That is because our cinema is a product of savarna compromises or their glorification. But when it comes to caste, which defines the power structures in society, the general practice for Malayalam cinema has been to turn its face away. Class differences are often reflected in cinema, theatre and music. Speaking to TNM, Pada director Kamal says, “Malayalam cinema has always shied away from speaking of caste. TG Gnanavel’s Jai Bhim (2021) is about a lawyer battling for justice on behalf of a woman from the Irula tribe, who fights for her husband and relatives who were subjected to custodial violence. Mari Selvaraj’s Karnan (2021), also starring Dhanush, is another film in which a village of Dalits revolts against a dominant caste group. Dhanush, another popular star who is also well known to the Hindi audience, starred in Vetrimaaran’s Asuran (2019), based on the panchami land that was given to the Dalits by the British. Director Pa Ranjith, for instance, spoke of land rights for Dalits through none other than superstar Rajinikanth in Kaala (2018). While Dalits and Adivasi communities have been usually represented as impoverished, uneducated and exploited people in the past, new age Tamil films have represented them as politically aware individuals who demand their rights. Malayalam cinema, however, is yet to see a strong wave of narratives that place the oppressed at the centre like in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, where several such films have become blockbusters. Rajeev Ravi’s 2016 film Kammatti Paadam, which is about Dalits in a slum area in Kochi being forced to give up their land to the real estate mafia, is another example from recent years. The film, which has won critical acclaim, is among the few Malayalam films to speak of the land rights of the oppressed. Try it.The two-hour thriller has Kunchacko Boban, Vinayakan, Dileesh Pothan and Joju George in the lead. Also, at 190 minutes, it is 190 minutes too long. Anyways, it is an exceptionally funny movie to watch, because it is dumb beyond wits. Really filmmakers? For all they know, he could be just another cop there to train. Then Bharatchandran, who himself is a cop, walk in to the gym and the other cops start fighting him too. No cop seems to be interested in holding him back, they just join the fight. Joseph Alex had a suspicion on a couple of cops (by the way, the evidence was very clear, so it shouldn't have been just a suspicion to begin with), didn't investigate, ask questions, nothing, instead he walks into a police gym and start beating cops up. One scene in particular, the gym fight scene, stands out in my mind. ![]() The amount of logical flaws the movie has would make one wonder, what were they smoking. That is no small achievement and deserves an award! It also successfully managed to destroy two good characters from two great movies. From the script to dialogues, casting, acting, costumes, makeup, lighting, editing, cinematography, direction, everything was exceptionally bad. ![]() I love this movie because, they didn't get one thing wrong, they managed to get everything wrong. When ever I am in a mood for some good for nothing movie, this is my first choice. I have watched this movie multiple times.
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