A bed ridden man or woman, a wandering innocent girl, home coming of a boy/youth from abroad or from a hostel life, One who witness a marriage party of his/her lover to another person, a chocolate, glass bangles, a boat which bring the boy from hostel – I have noted these essential ingredients of a typical MT story long back. Even I attempted to write a story assembling all of these some 10 years back only to keep it with me to forget it later.
Neelathamara brought back all these memories and all these characters on screen again. The story is quite old in its soul and style. However, the master director Lal Jose made it as a refreshing experience with some nice visuals, brilliant performances by new and vibrant faces.
Give a rupee and pray, blue lotus never fail sincere prayers is the belief of the villagers. A servant girl, Kuttimalau (Archana) wishes for a blue lotus, the rich house owner’s son - Haridas (Kailash). She heard the beauty of love in her neighbourhood and fed hope with a chance which the society branded as Mad. The river always flows in one direction and the story repeats. Ratnam (Samvrutha) comes in the life of Haridas and Kuttimalu had to take a retreat. In between there was love and prayers left unexpressed. Watch Neelathamara which tells a simple beautiful story of yester years.
The best plus of the film is the treatment of the subject. The story is too thin for a film and it almost slipped from the hands of the writers in the second half. Thankfully, the character in Ratnam brought some life to end the film worth a watch. To add to the worry, the turning incidents all came too quickly and presented hurriedly leaving rest to the imagination of the viewers.
Few characteristics remain in our mind even after the film. Unexpressed love of Malukkuttiyamma (Sreedevi Unni) to kutti malu, easiness with which Haridas betray Kuttimalu, Straight attitude of Ratnam, Practical approach by Kuttimalu etc. are few. Characterisation is best plus of the film.
Newcomer Archana simply live the character Kuttimalu brilliantly!! Her character was that of a typical village girl, but this actress portrayed the emotions in perfection. Kailash is another revelation. He fit the bill for a yester year charming youth and gives a lot of promise for future. Samvrutha in her comparatively small role was excellent!!! One of her best performance! Sreedevi Unni did her role quite convincingly.
Cinematography of the movie is excellent. The camera literally sponge up beauty of nature and human emotions brilliantly.
Songs are good, where one single song stand out as excellent, i.e. ‘Anuragavilochananayi’. With simple and beautiful words and good beats this song is bound to make to top on hit charts and will be highlight of the film. Shreya Ghosal sings her part well - then, I think the ‘ra’ (Sa ri ga ma) and ‘Ra’ (Rum) seems not going right to her tongue. (Watch the youtube video of it and listen to cherumayakam, oru, ariyam, nirayum etc. and damn it, we use a lot of ra and Ra) Never mind, the song is such a super hit and we can easily forget these small misspells.
Overall, the movie is a refreshing good watch. There is less drama and less incidents but it is a beautiful flight to yester years.
My rating: 3.25 stars