Banner: Ann Mega Media
Cast: Nivin Pauly, Nedumudi Venu, Namitha Pramod
Direction: Sathyan Anthikkad
Music: Ilaiyaraaja
After a while director Sathyan Anthikkad is making a movie with younger stars in ‘Puthiya Theerangal’. But the expectations are not met that much as the movie lacks much in it’s narrative style, pacing and even in that vintage Sathyan patterns. A movie that could be easily cited as an average fare from the otherwise maker of hit movies, this Puthiya Theerangal, written by Benny P Nayarambalam appear half baked and looses steam as it approaches the second half and the climax.
The movie has Sathyan for the first time opening up his camera towards the sea. It introduces Namitha Pramod as Thamara, an orphan, who is making a living and is also famous as the only female seafarer in the state. Though she lives alone after the death of her father Shankaran(Siddhique), who also taught her the basics of fishing, she is always in the company a of a few male friends of her fishing boat, including Mohan(Nivin Poly), as aspiring teacher who satisfies himself by taking tuition’s and Appachan(Siddharth Shiva), a local theatre artist who dreams of making big in films someday. Sathyan’s regular good hearted people of the community supports her with her every needs and the old Veronica(interestingly done by the debutante) often comes up to stay wit her on nights.
And one fine day, Thamara rescues an old man(Nedumudi Venu) from the sea.She brings him to her home and offers her love and care as if he is her father. But the troublesome old man who announces himself to be K. P.,is a bit difficult to handle, who often reacts violently to happenings. But his mysterious identity and reasons for his suicide attempt pose more problems to Thamara, as K P is diagnosed to be not in his normal state of mind.
The first half of the movie is in regular Sathyan mould but the later half is more a disappointment with nothing much to say and happenings appearing contrived. The twist and turns here is forced and happens faster than needed. But it is a fresher group of cast and the ‘marimayam’ team with vivid and inviting characters that helps the movie to stay afloat.
The highlight of the movie is definitely it’s lead lady, the debutante Namitha Pramod, who is sure to stay in the business for long. She appears beautiful and act with ease in a demanding role. The role of Nedumudi Venu is handicapped by loose writing and doesn’t appear convincing. But Nivin Poly manages to find his space in this drama, with full of assorted characters. A regular Sathyan style of making with its share of wits and soft characters is the other plus point , though the director fails o bring in the needed intensity, and perfection in scenes. The songs and BG scores by Ilayaraja are average. None of his four songs stands out , but just give pleasure for a single hearing. So is the BG scores, which appear clich’d. The editing side by Rajagopal also fails to provide finesse to the sequences and song visuals, though Venu’s camerawork is impressive.
This ‘Puthiya Theerangal’ may be exciting only for the dedicated fans of the director. And for others, there is not much to cherish, except a few new actors and characters and some good wits.