‘Unda’ brings back the Mammootty we adore

By Mythily Ramachandran

What is the fate of a contingent of Kerala policemen who have been deployed to Chattisgarh (Madhya Pradesh)-a Maoist dominated area- to assist the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) during election time?

Director Khalid Rahman who won hearts on debut with ‘Anuraga Karikkin Vellam’ returns with his sophomore film, ‘Unda,’ (Bullet). Loaded with good humour ‘Unda’ fires a couple of shots at the Indian political system and its police department while entertaining with its slice of life moments.

Mammootty has played several policeman roles, but his Sub-Inspector Manikandan in ‘Unda’ is an antithesis to all the earlier characters. Mani, the leader of the unit is more real. Neither is he burdened with a larger than life image. Don’t miss Mammootty’s introduction scene-there is no loud music though!

 If Mani and his group of policemen had set out on this assignment with pride and the feel of a picnic outing, they confront a different  ground reality at Chattisgarh.  They soon realize how ill-equipped they were-bullets that can be counted and poor safety gear-to tackle a Maoist ambush. From their polling booth located in the wilderness with underground mines hidden, ensuring a fair election was no easy task. Despite being in the police force, many of them had never handled a rifle or even fired one. Mani who gives instructions to his subordinates on how to shoot, confesses that he has never tracked a thief or caught a murderer.

Mani sends word to his office in Kerala for reinforcement of bullets.  Will the ‘unda’ arrive in time before the elections? That is the big question.

There are no romantic moments in ‘Unda,’ yet many moments touch you while it explores personal stories through some characters. Jojo (Shine Tom Chacko) is a domineering team leader, whose wife has filed for a divorce; Girish (Arjun Ashokan) is missing his wedding preparations being planned back home; Biju (Lukman) a first generation policeman from a tribal background is the butt of jokes. We also learn a bit about Mani’s family-his wife played by Tamil actress, Easwari Rao in a cameo.

‘Unda’ brings back the Mammootty we have always admired. It’s sheer delight watching the veteran in full form. Mani’s concern for his juniors; his sympathy for the villager Kunalchand, (Omkar Das Manipuri of ‘Peepli Live); his apology to his subordinates for not rising to the occasion during the Maoist attack one night, make Mani endearing. 

Another pleasure was watching director Ranjith in a brief role. With his spontaneous performance he leaves a mark. ‘Unda’ is complemented by a talented cast-Shine Tom Chacko, Lukman, Bhagwan Tiwari-as Kapil Dev-an ITBP and Chien Ho Liao, the ITBP officer.

Prashanth Pillai’s lilting music blends well with the raw environment of Madhya Pradesh.

During the salvo of shots that Mani and team fire to safeguard their booth, ‘Unda’ raises the question- ‘Who is the real enemy to a fair election?