Ayyappanum Koshiyum Movie Review
Biju Menon plays policeman Ayyappan Nair while Prithviraj Sukumaran appears as retired havildar Koshy Kurian- both of them are furious icons of egoistic emotions-in 'Ayyappanum Koshiyum'. Writer-director Sachy fathoms their intense rivalry born out of an avoidable incident that happens at night in the tribal area of Attappadi. The spark of the never-say-die attitude of both the characters makes the film engaging albeit the 177-odd minutes are a tad long as far as the conflict in the plot is concerned. With the prominent actors in action, the dejà vu of a viewer proves to be right, and this would be probably the defect of Sachy's screenplay
Ayyappan, who will be retiring from service in a couple of years, is waiting for receiving police medal soon. One night the police team led by him intercepts the vehicle of Koshy and they find liquors in it. Koshy creates problems at the scene and also hits policemen. Ayyappan intervenes and he arrests him. The incident turns the life of Ayyappan, who is married to a tribal woman, Kannamma (Gowri Nanda), upside down.
Koshy, who is from an aristocratic family in Idukki, challenges Ayyappan and in the process, the latter loses his job. When Ayyappan too decides to retaliate, 'Ayyappanum Koshiyum' enters to an engaging mode. Kannamma is not an ordinary tribal woman but she is active and feisty in the face of challenges. The trivial case of Koshy snowballs into a big law and order problem for the police in Attappadi. A local goonda, Kuttamani (Sabumon), uses the opportunity to avenge Ayyappan for putting him in jail in another case.
Meanwhile, Koshy's father Kurian John (Ranjith) makes things worst even as Koshy decides to end the rivalry with Ayyappan. The tension permeates into both the families as Koshy's wife (Anna Rajan) and two daughters also suffer the agony. Senior police officer Satheesh (Anil Nedumangad), a friend of Ayyappan, takes the initiative to end the problem but the two men are relentless.
Biju Menon is supreme in the raw appearance and showcases the perfect nature of the character while in uniform and after suspension. Prithviraj is an equal opponent in the tale as the actor exudes high spirits both as an obstinate youth and as a family man. Director-turned-actor Ranjith beautifully interprets the proud and egoistic attitude of Kurian with an eloquent and full-flowing performance.
It's the clash of egos between two men that carries forward 'Ayyappanum Koshiyum'. When the tension permeates into two families, things go out of hands. It's an engaging film with a powerful presentation of the fury and stubborn traits of two men. But the balancing act in the treatment gives ample hints about the outcome. The question "to where it is heading to?" is the success of Sachy but at the same time, dragging it to an expected point might spoil the engaging milieu you witness from the beginning.
Koshy's ignorance about the prohibition of alcohol in that forest area lands him in trouble. The director also puts forward well the legalities in the issue as well as how highly influential people misuse the law and exploit ordinary officials. Cinematographer Sudeep Elamon elegantly captures the scenic beauty of the hillside village and forest located in Palakkad district.
