‘Palerimanikyam’ – A brilliant work in Malayalam Cinema!

It is not very often one watch a movie made from a book and get at least the same experience. Years ago, ‘Agnisakshi’ directed by Shyamprasad outdid my expectations to give a brilliant visual portrayal of the great novel by same name from the great malayalam writer:  Lalithambika Antharjanam. Most often than not, a movie disappoints the reader in you. And that is given, with the enormous possibilities of a written work, to play on the imagination of the reader.

I have read the novel “Paleri manikyam – oru pathirakolapathakathinte katha” in book form. While I liked the novel, I felt it was a wrong take by writer-director Renjith to attempt to make it into visual media. The complexity of the story and characters along with the plethora of plots and undercurrents etc made it look to be an impossible task.

All that, till I watched the final product – the film. I have to admit : Renjith has done an outstanding job: in adopting the story into screenplay without losing the essence or the gist of the story, in creating the atmosphere for the audience the same as that of the reader, deriving outstanding performance from a cast filled with amateurs (at least in the movie arena).

As the reviews have been proclaiming across different media. This is one of the finest mainstream cinema malayalam has witnessed (if not the whole India). Definitely one among the best in the recent times.

The fact that the movie with such finesse (including recreation of events, village, characters of 50 years ago) is completed in a moderate budget of less than Rs 3 crores is truly commendable.

The script has adapted the novel in the best possible way – selecting only the most suitable and needed parts , at the same time without losing the gist of the story and feel to even a least extent. The unique presentations of some of the shots and way of interlinking the past and present etc has been very effective. And I personally liked the cinematic freedom taken, to recreate the climax different from that in the novel. I liked it better that way!

For starters, it is a story of double murder occurred in a village (Paleri) in Kerala on a midnight, more than 50 years ago. A private detective, along with his companion start investigating the incidents that happened 5 decades ago. Along with the investigative crime story, there is a handful of threads entwined all along – of feudal landlords, communism, political situation in the state at the time, Police corruptions, sex and social practices. It amazes the viewer on how relevant all those are in today’s world – and there lies the success of the writer and director.

And, the movie presents yet another outstanding (if not one of the best) performance from the lead actor: none other than Mammootty. It won’t be a surprise if he receives his record 4th national award for this brilliant work. He portrays 3 different characters (with different getup and character ) He gets into the three characters and make them distinct with very minute and calculated mannerisms.

And for those new faces who did excellent job in the movie, this will definitely be a turning point in their career.

Let’s Talk!

Frankly, I didn’t know of such a film existed in India! Accidentally stumbled upon a DVD copy in a books and music store : “Let’s Talk” . And to note that it was a movie that was made 7 years back!

What attracted me to the movie was one key factor – Boman Irani, the lead actor of the film. Also, the synopsis on the back cover.

The movie is about a couple – ‘not-so-young’, (as I would hate myself called ‘middle-aged’);  The situation is this: The wife, Radhika Sareen, is having an affair at 33 and she is bearing a child whose father her husband is not!  She is confused on what to do – she want to tell her husband Mr. Sareen about it – but when, what, how! She is absolutely unsure about his reaction. Her best friend is helpless or not able to convince her.

The major portion of the movie consists different flavours of the conversation and associated behaviour played in her mind! Her imaginary reflections on what happens between her and her husband, when she breaks the news to him!

I don’t know anything about the originality of the concept/script/story – but I felt one thing at the end: Truly commendable!

Boman Irani’s act is nothing short of ‘Brilliant’. At the same time, you cannot take any thing away from the natural act performed by the leading lady(Maia Katrak) as well – she is totally believable in the role of a confused, urban, trying-to-be-modern housewife on the verge of stress attack. Even as the only other considerable character in the movie, as Radhika’s best friend, Anahita Oberoi is very good.

While watching the film, I doubted the script could be written by one person – either male or female. My thoughts turned right – when the name of four people (Including Mr. Boman Irani himself) rolled up in the ending credits for screenplay.

Ram Madhvani’s Direction is creative to say the least – the getting in and out of her imaginary sequences is excellently taken.

Most of the sequences surprise you, shock you, makes you laugh and most of them, more importantly, make you think- which, according to me, is one thing any serious or meaningful art should do!

Hats off !

The concerning questions about YSR’s demise!

‘Shocking’ would be an understatement – to describe the reaction to the news about the unfortunate end to the life of YSR Reddy- who was the chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

The unexpected and tragic end to the human beings (I add the companions – the fellow travellers and pilot) itself is shocking. But what prompted me for the post are some really disturbing questions:

• to get any clue about the disappearance of a head of state, it took more than 24 hours! – while the whole incident happened within the same state! Yes, I do understand the difficulties – I am not questioning on those fronts. I am questioning (or thinking aloud) – are we analyzing this fact and taking steps to avoid such a difficulty in the future?
• What are the safety and other precautions that are being carried out for the private carriers of the leaders and people who carry immense responsibilities on their shoulders? Are the guidelines, criteria, checklists etc (assuming all those exists) are being reviewed, revised, implemented and followed? Is there a governance mechanism?
• Is there a real ‘Continuity framework’ (or at least a recovery in place for top leadership positions and governance in the country? This question prompted in my mind – as the debate has been on over media whether his son should take over or some senior leader should? Does that indicate there are no Risk management and continuity plane in place? While the businesses are concerned and taking steps in those direction, shouldn’t the government also do such planning? Or is it only to protect against so-called ‘terrorism’ and ‘enemy countries’?

Questions being thrown up in the minds of normal people (like me) in the country will only erode the trust on the system. I feel faith and confidence on the system is pivotal to the existence and growth of democracy. let us only hope that these incidents will open the eyes of the system and wake them up!

Surviving through negative strategies!

Entrepreneurship is challenging , ‘they’ say…! I feel even entrepreneurs sometimes can be challenging to the society.

Here is a ‘hypothetical’ strategic advice from a modern-day entrepreneur:

“What you do when you land up in a unfortunate situation where your major revenue  is coming through a couple of individuals? What if they even had been there from the founding days and have put in their career and money at stake with you? How do you keep the financial impact of paying ‘market rate’ salary to those individuals?

• Promise them a good amount of shares in the company to keep them ‘motivated’.  Pay them a minimal portion of their ‘committed’ salary.

What you do when your business is not looking like moving anywhere near the ‘vision’ you set? 

• Continue to delay the share allocation under various premises and strategies – you have enough terminologies out there for your use– legal, investor, advisors, regulations, valuations etc. (Use your imagination my dear friend!) Remember to keep them ‘motivated’.

What is some of them smell foul and decide to leave?

• Uh-oh… you didn’t have a non-competing agreement with them? Better late than never give it a try!

What if they refuse?

• Oh? How can they??  Yes, it was not there in the initial employment agreement – So what?? And,  now you get two birds with the same bullet – you can also deny their final settlement (and thus paying them the “money”) till they agree to the sign the agreement.

 (Hey. Not that we will pay even if they agree! You idiot!)

What else can you do?

• Find out some reasons (don’t have? So what? Who said those need to be true, just and fair!! Focus on our objective!) and file some criminal case against them (Yes, I said Criminal – not Civil). We should make them run around police, court, legal people and get them so much tired mentally (if not physically) so that they even forget about any dues existing from you!

Not fair? They were with you all these while putting their skin and soul?

• So-  what are you running a business organization or a social service organization? Be focused!!
• Is this what they taught you in the No.1 business school?

And then? 

• Try these first. The next level of tips will follow….”

 

Sounds absurd?  Yeah! To me, as well.

But it is even weird to be at the receiving end of such a strategy/tactic (if you can call it so).

And the most challenging part is to remain positive and focused even at such a ‘tsunami’ of negative energy on your face!

To still believe in the goodness of the world.

I believe the success will be yours, if you manage to do so. Looks worth to give a try at least.