Rakshadikari Baiju Oppu Malayalam Movie
This is simplicity to the core and it starts to permeate from the outset without any customary cinematic introduction. With visuals also beginning to talk and remind us of several things, the real intention of the film gradually unfolds. The feel it evokes about the memories of village cricket tourneys and commotion is remarkable. One of the positive aspects of "Rakshadhikari Baiju Oppu" is that the plot does not fail to relate to us. But there is a prolonged wait for an epilogue till you are led to a relevant question.
"Rakshadhikari Baiju Oppu" is the latest outing by writer-director Ranjan Pramod. It's all about Baiju (Biju Menon) and Kumbalam Brothers, a cricket club in the Kumbalam village. An ardent cricket fan, Baiju enjoys playing cricket with youngsters on the ground near his house. Captain Baiju is the cornerstone of the club. He is a lethargic government employee, who shows a devoted attitude to the club.
For the youngsters in the team, he is a mentor and they often seek his guidance too. Baiju's wife Ajitha (Henna Reji) and his parents are not happy with his attitude. His emotional attachment to the club and the ground, where he started playing at the age of eight, is still strong even after 36 years. The story revolves around the fate of Kumbalam club.
By presenting the drug addict, Chandran (Padmaraj Ratheesh), the filmmaker also shows the intrusion of unwanted elements that sully the sanctity of a village. There is a notable attempt by Ranjan Pramod as he assembles two generations on the ground and leaves the scenes to us to ponder on the changes that took place in us and the Nature.
A number of new faces also contribute well in the film, though it raises the question regarding some insignificant scenes involved by them. The parallel love affairs of Aju Varghese and Deepak do not have any impact on the story. The film flounders at some places in the latter half due to lack of proper cuts.
Baiju becomes nostalgic in some scenes, especially while meeting his US friend (Dileesh Pothen). Thankfully, the director veers off that usual path without exploring deeply his past. Biju Menon is at his best as Baiju in dialogue modulation and body language. Even though it's not a tout screenplay by the director considering the length of the uneventful action, he avoids cliched dramatic scenes despite having ample scopes.
The music composed by Bijibal and songs by Harinarayanan are apt to the milieu of the film. Prasanth Raveendran's camera is noteworthy especially in depicting the village life.
Ranjan Pramod deserves applause for transforming a tenuous story into a diligently-conceived film. It shows how perfect scenes rooted in reality can negate the absence of a proper plot. You have to give up your efforts to comb through the protracted scenes for twists because the result that ensues is satisfying.
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Kiran Allan