Watched On: #Disney+ Hotstar
Language: Malayalam (available with English subtitles)
Genre: Cunning
Ever watched a film where you know right from the first shot that the protagonist is not just in a moral grey area, but pitch black? Yet, you are still drawn in, compelled to watch and appreciate his relentless efforts and single-minded pursuit of success.
Mukundan will make you feel all that and perhaps, by the end, you'll be ashamed either for not being as gutsy and bold as he is in his relentless pursuit of success, or for even considering that his way might be justified.
The movie will isolate you from yourself, drawing you into Mukundan’s life from the first frame to the last. And somewhere deep down, you hope there won't be a sequel because you feel guilty for liking his character and his way of life.
When the main protagonist is sharp, smart, and downright evil, you question yourself. By the end, you’re exhausted from watching how he methodically and relentlessly works his way up in life, slowly but surely, no matter the cost. And no, it wasn't enough for him then, and perhaps it never will be.
If you plan to sit with a pen and paper to jot down flaws, forget about it. You won’t be able to take your eyes off the screen. Mukundan lives each moment, often voicing his thoughts aloud in his head. You'll find him speaking out loud, and then you'll see him speaking where people can't hear him. It's crucial to differentiate between the two because he is who he is in his head and who he appears to be otherwise.
Don't get me wrong, the movie has no gore, no bloody scenes, no cutting people up. If you think Dahmer is evil with all that, then you need to experience Mukundan. He's just as sinister, but without any of the physical violence that Dahmer engages in.
I have always been a fan of Vineeth Srinivasan’s father, Sreenivasan. Vineeth himself has typically been known for his light-hearted films. But this... I both hate and love him in this role. The credit for this silent yet chaotic film must be equally shared by the actor, Vineeth Srinivasan, the director, Abhinav Sunder Nayak, and the writers, Abhinav Sunder Nayak and Vimal Gopalakrishnan.
If you're looking to explore your own shades of grey, watch this film. Afterwards, give yourself some time to sit and reflect, allowing it to sink in so you can fully appreciate yet another masterpiece from the Malayalam film industry.
-SuVi
*****Fantabulous
****Great
***Nice
**Okay
*Why?
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