NOT DESTINED TO RULE-PRAJAPATHI

Not destined
to rule
Mammootty starrer, Prajapathi, lacks the sparkle of Renjith films, writes KK Moidu
Starring: Mammooty, Aditi Rao, Siddique, Nedumudi Venu, Sai Kumar, Thilakan, Srinivasan, Seema, Sandhya, Bheeman Raghu, Manian Pilla Raju, TG Ravi and Abu Salim.
Music: Tej Mervin
Story, Screenplay, Dialogue and Direction: Renjith
Producer: Siraj Valiyaveettil
Cinematography: Azhagappan
Last year Mammootty gave a series of hits like Kazhcha, Rappakal, Vesham, Thommanum Makkalum and to top it all the biggest hit of the megastar’s career, Rajamanikam, was also released in 2005. But that same magic is missing from the actor’s films released this year. Thuruppugulan only satisfied Mammootty fans and the much-awaited Balram v/s Tharadas also did not rise to audience expectations. With more than half the year over fans were looking forward to a hit from, at least, Renjith the creator of previous Mammootty hit, Black. However, the director-actor duo’s latest offering, Prajapathi, is also a major disappointment.
The story unfolds in Perumalpuram village, which has practices that make it distinct from other villages in Kerala. Devarmadom Narayanan aka Prajapathi (Mammooty) is the village’s protector, who along with the Nattukoottam exiles wrong-doers from the village. After serving the exile period, depending on the crime, wrong-doers who have reformed are allowed to return to the village.
Kaliyar Madom is another feudal family headed by Narayanan’s paternal uncle Moopil Kunjampu Nair (Nedumudi Venu). The other members of that family are Nair’s wife Indrani (Seema) and their four sons and a daughter (Sandhya). Nair and his older son Giri (Siddique) are Narayanan’s greatest enemies in the village.
However, Nair’s daughter and Narayanan’s paternal aunt’s daughter (Aditi Rao) support the Prajapathi. The latter is also Narayanan’s love interest.
In one of the opening scenes of the movie an injured Narayanan lands in the ICU of a hospital following an attempt on his life by Giri. The rest of the story unfolds in a flashback. Narayanan, though rich, is accused of murdering his father as an adolescent. He serves his term in a juvenile prison and returns a reformed man. With the help of his mentor Vellody (Thilakan), Narayanan establishes a new law in Perumalpuram.
When Giri tries to sell his land in Perumalpuram to some outsiders, Narayanan resists the move arguing that it will destroy the harmony of the village. This increases the enmity between their families. A local legislator (Sai Kumar) tries to broker peace, but the peacemaker has a secret motive. His father was a victim of the rivalry between the two families. He wants to throw Narayanan out of the village and establish his party’s supremacy over Perumalpuram.
Nair and Giri never miss an opportunity to accuse Narayanan of killing his father. Later, Narayanan learns that it was Nair, who killed his father to usurp his wealth. Another truth, which emerges is that Nair has an illegitimate son, Ali Raghavan (Srinivasan). Narayanan helps Ali Raghavan win his birthright after Nair admits in court that Ali Raghavan is indeed his son.
When Giri questions Nair about his relation to Ali Raghavan he learns yet another truth that Nair is not his father.
In his youth Nair commits a murder and then to escape punishment he marries Giri’s mother (Indrani), who was already pregnant with Giri. Fearing that his foster father will spill the beans about his parentage and deprive him of his share of the Kaliyar Madom wealth, Giri murders Nair.
The rest of the film tries to answer questions like who will prove that Giri eliminated his foster father? Will Narayanan avenge the atrocities committed by Giri? Will Giri’s family learn that he is Nair’s adopted son and that it is he who mercilessly eliminated Nair? Will the legislator’s dream of taking over the village be realised? The script, however, lacks the punch, normally associated with Renjith’s films.
Two highlights of the movie are Siddique’s portrayal of Giri and Azhagappan’s cinematography. Sandhya comes up with a balanced performance, while veterans Nedumudi Venu and Thilakan have done justice to their roles. Abu Salim appears in a different role in this movie and there is hope that he may get a respite from villainy.
Last year everybody thought Mammooty was invincible because of his continuous string of hits, which included even some crass movies. Unfortunately all these expectations have proven to be hollow, judging by his performance in Prajapathi.
Renjith should take the rap for choosing such a run-of-the-mill subject, which had succeeded way back in the 90’s. Another significant drawback of the film is that many artistes have been used as mere props in the movie. Daisy Boppana’s tepid appearance in a dance sequence, leaves much to be desired. Aditi Rao too has to be content with few scenes and little to do. The film’s dialogues are lengthy and tacky.
In short Prajapathi definitely has every ingredient of a potboiler, but the hackneyed script and unnecessary and complex twists and turns are sure to sound the film’s death-knell at the box office.

Showing at:
Sharjah: Metro Cinema, Al Hamra and Concorde
Dubai: Galleria and Plaza
Abu Dhabi: Eldorado
Rating: HHHHH