The Rainmaker

Movie - Puthiya Mugham
Language - Malayalam
Date - 06th August, 2009, Thursday

Review
Out of shape heroes walking around even heavier villains and delivering lengthy dialogues about their prowess and animosity. Villains being defeated by the hero one by one, based on seniority. The senior most one being defeated at the climax. For many years now, Malayalam commercial action movies have been just these.
Debutant Director Diphan's 'Puthiya Mugham' just brings some difference to this oft repeated saga in recent action flicks in Malluwood. What remains as a disappointment is that, 'Puthiya Mugham' doesn't end up being a superlative action movie which would go down as a defining one in the history of Malluwood. Its a change but not a defining one.

The Plot
The plot has nothing new. It’s the oft repeated turn around, vengeance and revenge. Of the good guy been beaten up by the baddies and then decides to hit back with fire after being down and out.It has been one of the better kinds of plot for commercial action movies especially for young heroes to launch themselves as stars. Diphan has adopted the same and his version is slick to a point.

Prithvi Raj
Prithivi Raj is the soul of whatever 'Puthiya Mugham' is. Finally, it’s good to see a hero with the appropriate physique doing action scenes in Malayalam. In real life, he is battling against a star system in Malluwood and in this version of his reel life; he is seen fighting lots of baddies. Whatever is the reason, Prithvi sure has a lot of vengeance in his eyes and that comes across. But his performance is not a breath taking one.

Prithvi commits many errors. The scenes where he plays Mridangam looks artificial especially the mock act on the desk his first day at college. Also, the scene when he is badly being beaten up the seniors looks below par. Many a times he looks like 'acting' and not natural in that scene.

But his action is cool. Audiences react to him with applause and cheer at the interval scene. Perhaps, there is no other actor at present times in Malayalam who could have made this movie whatever it finally is, apart from him. And there is that little sense of pride when you seem him do those action scenes on screen. Finally, after having seen Ajith,Vijay, Surya and Vikram for ages, we finally have someone our own (even though nowhere near them) to have an appropriate age, physique, looks to do a action role with some conviction.

Of the other performances, Bala is good though he could have worked better on looks. Priya Mani fits the role and is a fair choice. Meera Nandan looks out of place. Sai Kumar, Shammi Thilakan and Nedumudi are as usual.

Technical Departments
Direction sure has some promise but falls short. The action scenes look good and many a times you need to keep saying to yourself that you are watching a Malayalam film.
Diphan believes in having less lengthy dialogues of bravado and more of action unlike his guru Shaji Kailas who almost specializes in that. This for once is a relief in Malluwood. Many a times, the action is in the face and decisive. For once, Villains are not defeated one by one based on seniority. 2-3 of the senior guys are demolished in single blows which come as shocking at that moment on screen.Many a times, I got reminded of the superbly entertaining 'RUN'. But it never rose anywhere close to that.

Screen play is average to good and action scenes well choreographed. Music is good and has some cool tracks. 'Surya Mugham' during the title credits and its use in BGM is a defining one. Prthivi looks like a passionate singer as well. 'Rahasyamaayi' is a foot tapping number rendered by KK and Shilpa Rao. 'Picha Vecha Naal' is also good.

Negatives
Script has many holes. Initially Krishna Kumar (Prithivi) is shown as reluctant to go to college and not interested to learn and then suddenly after being beaten up and being down and out, why is he so motivated and driven to learn? The completely ill, down and out Prithvi returns to college and rises to complete anger in just one moment. Its not a gradual retaliation hence looks a bit unconvincing though one is sure to get carried away by that moments at the interval.
Audience never gets to really like the character of Krishna Kumar though girls are shown falling for him left, right and center. Hence his plight doesn't generate the same kind of empathy when is down. But anyways, the retaliation is presented with so much force that audience is ready to lap it up from there on.

Final Thoughts
‘Puthiya Mugham’ as a movie, even after being considered as a pure commercial masala action flick, deserves only average rating. But for once, it has something which has not happened on Malayalam screen for a long long time. A young hero with an unapologetic physique and fire in his eyes. Some in your face kind of action scenes which are well choreographed. Just for this unique selling points not seen in an aged Malluwood, I am going with a few notches above Average.

Verdict - In terms of Rating 2.5/5.
In terms of opinion ' JUST A TAD ABOVE THE AVERAGE'.

Puthiya Mugham - Its of course a bit new but could have been far more convincing.