V.K Prakash, one of the key names, who represent our Malayalam Cinema in the nation. The man responsible for number of award winning meaningful films tries a different genre this time which is a very simple, easy going and fresh attempt. But it may be too straight and slow for the fast paced young audiences.
For his fans (including myself), this is a welcome change from the master of the medium and the maestro seems to be in a completely different mood this time. As a sincere fan, “Natholi Oru Cheriya Meenalla” is not among best of his works, but it’s entirely a different kind of attempt from him which surely has moments of his golden touch.
The story is about Preman (Fahadh Faasil)is the caretaker of a flat at Cochin. Everyone in the flat calls him 'Natholi'. The plot is very thin and there are too many characters roped in. So as a result no particular character comes out shining except the writer himself. The film starts off easily with a much laid back pace and moves on as each character is introduced. It is more like the good old “Rachana” and impresses as it unfolds stories about each one of them. But some sequences are pretty predictable such as the flat life and the rivalry among the society ladies.
First half is too simple and slow, whereas the second half picks up and generates more interest. The last 40 minutes of the movie are more entertaining and engrossing and the climax reminds you of Sathyan Anthikkadu kind of cinema. At first it may seem that this is not a movie matching today’s fast pace of life, but as it moves on, it takes you in and after the last few minutes you feel that you liked it.
Performances wise each and every character shines like a star in the sky and “Fahad Fazil” is like the moon with the stars. Undoubtedly, this is his best performance after “Chappakkurishu” and “22Female Kottayam”. Kamalinee Mukharjee, though has acted well but deliberately speaks like an urban girl, where she gets caught. Rest all have done a fine job but since no other character has an upper edge provided by the writer so everyone is at par with each other. Musically, the title song is good but all the other songs should have been avoided.
In few words, it’s a simple and sweet movie, to enjoy as the gold old cinema from the golden era of Malayalam Movies. It may not be liked by the youth as it has nothing to offer to the Rock Generation. But it has the values which we find missing in the current times.
One Request for the viewers who are new to V.K Prakash Cinema :
If you are watching this as your first V.K Prakash flick then Please don’t make any viewpoint about the master from this movie. This a different genre tried by the master and it’s like he is chilling out after making some very intense and meaningful movies. I insist and request you to watch his “Punaradhivasam”, “Freaky Chakra”, “Phir Kabhi”, “Aidondla Aidu”, “Beautiful”, “Kavya's Diary” before reaching to any unjustified conclusion about V.K Prakash.
Particularly a must see is “Punaradhivasam” where you will find most of the cast of “Natholi Oru Cheriya Meenalla” doing a completely different act with the utmost conviction.
In the current trend of loud comedies, “NOCM” might be too simple and slow for the young viewers but it has its moments to enjoy.
Rating : 2.5 / 5
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