Disagreement is the end of the conflict. Words become meaningless over the overwhelming emotion. There will be mistakes. With that, the last avenue of debate will be closed. The totality of Theri is apolitical and offensive. The danger here is thinking that the realism of the film is enough. In other words, I am not trying to say that I should not make a wrong call. The ‘Chattambi’ is a more repairable pair of shorts where the sloppiness becomes annoying.
The story is set in the hilly village of Kootar, bordering Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The film is meant to present the 90s beautifully. But most of the characters have the same attitude. Normal village life is nowhere to be seen. Many people are neglected for various reasons. Their green life. The story takes many turns and finally comes to one. There is nothing predictable about the story. Everything is natural. All the while, there is a misplaced mistake.
The main characters are Muttatil John who pays interest and Chattambiya Kariya. The tension between them drives the film forward. Kariya and Baby are John’s interest collectors. Baby is not as conscienceless as Kariya. Someone with family and faith. Srinath Bhasi will be playing Chattambiya Kariya. It often feels like an unflattering costume. But Sreenath’s effort to perfect the character deserves applause.
Kariya’s anarchic life began by beating his father who was hurting his mother. It is only later that the inhuman chapter opens. Many small and big conflicts. Kariya came across as someone who would do anything for money and booze. John was the one who made the most of it. John was given life by Chempan Vinod. The applause in the theater will underline that he has done justice to the character. John is also loved by Kariya, who does not even show affection for her mother. John’s neglect is at the heart of the story.
Binu Pappan’s Baby and Grace Antony’s Cecily were equally good. Grace brought Cecile to the screen with extraordinary poise. That performance once again makes it clear that she is a talent that will mark Malayalam cinema in the coming times. Special mention should be made of Guru Somasundara who came as Muniyandi and Maithili’s resignation. The newcomers also do justice to the character. Every talent of that time and place stood in front of the camera. That’s evident in every short.
Screenplay and cinematography by Alex Joseph. Directed by Abhilash S Kumar.
The story is dragging at many places. The silence was often not long or painful. ‘Chattambi’ is a must watch film and one that can be decided after deliberation.
Heard in the theatre: Sreenath feels the role of Kariya is effortless after watching the controversial interviews. Bhai will backfire on Teri society.