Cheenatrophy Malayalam Movie

Feature Film | 2023 | Drama
Critics:
While trying to build a life with a small scale food manufacturing unit, a naïve youngster's life takes a turn when a visitor turns up from China. It is an attempt to imitate a feel-good template with a soulless plot in a lukewarm premise.
Dec 12, 2023 By K. R. Rejeesh


The central theme of 'Cheena Trophy,' starring Dhyan Sreenivasan, revolves around the rustic charm of Kochi as it endeavors to depict the challenges faced by an ordinary young man and his aspirations. The protagonist, Rajesh, endeavors to establish a small-scale food manufacturing unit in the courtyard of his modest lakeside home. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when a visitor from China arrives, altering the trajectory of his journey. Anil Lal, the writer and director, steers the film towards the familiar territory of a feel-good family drama, but it ultimately falls short of breaking away from the conventional mold. Despite its simple approach and execution, the film lacks the depth needed to garner empathy for the struggling hero. The plot lacks complexity, and the lifeless presentation only manages to evoke a tepid response.


The energy of 'Cheena Trophy' dwindles as the narrative seems to exhaust its creative reservoir after introducing the primary conflict. Kendy Zirdo's portrayal of a Chinese national injects some vitality into the screenplay, offering a lifeline for the narrative. Rajesh, played by Dhyan Sreenivasan, grapples with setbacks in his food unit business, exacerbated by Theresa's unwitting complaint to the health department. His trials extend to dealing with his avaricious sister Raji, played by Varada, who perpetually feigns financial hardship. Rajesh finds support in his neighbors Vijayan and Usha (played by Jaffer Idukki and yesteryear actress Usha, respectively) during these trying times.


The narrative takes an intriguing turn with the arrival of Sheng (Kendy Zirdo), a Chinese visitor with a genuine purpose tied to Rajesh's familial ties in China. The storyline veers into absurdity as Rajesh, already burdened by debt, relinquishes his house and property for a foreigner. Sheng, actually a Tibetan national, stirs up trouble in the rural area, adding complexity to the plot. The film briefly captivates during this phase, but it ultimately succumbs to the predictability of generating feel-good sentiments, showcasing the protagonist's virtuous nature.


While Dhyan adeptly portrays the plight of the hero, the overall energy of his performance feels lacking. Kendy Zirdo stands out with a nuanced portrayal that resonates with the character's emotions. Unfortunately, Varada's exaggerated depiction of her role lacks natural control and is a disappointment. Creatively, the film stumbles in fully realizing the story's potential, opting for an abrupt optimistic conclusion. The attempt at infusing humor into the narrative falls short due to a lack of genuine sequences that reveal the depth of the protagonist's dilemma. Ultimately, 'Cheena Trophy' fails to fulfill its promise, and the humor surrounding the 'trophy from China' concept misses its mark.

K. R. Rejeesh

   

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