For the uninitiated, imagine toying with the concept of’Artificial Insemination’ in the 80s and that too during a period when the indian society was still overcoming the british raj hang over and the pangs of conservatism! Surely the efforts, if not the movie’Dasaratham’ itself needs to be lauded for it is indeed a brave attempt. Considering that the Lohi-Sibi-Lal were at the helm of affairs it was destined to stand out as a jewel in Indian Cinema.
Watching the movie for the first time, I was blown away by the audacity of Lohi to even come up with a story that could well have had the conservatists demanding for his execution! I am pretty certain that the movie would have met with a fair amount of consternation at that time but eventually it prevailed over these impediments to give us one of the most touching films. Clearly the golden period of malayalam cinema also meant that Lohi was at his writing peak and thank goodness for it.
The most telling aspect of’Dasaratham’ is the treatment rendered to the script by Lohi and Sibi. Had the same movie been made in Tamil, I am certain it would be vulgar, obscene and highly objectionable. There is not a moment in the movie where you sense any vulgarity or obscenity and that according to me is perhaps the USP of the movie performances notwithstanding. In this sense I feel this also Sibi’s best directorial venture to date. He could have easily crossed the line and made it crass but instead he decided it should a classic! Kudos to Sibi.
Coming to the performances - Lal is just phenomenal. He underscores his genius in this cult classic. He brings to the table his entire repertoire of acting skills and displays the whole range of emotions in his own inimitable restrained style. To show case comic skills and the ability to emote they way he did in the climax is just top notch. The body language of Lal especially in the climax just before he asks Sukumari to be his mom is brilliant, the trembling hand before he asks Sukumari the question is etched vividly to this day in my mind. Lal shines like an incandescent light throughout the movie.
Murali(Expected) and Rekha(surprisingly) have turned in performances that would leave the movie goers at the end of the movie on their feet and clapping. Murali is without doubt a jewel in the actors guild but highly underrated for reasons beyond my comprehension. The helplness portrayed by these actors in varyiing degrees of the movie is highly commendable. Nedumudi Venu is brilliant as usual.
The film is to be watched, admired and celebrated as a classic for a long time to come.