‘My Story’ a love story that lacks conviction

By Mythily Ramachandran

Prithviraj and Parvathy keep this weakly scripted tale afloat

Costume designer turned director, Roshni Dinaker’s debut film, ‘My Story’ is set in Portugal. While its picture post-card visuals leave you in raptures, the romantic story packaged within does little to touch your heart.

Jai (Prithviraj) an aspiring actor  realises his ambition with his first film. For the young man from an ordinary village, it’s the crystallisation of a dream that goes back to his  childhood days.

Over time, Jai becomes a distinguished actor winning accolades, but he is  tormented by a guilt-something he had not done right as an emerging actor. Hoping to atone himself of this guilt, he arrives in Lisbon-where his debut film was shot.

Scripted by Sankar Ramakrishan, this romantic story shifts between the past and the present, taking viewers through the lives of Jai and Tara, (Parvathy)-a star opposite whom Jai was paired on debut. In fact, it’s more about Tara, who tries to break free from the fetters that bind her to producer, David Eapan (Ganesh Venkataraman)- her fiancé too. And, as expected she falls in love with Jai.

‘My Story’ carried great expectations, more so since it brought together onscreen- Prithviraj and Parvathy- a second time after the acclaimed ‘Ennum Ninte Moideen.’ While RS Vimal’s story stood out with its poignant moments and brilliant writing, ‘My Story’ stumbles due to weak writing.  Ganesh Venkataraman’s David is not well crafted. Painted as the villain, Venkataraman, a good performer has very little to do. 

Besides, a love story stands on emotional moments-the yearning for one another, accompanied with a fear of losing a loved one. We don’t find them here much. Did Tara fall in love with Jai  just to escape from David? What about Jai, who addresses her initially as ‘Madam’ and then gets to like her company. Did he feel strongly enough for Tara to let her go?

However, the film entertains and that’s because of the performance of the lead pair. Prithviraj as the older Jai- salt and pepper look- impresses. Parvathy the terrific performer that she is, juggles between two roles and make-overs-a young and an older character. I loved the young Hima -vivacious and cool. 

As for the fringe characters, you don’t remember them. Some silly moments mar the pace of narration- the scene where Jai and Tara enter a pub where a crowd is watching a soccer match on telly-is drawn out. Earlier a song sequence crops up at the most inopportune moment. 

‘My Story’ is predictable and fails to impress.     

‘Njan Marykutty’-a sincere story told honestly

Sankar’s sensitive narrative and Jayasurya’s pitch perfect performance leaves you overwhelmed

By Mythily Ramachandran

Njan Marykutty’ is a soulful story that touches your heart while unfolding the life of a woman   trapped inside a man’s body-of a journey that seeks liberation and realisation of dreams.

A first of this genre in Malayalam cinema, ‘Njan Marykutty’ is shorn of the usual ridicule that often accompanies the characters of transgenders portrayed onscreen. Director Ranjith Sankar’s  writing is marked with sensitivity and devoid of melodrama- yet most poignant, leaving you misty eyed.

Right from the word go, ‘Njan Marykutty’ stoked curiosity online once Sankar posted pictures of actor Jayasurya piercing his ears to play Marykutty. 

What does it feel to be a woman trapped inside a man’s body?
Ask Mathukutty, (Jayasurya), a software professional, who strongly believes that he is a woman. He leaves home one night after writing a note to his parents refusing to marry the girl they had arranged. 

After undergoing a sexual reassignment surgery, Mathukutty becomes Mary Kutty. From then on, it’s the life she stakes claim to- as an individual who is trying to achieve her goal solely on the merit of her talent. But is Marykutty’s family and the society around ready to embrace the new person?

The writing is solid. It’s not just Mary Kutty but every  character in the story is well-detailed, making them believable.
Jayasurya’s Mary Kutty stands dignified as she dares to fight against her birth identity. While there are enough enemies to thwart her dreams, Mary Kutty’s life is not bereft of good samaritans-her schoolmate, the single mother (Jewel Mary) with a daughter who takes in Mary Kutty; the church priest (Innocent) who is the pillar on which Mary Kutty leans upon and the understanding district collector (Suraj Venjaramoodu). 

It’s clearly a career defining role for Jayasurya who carries Mary Kutty gracefully within him. Be it in her sari clad attire, or in her gait, you notice the woman yearning to find her own place. Despite the barbs thrown at her by people around, Mary Kutty is never embittered. Neither is she holding any grudge against anyone nor angry with God, her creator. That’s what is most beautiful about the character and the writing.
The moment where she breaks down inside the prison following a humiliation brings out the finer aspect of the actor Jayasurya.

Safe in  Jayasurya’s hands, Marykutty’s tale comes with her feelings respected, her ambitions understood, eventually becoming the voice for the other Marykutty’s around, who are grappling with their identities.

 Keeping pace with him is actor Joju George. As sub- inspector Kunjipalu, he is out to take a vengeance on Mary Kutty. Wth a supportive subordinate he indulges in crass jokes, while revealing the highhandedness of the police force. George is brilliant.  

As for people around, they are visible in the gazes averted, hushed whispers and references of ‘ee Sadhanam’ (this thing) when Mary Kutty walks amidst them. 

One scene stayed with me-the moment when Mary Kutty needs to use the loo and she does not know whether to enter the male or  female  room- she eventually walks into the one meant for disabled persons.

‘Nyan Mary Kutty’ breaks out of the mould of Indian cinema stereotypes and a film that finds a place in history. Tip my hat to Sankar and Jayasurya.  

Will this bring home another national award for Jayasurya like it did for Kannada actor Sanchari Vijay for his portrayal of a transgender in the film ‘Naan Avanalla Avalu (I am a He not a She)?