Urvashi Theaters Presents. Review on Thondimuthalum Dhriksakshiyum

One, two, three start. Long bell. Urvashi Theaters presents "Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum".

Dileesh Pothan’s “Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum” is a film with wonderful camerawork, fantastic casting, excellent script, terrific performances and an array of deadpan humor. The movie takes place in a kerala police station, which is probably the last place on earth to play pranks on anyone.

I am being boring about a film that is way too good – there is no way around facts. If Maheshinte Prathikaram is about “Mans innate need for retribution” Thondimuthalum Driksashiyum is a nuanced take on “Stockholm Syndrome”.

Fahad Fazzil (Pramod) plays a small time thief who steals a gold chain from Sreeja (Nimisha Sajayan) -- that moment when she sleeps in bus, wearing one, and not even knowing a master is at work.

You know what is going to happen next; the theif gulps the chain from behind the back, and a case ensues thereafter.

“The story is absurd” told a friend after the show finishes and his argument is - where is the chain?

This is Pothan’s territory, and only the director knows where he is going with this. There is a funny plot point in Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum which invite people to nitpick loopholes - there is none. Exhibits is an archetype much like the apparel in “Maheshinte Pratheekaram”.

Pothan's second coming reminds me of Fargo (Ethan and Joel Coen), which takes place on a snowy landfill featuring cops on elmur fudds hat. Fargo is a cautionary tale; Thondimuthal is a morality piece.

Performance wise we are in lions den; Alancier Lopez fabulous as A.S.I. Chandran, Suraaj Venjaranmood understated as Pramod (namesake).

The narrative deserves kudos since the characters stay true to their intentions, and this movie is also about integrity in human beings. Smart Dileesh Pothan gives us a solid entertainer with wit, and at times cynicism. The way the national award winning director treats police system is an eye opener, and something that is reminiscent of janamaitri police.

In one scene Pramod describe his modus operandi and in another scene theif discovers that of his opposite number, Cop. A grey shade is there in all of us, and with which stockholm syndrome between the thief and the witness get established. Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum is a film with a great deal of empathy. A journalist once told even a tennis match between Federer and Nadal has stockholm syndrome.

Rajeev Ravi’s understated camera work play second fiddle and gives weather and soul to the characters. Thumbs Up. That seemed easy, go watch the movie or else we won’t be friends…