Film : Oru Pennum Randaanum

Producer : Adoor Gopalakrishnan
Director : Adoor Gopalakrishnan
Cast     : M.R.Gopakumar,Seema.G.Nair,Nedumudi Venu,Jagadeesh,Ravi Vallathol, Manoj.K.Jayan,Praveena etc.
Screenplay,dialogues : Adoor Gopalakrishnan
Review By : Unni

Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s latest film, the State award winning ‘Oru Pennum Randaanum’, based on four short stories by the late Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, is set in the 1940’s. The film is an anthology of sorts, telling four different stories one after the other. (Adoor’s last film ‘Naalu Pennungal’ also represented this genre). ‘Kallante Katha’ narrates the story of a young child, who is the son of a thief named Neelakantan (M.R.Gopakumar) and who is caught between love for his father and the stigma of being a thief’s son. The second story ‘Niyamavum Neethiyum’ is about two police constables (played by Nedumudi Venu and Jagannathan) who frame an innocent rickshaw-puller in a robbery case in a bid to save their jobs. The third story ‘Oru Koottukaaran’ is about two friends, one an advocate (Jagadeesh) and the other a college student (Sudheesh), the latter approaching the former seeking help in a very complicated matter. The fourth story, ‘Pankiyamma’, is about what happens to two men (Ravi Vallathol and Manoj.K.Jayan) who come into the life of the beautiful Pankiyamma (Praveena). While one of them is her husband, the other is her lover. Things take a totally different turn for them and both of then finally land up in jail.
The four stories are narrated by Adoor with a purpose- to highlight how men are led to commit crimes. The film focuses on how socio-economic factors are behind personal crimes. Adoor has been true to the stories and he has succeeded in capturing the atmosphere of the 1940’s in a very effective manner. With brilliant performances, excellent technical features, captivating background score and a well-worked out script as its highlight, ‘Oru Pennum Randaanum’ stands out as a film that delivers strong, relevant messages. The film of course is not box office material.
Performances
With Adoor as the director, it’s but natural for actors to deliver their best. All the actors- those with key roles as well as those with minor roles- have delivered great performances and do justice to their respective roles. No point at all in mentioning actors name-wise.
Technical aspects
M.J.Radhakrishnan, excellent cinematographer that he is, has rendered excellent support to Adoor and has composed frames in keeping with the demands of the subject. Editor Ajith Kumar too has done a good job. And so has art-director Marthandam Rajashekharan.
Music
Issac Thomas impresses us with his music, soft and blending well with the subject and giving us the right kind of feel.
Script
Adoor, who has done the script himself, has seen to it that the film retains the essence of the original stories, those written by Thakazhi. The characterization, the dialogues etc has been done with this in mind. The script is well worked out too.
Direction
In an Adoor movie, it’s always the direction that is of prime importance. The master director that he is, he has done the film with a real master stroke. Every frame betrays the fact that ‘Oru Pennum Randaanum’ is a director’s movie. Adoor is in control of the minutest of details and has made that reflect on the film’s totality.
Overall verdict- Class movie.

Producer : Alex
Director : Rajasenan
Cast:Rajasenan,Sithara, Rahman,Sindhu
Story : Reji Photopark
Screenplay, dialogues :  Rajasenan

Review By : Unni

Rajasenan gives in ‘Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonnu’ a film for the family. The film tells the story of a family, that of Chandramohan Thampy alias Chandru (Rajasenan). He, his wife Lisamma (Sithara) and their three children (two daughters and one son) form a happy family. Chandru (whom Lisamma addresses as Chandu), is a postmaster who finds it really hard to make both ends meet, especially since he had incurred huge debts on account of getting his wife treated for a serious heart ailment. But he never ever lets his problems show on his face and is a jovial kind of person, cracking jokes, helping others out and taking things very lightly. Chandru’s father, retired I.G.Sachidanandan Thampi (Sivaji Guruvayoor) had disowned Chandru years back after the latter had married the girl of his choice. But Chandru has his heart full of love for his father and also for his younger brother Raju (Rahman), his mom etc. He always dreams of the day when they all would be re-united. In the meantime, Chandru, with the help of a rich NRI friend GK (Mukesh), who used to be his college-mate too, finds a job in the Gulf and goes over there to solve his financial problems.

A nice and simple story told in a simple manner, characterized with incidents with which many can easily identify and peppered with humour and songs. A feel-good kind of movie that ends in a touching manner and which of course has some messages to deliver too, especially about loving all those around you. The film may seem to narrate nothing different or new, but still it’s definitely worth a watch. It may not be liked by people who are looking for intellectual kind of stuff, but for those who’d be satiated with homely kind of things, ‘Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonnu’ is good choice.

Performances

Rajasenan puts in a good performance as Chandru while Sivaji Guruvayoor too impresses us as the hero’s father. It’s these two who carry the film forward. The others in the cast- Sithara, Rahman, Jagathy Sreekumar, Mukesh etc suit their respective roles well.

Technical aspects

Cinematography by Salu George, editing by Samjith and art-direction by Girish Menon is very much in tune with the mood of a Rajasenan brand of family flick.

Music

The songs have come out well and have been visualized in a manner befitting a family flick. “Iniyum kothiyode…” stands out and touches chords in your hearts. Background score by S.P.Venkatesh is good.

Script

Rajasenan has done a good work of the script, blending all ingredients with care and paying attention to the characterization too.

Direction

Rajasenan has crafted ‘Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonnu’ in his usual style, putting all heart and soul into it especially since he himself is doing the lead role and had to deliver his best. He deserves to be appreciated for having done a clean job of the movie.

Overall verdict- Good for the family…and everyone too!