Dec 31, 2006 02:20 PM
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(Updated Feb 10, 2007 06:48 PM)
Movie Baba Kalyani
The Plot(movies.sify.com)
Baba Kalyani (MOHANLAL) is an intelligent, hard-working cop who heads the Kerala Police Anti-terrorist wing. One day he stumbles on terrorist group who plan to bomb Kochi city and create communal tension in the state. Kalyani with the backing of DGP (VENU NAGAVALLY) gets himself transferred to Kochi as the new commissioner along with his team- Thomas Chandy (BIJU MENON), Aniyan (FREDDY) and Faizal (AJAY JOSE).
The needle of suspicion points to Isa Mohammed Haji (SAI KUMAR) a social worker of repute with political connections. His son Zaheer Ahmed alais Babu (INDRAJEET) a college professor is the kingpin and is behind counterfeit notes pumped into Kochi and also provides ISI trained Pakistani terrorist hideaways. Meanwhile, Kalyani’s love track with his old foe Asokan's (MURALI) daughter Madhumita (MAMTA MOHANDAS) a lawyer moves as a parallel track.
Finally Kalyani's relentless investigation reveals that the terrorists intend to blow up vital places in the popular temple town of Palani in Tamilnadu with deadly RDX implanted in Maruti cars! The race to rescue the sacred town and its people begins....
My Review
I generally despise watching violent movies. Give me a Lage Raho Munnabhai, Vivaah or anthing good in the name of comedy, romance or family drama rather than in-your-face punches and villains flying in all tangible directions at the flick of an eyebrow :)
But....but there are a few actors whose smashes & bashes force you to make an exception. In the North, I can only think of Bachchan saab. And in South, just 3 musketeers zip across my mind - megastars Rajnikanth, Mammootty and Mohanlal. Let's just focus on the last of this deadly trio, Lalettan. The moment this man tightens his lower jaw, pulls up his sleeve or readies his dhoti to lash the villain, loud whistles and claps criss-cross crazily among the audience. And why not? These veterans have made an art of entertaining us simply with their facial expressions forget raising even one finger against a baddie.
And I must thank Baba Kalyani's director Shaji Kailas for allowing Mohanlal and the whole movie to be subtle....subtle yet strong. No over-the-top gimmicks and migraine-inducing violence like some of Shaji's earlier movies. Baba Kalyani is a no-nonsense good action thriller, period. I am impressed.
Fortunately or unfortunately, there's only one song picturised on Mohanlal and veteran actress Kaviyur Ponamma - the soothing Kai Niraye Venna Tharamwhere Mohanlal pretends to be a young Lord Krishna playing with his mother for affection and love.
Fortunately again, flaws aren't many. Apart from watching Mohanlal in multiple screen shots again & again(irritating!), you also feel that the suspense and mystery in the plot was average.
But fret not! No one scene frowns you for a long time 'cause Lal takes control of the scene at the right time to splash the sunshine back on your face :)
He's ably supported by ace actors like Biju Menon, Jagathy, Sai Kumar, Venu Nagavally and Kaviyur Ponamma(she, KPAC Lalitha & Sukumari are the most popular 'mothers' in malayalam cinema).
Hottie Prithviraj's elder brother Indrajeet makes a cool baddie act once again. I think he will be floored with more gangsta roles after this.
New heroine Mamta Mohandas is pretty, athletic and emotes well. Sad, she's got a short role here. The audience, including me, was expecting a song & dance routine with Lal and her. We were left slightly disappointed.
But, irrespective of missing such cotton candies, Baba Kalyani has become a definite hit and will continue to ride steadily at the box-office for a while.
Director - Shaji Kailas
Year - 2006
Starring - Mohanlal, Indrajeet, Mamta Mohandas, Biju Menon
Verdict ~ Savour this Mohanlal dishum-dishum fiesta without much thought.
After all, which other actor gives you goosebumps when he twirls his moustache & grins before dancing with the enemy? :)
