Great Indian Movies - Perumazhakalam. Review on Perumazhakalam Movie

Expectations are ugly beasts. They could kill your movie going experience but rarely exceed original bar. Ever since rediff declared Perumazhakalam their best movie of 2005 over Iqbal, Hazaaron Khwaishen Aisi, and Paheli, I was determined to get hold of Perumazhakalam's copy. It's rare that Indian popular movie space offers high spot for regional cinema. I tried my best to hold the DVD but I couldn't get succeed.

Last year, when Nagesh Kukunoor's Dor was released, it was widely blogged that it was remake of Perumazhakalam(Nagesh declined to credit Perumazhakalam for his inspiration, instead he said it was based on true story). I was again determined to hold Perumazhakalam’s DVD copy. After trying for almost 6 months, I had my chances to see this wonderful film and I am pleased to say that it was one of the best films I ever seen and of course, much better and much more emotional and much more sensitive than widely acclaimed Kukunoor's Dor.

Kamal's Perumazhakalam(2004) is the extremely poignant tale of two woman caught between tears based on real life incidents that has happened in the middle east, one who lost her beloved companion and other who travel beyond her comfortable living perimeter to save her soul mate despite his inexcusable crime.

Story*

Two woman, Muslim Raziya(Meera Jasmine) and Hindu Brahmin Ganga(Kavya Madhavan) lives in the different corners of state of Kerala connected by Kalpaathi River. Raziya lives in a village in Kozhikode near Calicut and Ganga lives in Hindu community in Palakkad. Both women’s hubbies are in Saudi Arabia for quick earning for better life. Raziya’s husband Akbar(Dilip) promised Raziya to build their dream house once he returns from Gulf and Ganga's husband Raghurama Iyer(Vineeth) is the bread earner for his family.

On one horrible day, Raziya heard news came from Saudi Arabia that her husband arrested for someone's murder and sentenced to death for his crime. On other side, Ganga turns white with white cloths, no bangles, and no sindoor after getting news of Raghu got killed by Muslim Keralian in Saudi Arabia. Things are getting tough for both women as their dream shattered especially Raziya who still lives with her dad Abdu(Mammukoya) with a young baby.

Abdu and Raziya with the help with their close wealthy relative Najeeb(who has hidden crush on Raziya’s beauty) tries best to get exact details regarding Akbar's fate in Saudi Arabia. They unsuccessfully try to get help from local politicians. When Abdu thinks god is too harsh on them and Raziya thinks all doors are closed, Akbar's roommate John(Biju Menon) visits them from Saudi Arabia. He discloses news that if Raghu's wife signs pardon letter to pardon Akbar for her husband's death, he can arrange petition for Akbar's life under Shariat Muslim laws.

For Raziya being a woman, ray of light and door of hope is opened after conversations with John. Despite Najeeb's reluctance, Abdu and Raziya embark upon journey of hope to meet Ganga. After reaching the destination, Abdu and Raziya stay at their close friend. On first try, both Abdu and Raziya introduces themselves to the Raghu's family and tries to meet Ganga so, she can sign the pardon letter but family members refused to let Raziya meet Ganga. On Second try, Both Abdu and Raziya get humiliated in front of local Hindu community in front of Raghu’s house. On Third try, Raziya intercepts Ganga in front of temple but Ganga avoids her after stating what she will do, if her husband killed her husband?

After trying so many times and getting humiliated so many times, Raziya looses her confidence. After knowing John is leaving soon and needs pardon letter in less than a day for any hope of Akbar's freedom, Raziya tries once more to meet Ganga and later gets beaten by Raghu's family. After spending most of the night in front of Ganga's village, shell shocked Raziya looses her confidence in humanity and returns back to her village. At the same time, after overnight self-introspection, Ganga convinces herself that one's life is solely depends upon her mere signature. She with the help of local priest visits Raziya’s house and signs the pardon letter to save her husband's murderer.

Analysis

*I always think movies with smooth narrative style are great art. Just like Art, you can admire movies even though you don't know nitty-gritty details. A language barrier, incapability of subtitle reading takes backstage when captivating and lyrical stories are told on silver screen. Perumazhakalam is just one of those arts. Knowing my dad having language barrier and incapability of reading English subtitles still enjoyed Perumazhakalam as much as myself is great sign of any wonderful movie.

Perumazhakalam is a haunting movie. Perhaps one of the reasons is the time and place where story unfolds.  Just like its English name implies, While It Rains Hard, most of the movie takes place in rainy gloomy or wet sunny days during rain-drenched monsoon season. Rain itself is one of the key characters in this emotionally powerful film where women are weeping behind the doors knowing their soul mates are no more or waiting to be executed. Perumazhakalam is showcase of Kerala's natural beauty at least for me – coastal shores, boats floating over rain shimmered rivers, beautiful front-perched houses on river shorelines, magnificent Hindu community accessed through single gateway are powerful glimpse into day to day Keralian life.

Some of the most powerful scenes of the movie unfold as movie’s story unfolds. Just watch out scenes consisting when Raziya hears about Akbar’s situation in front of her house or Raziya protects herself when Najeeb advances or how Raziya tries to convince Raghu’s family to meet Ganga or when angry Raziya throws mud at the television reporters. One of the most powerful scenes comes at the end when Akbar and Raziya visit Ganga and all three watch their kids playing together. An amazingly powerful film told with utmost sincerity and restraint without over-melodrama.

Although I haven’t seen many of veteran director Kamal’s films, many critics defines that Perumazhakalam is one of his best films to date and I have no objections on that. On acting front, combo of two gorgeously beautiful yet extremely talented actresses Meera Jasmine as Raziya and Kavya Madhavan as Ganga delivered mind-blowing stirring performances. None of three Malayalam male stars Dilip, Vineeth, and Biju Menon has meaty roles in this female centric film but they performed their second fiddle characters with utmost perfection.

Even though I am not the right person to analyze Perumazhakalam’s music since I watched movie with subtitles, one of the greatest strength of soundtracks were I could feel the pain and love rendered through the soul stirring music.

Conclusion

*Indian Regional Cinema is full of hidden gems. This is my first hands-on experience with Malayalam cinema except dubbed version of Priyadarshan's Kala Pani. I am determined to unearth all gems of Indian regional cinema especially what south Indian and Bengali cinema has to offer. Perumazhakalam is first step in right direction and I am please to say that this is one of the most emotional yet engrossing films I have seen in recent times. A must see for serious cinemagoers.