Malaikkottai Vaaliban Malayalam Movie
In 'Malaikottai Vaaliban,' the expansive visual landscape is skillfully crafted with Mohanlal in the lead role as a proficient martial artist and wrestler. His towering presence anchors the narrative in a captivating fantasy world adorned with visual splendour. The protagonist's intriguing placement sets the stage for a promising genre, skillfully utilized by the actor. The frames and visuals, particularly during the hero's missions, speak eloquently. Director Lijo Jose Pellissery deftly manipulates the visual canvas, portraying Vaaliban as both a warrior and wrestler with an ethereal aura.
However, the film falters due to a weak script by P S Rafeeque, hindering its overall coherence. Despite Mohanlal's exceptional acting prowess, the lack of a compelling plot hampers the film's success. Set in a fantasy world during the Portuguese era, the story begins with a duel between Vaaliban and Adivarathur Kelumallan, played by Hariprashanth. Vaaliban with his mentor Ayyanar, played by Hareesh Peradi, and companion Chinnan, essayed by Manoj Moses, travel like vagabonds and defeat warriors and wrestlers in fight. Chamathakan, played by Danish Sait, feels embarrassed after being trounced by Vaaliban in the wrestling and he awaits an opportunity to take vengeance on him.
Meanwhile, Rangarani , essayed by Sonalee Kulkarni, develops a crush on Vaaliban, who, in turn, refuses to reciprocate her love. The film's romantic episode crops up when Chinnan and Jamanthi, played by Katha Nandi, fall for themselves. Yet, the film's plot struggles to evolve, and the action choreography shines except for prolonged fight sequences against Portuguese soldiers. Mohanlal's physically demanding portrayal of the protagonist lacks emotional transparency, with the hero's emotional conflict revealed weakly in the final scenes.
Despite the film's parched terrain, the vibrant settings, coupled with brilliant cinematography by Madhu Neelakandan, remain visually appealing. The absence of a solid screenplay is partially compensated by the visual finesse, though the film suffers from a sluggish pace and overextended slow-motion sequences. Quite often, the ubiquitous dramatic premise forbids actors to showcase natural performances. Yet, Danish Sait excels in exuding the villainy of the character and he garners ample attention. Hareesh Peradi has prominence in the plot and he has delivered his part satisfactorily. Prashanth Pillai's background score attempts to enhance scenes.
'Malaikottai Vaaliban' leans more towards folklore than action-adventure, showcasing Lijo's visual mastery with captivating long shots. The film handsomely exposes the aesthetic and visual sense of Lijo but he struggles to present a strong and appealing content on par with the film's technical finesse. However, the film falls short in delivering a robust storyline to match its technical brilliance. The content takes a backseat in this fantasy drama, where haute visuals and technical prowess create a captivating atmosphere, but the screenplay remains a letdown. The film boasts a vast canvas with animated warriors and colorful characters but lacks a solid plot.