Ayalum Njanum Thammil Movie Review

Producer- Prem Prakash

Director- Lal Jose

Cast- Prithviraj, Prathap Pothen, Narain, Samvritha Sunil, Remya Nambeeshan, Rima Kallingal etc.

Music- Ouseppachan

Review By : Unni R Nair (Kerala9.com )

Dwelling on the cinematic aspects and pointing out the negatives may not be a big task for critics. But, with films like ‘Ayalum Njaanum Thammil’, I’d prefer to think more with the heart, from the viewer’s perspective rather than from a critic’s perspective. Moreover I always have seen films as a viewer and not as a reviewer; seeing films has always been a passion for me and I have been doing it always, much before I started reviewing them. So, Lal Jose’s ‘Ayalum Njaanum Thammil’ for me is a film that appeals very much to the viewer in me. I am not at all ashamed (people, even the average viewers, seem ashamed to reveal their emotions and mostly boo when they see an emotionally charged scene) to say that the film appealed more to my emotions and then to my intellect too.

‘Ayalum Njaanum Thammil’ zooms in on the medical profession; but I feel it’s not just about that profession. The film can be inspiring for any professional- anyone who desires to serve people and causes and not just make money. The emphasis of course is on the nobility of the medical profession.

Dr. Ravi Tharakan (Prithviraj), who is very much in demand, conducts a surgery on a critically ill child, without getting the parents’ consent. The child dies and then all hell breaks loose. The child’s father is a political worker and his guys attack the hospital the very same night and look for Ravi Tharakan, who wants to face the agitated mob and talk to them. The hospital management tries to convince him to stay away and leave the hospital; they arrange for him to leave by the back exit. Ravi is chased by a couple of bikes, but when his car crashes, those in pursuit leave fearing trouble. The next morning cops come in, take up the issue and start looking for Dr. Ravi Tharakan, who is missing.

Then, as the search for the missing doctor is on, we are presented glimpses from his past, courtesy people associated with him at different times, starting from his days at the medical college to the present. These include Vivek (Narain), Diya (Rima Kallingal) and Supriya (Remya Nambeeshan). We see Ravi Tharakan in college, as an extremely careless and carefree medical student, struggling with his exams. We also see him being passionately in love with Sainu (Samvritha Sunil) and then we see him taking to a hospital in a small hilly town for compulsory rural service. There, under the wings of Dr. Samuel (Prathap Pothen), Dr. Ravi Tharakan’s life takes a new turn; he is reborn…

There might be flaws here and there; there may be similarities- but the question that I’d ask myself is this. Am I looking for a perfect film? Am I looking for one that has no similarities with any of the director’s earlier films? My answer would be a big and loud ‘No’. With a film like ‘Ayalum Njaanum Thammil’, I’d overlook and quite easily forgive flaws and similarities, if any. I am happy that the film has an element of goodness in it and it conveys a message, and also that it’s well-made, remaining within the parameters of mainstream, commercial cinema. This is the kind of cinema that families should go watch, along with kids, rather than queue up for multi-starrer ‘entertainers’ that stick on to clichéd formulae and have more of bad elements than good ones. Just go for it with a totally unprejudiced, free mind…

Performance 

Well, this time I won’t begin with the hero…I just can’t. I just can’t talk about the performance aspect without first mentioning Prathap Pothen, who plays Dr. Samuel to perfection. He has done a good job of his role indeed. Prithviraj is good, real convincing as Dr. Ravi Tharakan and all others fit into their roles perfectly well.

Technical aspects

Cinematographer Jomon T John and editor Ranjan Abraham render full support while on the art-side, Gokuldas and Mohandas work to create the perfect ambience for the film.

Music

I don’t think the songs penned by Sarath Vayalar and set to tune by Ouseppachan would last long; most songs of today just don’t. But they are not bad either. Still, maybe the last song could have been avoided (well, that’s just a suggestion, though I didn’t mind that being there). The background score syncs well with the theme and the mood.

Script

Bobby and Sanjay have done a good job of the script. As said earlier, if bent on finding flaws one can very much find flaws in any work. But with this film, I’d dwell only on the positive aspects. Good work indeed!

Direction

Lal Jose is in control of things as the director. There are definitely things that could be bettered and certain elements that could have been avoided; but overall ‘Ayalum Njaanum Thammil’ is a film that Lal Jose can be proud of. Kudos to Lal Jose and team!!

Verdict- Good film; good-intentioned and with a clean message!

Rating: 3.5/5