Ma kasam, filmy hoon

Just watched Solomante Theneechakal (Solomon’s Bees) - a Malayalam whodunnit crime investigation thriller written by PG Prageesh and directed by the veteran Mr. Lal Jose. What a movie!!! Starts off as a comedy movie of two young woman Constables in Kochi who are also Instagram stars. Pretty soon one of them gets involved in a murder case and the questions are - what’s her role in that homicide and would their friendship stand the test? The person killed is no less than the Circle Inspector of their police station who is a star in his own right with a massive FB following for his daring police raids on cocaine. In comes Joju Joseph as the new CI David Solomon who investigates the case and that’s when facts and forensics come into play and what a play of twists and turns in the story that keeps you at the edge till the end is revealed - both in terms of the life taker and the motive. And CI Solomon solves the mystery by way of a Biblical riddle by the same name as the title of the movie....

If you haven’t already done it please do yourself a huge favour and watch Nazar Andaaz starring Kumud Mishra in his best role till date along with Divya Dutta, Abhishek Banerjee and Rajeshwari Sachdev. What an ending with such a Simple and Profound message. Loved to weep happy tears once again. I wish I could have seen this on screen when it released. Available on Netflix. Nazar ka andaaz badlo aur nazar andaaz mat karna.

Just watched Nalpathiyonnu (41) - a Malayalam film and story unlike any that I have seen in my life. What a story and film by Lal Jose and team in his 25th outing. In my view, his best so far. Must watch. 10/10 for the unusual storyline, plot twists and tension in the heart till the last but one scene before the climax. Great casting, acting, direction, music and location shooting in Shabarimala pilgrimage centre in Kerala. Nimisha Sajayan continues to be my favourite actress for her clear convictions and choices as an actress, human being and as a role model, inspiration and courage for women who don’t fit the traditional notions of beauty. This would count as among Biju Menon’s best performance in a serious role besides the one in the recent national award winning Ayyapanum Koshiyum (2020). This was my first experience of Sharanjith who plays one of the pivotal roles of Vavachi Kannan. What an actor and memorable performance when you compare his turnout to his normal photos on Google...

Should you watch Laal Singh Chaddha? My suggestion is: NO! … … … Not if you think you are supremely intelligent. Not if you think you are smart. Not if you think you have figured out the world. Not if you think you have figured out your place in the world, your purpose and destiny. Not if you are caught unawares or purposely in the bipolar world of right and wrong. Not if religious and political ideology is more important than the idea of humanity. Not if being right is more important than being wise and compassionate. Not if you hate Aamir Khan for whatever reasons including intellectual, ideological, religious and political because of the questions he has taken the risk to ask of us and ask for us. Not if you think that as a failure at the family level he shouldn’t do anything else. Not if you don’t like crying happy tears. Not if you think only the weak sissies cry. Not if your self-worth, self-importance and self-esteem depend on pulling other people down even though there maybe ma...