Pulli Malayalam Movie

'Pulli' tells the tale of a prisoner and his well-planned jailbreak for a mission. On paper, the situations are exciting but on screen one needs to discard logic and sensibility. Dec 11, 2023 By K. R. Rejeesh

In his fourth directorial endeavor, Jiju Asokan delves into the stagnant and emotionally-deprived existence within a prison setting. The narrative unfolds in a familiar cinematic landscape where inmate conflicts, covert drug trafficking, and various abuses take center stage. Jiju, known for his striking portrayal of thieves in the 2015 film 'Urumbukal Urangarilla,' grapples with maintaining a consistent storytelling approach in 'Pulli.' The narrative veers into sensationalism as the protagonist, portrayed by Dev Mohan, embarks on a mission post-prison escape, hinting at a predictable trajectory of vengeance.

Jiju encounters challenges in depicting life behind bars, relying on cliched characters like criminals, innocent prisoners, and a philosophizing jail veteran. The film's engagement improves when pivotal scenes featuring conversations between Stephen (Dev Mohan) and Bhaskaran (Indrans) unfold, providing insight into Stephen's past and his relationship with Deepa (Meenakshi Dinesh).

As is typical in prison narratives, a callous jail official, Simon (Kalabhavan Shajohn), stirs up conflict among inmates for personal gain. Stephen's isolated prison cell becomes ironically interesting as he finds solace there and establishes a connection with the outside world. Realizing he has two missions at hand, Stephen meticulously plans a daring jailbreak.

The story reveals that Stephen, an educated young man in love with Deepa, faces a tragedy that lands him in jail. On the eve of his release, Stephen and his fellow prisoner Jamal (Abin Bino) stage a daring escape, leading to a manhunt by prison officials.

Dev Mohan delivers a flexible and convincing performance, adding momentum to the narrative. Indrans portrays the veteran jail inmate with finesse, offering meaningful dialogues that contribute to the film's depth. 'Pulli' not only explores its central conflict but also delves into the mental trauma of prisoners, highlighting the challenging quest for survival in their confined world.

However, the film takes a downward turn when it introduces sensational elements, portraying the protagonist as a savior. The events leading to Stephen's tragedy and his fight against the perpetrators lack impact due to the contrived serendipity woven into them. While the plot's situations seem exciting on paper, their on-screen portrayal requires viewers to suspend logic and sensibility. Despite its good intentions to impressively address vices in life, 'Pulli' falters due to dramatic and sensational sequences that defy reasoning and logic.