REVIEW 1: VARATHAN
Director: Amal Neerad
Cast: Fahadh Faasil, Aishwarya Rajesh, Sharafuddin, Dileesh Pothan
Language: Malayalam
The most elated filmmaker of the current generation, Amal Neerad has come up with a rarely touched plot in Malayalam and almost succeeded in pulling out an above average flick backed with a riveting climax. Even though the storyline sounds accustomed, it is the solid narrative style which makes the film worth watching.
The story of Varathan revolves around a happily married couple in Dubai named Abin and Priya played by Fahadh Faasil and Aishwarya Rajesh respectively. Abin and Priya decide to relocate and settle down in Kerala as the former lost his high profile job following a crisis in the company. As per Priya’s decision, they move towards her ancestral property and the hardships which they incur upon landing there forms the crux of the story. Fahadh and Aishwarya have got meaty roles of their career and both excelled in their roles with utmost perfection. To be precise, Aishwarya as Priya was a delight to watch and her frustrations and emotional imbalance are shown with immense clarity so that every woman could easily relate her to themselves at some point in their lives. The couple’s journey to their hometown in a taxi where the cab driver is peeping towards her shows the actual face of the society. The middle-aged Oanth essayed by Kochu Preman showcase the reality of a specific group of villagers around us and here the director clearly demolishes all the patriarchal values and righteousness upheld in typical Sathyan Anthikkad films. In fact, the movie is a tight slap at moral policing and narrow-minded people of the society who stares at every woman with a rigid mindset.
Fahadh Faasil is a gem when it comes to character transformation even with his looks and body language. Towards the climax, it is Fahadh’s aptly played Abin who steals the show with a scintillating performance and thereby elevates the total mood of the film. Sharafuddin as Josey was a revelation and breaks the traditional image crowned on him by giving a matured performance as the vicious antagonist.
The biggest highlight of the film is magical and realistic frames by Little Swayamp. Every minute scenes including the caterpillar crawling overleaf, the sluggish movement of the caterpillar…. are all shot aesthetically. Sushin Shyam’s bgm was terrific and blends perfectly with the soul of the movie. Editing by Vivek Harshan is top notch and go hand in hand with the narration and flow of the film. Varathan is definitely not the best among thriller genre films but should be appreciated for handling a socially relevant theme in a pleasing manner and also for creating a vibrant cinematic experience to the viewers and critics alike.
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