Chandragiri Malayalam Movie
Director Mohan Kupleri's approach is strikingly impressive and admiringly innovative in "Chandragiri". The subtle references of social issues sans any commotion in the treatment make it the filmmaker's best work till date. Survival is the perturbing question being faced by the characters when they are destined to confront a plethora of issues ranging from education, diseases caused by pesticides to illegal acts of greedy businessmen.
The story of Santhanagopalam in the art form of Yakshagana has been diligently used by Mohan as a trope to highlight the plight of a population. They are deprived of justice and right to live by relishing each iota of the happiness in life. Apparently, Mohan imparts an underlying equanimity in the treatment. He deliberately attempts to keep hold of the characters to prevent them from transcending the frontiers of his creativity. This restrained approach makes "Chandragiri" a good attempt.
Scripted by Vinod Kumar Kuttamath, the tale has fits and starts in some areas and this drawback hinders it from becoming a good cinematic experience. Chandragiri near Kasaragod is the nerve centre of the action. Lal appears as Raghavan Master, who struggles to protect a government-aided school from being shut down by its management. The manager, Patelar (Hareesh Peradi), is also a business tycoon and he wants to set up a distillery in a vast cashew tree grove near the school.
As the head master of the school, Raghavan and other activists fight against this move. This protest gradually brings the victims of a harmful pesticide to the limelight. Children including the newborns are affected by this pesticide sprayed onto the cashew tree grove that sprawls across acres of land. Raghavan's daughter Dhaya, played by Shaun Romy is also one of the victims.
Obviously, the nexus between the rich and the bureaucrats dominates the sad plight of people.
Raghavan, who is also a Yakshagana artiste, believes like the epic character Arjuna in the Santhanagopalam story, he has to do something to get rid of the situation.
The symbolic explanation brings a sort of aesthetic creativity in the narration. Nandu as Sura and Sajitha Madathil as Selin teacher showcase the complex views of the present society. Lal's transformation towards the end undoubtedly throws lights on one of his best performances. He tries to defend the cunning deeds of Patelar with the help of his determination. Dhaya, who is confined to a wheelchair, helps him overcome his setbacks in life. But the emotional bond between a father and a daughter has an overdose of drama in the portrayal. Shaun Romy has a neat performance in a crucial role.
Shaji Kumar's cinematography and Bijibal's BGM have created the desired effect. "Chandragiri" shares the eternal pain of a generation that falls victims to the people with vested interests. Albeit the screenplay exposes its glitches, it's undoubtedly a subtle portrayal of a social issue. Truly it's an artistic representation of a haunting tragedy.
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