The rules of engagement

Top Stories

The rules of engagement

Puthiya Niyamam, directed by AK Sajan, is a taut thriller that showcases his brilliant writing, finds Deepa Gauri

By Deepa Gauri

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Wed 9 Mar 2016, 11:00 PM

Last updated: Thu 10 Mar 2016, 12:58 PM

THERE IS SOMETHING in the on-screen chemistry between Mammootty and Nayanthara that ensures their films work at the box-office, even if they are not necessarily of outstanding merit. Last year's super-hit film Bhaskar the Rascal's triumph is being repeated this year as the two join forces for AK Sajan's new age thriller Puthiya Niyamam.
Sajan, as movie lovers know, wears the unique stamp of a film writer and director. His films can be overtly violent, even though his directorial debut was named Stop Violence, with Prithviraj in the lead. Since then, he has dabbled mostly in the thriller genre with films such as Lanka and Asuravithu, not exactly igniting the box office, but yet managing to make it through. Sajan's brilliance, however, is more proven as a writer, especially in his earlier films such as Dhruvam and Butterflies. Since then, he has almost resolutely stuck to thrillers - some extremely far-fetched - including the all-style-no-substance Dhrona and Red Chilies.
No matter what critics say, Sajan tries to bring in new-gen shifts to his writing, drawing inspiration from contemporary trends. Puthiya Niyamam is no exception. To say more about the film would be to reveal its mystery, which is crucial in appreciating the film.
With Nayanthara as performing artist Vasuki Iyer and Mammootty as an all-rounder lawyer, Louis, who specialises in marital disputes but also finds time to review films on TV and take part in debates, the film centres on the disruptions in their domestic life. Vasuki is cranky and for someone who can sort the problems in others' lives, Louis, here, is absolutely helpless.
He silently watches the transformation of Vasuki into something rather monstrous, and with a trail of murders, new rules of engagement are called in. Tackling issues of women abuse with enough twists to justify the superstar presence, Puthiya Niyamam will not disappoint thriller lovers. While the film occasionally does veer off track and sees uncalled for melodrama, emotional swings and needless star-tributes, it has worked for Kerala audiences, which is why despite the onslaught of Maheshinte Prathikaram and the slow-fire hit Action Hero Biju, the film continues to run successfully.
Sajan says that while he had initially considered actor-writer-director Renji Panicker for the role of Louis Pothen, it was Renji who suggested that the film would get its real worth with Mammootty. With Nayanthara, he had practically no doubt at all - as the film is tailored for her. As an actress who has been happily doing the so-called 'glamour roles' and staying away from Malayalam despite her credentials in films such as Elektra, Nayanthara shows her phenomenal range in Puthiya Niyamam. If she grates on your nerves in the first few reels, understand that her character is multi-layered and calls for some erratic mood-swings.
Puthiya Niyamam is now playing in the UAE. If you are up for some thrills, social commentary and commendable performances, this could be your weekend bet.

Mammootty and Nayanthara team up for new age thriller Puthiya Niyamam
Mammootty and Nayanthara team up for new age thriller Puthiya Niyamam

More news from