Out of the eight years that I spent in college campuses, two years were at NSS College-Ottappalam, the same college where Mr. Lal Jose, the director did his graduation. Like every college, it too had some unique characteristics like that little jungle in the back, the abandoned basketball court, the canteen, the play ground, the little lover’s park in front of the college, the library where we fought each other for grabbing books from Film Fare and Stardust to Malayalam literature and mathematics! Still I remember those days, even though I left the college without completing my course there. I have fond memories of two more other campuses.
So I can never miss the movie “Classmates”.
“Classmates”
Language: Malayalam
Director : Lal Jose
Writer : James Albert
Music : Alex Paul
Camera : Rajiv Ravi
Cast : Prithviraj, indrajeet, Jayasurya, Narain, Kavya Madhavan, Radhika, Vijeesh, Balachandra Menon, Jagati Sreekumar etc.
Story:
Fifteen years after passing out, one reunion of classmates in a college is simply a beautiful concept. This film is based on it. The 1991-92 batch chemistry graduates of CMS College Kottayam is returning to their college for the inauguration of a music club in the name of one of their classmates Murali (Narain)who was killed in mysterious circumstances before they had left the college. His parents Mrs. And Mr. Iyer , the lecturers in the same college want to fulfill his dream of a batchmeet after a long time in the campus.
Every one has changed a lot. Sukumaran (Prithviraj) , the communist students’ leader is now a diamond dealer in Mumbai, Pious George (Indrajeet) , the spoiled brat and unstoppable flirt is now a businessman married and settled in Dubai, Tara (Kavya) , the famous dancer is running a dance school , Satheesan (Jayasurya) is an MLA , Vaasu (Vijeesh) is an assistant to the MLA.
Razia(Radhika) , the girl who always wears a Pardah also joins them . She had a nickname “penguin”.
Sukumaran and Tara had an affair. Pious knows the mystery behind their broken relationship and the part played by the rival student leader Satheesan in it. But the circumstances that lead to the tragic death of the star singer of the college Murali (Narain) is still a mystery.
While everyone enjoys the party, Sukumaran(Prithviraj) stays back at his room . Around midnight, Pious(Indrajeet) finds him collapsed with the broken guitar srings around his neck !
The guitar is an old one…yes it is of Murali ! While Sukumaran (prithviraj)fights for his life in the hospital, Pious(Indrajeet)and Professor Iyer (Balachandra Menon)try to unlock the mystery to answer these questions:
Fifteen years ago, what happened to Murali? What happened to Sukumaran ?
Could these be suicide attempts or one murder and then its revenge ?
The climax is awesome. None can guess how Murali got killed and what happens to Sukumaran in the reunion!
Script & Direction:
With the outstanding script by James Albert, the journalist turned writer, Lal Jose the director has done an excellent job. This is his best ever film. Probably this film is the best ever campus film other than Sarvakalasala and Sukhamo Devi by Director Venu Nagavally. Several scenes in the tour sequence, the hostel , arts day , election , chemistry lab and canteen are really nostalgic. The characters are those who are roaming somewhere in our memory lane !
But there are some slight mistakes in the scripts.The flsh back unfolds through the conversation between Pious (Indrajeet) and Proff. Iyer(Blachandra Menon) . They discuss each incident. But one can not understand why Pious had to describe each incident to the other one who was also in the college knowing everything except that hidden truth which is hidden from Pious too. And also one more mistake is there towards the end. Just giving a clue because describing that mistake can spoil a suspense. One can be convicted for a suicide attempt. But the writer ignored that fact.
Cast
Prithviraj has evolved into a matured actor. Among my friends, even those who used to hate him enjoyed his performance and now they are his fans! At present no other youngster in malayalam can match his acting skills. He is definitely going to make it big . Indrajeet’s comic timing is as good as those of the 90s’ smart boys like Siddique, Asokan or Mukesh. Radhika is a superb talent. She will definitely go places. Kavya Madhavan is well controlled by the director. Hence she did not slip into her usual overacting style. Jayasurya and Vijeesh did well too. Narain looks handsome.Likely to become a chocolate hero for a while.
Other departments
Music by Alex Paul is his career best. Camera by Rajiv Ravi creates the perfect ambience of the 90’s college campus.
This is one film that nobody can miss. It is an achievement to get a ticket for this movie. It is not very easy ! Because the movie “rocks ” Kerala, and it is the biggest hit in the history of Malayalam cinema !!!
Even the word "friends" is now out of fashion.... it is only "Classmates" !!!