2 Harihar Nagar Malayalam Movie

Hardcore skeptics like me who were all apprehensive if that chemistry of yore was gonna work out yet again between the fantastic four could go munch cake. Lal has us eating out of his hands and has the ultimate last laugh. All that bonding and all the camaraderie is left in tact; they are as screwed-up as ever. They are the very same and yet so refreshingly different. Apr 1, 2009 By Veeyen

2 Harihar Nagar is a film that makes you badly want to go back to high school. One of the cleverest comedies to come along in the last few years, this is truly a film to savor.

The boys are back to Harihar Nagar. And almost a couple of decades later, they have become men, husbands and fathers. Atleast three of them. Mahadevan (Mukesh) has found his way in life as a personality development instructor, Goku, our erstwhile Govindan Kutty (Siddiq) has turned out be a builder of great repute, Appukuttan (Jagadeesh) is real busy knocking teeth off as a dentist and Thomas Kutty (Asokan) is all engaged to be married. And when Maya (Lakshmi Rai), their gorgeous neighbor leaves a bouquet of flowers on their doorstep, they get all set to being boys again.

Hardcore skeptics like me who were all apprehensive if that chemistry of yore was gonna work out yet again between the fantastic four could go munch cake. Lal has us eating out of his hands and has the ultimate last laugh. All that bonding and all the camaraderie is left in tact; they are as screwed-up as ever. They are the very same and yet so refreshingly different.

This is clever storytelling that takes no chances and takes no wrong turns. There are no dead ends either. Instead, it starts off hilariously well, studding the plot with an abundance of gags that would have you in splits. Soon comes around a shocker of a twist halfway through and plenty of them henceforth. Here is a perfect blend of frolic, shocks and sentiments that cook up a marvelous impact that surpasses all expectations.

It's a madcap story that Lal has come up with, and yet it wholly sticks into one's heart as much as it leaves that familiar funny itch in your stomach. You laugh and have a rollicking time, and then sit up and wait expectantly for what lies around the corner. You think of the bygone days when watching a film was actually fun. You smother an urge to give Ramji Rao a hug. And you sigh and smile at the thought that all's not yet over with the world.

Sequels often have an awful reputation of nose diving into obscurity, dragging along with it plenty of wonderful memories and goodwill. 2 Harihar Nagar would be a real strapping exception. There are chuckles galore, and for once it's a film that doesn't tax my brain. It matches up to the prequel in all possible ways, and even brings in a cathartic finale that is a revelation of sorts.

Nothing could possibly go wrong with that awesome casting that has stood the tests of time. And all the four are equally brilliant as ever, the heated discussion in the aisles as to who is the best, not withstanding. Lakshmi Rai looks exquisite and ensures that she's not left behind in this terrific ensemble.

I wouldn't even bother to voice my qualms here. I wouldn't be concerned about the lapses in logic either. For the film offers plenty of opportunities for the personalities to grow, lets the bad guys have second chances, and finally allows love and friendship find its own inimitable path to make well bruises and fix wrecked hearts.

It's not that often that a movie comes along that satisfies on so many levels. The film's most incredible achievement is not just that it leaves you in good spirits, but with a sense of hope for cinema as a whole.

Go back to Harihar Nagar. Back to those good ol' days. Back to fine cinema.