Entertainment | Film & Cinema
On the dark side of things
A tale that echos the never-say-die attitude.
- By Gautaman Bhaskaran
- Published: 00:00 September 16, 2010
- Image Credit: Supplied
- Against all odds
Athma Kadha
Cast Sreenivasan, Sharbani Mukherjee, Jagathy Sreekumar
Director Premlal
Rating G
Often Malayalam cinema is firmly rooted in reality. There is little flab and hardly any pretension. Premlal's directorial debut, Athma Kadha, set in the lush, hilly Kerala countryside, is a tragic tale of Kochubaby (played with lovely conviction by Sreenivasan, but who else), who loses his sight in his early teens. His mother encourages him to be self-dependent. We see him reach out for his pot of gruel in what appears to be his first lessons in a world that has gone frighteningly dark.
Later, as a man, Kochubaby works in a candle factory where he meets Marykutty (Mukherjee) who is also visually impaired. They get married and have a daughter, Lillykutty (Shafna), who aspires to be a pilot. It is at this point that Premlal introduces the dramatic curve, laced with the darkest of misfortunes.
Even though a motley group of characters, for example, the colourful local priest (played splendidly by Sreekumar) - whose passion is arthouse films - try and light up the couple's existence Athma Kadha is depressing in some ways. Yes, the narrative tries hard to keep our attention focused on the indomitable, never-say-die spirit but, then, the canvas ultimately offers very little light. It's not always easy to find a streak of positive things in the middle of all this negativity. If only Premlal had balanced his story and screenplay with a bit of bright moments, Athma Kadha could have attracted a little more acclaim.
Admittedly, in defence, one must concede that it has some marvellous performances. Mukherjee mirrors the pathos of impending doom through an extraordinarily expressive face.
More from Film & Cinema
More from Arts & Entertainment
More than just entertainment
Cinema Reviews
Entertainment Editor's choice
-
John Cleese: Happily ever laughter
John Cleese brings more than 40 years of experience in making other people laugh to Dubai
-
'Cocktail' stars heading to Dubai
Deepika Padukone and Saif Ali Khan are UAE-bound next month
-
Depp disappoints in Dark Shadows
Johnny Depp reunites with director Tim Burton in this vampire movie
