Movie : Bhagyadevatha (Malayalam)
Credits:
Sathyan Anthikkad (Script & Direction)
Rajesh Jayaraman (Story)
Sarath Vayalar, Ilayaraja (Lyrics, Music)
Venu (Cinematography)
Soft Drink, Served Chilled!
…you know what it is, you know how it tastes, but when you are thirsty and it gets served chilled – you like it! Much similar is Sathyan Anthikkad’s latest offer – Bhagyadevatha. His 4th consecutive and frantic attempt after Achuvinte Amma (2005) to bring in something good, gets him a few miles close to his usual standards. The family movie maker finally casts the family actor Jayaram after a break of 6 long years and chooses the picturesque Kuttanad as the backdrop of his theme.
The protagonist Benny (Jayaram) is an average Malayali with high ambitions, who thinks a lot of money can bring him all that he dreams for. What he is actually left with is a local cable network “star shine”, the responsibilities of running a family consisting of his mother (KPAC Lalitha), sisters Sophie (Lakshmipriya), Saally and their grandmother (Rugmini). Coaxed by Sadananadan Pillai, a local tourist guide (Nedumudi Venu), Benny dreams of buying a fishing boat and making it big in life. What he needs is 5 Lakhs and the short cut as suggested by Pillai is a marriage – the dowry can get him to his dreams. The camera now spots a charming Daisy (Kaniha) who is the daughter of two teachers (Venu Nagavalli, Vanitha) who is destined to be Benny’s dame luck. Benny and Daisy get married.
You can imagine most of the part that is to follow, except for one single twist! Daisy’s father is not able to keep his promises on the dowry. A frustrated Benny denies Daisy of everything in a married life, and gives her an interval of 3 months to get the money to him. Daisy, in the meanwhile becomes the apple of the eye for Benny’s family. 3 months gone, no money and Benny drags Daisy back to her home. The news that strikes Benny the next day makes him feel stupid for what he did. Daisy is in demand now. The rest of the movie portrays how he vehemently tries to prove himself in front of her and her family.
The message that the story tries to convey is age old - the same message was delivered almost 10 times better by the same director in Ponmuttayidunna Thaaravu (1998) and Malayogam (Sibi Malayil – Lohithadas team) (1990), though at two different levels of emotions. The movie doesn’t come anyway near them. The theme by itself goes inconsistent when Sophie’s wedding happens fully adhering to the custom of dowry!
Sathyan Anthikkad deserves credit in transforming a story that lacks innovations to a rather enjoyable two+ hour script. The director has ensured enough humor content to make it interesting. The director is successful in blending lot of issues to the main theme – Benny finding it difficult to sell of his farm land due to objections from local politicians, the heroine’s father struggling to get his loan sanctioned are real good examples of current social situation. There are 4 different marriages that get into the main storyline and each one is seen from a different perspective. The interlude of social reformation messages (a little less this time as compared to the previous movies) goes overly annoying in one scene where Benny tries to patch up with Daisy at her office. The goodness of the heroine could have been projected too much making it a melodrama, which (thankfully) the director has not done. The story best fits and must have run ages if it were put as a mega serial on one of those channels – and thanks to Rajesh Jayaraman for not doing it!
Casting and performances are the highlights of the movie. Jayaram essays the role of Benny with ease – happiness, cruelty, frustration, sentiments – all comes with ease to the experienced actor. For a change, he is presented better, thanks to the makeup. Director makes an extremely good choice for the heroine. The tall, fair and charming Kaniha seems to have understood the soft spoken, but smart Daisy completely and she deserves special credits for the lead role.
The entire supporting crew adds to the entertainment value. Venu Nagavalli seemed to be a perfect cast as Antochan – Daisy’s father. Mammukkoya, Santhakumari and Rashmi Nambiar as usual and nice neighbors, KPAC Lalitha as Annamma, Sreekumar as the foodie priest, Innocent as the forward minded drama artiste – all give good performances. Nedumudi Venu – as a business minded guide who manages to make more than a living, using his limited English knowledge – the actor is probably at one his bests! Special credits to the casting of Lakshmipriya as the infatuated Sophie – she has a good future in the industry. Narein is a wasted talent as Daisy’s friend and Bank Manager Sajan, while Samvritha Sunil looks stunning in a cameo.
Sad to say, Vayalar Sarath – Ilayaraja team fails to entertain on the music side. “Aazhithirathannil….” that is composed with a traditional “margam kali” base, seems to be good when you listen more. The song with Kaniha-Narain and Jayaram on the screen was not required – but is presented in a special way – quite a new idea.
Verdict: Average movie – Well enough to enjoy with your family.
Credits:
Sathyan Anthikkad (Script & Direction)
Rajesh Jayaraman (Story)
Sarath Vayalar, Ilayaraja (Lyrics, Music)
Venu (Cinematography)
Soft Drink, Served Chilled!
…you know what it is, you know how it tastes, but when you are thirsty and it gets served chilled – you like it! Much similar is Sathyan Anthikkad’s latest offer – Bhagyadevatha. His 4th consecutive and frantic attempt after Achuvinte Amma (2005) to bring in something good, gets him a few miles close to his usual standards. The family movie maker finally casts the family actor Jayaram after a break of 6 long years and chooses the picturesque Kuttanad as the backdrop of his theme.
The protagonist Benny (Jayaram) is an average Malayali with high ambitions, who thinks a lot of money can bring him all that he dreams for. What he is actually left with is a local cable network “star shine”, the responsibilities of running a family consisting of his mother (KPAC Lalitha), sisters Sophie (Lakshmipriya), Saally and their grandmother (Rugmini). Coaxed by Sadananadan Pillai, a local tourist guide (Nedumudi Venu), Benny dreams of buying a fishing boat and making it big in life. What he needs is 5 Lakhs and the short cut as suggested by Pillai is a marriage – the dowry can get him to his dreams. The camera now spots a charming Daisy (Kaniha) who is the daughter of two teachers (Venu Nagavalli, Vanitha) who is destined to be Benny’s dame luck. Benny and Daisy get married.
You can imagine most of the part that is to follow, except for one single twist! Daisy’s father is not able to keep his promises on the dowry. A frustrated Benny denies Daisy of everything in a married life, and gives her an interval of 3 months to get the money to him. Daisy, in the meanwhile becomes the apple of the eye for Benny’s family. 3 months gone, no money and Benny drags Daisy back to her home. The news that strikes Benny the next day makes him feel stupid for what he did. Daisy is in demand now. The rest of the movie portrays how he vehemently tries to prove himself in front of her and her family.
The message that the story tries to convey is age old - the same message was delivered almost 10 times better by the same director in Ponmuttayidunna Thaaravu (1998) and Malayogam (Sibi Malayil – Lohithadas team) (1990), though at two different levels of emotions. The movie doesn’t come anyway near them. The theme by itself goes inconsistent when Sophie’s wedding happens fully adhering to the custom of dowry!
Sathyan Anthikkad deserves credit in transforming a story that lacks innovations to a rather enjoyable two+ hour script. The director has ensured enough humor content to make it interesting. The director is successful in blending lot of issues to the main theme – Benny finding it difficult to sell of his farm land due to objections from local politicians, the heroine’s father struggling to get his loan sanctioned are real good examples of current social situation. There are 4 different marriages that get into the main storyline and each one is seen from a different perspective. The interlude of social reformation messages (a little less this time as compared to the previous movies) goes overly annoying in one scene where Benny tries to patch up with Daisy at her office. The goodness of the heroine could have been projected too much making it a melodrama, which (thankfully) the director has not done. The story best fits and must have run ages if it were put as a mega serial on one of those channels – and thanks to Rajesh Jayaraman for not doing it!
Casting and performances are the highlights of the movie. Jayaram essays the role of Benny with ease – happiness, cruelty, frustration, sentiments – all comes with ease to the experienced actor. For a change, he is presented better, thanks to the makeup. Director makes an extremely good choice for the heroine. The tall, fair and charming Kaniha seems to have understood the soft spoken, but smart Daisy completely and she deserves special credits for the lead role.
The entire supporting crew adds to the entertainment value. Venu Nagavalli seemed to be a perfect cast as Antochan – Daisy’s father. Mammukkoya, Santhakumari and Rashmi Nambiar as usual and nice neighbors, KPAC Lalitha as Annamma, Sreekumar as the foodie priest, Innocent as the forward minded drama artiste – all give good performances. Nedumudi Venu – as a business minded guide who manages to make more than a living, using his limited English knowledge – the actor is probably at one his bests! Special credits to the casting of Lakshmipriya as the infatuated Sophie – she has a good future in the industry. Narein is a wasted talent as Daisy’s friend and Bank Manager Sajan, while Samvritha Sunil looks stunning in a cameo.
Sad to say, Vayalar Sarath – Ilayaraja team fails to entertain on the music side. “Aazhithirathannil….” that is composed with a traditional “margam kali” base, seems to be good when you listen more. The song with Kaniha-Narain and Jayaram on the screen was not required – but is presented in a special way – quite a new idea.
Verdict: Average movie – Well enough to enjoy with your family.
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