Mohanlal starrer Aaraattu review: A charade of old master pieces

'Aaraattu' directed by B Unnikrishnan and starring Mohanlal takes you through to the exit with the feel of having spent a couple of hours detached from the real world, with punch-lines and references drawn heavily from old and not-so-old hit films

Mohanlal's charm comes to the fore while executing the character of Neyyattinkara Gopan, depicting his idiosyncrasies, gimmicks and comical gestures and antics. Gopan undergoes a range of layers in characterisation, which basks in the twin shades of trivial and serious behaviours.

Edathala Mathaichan is a loan shark and a wealthy feudal lord of Muthalakkotta, who acquired wealth and property through nefarious means. Now, he has a large swathe of land which he plans to fill up to develop a township. But the local administration is seeking to lease it out for cultivation. Mathaichan, played by Vijayaraghavan, ropes in shrewd Neyyattinkara Gopan to pull off his plans to fill up the land. How things digress after the entry of Gopan in Muthalakkotta forms the plot.

Mohanlal, in the movie, extends his trademark dramatics and remains a live wire throughout the narrative. It's his radiating charisma that consumes a large chunk of our attention. He expresses all nuances that range from euphoria to tribulations that Neyyattinkara Gopan undergoes.

Siddique as CI Sivasankaran, veers away from the path he has been treading over the years. As an ingenuous and infirm a police officer, Siddique churns out a bit of humour and has less role in the main scheme of things in the drama.

Johny Antony, as Vettikkal Shashi, Mathayichchan's lawyer, registers a thorough presence in the film attempting loud and ludicrous tomfoolery and witty wisecracks. Meanwhile, Shraddha Srinath as a strict RDO exhibits poise and sense.

Remarkably, the movie features Nedumudi Venu and Kottayam Pradeep who created a void in the Malayalam cinema. Though their roles were suprisingly short their appearance in the movie leaves a deep sense of loss.

Nandu, Kottayam Ramesh, Indrans, Sivaji Guruvayoor, Kochupreman, Ashwin Kumar, Lukman, Anoop Davis, Rachana Narayanankutty among others appear in significant roles.

What stands a class apart is the camera work by Vijay Ulaganath who captured the whole essence of the drama. The beauty that each of his frames conjures is unmistakable. While the background score is rampant, composer Rahul Raj has ensured that the songs penned by B K Harinarayanan, Rajeev Govindan, Fejo and Nikesh Chembilode are lively and melodious including the high-volt theme song.

There is this obvious feel of suspense which would be eventually unravelled. The mystery is, however, unveiled in a weird and strangest fashion.

Lewd innuendoes, hilarious ripostes, crowd scenes, titillating fight sequences and the hues and colours of Kerala heritage and culture are scattered throughout the reels.

The focal point is always the mass appeal of the hero.

'Aaraattu' is a quintessential Mohanal flick with the same old story with frequent revisits to the premise of the star’s earlier movies. Only the energy and vibrant charm of the Mohanlal factor pull it off.