Four friends, their deep bond, and when chaos strikes, how far will they go for each other? What does revenge look like in their case? Directed by Musthafa, with Suraj Venjaramoodu, Hridhu Haroon, and Maala Parvathi in the lead roles, Mura is built around this premise.
The standout feature of the film is how real and raw the performances feel, which add depth to the strong revenge storyline.
Malayalam cinema has been leaning more onto stories with a lot of violence, and Mura is no different, following the same path with its intense, high-stakes drama.
Hridhu Haroon, Anujith, Jobin Das, and Yedhukrishnan G play the roles of young characters, while Suraj Venjaramoodu takes on the role of Ani, a powerful gang leader. Suraj’s portrayal of Ani is a standout, as it marks a departure from the roles he has been known for recently. Ani is a complex character with shades of grey, making it hard to label him as purely good or bad. The story primarily follows how these characters navigate their youth, getting caught up in the world of 'goondagiri,' their interactions with Ani and his crew, and the chaotic events that unfold as a result.
Musthafa wastes no time getting to the point and jumps straight into the story, with events unfolding in quick succession. While the film is largely driven by themes of revenge and violence, it also includes several thrilling moments that keep the audience engaged throughout.
Though the themes of young blood, goons, and local kingpins are familiar tropes in Malayalam cinema, what sets Mura apart, as mentioned earlier, is the authenticity of its performances. The young cast, mostly newcomers, adds to the rawness and realism of the film. All of them deliver impressive performances. Their friendship is beautifully explored—there’s playful banter, intense moments, and even violent confrontations. As for Suraj, he once again delivers a brilliant and grounded performance, adding his usual depth to the character. Maala Parvathi’s character, Rama, is also quite intriguing. She plays a woman kingpin in the film and, without relying on cliched mass dialogues or typical tropes, she commands the screen with her powerful presence.
The first half of the movie really elevates the experience, with the interval arriving at a point that leaves you eager to find out what happens next. However, the story starts to lose some of its momentum in the second half, feeling a bit unfocused at times. As for the violence, it's fair to say that Mura is not for the faint-hearted. The film contains intense violence and bloodshed, which plays a significant role in the narrative. The premise of the film justifies the violence to an extent, but it does raise the question: how much violence is too much? So, if you're not comfortable with heavy violence, this movie might not be for you.
The movie is likely to draw comparisons with Joju George's recent release 'Pani' due to its violent themes. However, unlike Pani, Mura might not feel as intense or gripping. In Pani, Joju constantly throws unexpected, triggering events at the audience, making the violence that follows feel cathartic. In contrast, Mura focuses on a young protagonist who is still figuring things out, perhaps even confused at times, which gives the violence a different, less immediate impact.
Mura is an engaging film that stands out for its authenticity, making it definitely worth watching on the big screen.