Where is Pazhassi Raja??. Review on Pazhassiraja

The biographical tale of one of the biggest heroes in Kerala in fact the entire Indian history is what drove me to the theatres... oh!!! Let me correct it, run around then find a ticket broker, buy the tickets for 40 rupees per person, wait for the tickets half an hour before the movie time and then sit in a crowded theatre in squeaky , almost at verge chairs to see the movie Pazhassi Raja.

The theatre was quite crowded with people who have been through the same procedures as the next one and everyone looked forward to see the proud, ‘gambhir’, courageous, brave king of Pazhassi Raja walk in .... The movie started off .... and saw some almost about to die English men (beware if you have kids with you, the governor would actually scare the kids.... mine cried!!) and some Indian men in a meeting . As usual Devan looked handsome and aristocratic. And now where is Raja... where is Raja... We waited for the ‘Tiger’ and finally

Dhan te naaaaaan........ Let’s hear the growl... Grrrrr...

“Meooooow!!”

Excuse me!!!! That what happened a stray puny little cat walked in. Wait!! that him???? That is Pazhassi Raja???

Story

The story of one of the most courageous freedom fighters of the time. Pazhassi Raja. Every person would know him as the Guerrilla war hero. In the Wayanad forests he led a fight against the British for his country by using the most powerful weapon. The forest lands of Wayanad. The war crushed British forces as they were not familiar with dense interiors of the forest.

What ticked me off?

Mammootty. I am not a fan of Mammootty. But I am a fan of his performance in Vadakkan Veera Gatha and as far as my idea goes, Mammootty would be the best choice for Raja. But Mammootty completely failed his role. He was nothing like what Raja would have been. The aristocratic pride was not there, the movements with the sword were quite clumsy and he acted like a coward than a leader. The dialogues were delivered poorly the normal bass of mamootty’s voice was not seen anywhere. Mammootty is a complete disappointment. Someone should complain for characterizing such a great hero like this. It looked as if he was sending people to war and trying to hide while the only thing he did care was to sing and dance with his wife.

The action scenes were poorly done. You can clearly make out that the people are using ropes for the movements and the fight scenes by Mammootty is just not something a king would do. He looks clumsy and awkward with the swords.

The movie goes on like a documentary and you feel as if you are watching History channel sometimes. Sometimes if the scene is a meeting they will start from the point where people come to the meeting on a car.... then go on to show them walking to the room, sit down ... yadda yadda....that long and dragging!!!

Mamootty’s costume looks too out of the character and time. He seems to have spikes on his Pazhassi hair.... oh well!!!

The movie stands so close to plagiarism .... The last scene starts off with brave heart and goes on to 300. The scenes are shot so similarly that you can easily make out. What is plagiarism doing here in a history movie??? Gasp!!

The movie looks incomplete at so many places as if something is missing in spite of the length of the cinema. The movie lacks perfection and professionalism in a number of places.

So is there anything Worth it??

I loved Sarath Kumar, Padma Priya and Manoj K Jayan. The other one who comes as chanthu “A serial actor” is also outstanding.

Sarath Kumar has done justice to the role and he was good with the sword, the moves and looked fit and aristocratic for a warrior . His dialogues hits the spot and his actions crisp and perfect.

Manoj Kumar and Padma priya were great . Padma priya has proved herself as an actress quite capable of doing any role she is given. The fight scenes were beautifully done and she could switch easily between the brave warrior to the shy lover in seconds, without any awkwardness. She is a gem in this movie. Kudos to her role.

Watching all three of them is a treat. The movie belongs to them.

The music by IlayaRaja is magnificent.... especially the numbers “aalamadankala” and “Aadiyusha sandhya” although “aadyusha” reminds you of the song “Aruna kirana thaapam “ from Guru.

The movie is not worth all the hype and is just an ordinary movie. The truth is the movie is over promoted all over Kerala. Mammootty has nothing to do with the good of this movie. the reel belongs to everyone else. It’s not just worth for 40 rupee per ticket and now the court had ruled five rupees to be given back. Fair!!! Loud speaker is a far better heart warming story. So if you are a Mammootty fan, go see Loud speaker, skip this one and see it on a DVD though. The movie needs to be seen for the performance of Manoj K Jayan, Devan, Sarath Kumar and Padma Priya and the music. But it’s not necessary to hit the theatres for this purpose.