Movie review: Thrissivaperur Kliptham: A different portrayal of Thrissur

Set in Kerala’s cultural capital Thrissur, Thrissivaperur Kliptham begins on a promising note as the humourous opening credits roll, offering a peek into the entertainment package the makers have planned. The silly fights between the gangs of David Pauly (Chemban) and Chembadan Joy (Baburaj), who have been foes since schooldays, form the major plot. Members of the Joy gang, frontbenchers in school and after, become successful in their careers and always sneer at their rivals. The four-member team of backbenchers is envious of them and tries to belittle and insult them in every way possible. 

As the two teams engage in settling scores, the shy, ‘unmanly’, but crooked Girijavallabhan (Asif) joins the Pauly gang. In parallel runs the story of the strong-willed Bhageerathi (Aparna), an auto driver, who picks fights and fends for herself. After an interesting first half, the story drags its heels along no-brainer sequences and gets stuck at the point where logic breaks, loses grip and falls into the depths of predictability. 

Though there are plenty of loud dialogues, the makers have ensured dialogue rendition in near-to-perfection Thrissur slang by all the characters. The story, narration and style keep reminding one of Angamaly Diaries sans violence, Amen with plenty of toilet humour and many movies from the early 90s led by a combo cast. 

Though quirky, with funny dialogues scattered all over, writer P.S. Rafeeque couldn’t pull of his Amen magic as the script loses steam midway. However, Retheish proves that he has the skills and is someone to watch out for, if he works on it. The swap between the hero and heroine is fresh and commendable; it’s the heroine who gets an intro, fight scene and punch dialogues, whereas the hero appears coy, anxious and nervous. 

Bijibal’s compositions — the ‘Mangappoolu’ song and the ‘Kantha’ BGM — are impressive. Swaroop Philip’s camera turns to the less-celebrated parts of Thrissur – the markets, dark alleys and dingy rooms. 

Casting deserves a special mention, especially for the perfect choice of child actors. 

The real show stealers are Chemban, Asif and Aparna who essayed their roles with ease and charm. With his magnificent screen presence, Chemban has grown into a star from an actor. Asif adds one more feather to his cap; a bit more focus can take him to great heights. 

Aparna, in her best role till date, puts up an excellent show as the tough, stone-faced Bhagi. Underutilised talents — Irshad, Rony and Sreejith Ravi – were at their humourous best. Sunil Sukhada, T.G. Ravi and Abi too deserve kudos. 

With its humorous treatment, Thrissivaperur Kliptham will not be a disappointment if you walk in with no expectations, as promised by the trailer.

 Published in Deccan Chronicle on August 13, 2017

A green makeover

Suresh K.P., an agriculture officer, has started a green revolution in the villages he serves, by turning barren farmlands into organic havens, with the help of the villagers.

Everyone knows the story of Verghese Kurien, the father of White Revolution, whose Anand pattern of dairy cooperatives (in which small producers join hands for efficiency of a large scale business with no middlemen) empowered the dairy farmers of the country by making them self-sustainable and increasing their life standards. replicating that model, Suresh K.P., an agriculture officer, has started a green revolution in the villages he serves, by resurrecting the barren farmlands and initiating the farmers to the long-forgotten organic practices.

"It's not my work; it's a collective effort," he keeps saying, stressing the word 'we'. But for any progress to happen, there is always someone who takes the lead. Along with the villagers of Angadippuram in Malappuram, Suresh converted the barren lands to organic paddy farms which give good yields every year. The investment was made by the farmers and the profit was credited to their account.

"When I came to Angadippuram three years ago, most of the fields were lying barren for over a decade. Around 100 villagers coordinated and renovated a 3-km watershed and three lakes which acted as a storage system for reserve water. Last year, we sowed paddy in the 10-acre Chathanalloor field with shares invested by 100 farmers. We follow organic methods and the Krishi Bhavan provides the machinery and other facilities. This year, paddy was cultivated in 60 acres of land under the guidance of Ayyappan, Rasheed Chatholi, Kunjeev and Hussain Kunnanatt.

On the ridges we planted flowers, making it a pleasant sight. Though the weather was unfavourable, we tried everything to save the crops from withering. The harvest festival was conducted like a big celebration and yielded 120 tonnes of paddy," recalls Suresh, a native of Manjeri. State-run Supplyco procured 100 tonnes of paddy. Help came from unexpected quarters for distributing the rest of the produce. Suresh's school alumni — from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Malappuram - came forward to distribute the 'Ponkathir' rice among themselves. all over the state by paying the market price that would go to the bank account of the farmers.

“That was a moving gesture. We never went for marketing, but children who were not even born when I had finished school were part of the 'Arivandi' campaign. They transported 3.5 tonnes of rice to the homes of those who ordered sacks. I was awestruck by their love and commitment,” he says. Equally happy are the villagers whose life was changed by this young man with bright dreams.

Suresh's office — the Angadippuram Krishi Bhavan- is unlike any other government office, with a vegetable garden and kara nellu cultivation in the courtyard welcoming the visitors. He has a theory for that, "Usually, a Krishi Bhavan is where people, mostly in bad mood, walk in seeking financial assistance or to file applications or complaints. The garden and the placards detailing farming practices lift their spirit and also earn us respect. What I learned from the fields is that agriculture is a continuous learning process, both for the farmers and the officers. This is what I tell my staff too." 

Earlier, he has worked as an agriculture officer in Wayanad and Keezhattur, where he showed people the organic way to successful farming. From the 250 acres of agricultural land, after Suresh took over, the agriculture has spread in 475 acres in Angadippuram village. He has also facilitated cultivation in land provided by mosques and MES Medical College. 

Apart from distributing vegetable seeds and providing training programmes in schools and households, he has introduced the villagers to coir pith composting unit, bio-pesticides, bio-fertilisers, plant health clinics, agro mechanisation and production of fruit fly trap. "We wanted to prove that paddy cultivation is profitable and I think we have succeeded in that. Our motto is to make every person a farmer and every land a farmland," he concludes.

Published in Deccan Chronicle on August 10, 2017

Chunkzz movie review: Overdose of sexist jokes

 

Cast: Balu Varghese, Honey Rose, Ganapathy, Lal, Siddique, Visakh Nair, Dharmajan Bolgatty, Mareena Michael Kurishingal 

Director : Omar 

Chunkzz begins in a college where Romario (Balu), Judas (Visakh), Atmaram (Dharmajan) and Riyas (Ganapathy) — three former students of the mechanical engineering department — roam around the campus and canteen, teasing girls and teachers as well as envying the boys who have girls as classmates. In their “boring” college life enters Romario’s childhood friend Riya (Honey) who, her father (Siddique) fears, is a lesbian. What follows is a long sequence of dirty jokes, an illogical story, loud songs and far-fetched twists, making Chunkzz an annoying watch. Clearly, Omar hasn’t got over Happy Wedding. 

What begins as a campus story is neither a romantic entertainer nor a humorous movie. Every actor — from the lead ones to the family members of the hero and heroine — has more than enough vulgar dialogues that make one wonder how it got through the Censor Board. Chunkzz is the story of a bunch of youngsters who open their mouths to drink, smoke and utter sexist jokes. 

There are humorous moments, especially during the umpteen references to old movies and famous BGMs, thereby lifting a huge burden off Gopi Sundar’s shoulders. The songs can be left behind in the theatres, as you walk out with a throbbing headache. 

As the ‘Mech Rani’, Honey looks stylish and Balu repeats what he has been doing for long. The older chunks — actors Siddique and Lal — put up their best overreactions and push your tolerance limits. Dharmajan and Shammi Thilakan contribute to a few funny moments, whereas Visakh repeats his ‘Kuppi’ act from Aanandam. Ganapathy, like his character, puts up a poor show. The beautiful Mareena is wasted in a half-baked tomboyish role. 

Chunkzz may be a movie guys might enjoy with their friends. But girls, this might not be your cup of tea unless you have the guts to sit through embarrassing jokes. Forget taking your family; this is a strictly adult boys-only movie!

Published in Deccan Chronicle on August 6, 2017

Kashmalans' plead for attention

Makers of Himalayathile Kashmalan are fighting an endless battle with exhibitors to get enough slots in theatres.

Every film personality has a tale to tell – of struggles, rejections, depressing thoughts and moments they almost gave up along the rough road to realise their dreams. But all those sink into oblivion once they taste success; hardly does any film personality come forward to support passionate newcomers who have no banner or godfather to boast of, but a good project which badly needs a little push. 

Himalayathile Kashmalan is one such movie produced by a bunch of 52 debutant cinephiles who put their whole heart, money and creativity to bring out the movie. Since its release last Saturday, the movie has been garnering excellent reviews. However, the makers are miffed by the exhibitors’ adamance to limit the screening to morning and noon shows despite the good response. 

The movie has been released in 38 theatres across Kerala. The premiere was screened to a packed house and the comedy entertainer received a lot of online publicity. But that was not enough. Sounding devastated, director Abhiram Suresh Unnithan, who has also co-produced the movie says, “The theatres refuse to give the movie a primetime slot however hard we plead; the most we could get was a 5pm slot in a multiplex in Kochi and a 6.45 pm show in a theatre in Thiruvananthapuram. Now, with one more day to go for the release of other movies, including big budget films, we are worried about the fate of our dream project.” 

Resonating similar views, Anand Radhakrishnan, a co-producer who has also played a small role in the movie, says, “The exhibitors make funny excuses – like the name of the movie lacked ‘punch’, a movie of debutantes can’t be a crowd-puller, so on.” Abhiram rues, “We don’t want a huge screening. Just a little consideration would be enough. How many people will watch a movie at the 10am or 10.30 am shows? Despite that, the movie is being watched and hailed much. I have lost hope in all associations. All the persons behind our movie are registered members of one or the other association. But the exhibitors deny us a chance. We too are filmmakers. It is just that we have no backing of a brand name. Even word of mouth publicity can’t be of help when there are no proper show times.”

 Published in Deccan Chronicle on August 3, 2017

He loves the stage

Sarath Kumar on his new app, acting with Mohanlal and learning how to drive.

Each screening of Angamaly Diaries ended with a series of ‘wows’ from the crowd — for the actors, especially for the towering screen presence of ‘Appani Ravi’. It is perhaps for the first time that an actor got a registered fans’ association after his debut movie. 

Sarath Kumar says it was not something made by him, but by a group of youngsters who came together impressed by his ‘Appani’ act. As you get to know him, more ‘wows’ follow, for Sarath bears no resemblance to the carefree, ruthless, no-nonsense ruffian from Angamaly. Overnight stardom has made this passionate actor all the more grounded. 

“I am very glad that ‘Appani’ happened. From a theatre student, I became a movie actor, got the opportunity to work with people I hadn’t even dreamt of meeting, made my parents proud, married my girlfriend, built my dream home and above all, received love from people all over the world. It’s all because of movies,” shares Sarath, speaking from the sets of Amala in Athirappilly. 

In the offbeat movie directed by Safeer Thailan, he plays a pivotal role along with Anandam-fame Anarkali Marikar. He has just finished Jijo Antony’s Pokkiri Simon and Laljose’s Velipadinte Pusthakam, in which he shares screen with Mohanlal. Also coming up are Odiyan and Pipein Chuvattile Pranayam, with Aju Varghese and Dhyan Sreenivasan, and a few other projects. 

‘Appani Ravi’ hasn’t got to stereotype Sarath. “You can see very different performance in all these movies. I was lucky enough to get diverse roles. 

“In Pokkiri Simon, I play Love Today Ganesh, an auto driver who is a hardcore Vijay fan. In Velipadinte Pusthakam, I play Franklin, a youngster who is a student during day and a fisherman during night. I act as Lalettan’s favourite student and have two get-ups in the movie. There are a lot of emotions, romance and humour. I have no words to explain the feeling of acting with Lalettan and watching his graceful movements and performance. I can’t still believe I could act with such a great legend,” he says. 

However, being busy hasn't made Sarath lose focus from theatre. “I haven't felt any lack of time. Theatre is what made me; I can never let it go,” says Sarath, who is also directing a play Nagothra. This is not his first; he has directed and acted in several mimes and plays, the notable ones being Cyclist, which went on to win the State Youth Welfare Board Award, and Narendra Prasad's Friday. 

Apart from composing music for a few plays, he has worked a lot with children's theatre too. Taking you along through his dreams and future plans, the humble Sarath says, “Many people advised me to start a business while doing movies, but I know nothing else other than acting. All I can do is my part towards theatre.” So, he decided to make the move. With a group of likeminded theatre enthusiasts, he is launching a mobile application — the first of its kind — on theatre named Theatrelife. 

“Theatrelife is an encyclopaedia on Kerala theatre. The app will have a list of all playwrights, actors, their works, photographs and also the theatres across the state. “We will update information on the ongoing plays being staged and are also planning to include facilities for booking stages. The app will also serve as a stress-buster by offering classes on children's theatre, meditation, kalarippayattu, kutiyattam, etc. Theatre is an excellent way to revive people who are looking for optimism and energy in life. Those registering on the app will be introduced to the classes at our space.” 

Speaking of space, Sarath reveals that he has plans to open an institute for performance, not just theatre, but dance” forms too. "My wife Reshma is a Bharatanatyam student at Sree Sankaracharya Sanksrit University, Kalady, whereI was a theatre student. Making use of her skills in Bharatnatyam, Mohiniyattom and Kuchippudi, we plan to develop the institute. My idea of a play is a visual treat which offers a movie experience to the audience," he adds. 

Asked where he was planning to build his institute, pat comes the reply, “Of course, somewhere near Angamaly!” During the shoot of Angamaly Diaries, Sarath did not know how to drive and it was his co-actor Tito Wilson, who played ‘U Clamp’ Rajan, who rode the truck. “I learned to drive after that. In Pokkiri Simon, I drove an auto rickshaw and in Velipadinte Pusthakam, I steered a boat to the mid-sea. I even did a car chase in a movie. I am confident enough to even fly an airplane now,” he laughs.

 Published in Deccan Chronicle on August 2