after he accidentally kills a policeman. Close at Mathan’s  heels are a team of three policemen from Tamil Nadu. He decides to escape to Dubai but before that he meets up with Appu, (Aishwarya Lexmi) the woman he loves immensely.

Mathan’s idea of a dream life is sharing it with his beloved Appu in a beautiful home and with pups for company. That’s our first introduction to him. We only hear him talking. Whetting our appetite further is his friend’s reply-‘You are always talking about the future.’ Mathan replies-‘Because I screwed my past and the present.’

There is no hurry in the story telling. Little by little we peek into their past while observing them in the present.
Mathan arrives in Kochi to meet Appu, an aspiring actress juggling between auditions for that big break and doing ad films on the side. Appu is at a roadside eatery waiting for her order. Hungry and irritated with his presence, Appu retorts with a tight slap on his face when he asks her-“Is there hope in our relationship?

Bringing in characters from the fringe of their lives, the canvas becomes an interesting watch. Appu’s widowed mother who still believes in their rich past reveals her snob attitude during a family wedding, when she pushes Appu into emceeing the event-insisting that she speak in English; the chechi (elder sister) who shares accommodation with Appu and always has something to lament over; Sameera, Appu’s friend, a glamorous star who passes on the gown she wore for an event to Appu; the counselor friend (Darshana Rajendran) helping Sameera deal with depression.

Every character is finely crafted and the actors with their spontaneous performance bring them alive onscreen and convincingly.

Mathan, an engineering college drop-out, he began making money as an admission broker and later joined a gang. Belying his tough exterior, Mathan is a little boy at heart who craves for Appu’s love. And when on the run, he seeks refuge under his old boss, who is not happy as he has turned over a new leaf.

Tovino Thomas is splendid. He infuses Mathan with a child like charm. Not one to lag behind, Aishwarya Lexmi matches him for every step. Their onscreen chemistry roars. The emotions are profound. Aishwarya Lexmi deftly conveys Appu’s insecurity and her confidence too with a finesse seldom seen in newcomers.

Tamil actors, Ilavarasu as the Tamil Nadu police officer is at his best. Harish, who has been mostly playing negative characters that are loud and dagger- happy is a junior police officer here. His subtle performance is commendable. Look out for Lijo Pellisery, Soubin Shahir and Basil Joseph in amusing cameos.  

Several moments stay with you. The scene with the three friends, Appu, Darshana and Sameera bonding over wine is one. Darshana’s rendering of ‘Bavra Mann’ (a song from Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi) is a beautiful poetry under the night sky.