Film: Njan Ninnodu Koodeyundu
Director: Priyanandanan
Cast: Vinay Forrt, Siddharth Bharathan, Navamy Murali, Aparna Vinod
Sometimes life gets at you. The maddening world envelops you. Everyday injustices frustrate you no end. You wish you were elsewhere. A place where all are at peace with themselves and with nature. Director Priyanandanan takes us to such a place in Njan Ninnodu Koodeyundu . A film-maker known for his unorthodox convictions, he attempts to present us an alternative vision. The film meanders through the antics of two small-time thieves, a fantasy land, revelations on an ideal life, and a noble dream. Two thieves - Damanan and Madanan - escape public fury after a futile burglary attempt and end up in a village where the concepts of money and private property are nonexistent. Houses have no doors, restaurants have no cashier. How each of them comes to terms with their situation makes up the rest of the story.
Vinay Forrt and Siddharth Bharathan look the part as the two baffled thieves and a whole lot of supporting cast fills the frames. The presence of activist Dayabayi is a highlight of the movie while the lone song encapsulates its vision beautifully.
Malayalam cinema seems to have a set pattern for depicting the ‘other’ space. Handlooms, turbans, and earthy colours, all distinctly north Indian, are expected to denote a distant and strange land. And they all speak in chaste Malayalam, lending an air of artificiality to the entire business.
The film questions our many notions of success. And rightly so. But putting across alcohol and non-vegetarianism as triggers for all evil seem a trifle superfluous.
Rasmi Binoy
