The Rainmaker

Movie: Pokkri Raja
Language: Malayalam
Date: Saturday, May 8, 2010

Review
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Around 10 years back, Malayalees used to call Tamil films as 'Paandi' (which had a derogatory touch to it). It meant over expressive emotional scenes, over the top action scenes, over the moon heroism and Logic defying hero worship. Today, times have changed. Tamil movies are no longer 'Paandi' (in that sense of the word). Yes, some movies in Tamil still come out with the age old formula of hero worship but the industry as such is now known for independent cinema made by talented directors who not only produce brilliant movies on low budget but also make them super hits. But in Malayalam the trend is now reversed. Its now our turn to be called 'Paandi'.

'Pokkriraja' is a final nail in the coffin of proclaiming and christening Malayalam movies as the so called 'Paandi'. If you felt that, over the years, it was the feel, takes etc that were inspired in Malayalam from Tamil but some sort of ‘Malayalitham’ was retained. Its all gone with this. Watch 'Pokkriraja' in most parts and you will think for sure that its a typical Tamil Masala movie. The only saving grace is once you have compromised that much, then it doesn't irritate or torture you to death.

The Story
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There is not much of a story involved. There has to be a village and then a 'Uthsavam'. There has to be 2 warring families for conducting the same, enmity and murder etc. 2 brothers have to part ways - customary. Thankfully both become Pokkris (Goons). At least, an interesting formula (since the whole movie is so formulaic) was that one could become a police and other the goon. There would have been some tension and interest. Even that is avoided. Its so formulaic that it will make you cringe at points.
Factor this, in true 80s Hindi movies style, when 2 brothers meet after so many years, they both say dialogues which one has said in the childhood to recognize each other. Sigh! Sigh!. Thanks that the director avoids an old family song to join the brothers (aka 'Yaadon Ki Baraat'). Also, as in hero worshipping Tamil movies, an old lady praises the hero as 'Singam' and ' Messiah of the Poor’ before the hero arrives. Pointless!!

Performances
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Mammotty and Prithviraj are saving graces of the Movie to say the least. With some good screen presence, they save the movie from falling in to the death trap of becoming a complete bore. Prithviraj shines in the first half and has a virtual side kick role in the second. Mammotty has been hero worshipped so much that it makes you choke. I think some sanity should reign on his thoughts. May be its high time he had his famous 3 Ss - Sense, Sensibility and Sensitivity. He plays to the galleries and his fans. He tries hard to flounder English (the initial attempts are so foolish because actually he is good at English personally). Nevertheless, both the stars have enough to hold the interest of the viewers.

+ves and -ves
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The positives include a pretty fact screenplay. Slick presentation and some action scenes which are bound to go well with the masses. The -ves include completely clichéd story, over the top situations and hero worship that almost makes you throw up. Songs are ordinary. 'Manikinavin' is never shown while a Tamil style song is shown. Shreya is wasted in a role that could have been done by anyone.

In short, if you soon come to terms with the fact that 'Pookriraja' crosses the line and is probably the first mainstream Malayalam - Tamil Masala movie made on highest dose of hero worship and clichéd situations, then you may probably end up watching this movie as a one time, time-pass movie. If you are the creative and subtle types, then you are in for a rude shock.

Verdict - 2.5/5 and 'Just Average'.

Pokkri Raja - Finally, Malayalam Cinema has now officially been 'Paandified' .