Bhayanakam Malayalam Movie

Feature Film | 2018 | Drama
Critics:
Audience:
The horror of war is powerfully conveyed in 'Bhayanakam' through the pangs of the generation of yore. The visual brilliance and stupendous direction makes it one of the most admiring films that stand out simply for its unique creation.
Jul 21, 2018 By K. R. Rejeesh


A postman becomes the scary individual in a village at a time telegrams were considered ominous as they carry the news of the dead. In 1939, during the World War II, many youngsters from Kuttanad were recruited to the British army. As the war aggravates, the news of the dead soldiers is sent through telegrams and the postman delivers them to the poor villagers, who mainly do farming for a living.


Those who waited for money order from their sons and husbands, start to receive telegrams informing the death of their near and dear ones. Director Jayaraj creates an indelible mark in each scene set at Kuttanad during the 1939, by deploying a postman (Renji Panicker) to get back a powerful cinema that fails to leave you at once.


"Bhayanakam" (Fear) belongs to the nine-film "Navarasa" series of Jayaraj, and the adapted screenplay is from the magnum opus work of the late writer Thakazhi Shivasankara Pillai's "Kayar."


The former soldier-turned-postman walks with the help of a walking stick due to the injury he sustained during the World War I. He resides in the hut of Gowrikunjamma, played by Asha Sarath, situated beside the lake. Her two sons-Krishnan and Vasudevan-are also serving the army. Once liked by all, the postman becomes the most feared person in the picturesque village as he starts to deliver telegrams of soldiers' deaths.


Jayaraj, who has written the screenplay, perfectly explores the dilemma of the postman with the help of stunning visuals set by Nikhil. S. Praveen. The director and the cinematographer had won National Awards for this film. Jayaraj displays his supreme version in the making, and the outcome is simply outstanding.


Renji Panicker surprises you with his best performance till date. He magnificently portrays the mental conflict of the protagonist. The postman is a victim of war. Realising the futility of war, he tries to advise others about this meaningless barbarism. The zenith of fear is such that even the sight of the postman makes people run away. Gradually, the fear of the people engulfs the postman too, and he finds himself in a state of mental stress.


Jayaraj depicts the social life of that era in a natural way to convey the angst of the people. The filmmaker deftly manipulates the landscape of Kuttanad to portray different layers of emotions. Actors like Kumarakom Vasudevan, Sabitha Jayaraj and Vavachan give notable performances though in small roles.


Asha Sarath first time appears in a rustic role and she devotes herself to give the maximum perfection. Like all mothers, Kunjamma is eloquent when she talks about her sons. Her first scene itself establishes the nature of the character.


Music scored by veteran composer M.K. Arjunan and lyrics penned by Sreekumaran Thampi are excellent to be apt for the premise. The visuals are mind-blowing as the colour tone perfectly blends with the milieu of the tale.


The horror of war is powerfully conveyed in "Bhayanakam" through the pangs of the generation of yore. The visual brilliance and stupendous direction makes it one of the most admiring films that stand out simply for its unique creation.

K. R. Rejeesh

   

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Rajoy Alfes

Bhayanakam is a well-crafted movie by Jayaraj which depicts the sorrows and fear the Second World War cast on the innoce... Show more
Bhayanakam is a well-crafted movie by Jayaraj which depicts the sorrows and fear the Second World War cast on the innocent people residing in a remote village in Kuttanad. The picturesque beauty of Kuttanad in the bloom of spring and the roaring madness of Thulavarsham has been well captured by Nikhil S Praveen. The agony of the postman who is destined to distribute misfortune and grief among the villagers has been presented superbly by Renji Panikker. A standing ovation to Jayaraj and his team
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