Yet another golden hearted hero arrived in the theatres. The film in question is C S Sudheesh's Malayalam film Malayali starring Kalabhavan Mani as an affectionate elder brother in a nondescript supporting cast that allows him to hog the limelight not only as an actor but as a singer as well.
So what does Malayali have for Mani to show off? A soft hearted patriarch called Nandiledath Madhavan, in a traditional Tharavadu. He resembles his father whose black and white picture hangs on the wall (a bald version with buck tooth). He invites elders from the neighbourhood for poetry sessions and helps the needy without having second thoughts (qualities that he has inherited from his late father). His younger siblings do not approve of this but cannot voice their opinion openly as he is their mother's favourite.
The story credited to the director, presents a typical hero, who takes on everything with the equanimity of a saint. This film even tries to be topical by raking up the issue of vanishing paddy fields and the mad rush to cash in on tourism boom by building five star resorts on cultivable land.
To give Mani his due, he holds this revisited story together by his charm. We just wish that this tale had something fresh to offer. The female lead is a new face, Niya. She has screen presence though she appears much later in the movie as if her character was created as an afterthought.Salim Kumar, Idduki Jaffer and Co handles the comic department with limited success.
About the title. The hero is mistaken as a Tamilian. So it is just to remind us that he is actually a Malayali! Whether he is a Malayali or a Tamilian, the film turns out to be an average fare.
Rediff Rating: 