Pazhassi Raja

Kerala Varma - Pazhassi Raja

The buzz of this Malayalam movie, also the star studded team that it had, did generate curiosity. I had decided to watch it in the theatre, the week that it releases. Realised, it was running house full in all the theatres. Waited till the second week, much to my comfort, the movie was playing at 'Fame lido.' So closer home, and it just that it adds to the whole experience of weekend watching.

Movie has 'Mammooty' as the main protaganist who plays the role of 'Kerala varma, Pazhassi Raja.' Its a period film, set in the late 17th century. Yes, it is a film about the freedom struggle and all the fight between the goras and the natives of Kerala. I did not know that such a king existed in the Kerala history, always thought in my childhood why we dint have any famous freedom fighters from Kerala. Ignorance indeed, but thanks to these film makers for making such a magnum opus. Many would be aware of it now.

More than just the lead, the supporting cast involving Sarath Kumar, Manoj K Jayan, Jagadheesh, Padmapriya, Thilagan and the others is terrific. I always felt, that good movies always had a good supporting cast. This would show the Director's ( Hari Haran ) ability to have imagined and picked the right people to essay such roles. its not about getting to play meaty roles, its about being part of such a historic cinema, and giving your best. Malayalam Cinema has gone through rough patches, a time when Malayalam cinema had the best of everything to nothing. This movie is an example of reviving it back again.

So what is great about the movie? It is shot in some beautiful locales, breath taking screen play also the music and most importantly, an amazing script. Alright, its not AR Rahman, we have Illayaraja instead. I am glad we have Illayaraja for a change and he brings in more than the necessary change. He was apt for giving music to such a period film. He still has the charm of striking a chord, he hasn't been disappointing many a times. The sound recording by Oscar winner Resul pookutty adds to the affect of each scene. The fight sequences involving those 'Matrix' inspired stunts could have been done away with. That was someting which I thought did not fit into this otherwise very natural, real cinema.


Many scenes where we see, the goras being given a retaliation and all that patriotism gets fueled up in me. Every time I see the goras getting beaten up or killed during freedom struggle, gives a feeling of pride. And yes, there are lot of counter views of how the British changed India all that. The scene where the tribals take over the British army with their archery skills was great. Sarath Kumar I thought was outstanding, I really have to pick him out of the rest of the cast as someone who surprised me with his acting skills.There were few moments, where the movie loses its pace but it picks up soon and keeps you engaged.

Wayanad, is shown in its true sense with the thick dense forests and the rainfall there. That was breath taking, for me being from Kerala and so far from the roots. There was an inner call to get back to where I belong from, a need to know more about the place and also appreciate it.

More about the King Pazhassi Raja : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pazhassi_Raja

This movie will be coming in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu as well. Watch it with English sub titles, if you do not get to watch these versions.