There is a herd mentality among Malayalam filmmakers to follow the successful pattern that seems to be in vogue. The trend these days is to feature food or exotic eateries.
Proprietors: Kamath & Kamath, the much hyped multi-starrer, with Mammootty and Dileep in the lead, takes this trend to the level where the viewer is on the brink of throwing up. It is directed by Thomson.
The script by Udayakrishna and Siby K Thomas has a Konkani flavour in the dialogues to lend authenticity. But the stars look their own caricatures, doing things that they have done umpteen times before.
The storyline is of no significance; it is apparent from the very first shot. Still, the optimist in you expects that there will be something to surprise you, or that the cast will be well utilised. But your hopes are dashed in no time. You are soon wondering why the actors didn't feel there was something terribly wrong in what they were doing.
Mammootty and Dileep play siblings Raja Raja Kamath and Deva Raja Kamath, respectively, who own a chain of eateries throughout the state. They take over one more in the district of Palakkad, and that is the beginning of this charade.
Here they face opposition from a biryani specialist who has a restaurant just opposite their own. The biryani specialist is supported by the local councillor (Suraj Venjaramoodu). This conflict is resolved by the end of the first half.
Then the plot takes the 'damsel in distress' course in the second half with Rima Kallingal and Karthika Nair getting some importance in the plot. The climax is a free-for-all action in a typical godown.
The lead pair shows inexhaustible energy, but nothing else. One almost feels sorry for them.
Describing Proprietors: Kamath & Kamath as an atrocity on the viewer is no understatement.
Rediff Rating:
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