‘Rajadhi Raja’ a mass entertainer for Mammootty fans

Shekharan Kutty (Mammootty) runs a restaurant adjacent to the petrol bunk he owns, the kind you see on the highways in India. With a pretty wife Radha (Lakshmi Rai) and a school going daughter, Kutty is a happy man.
When Radha’s cousin, Swami Ayyappan (Jojo) visits them, we get to see what a contrast he is to the meek and timid Shekharan Kutty, who shies away from any fight and prefers to mind his own business.
One day, Shekharan Kutty is taken into custody by the police who mistake him to be Raja, a notorious don of Mumbai. Kutty is released only after a sound thrashing by the cops.
Back home, life looks good once again for Kutty. But then Ayyappan’s attitude of throwing his weight around lands him in trouble with a bunch of goons from Mumbai.
With them baying for his blood, Ayappan seeks refuge in Kutty’s house. Kutty’s family is threatened and that’s when viewers get to see the real face of Kutty. With Kutty’s past catching up with him, the question in their minds now is ‘who is Raja?’
Ajay Vasudevan’s debut film entertains Mammootty fans who will whistle in glee as their idol goes about bashing goons. Not to forget the comic moments.
The story is not new and you wouldn’t call it one of Mammootty’s great films. Lakshmi Rai in a homely wife’s role is pleasant surprise. Bollywood actor Mukesh Khanna plays Raja’s close buddy while Raza Murad is seen as a head of a notorious gang that is into drug trafficking and terrorist activities. Joy Mathews play the bad guy again. Siddique comes in a dignified role as a DGP while Lena, his onscreen wife is an IAS Officer.
A predictable fare!

‘Yaan’ lacks a convincing screenplay

While a golden frame might draw attention to a painting it holds, what makes the art a masterpiece is its quality of the art. So too in the case of a film. Without a strong content, can a film survive?
‘Yaan’ the debut directorial venture of noted cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran carried high expectations. Chandran has worked in  Bollywood films like ‘Fanaa,’ ‘Rabne Bana Di Jodi,’ and ‘Dil Chahta Hai,’ to mention some. But it failed to deliver.
Sure, the visuals of ‘Yaan,’ are a treat but they end up like the golden frame of a painting.
Poor scripting is the major flaw, despite the story opening with a well-staged shoot out scenes. Amidst this violence, Chandru (Jiiva) falls in love with Sreela, (Thulasi Nair) when they both bump into each other at an ATM.
While Chandru is head over heels for Sreela, a driving school instructor, she does not take him seriously initially. Trying to build up their romance takes the first half of the story and even then, you just don’t’ feel they are in love.
Post interval, the story gets a thrust forward after Chandru is arrested in Basilistan for possessing drugs. Innocent and tricked into this situation by a travel agent, Chandru is now on the death row.
What next? The obvious! Send Sreela to Basilistan to rescue her lover. From then the narrative becomes a joke.  Predictable and with logic taking a backseat ‘Yaan,’ reminds you of those empty Bollywood films that boasted only of glamorous heroines, exotic locales and stylish action scenes.
Entertaining me during the second half were the guffaws from the audience around, who could not help themselves as they watched Chandru bash an intimidating prisoner guard and escape. It gets funnier when a fellow prisoner hands over a bunch of keys to open the main gate and lo behold, a two wheeler is parked there for Chandru to zip off. Is it really so easy to escape from a prison and that too in a country like Basilistan that has strong laws for possessing drugs? Chandru arrives spot on at the hotel where Sreela is staying and rings her room door bell.
But then ‘Yaan’ does not end with that, Chandru needs to settle scores with the travel agent who is in hand with a wanted terrorist. There is more to keep you chuckling. Let me leave that for you to discover.
 Jiiva looks dashing but the good actor has been wasted in a role that has nothing to offer. Even Nasser, a veteran suffers from the same fate. Thulasi Nair after ‘Kadal,’ is seen in a mature character, but she needs to work on her expressions.
‘Yaan’ fits well into the Bollywood template. Haven’t we watched similar stories before? ‘Yaan’ is another yawn.

‘Sapthamashree Tashkaraha’ a heist film that keeps you chuckling

Anil Radhakrishnan is back with a heist story in ‘Sapthamashree Tashkaraha.’
What begins as a confession by a petty thief Martin soon takes viewers to a prison where seven jail inmates bond together over a plan to rob rich bad man Pious Mathew (Joy Mathew). This scheming businessman has amassed wealth at the expense of others. One of the affected is Nobel (Nedumudi Venu) a former financier, now reduced to penury. Nobel has an axe to grind and he puts forth the idea to rob Pious. Krishnan Unni, also a victim of Pious’ mean ways joins hands. For the other five inmates, the promise of money lures them into this project.
So, when they are released from prison, they get into action with their plan.
Shuttling between the confession box at the church where the interactions between Martin and the priest are laced with humour and then to the jail confines, Radhakrishnan, gradually lets his characters grow upon the viewers. He has lovingly carved each one of them in great detail and they are hard to leave your minds. Be it Narayana kutty, (Neeraj Madhav) the mechanic with a brilliant mind or Shabab, the tough guy, (a cool looking Asif Ali) whom everyone fears, the characters are distinct from one another.
While this is not a racy thriller, it’s the presentation of the story that gets you hooked. The script written by Radhakrishnan is the hero and the dialogues keep you chuckling.
Justifying Radhakrishnan’s casting are the actors who have slipped on their character’s garb with great ease. Veteran actor, Nedumudi Venu is so perfect. Prithviraj as Krishan Unni is seen in a subtle role, sans his macho image. I won’t blame you if you wished for a priest like the one in the story portrayed well by  Lijo Jose Pellisery. Confession would be much easier! Joy Mathews as the bad guy fits in well. Dubai’s Renu Mathews does justice to her role as Krishnan Unni’s wife and so does Sanusha as Noble’s daughter, who becomes an accomplice in the mission to rob Pious. Mongolian circus artiste Flower Battsetseg surprises you with her antics. The comedy here is clean and although it does get to toilet humour towards the climax, it does not stink. You can’t just help laughing. The Puli Kali scene was hilarious.

But it’s the director who has the last laugh. Radhakrishnan has attempted a different genre from his earlier film, ’24 North Kaatham,’ and once again he scores with the audience.
Just don’t miss this clean entertainer. Go for ‘Sapthamasree Tashkaraha.’  

‘Sigaram Thodu’ fails to touch its own peak 

Cop Chellappa Pandiyan’s dream is to see his only son, Murali as a cop. But Murali  is not enamoured by the police services, having watched the trials that his father has gone through as a policeman. Chellappa lost a leg during a shoot –out. And, in a moment of shock, his wife dies.  Murali’s ambitions are pinned on a banking career. But Chellappa is unaware of it. Chellappa continues to cherish his dreams. And his dreams turn into a reality when Murali is selected for training at the police academy. 

Now Murali’s sole aim is to prove himself unfit for a policeman’s job. Not just to pursue his dreams but also to win the heart of his lady love, Ambujam, a medical student, who incidentally happens to be a policeman’s daughter. She also detests a policeman’s life.
Does Murali live up to his father’s dreams? Does he win Ambujam’s heart?
Spun around this emotional angle is a spate of ATM thefts happening in town. Director Gaurav Narayanan has researched well into this criminal activity and is an eye opener for the audience. You realize how vulnerable your money can be.
However interrupting this thriller quite often is silly humour and unconvincing romantic moments. How many of you would kiss a stranger, I mean you’re your beautiful co-passenger while on a flight that appears to be losing its bearings. When your life is in danger, the last thing on mind would be a kiss. Monal Gajjar as Murali’s love Ambujam is nothing more than eye-candy.
This is Vikram Prabhu’s first in a cop role and for once cops are shown in good light. Prabhu’s character Murali is so predictable. Sathyaraj lives up to his image of a good performer. Gaurav Narayanan plays an important role and does it well. Supporting him ably is partner in crime, Charandeep as the impulsive hot headed young man. Clearly an actor to look out for.  ‘Sigaram Thodu’ is a pucca commercial film and that’s just about it. It does not touch its peak though.

Leave your brains behind if you are out to grab this ‘Peruchazhi’

A telephone call from California’s Sunny Kurishingal (a marketing campaigner of Republican candidate, John Kory,) to his friend, Minister Francis Kunjappan in God’s Own Country sets ‘Peruchazhi’ rolling. 
Kurishingal an ambitious Malayali, rather known as the ‘emerging Malayali,’ requests Kunjappan to send someone over to help him improve Kory’s chances at becoming a Governor. Kory’s opponent is Democratic candidate George Hope.
Much against his wishes, Kunjappan is left with no other alternative but to send the wily Jagannathan, who becomes a political consultant in Kurishingal’s campaign. Accompanying Jagannathan on his USA mission are his two side-kicks, Jabbar (Baburaj) and Varkey (Aju Verghese).
Director Arun Vaidyanathan’s story is unpretentious as it takes a dig at Indian politics in particularly the Malayalis as well as American politics. Not to forget the Chinese and their finesse for duplicating products.
Viewers are clearly warned when the screen opens to leave logic behind.
So you have Kory gallivanting onscreen as a dumb clown while Jagannathan and his two aides go about tickling your funny bone. Be prepared for some amateurish comedy, sexist jokes and toilet humour. And a good sprinking of double entendres!
While ‘Peruchazhi’ is an out and out entertainer with Mohan Lal ruling the scenes, it cannot be counted among Lal’s great comedies. Celebrating Lal’s career are references to his hits of the 80s and 90s. Watch out for Poonam Bajwa’s item number, ‘Po Mone Dinesha,’ with Lal’s quick moves. Of course, our wily bandicoot, (Peruchazi, Jagannathan’s nickname) has a heart that beats for the less privileged when it comes to sports. 
Lal fans can rave over his antics onscreen including his knack for turning the US flag into a dhoti folded up in his inimitable style and bashing up the bad guys.  Didn’t we warn you about leaving your logic behind? Munch on the pop-corn in between chuckles and just don’t ask questions.
Mukesh as Minister Kunjappan and his stupidity plays the role to the hilt. Another impressive performance is from producer Vijay Babu as Sunny Kurishingal. English actor Sean James Sutton as John Kory entertains. Bollywood’s beautiful Ragini Nandwani keeps romance alive as Jesse the hooker who wins Jagannathan’s heart. Ramesh Pisharody, Baburaj and Aji George in supporting roles do well. However, the screenplay could have been worked on for a better satire though. That’s where the director of ‘Achchamundu Achchamundu’ disappoints.

‘Enna Satham Indha Neram’ a damp squib

Can a film survive on hype only without a proper script? That’s a question that comes to mind after watching ‘Enna Satham Indha Neram,’ a film that grabbed headlines as being the first Indian film to feature quadruplets.
With a title that piques your curiosity ‘Enna Satham Indha Neram,’ touted as an emotional thriller failed to live up to its expectations.
Four speech and hearing challenged children get lost in a zoo while on a school excursion. As their teacher searches for them frantically, the zoo watchman informs her that a huge snake has gone missing from the cage. With this basic plot, the story could have grown into an interesting thriller, but director Guru Ramesh probably got lost in the idea itself.
How do you expect viewers to react when they are anxiously following the search for the kids to be interrupted by silly humour. Zoo keeper Kathir (Nithin Sathya) comes up with comedy lines at the most inappropriate times and they do nothing to tickle your funny bone. As if that was not enough, you have comedian Mano Bala and his friend, attired outrageously, (for laughs supposedly) who are petty thieves in this story and are planning to kidnap the quadruplets.   Their jokes fell flat on their faces. Probably it has to do with the ready-made mould established for commercial stories in Tamil cinema that are dictated by the number of must have comedy tracks.
The snake with graphics looks magnified but least menacing. And viewers have the last laugh when the snake is put to sleep by a large dose of sleeping tablets. Completely lacking in conviction, ‘Enna Satham Indha Neram’ did make a lot of noise but is a case of empty cans.

‘Bangalore Days,’ a complete entertainer

When cousins get together, inevitably it’s a riot.
And that’s exactly what happens when childhood playmates and cousins Divya, Kuttan and Arjun, meet up in Bangalore.  There is loads of fun.
Divya (Nazriya Nazim) arrives in Bangalore following her marriage to Das, (Fahad Faasil) a corporate executive. Kuttan, (Nivin Pauly) an IT professional works there.  So does the other cousin, Arjun, (Dulquer Salman) a graffiti artist and a motor bike racer.
Living in a new city with her husband, who barely talks and is mostly away on official tours, Divya’s companions are her two cousins.  And the trio has a blast together. But once the picnic is over, they return to their own lives where they confront reality.    
Divya's vivacity is a contrast to Das’ aloofness and that comes in the way of their building a new relationship.  Her curiosity is piqued when Das pointing to a room in their apartment that he keeps locked all the time, tells her, “It’s all old stuff.” 
Arjun’s anger is directed at his divorced parents and the pain of loneliness is a constant thorn hurting him. Crazy over bikes, he has pinned his ambitions on the race track.
Kuttan is the typical Malayali rooted to his native soil and very traditional in outlook. When his father is seriously ill, he takes a flight home and on board he falls in love with an air-hostess (Isha Talwar).  It’s amusing to watch the love smitten Kuttan going through a make-over with spiked hair and a wardrobe change as he tries to fit in with the glamorous and beautiful air-hostess.
Anjali Menon narration is simple and straight. The bonhomie of the cousins is believable.  Nazriya, Nivin and Dulquer share a great comfort level together onscreen. Menon’s little touches add freshness to the story.  My favourite is the scene where Das meets Divya at her home the first time. It is the traditional boy meeting girl ceremony.  After the family introductions are done with they are left alone to chat. Das tells Divya that he wants her to know that there has been another woman in his life. And he would understand if she was not keen on the marriage. Did she have anything to share, he then asks her. Looking bewildered, Divya reveals to him that the sweets placed on the table were not prepared by her as claimed by her mother, a while ago. As the duo break into a laugh, Divya’s puppy runs in and the next scene shows the two bonding over the dog, much to the delight of the parents who enter the room at that moment.
With a multi-cast, who fit snug into their roles, Menon presents a story that will appeal to viewers of all ages. Every actor has put in a commendable performance. Yet one pair that remains with you for long is that of Arjun and Sarah, the physically challenged RJ, whose ebullience on air wins the heart of the ‘I don’t care a damn,’ Arjun.
Dulquer’s rugged charm matches his performance and Parvathy Menon is just brilliant. She is one actress whose eyes express before the words tumble out. Kalpana as Kuttan’s mom will have you in splits. Nithya Menon is a beautiful surprise. I even liked the bit about the Tamilian maid who does not seem to approve of Divya as Das’ wife.
Go for ‘Bangalore Days,’ a light hearted entertainer with family and friends. And if your cousins are around, don’t forget to take them along.