Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Deira Diaries ; Worth a watch - Kalidas Jayram- Bagpackers and Harish Peradi's Ice oruthi - pseudo

Deira Diaries, is among the three Malayalam films that were released recently in the Kerala based OTT, that is worth a watch. Tamil film goers will remember Abu Valayamkulam for his appearance in the Vijay Sethupathi production, Merku Thodarchi Malai, and the Malayalam films, Eeda, Kismath and  Anjam Pathira.. Deira Diaries marks Shalu Rahim who has  appeared in Kammattipadam, Maradona, Kali and Edakkad Battalion.

Written and directed by Mushthaque Rahman Kairyaden and produced by Madhu Karuvath. It streams on Neestream. We have had seen films about the good Samaritan's of the Gulf who selflessly help other Indians working with them. This too is the same story but the characterisation of Yusuf is very real and down to earth. To not only those living abroad, but to even to Malayalis working  outside Kerala, the film will relate. You will come across a person like Yusuf, who without any backing of an organisation continues to help fellow Malayali's , be it in Mumbai- Chennai or Bangalore. Music by Shibu Sukumaran and Jo Paul need special.

The meaning of the line that every journey has a return comes out in an unexpected way in the climax. When Yusuf tells that his coming back is not be blamed on any one as he was not there ( physically) in all the good times, is quite haunting. When he unknowingly tells the boy looking over  a bridge with suicide on his mind, " Don't look too long. You might be tempted to jump" and  following events show that even utterances can change a man's thinking.

Kalidas Jayram who recieved lot of critical acclaim for his performance in the Tamil anthologies recently on OTT features in the feature film `Bagpackers' directed by Jayraj ( National - Kerala award winner - 4 the People, Sila Nerangalil). The film  is said to be a real story of a boy and girl suffering from terminal blood cancer and running away to spend rest of their life as they wish.

A splendid theme that in the hands of a Jayaraj should have worked wonders. What comes across is a extended music video album !!!. Kalidas with a bald pate has an artificial plastered smile and heroine Karthika Nair ( new find) is the only one that comes close to acting. The video album comes to a end that is hard to  digest but then the man who treated them has said it. So no appeal.

Next is Ice oruthi. Here it is presence of Harish Peradi, actor of substance ,that brings us the feeling that we are in for something different. Same old story of a dimwitted grown up man who is instilled with the thought of having sex with a woman is ultimate and the fall out. It becomes so boring and tiresome. When you are fed with dialogues that are supposed to speak for liberated woman and outlook of male dominated society , it is time to quit. Ice Oruthi is a fruit drink popular in Calicut and what is the relation of the title to the story except that the friend of Harish runs a shop selling it ? You should have one after you see it.

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