METICULOUS EFFORT-VADUKKUMNATHAN

Meticulous
effort

Vadakumnathan is good cinema with a
well-narrated story, writes
KK Moidu
The latest Mohanlal starrer, Vadakumnathan, can be classified as one of the most memorable performances given by the superstar. This year has already been a successful one for the versatile actor. Both Rasathanthram and Thanmathra were box-office grossers, while his upcoming projects Keerthichakra, Mahasamudram, Photographer and Aakasagopuram are expected to do well.
Vadakumnathan was a shelved at one point and the fact that it was completed, has benefitted the audience. When the movie was ready for release, the producer was in a financial mess. Both producers and the distributors were pretty clueless about how the movie would fare at the box office because canned projects are not known to keep the cash counters ringing. However, the movie has proved cynics wrong by putting up a strong showing in the theatres, much after it was declared a hit.
Another unique aspect about the movie is the debut of famous lyricist Girish Puthanchery as a scriptwriter. Though Vadakumnathan has shades of the Hollywood movie Beautiful Mind, the story is original. Beautiful Mind, directed by Ron Howard, starring Russel Crowe and Jennifer Connelly, was the recipient of four Oscars (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress and Best Screenplay). It is the story of a Nobel laureate Mathematician John Nash (Russel Crowe), who struggles throughout his life with schizophrenia. Vadakkumnathan on the contrary tells the story of a highly intellectual Sanskrit teacher, Bharatha Pisharody (Mohanlal), who is a victim of bipolar disorder.
The story is simple and pragmatic. Pisharody teaches Sanskrit in Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, Kerala. Though he is a genius in his field, his deep knowledge of the language makes him an eccentric. His amiable nature and brilliance at work earn him everyone’s respect and goodwill. Pisharody is in an enviable position with a loving family, good job and girlfriend Meera (Padmapriya), also his cousin and the prospective bride selected by his family.
On the eve of his wedding, Pisharody, however, disappears, leaving behind a note, saying that he is leaving them forever. After a couple of years, his family receives his ashes, thus making them believe that he is no more. Five years after the incident, his mother (Kaviyoor Ponnamma) and brother (Biju Menon) leave for Haridwar to complete the religious rites connected with Pisharody’s death. His mother finds him with a group of sadhus, settled near the banks of river Ganges. Though he tries to escape, they manage to bring him back to his native place.
By now, Bharatha Pisharody has changed totally. He no longer shows any signs of genius and his family believes that he is hooked to drugs. His outburst at his sister’s engagement only fuels their suspicions further. Investigations reveal a shocking truth. Pisharody is suffering from bipolar disorder, which makes him lose his mental balance at times. He is undergoing treatment for the ailment. When his family learns about his condition, their standoffish attitude towards him diminishes. Meera, who was totally shattered by his disappearance, rushes to his rescue. However, Meera’s father (Murali) does not undergo a change of heart and continues to hold a grudge against Pisharody for running away on the wedding eve. He stubbornly refuses to give in and instead arranges Meera’s marriage with one of her noveau riche cousins.
The movie’s climax answers questions like, will Meera agree to her father’s choice of bridegroom? Will Pisharody’s ailment hamper his marriage to Meera? Will his family support his intentions? and Will Meera’s father’s forget his animosity towards Pisharody?
Mohanlal’s performance as a bipolar disorder victim in this movie, is definitely more striking, than his earlier role as an Alzheimer’s patient, in director Blessy’s movie, Thanmathra.
His performance deserves much applause and is likely to remind viewers of his sterling performances in movies like Bharatham and His Highness Abdulla. His portrayal of a mentally disturbed person is in a class of its own.
Vadakumnathan’s music is a major contributor to the movie’s success. This was one of the last contributions from late music director Ravindran. The movie would not have been the same without S. Kumar’s brilliant camerawork, beautifully complements Ravindran’s score.
Unlike most commercial movies, where the actress’s role is pretty hollow, Vadakumnathan has given equal importance to the heroine. Padmapriya has proven that she can excel playing performance-based characters as well. All the other artistes have done justice to their roles. It is to director Shajun Kariyal’s credit that the film has no major flaws.
If you are looking for an entertainer with good dialogues, action, comedy and an item number, Vadakumnathan may not measure up to your tastes. On the contrary if you want to watch a beautifully written, effectively acted, meticulously crafted effort and love good cinema don’t miss this one.
Cast: Mohanlal, Padmapriya, Biju Menon, Murali, Kavya Madhavan, Shammi Thilakan, Vineeth, Risa Bava, Babu Namboothiri and Kaviyoor Ponnamma.
Director: Shajun Karyal
Lyrics: Girish Puthenchery
Music: Ravindran
Cinematography: S. Kumar
Producer: Baba Creations
Editing: Hariharaputhran
Rating: HHHHH