Ishq Malayalam Movie
One way or the other, the theme of 'Ishq' has a strong connection to the current society. Directed by debutant Anuraj Manohar, the film lambasts the social attitudes of individuals in the name of morality, and it beautifully showcases how the term 'morality' deviates from its real sense to the dangerous colour of fraud. Anuraj's attempt to portray the puerile mindset of the society in matters like love and relationship has a good impact albeit the script exposes its shortcomings in certain parts.
Kochi-based Sachi alias Sachidanandan, played by Shane Nigam, lands in a tricky situation with his beloved Vasudha (Ann Sheetal) when they set off from Kottayam to Ernakulam. Vasudha is a college student in Kottayam while Sachi is working in an IT firm in Kochi. At a time when the preparations for his sister's (Swasika) engagement are going on at his house, Sachi hires his friend's car and goes to Kottayam to meet Vasudha.
The lovers merrily enjoy their time and while driving at night, both of them found themselves mired in a messy situation all of a sudden. Truly, the chaos on roadside cranks up the tension. But sometimes you tend to ask yourself about the loopholes in those scenes. Shane perfectly blends with the character by emoting brilliantly the angst and desperation of the youth. Ann effectively shines beyond her space as a heroine and she sustains the dignity of the character till the end.
Ratheesh Ravi's screenplay echoes the anxieties we derived from Sanal Kumar Sasidharan's 'S Durga', which had the blaring BGM playing its part as a trope. If Sanal's film was a mirror held against the present social life, 'Ishq' puts forward a solution soaked in the fury of the protagonist. The concept of moral policing is treated with a vengeance and the startling culmination announces the stance of Vasudha. Sachi's concern about his lover after the 'hostage' drama at night unravels the psychology of a man's mind.
With his subtle villainy, Shine Tom Chacko's Alvin excels in creating ripples of scare among the audience. The two men, including Jaffer Idukki, give a harrowing experience to the youngsters at midnight. Interestingly, the hunter and prey change positions like in a quid pro quo formula and it's an interesting episode in "Ishq'.
Set in a romantic thriller milieu, the prying eyes that follow the youngsters get a new vision: Once bitten, twice shy. Ansarshah's visuals amply support 'Ishq' even as the premise is simple and austere. Like the tagline, love is subsided in the movie in a bid to digress our attention to the reality we are facing now.
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