Vala - Story of a Bangle Movie Review
Vala - Story of a Bangle: A Riveting Idea Lost in Execution
Despite a compelling concept centered on an antique bangle, Vala falters in execution, turning what could have been a fascinating fable into a missed opportunity.The greatest strength of Vala: The Story of a Bangle lies in its concept. As the title suggests, the film revolves around a uniquely designed antique bangle that carries a rich backstory and becomes the centerpiece of conflict. On paper, the premise is intriguing, but director Muhashin struggles to match the depth of the idea with his craft and execution.
The film opens promisingly, sketching a folk tale about the prized bangle before shifting to the present day, where it stirs turmoil in the lives of various characters. At the heart of the narrative is civil police officer Bhanuprakash (Lukman Avaran), who grows frustrated when he cannot buy the bangle his wife Vishalakshi (Sheethal Joseph) desires. Meanwhile, part-time politician Purushothaman Nair (Dhyan Sreenivasan) finds himself troubled by the attention his wife Sarala's (Raveena Ravi) antique bangle receives. Sarala insists that the ornament is a treasured heirloom from her grandmother.
The central conflict emerges when Vishalakshi spots Sarala wearing the bangle during a visit to the Akshaya Centre. Her curiosity leads to an unpleasant exchange, and feeling humiliated, she pressures her husband to buy her a similar piece. Matters escalate when Purushothaman discovers the bangle's true value and attempts-unsuccessfully-to profit from it, while Sarala resists his efforts to remove it. The tension deepens further with the arrival of Fatima (Santhi Krishna), who claims the bangle was originally hers, a gift from her husband Soopikka (Vijayaraghavan).
As rival claims intensify, Bhanuprakash sees the bangle as a way to restore his pride, clashing with Purushothaman while Fatima continues to press her case. Written by Harshad, the script, however, wavers at crucial points. The pivotal Akshaya Centre scene, meant to ignite the story's real conflict, feels contrived due to stilted dialogue, undermining its dramatic weight.
Among the performances, Raveena Ravi stands out as Sarala, a woman guarding secrets tied to her ornament. Lukman Avaran lends authenticity to Bhanuprakash with measured emotions, and Dhyan Sreenivasan fits the role of the calculating husband. Yet, despite these efforts, the film never fully capitalizes on its potential. Its attempts at humor are fleeting, and the fable-like tone often falters under unimaginative filmmaking.
In the end, Vala is less a celebration of its fascinating concept and more a case of wasted promise-a story that had the chance to shine but remains a missed opportunity.
