Bavuttiyude Namathil Movie Reviews

For someone who’d expect a film like ‘Pranchiyettan and the Saint’ and ‘Indian Rupee’, ‘Bavuttiyude Naamathil’, scripted and produced by Ranjith and directed by G S Vijayan, may be a bit disappointing. But for those who go watch the movie with an open mind, ready to accept anything without preconceptions, this could be an interesting film.

Quite contrary to the film’s title, it’s not Bavuttiyude who occupies the centre stage. It’s a story of a bunch of characters, all worked out in a good manner by both the director and the writer.

Bavutty (Mammootty) is a driver who works for Sethu (Shankar Ramakrishnan), a very rich guy who dabbles in real estate business and other such deals. In fact Bavutty is more than a driver; he is a trusted lieutenant, a constant companion when Sethu is in Kerala and like a family member. Sethu’s wife Vanaja (Kavya Madhavan) sees Bavutty as her own brother and her two kids too are friendly with him. Mariyambi (Kaniha), the housemaid too shares a good rapport with Bavutty. It’s the kids’ tuition teacher Noorjahan (Rima Kallingal) for whom Bavutty has a fascination and whom he wants to marry; this love story anyhow takes a totally unexpected turn later!!

Bavutty, who is an orphan and who had left the orphanage with Alvi (Harisri Ashokan), his close pal, was picked by Sethu and given a place of prominence in his household and life. While Sethu goes about thinking big and making big money, Bavutty remains a down-to-earth guy who is a do-gooder and loved by people around him. He also finds time to act in the lead role in a home cinema, shot with financial help from Vanaja.

Vanaja, a simple housewife who is not interested in the big things that her husband is doing, loves Sethu immensely and her world is limited to Sethu and their two kids. She is a lovable woman who talks and behaves candidly and exudes warmth. But then, just before half-time something new happens and the story takes off from here…

As mentioned at the start, to those who expect something of the stature of ‘Pranchiyettan and the Saint’, ‘Bavuttiyude Naamathil’ could be a let-down. But view it as an independent film and stop expecting something ‘BIG’ and you’d be happy. It’s a film that re-affirms the virtues of goodness and also bases itself on a good script. Though there are some flaws, they are pardonable and the film flows on, like a slow moving stream, through different incidents and different characters, to a very impressive climax. A major highlight of the film is that it in a way tells you how free and frank talks can clear the air of misunderstanding and hence does away with the clichéd filmy ‘misunderstandings’ that lead many a time to tragic climaxes.

Well, I’d say, go watch this film with your family. This is the kind of film that your family needs rather than those meaningless comedy capers and action flicks that bank on stale and redundant stuff and very often do more harm than good, though on a subtle level.

Performance

Mammootty has put in a great performance as Bavutty, but it would be wrong to say that the film belongs to him. It belongs as much to the other artists as to the Mega star, who of course has delivered a real brilliant performance. Kavya Madhavan steals the show with an impressive performance as Vanaja. She just bowls you over with her performance and her Neeleswaram accent. Shankar Ramakrishnan and Harisri Ashokan too impress a lot while Vineeth does a totally different kind of role and leaves a good impression. Kaniha doesn’t have much to do while Rima does her part convincingly. Others are OK with their parts.

Technical aspects

Manoj Pillai’s cinematography, Sandeep Nandakumar’s editing and art-work by Santhosh Raman jell perfectly well with the total fabric of the movie.

Music

The background score by Bijibal is good while the lyrics by Rafeeq Ahamed, set to tune by Shahabaz Aman, though integral to the plot and theme, don’t leave a lasting impression.

Script

Ranjith once again proves his worth as a scenarist. The way he narrates the story and the way he has developed the characters, even the minor ones, is commendable. I’d say, rather emphatically, that only a writer like Ranjith can come up with this kind of a story. Of course the ‘home cinema’ part and all doesn’t work out that well and the comedy therein doesn’t make you laugh, but such stuff is pardonable when you take into account the totality of the film. Hats off to writer Ranjith and producer Ranjith as well.

Direction

G S Vijayan, who’s directing a film after a gap of 12 years (his last was ‘Cover Story’), has done a good work of the direction. He is in full control of things and does justice to the script. Wishing him all the best in his new innings and hope he gives us more memorable films…