Disagreement is the end of the conflict. The words become meaningless from the overwhelming emotion. There will be mistakes. With that, the last avenue of discussion will be closed. The whole of Theri is apolitical and offensive. The danger here is to think that the realism of the film is sufficient. In other words, I’m not trying to say I shouldn’t make a wrong call. The ‘Chatambi’ is a more repairable pair of shorts where sloppiness becomes annoying.
The story is set in the hilltop village of Kootar, bordering Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The film aims to present the 90s beautifully. But most of the characters have the same attitude. Normal village life is nowhere to be seen. Many people are neglected for various reasons. Their green life. The story takes many turns and finally comes to one. There is nothing predictable in the story. Everything is natural. All the while, there is a misplaced mistake.
The main characters are Muttatil John who pays interest and Chattambiya Kariya. The tension between them moves the film forward. Kariya and Baby are John’s interest collectors. Baby is not as unconscious as Kariya. Someone with family and faith. Srinath Bhasi will play Chattambiya Kariya. She often looks like an unflattering costume. But Sreenath’s effort to perfect the character deserves applause.
Kariya’s anarchist life began by beating up her father who was hurting her mother. Only later does the inhuman chapter open. Many small and big conflicts. Kariya came across as a person who would do anything for money and alcohol. John was the one who made the most of it. John received life from Chempan Vinod. Applause in the theater will underscore that he did justice to the character. John is also loved by Kariya, who doesn’t even show affection for her mother. John’s abandonment is at the heart of the story.
Binu Pappan’s Baby and Grace Antony’s Cecily were equally good. Grace brought Cecile to the screen with extraordinary composure. That performance makes it clear once again that she is a talent that will mark Malayalam cinema in the coming times. Special mention should be made to Guru Somasundara who came as Muniyandi and to the resignation of Maithili. Newcomers also do justice to the character. Every talent of that time and place was in front of the camera. This is evident in every short.
Screenplay and photography by Alex Joseph. Directed by Abhilash S Kumar.
History drags on to many places. The silence was often not long or painful. ‘Chatambi’ is a must-see film and one that can be decided upon after deliberation.
Heard in the theater: Sreenath feels the role of Kariya is easy after watching the controversial interviews. Bhai will backfire on the Teri company.
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