Producer- Latheef Thiroor
Director- Haridaas
Cast- Anoop Menon, Sivaji Guruvayoor, Tiny Tom, Irshad, Sandhya, Riza Bawa, Rajiv Pillai etc.
Music- Robin Thirumala
Review By : Unni R Nair/ Kerala9.com
I honestly was confused when I was going to watch ‘Veendum Kannur’; I had no idea how it would turn out to be. But being someone who watches movies of all kinds without preconceptions, I just walked into the theatre with a free mind. Less than two hours later, when I walk out, I am happy and contented. I am satisfied with the film I had just seen and call Haridaas, the direct to tell him he needs to promote the film. (He doesn’t pick my call, could be busy or something!).
‘Veendum Kannur’ takes us to Kannur, where politics and violence cannot be separated; political violence has always been part of life in Kannur, in the past many years especially. Jayakrishnan (Anoop Menon), a JNU product who had left Kannur disillusioned by the politics and political happenings and the violence, comes back from Delhi. Anoop, who is the son of the veteran communist Madayi Surendran (Sivaji Guruvayoor), who is also the party secretary, is back in Kannur because of his love for Radhika (Sandhya), who is a journalist. Radhika is also the daughter of Divakaran (Riza Bawa), who has always been the political adversary. Jayakrishnan is provided top security as he is the son of the party secretary and also because Divakaran’s men, who are always ready to strike against political adversaries, could target him. Jayakrishnan is attacked the very day he lands up and there are consequent attacks too. That flares him up and he chooses not to go into hiding or shy away from things. He launches his own kind of movement, a new version of communism, which he feels is the need of the hour. He clashes ideologically with his father as well as with Radhika’s father and spearheads a revolution of sorts. It’s from here that the story takes off.
Well, don’t take ‘Veendum Kannur’ as yet another political thriller with the usual ingredients. Yes, you could find some of those elements here and many not-so-passing references to contemporary politics. You could identify characters with those in contemporary politics and who are always in news. But all the same, the writer and the director have played smart and have saved the film from becoming a usual political flick, which you would perhaps not like to see. The film is a balanced approach. There is heroism, but not the usual kind of heroism. There are punch dialogues, but not the kind that you’d see in Shaji Kailas films or Ranji Panicker films. There are moments of thrill, but there are not many explosions and loud action sequences. It’s more of an ideological clash that happens mostly and there is subtle politics that’s discussed than mere power politics and the usual good guys vs. bad guys things. There is no superman kind of hero but at the same time there is heroism in ‘Veendum Kannur’. Hey don’t think I am making it out to be a great movie. It isn’t great movie, but it is decently written and decently directed and is very much worth a watch. There are flaws, but pardonable ones. Take for example the supporting roles, some of which are not well conceived or well written-out. I don’t want to highlight the flaws for this one venture somehow as it’s most likely going to be a low-profile film and hence it would be good if it makes at least some people sit up and think.
Anyway, laudable effort, decent work, by writer Robin Thirumala and director Haridaas.
Performance
The film belongs to Anoop Menon. He plays the role of Jayakrishnan in his usual style and makes it credible. The others in the cast, especially those in key roles are good. Good to see Tiny Tom evolving into a good actor. Sandhya doesn’t have much to do. Some of the minor roles could have been played by better actors.
Technical aspects
Nothing much to say about the technical aspects; there’s nothing extraordinary or bad. It’s all just so so. You may even tend to think that the film would have been better if it had better cinematography and was edited better. Yes, maybe.
Music
I should say that the songs are good, but may not go down with the present generation film viewers in Kerala. For those who are obsessed with the so-called ‘new generation’ films (Hey I am not against the present trend, I have liked some of those excellently made movies, I am just against the ‘new generation’ obsession of the new generation audience), the songs of this film may not have much of an appeal. But they are good nevertheless.
Script
Good work, Robin Thirumala. Of course I feel he could have done more justice to some of the supporting characters, especially those played by Riza Bawa and Irshad, both basically good actors. Still, good work.
Direction
Haridaas has made a good attempt making ‘Veendum Kannur’. He proves that he can make good films, films that talk of issues that relate to contemporary life and politics in a decent manner. Good work!
Verdict: Decent work, good and worth a watch!
Rating: 3/5