Based on the novel "Enippadikal" by the great Malayalam writer Takazhi Sivasankara Pillai, Padmakumar directed this fine movie with Prithviraj in the lead. The upcoming star has proved once again that he is really "Superstar Material" !
Vaastavam (The Reality)
Language : Malayalam
Director : Padmakumar
Writer : Babu Janarddanan
Music : Alex Paul
Cast : Prithviraj, Jagati Sreekumar, Kavya madhavan, Sindhu Menon, Salim Kumar, Samvrita Sunil, Murali, TG Ravi, Sona Nair, Jagadeesh etc.
Balachandran Adiga (Prithviraj) is a poor brahmin boy from Kasargode. He is helped by Triphan Namboodiri(Salim Kumar) a businessman to get a job in the Kerala Secretariat . But the price he had to pay for was to marry Namboodiri’s niece Surabhi(Samvruta Sunil) by leaving his lover Sumitra (Kavya Madhavan).
He goes to Thiruvananthapuram to join his duty at the secretariat . He lives with an old employee Unnithan Aasaan (Jagati Sreekumar) who teaches him how to accept bribes. Aasan leads Balachandran through the dark corridors of corruption and he soon becomes one among the personal staff of the State Revenue Minister Raveendran(Murali). He joins in hands with the Minister’s wife (Sona Nair) who is a corrupt politician. Balachandran ignores everyone including those who helped him and becomes a king maker. He ignores his wife, Triphan Namboodiri and even his Guru Unnithan Aasan !
But each of Balachandran’s companions [including Vimala(Sindhu Menon) - a widow and coleague who helps him and wants to marry him -]get betrayed by him and become his enemies.Finally Balachandran realizes that there are many other precious things in life than money and power.But it is too late and his deeds become irreversible and the outcome is inevitable.
Script and Direction
Padmakumar is a gift to Malayalam cinema. Eventhough he takes inspiration from several sources [His previous films are Ammakkilikkood (a take on the Hindi film Sharaarat) and Vargam (almost a remake of Devaasuram) ], his style and presentation are excellent. Screenplay by Babu Janarddanan , fails at some places where it needs much more continuity. But the dialogues are crisp, strong and sensible.
Acting Performances ...Nop! ....Acting Competition !!!
For the first time, I find Kavya Madhavan being immensely talented! She has improved a lot in both looks and the composure in acting.TG Ravi , the veteran actor , came back with an outstanding performance as the old, helpless brother of the revenue minister. His classic act is quite a surprise. Salim Kumar as the miserable businessman Triphan Namboodiri is excellent. Samvrita Sunil played a very small but memorable role with great commitment. Sindhu Menon is a revelation. She is outstanding.
Jagati Sreekumar’s Unnithan Aasan is the best role in his whole career. I am sure that this role is better than all the other several thousands of characters that he played in the last thirty years.
Prithviraj is today’s best in Malayalam cinema. No other young actor can do Balachandran Adiga with this conviction. Probably he is the only new actor who practices the subtle style of acting introduced by the vetarans of the 80s and early 90s. Believe it or not , Prithviraj’s screen presence is equal to that of our super stars Mohan Lal, Mammootty and Suresh Gopi.
Definitely, he is tomorrow’s super star.
This film is gutsy, realistic and strong. Do watch it !