This is probably the best ‘chemistry’ that Malayalis can get in a movie. The best actor Mohan Lal, National Award winner Meera Jasmine and the No.1 director of Malayalam mainstream cinema Satyan Anthikkad have come together in this movie called ‘Rasatantram’ which in Malayalam means ‘Chemistry’.
Advertised as a family comedy, the film hit theatres on Friday. And fortunately … or unfortunately I got a ticket for the first day itself !
“Rasatantram” (Chemistry)
Language : Malayalam
Written and Directed by Satyan Anthikkad.
Cinematographer : Azhakappan
Music : Ilayaraja
Produced by Aashirvad Cinema.
Cast : Mohan Lal, Meera Jasmine , Bharat Gopi, Innocent, KPAC Lalita, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Mamukkoya, Mukesh , Siddique and Jagati Sreekumar.
To be frank…this fabulous chemistry has simply gone wasted. Satyan Anthikkad had no story to tell. He wanted to cater for everyone in the audience and the item served became hollow, soul less and discontinuous.
Story
Premachandran (Mohan Lal) is a carpenter who lives with his father (Bharat Gopi) in a serene valley somewhere in the central Kerala. He works in a team lead by Manikandhan Aasari (Innocent). Oduvil Unnikrishnan plays the bankrupt landlord of the cottages in the valley. One day Premachandran happens to meet a servant maid of a rich house where he was assigned for some work. The maid Kanmani (Meera Jasmine) is tortured by the rich, arrogant family members. One night she attempts to suicide and our hero rescues her. Later she disguises as a boy (!) and joins with the carpentry team.
Later the truth is revealed and Police arrests both our hero and heroine. The heroine plays another trick to save both. Premachandran reveals his brooding past to her. She is then admitted to a Christian Convent. Now the story comes back to the father - son relationship! For a long time we won’t find our heroine ! One morning it is revealed that the land belongs to the Government and all the villagers are illegal settlers in the valley! They have to leave. Now Jagati Sreekumar comes from Tamil Nadu to take away our heroine. Jagati has really overacted as the ‘Murai Maaman ’ of Kanmani. After several unconnected events like these, the film ends somewhere. The confused audience can now go home !
Pluses
The acting performances of Mohan Lal , Innocent and Gopi are a top-class as usual. Meera Jasmine is an awesome talent because the boy –act is amazingly convincing! It may make you spellbound.The cinematography is brilliant and the visuals are sparkling. Ilayaraja’s tunes are hummable.
On the downside,
The movie has no proper story. The zigzag narration makes the audience puzzled. There are many philosophies woven into the script. The one about self-discovery pointed out by Mohan Lal to Mukesh is haunting. But still it is not clear what the director wanted to express through the whole movie.
So …
Don’t go with high expectations. It is an average movie with some scintillating acting performances.