A telephone call from California’s Sunny Kurishingal (a marketing campaigner of Republican candidate John Kory) to his friend, minister Francis Kunjappan in God’s Own Country, Kerala, sets Peruchazhi rolling.
Kurishingal (Mukesh), an ambitious Malayali, rather known as the ‘emerging Malayali’, requests Kunjappan to send someone over to help him improve Kory’s chances at becoming a Governor. Kory’s opponent is Democratic candidate George Hope.
Much against his wishes, Kunjappan is left with no other alternative but to send the wily Jagannathan (Mohanlal), who becomes a political consultant in Kurishingal’s campaign. Accompanying Jagannathan on his USA mission are his two side-kicks, Jabbar (Baburaj) and Varkey (Aju Verghese).
Director Arun Vaidyanathan’s story is unpretentious as it takes a dig at Indian politics, Malayalis in particular, as well as American politics. Not to forget the Chinese and their finesse at duplicating products.
Viewers are clearly warned when the screen opens to leave logic behind.
So you have Kory gallivanting onscreen as a dumb clown while Jagannathan and his two aides go about tickling your funny bone. Be prepared for some amateurish comedy, sexist jokes and toilet humour. And a good sprinking of double entendres!
Entertainer
While Peruchazhi is an out-and-out entertainer with Mohanlal ruling the scenes, it cannot be counted among his great comedies. Celebrating Mohanlal’s career are references to his hits of the ’80s and ’90s. Watch out for Poonam Bajwa’s item number, Po Mone Dinesha, with Mohanlal’s quick moves. Of course, our wily bandicoot, (Peruchazi, Jagannathan’s nickname) has a heart that beats for the less privileged when it comes to sports.
Mohanlal fans can rave over his antics onscreen, including his knack for turning the US flag into a dhoti (sarong worn by men) in his inimitable style and bashing up bad guys. Didn’t we warn you about leaving your logic behind? So munch on popcorn in between chuckles and just don’t ask questions.
Mukesh as minister Kunjappan plays the role to the hilt. Another impressive performance is from producer Vijay Babu as Kurishingal. English actor Sean James Sutton as Kory entertains. Bollywood’s beautiful Ragini Nandwani keeps romance alive as Jesse the hooker who wins Jagannathan’s heart. Ramesh Pisharody, Baburaj and Aji George in supporting roles do well.
However, the screenplay could have been worked on for a better satire though. That’s where the director of Achchamundu Achchamundu disappoints.
