Nayakan Malayalam Movie Review

A real imposing debut and impactful winner, Lijo Jose Pellisery has claimed both with his debut movie ‘Nayakan’ which is an astounding feat in Mollywood looking for intensely polished movies.

In an decade of flashy filmmaking, with fast cuts and tagline driven plots, it’s refreshing to see a film with deliberate pacing, a character driven plot, taking a bow to master filmmakers of past times. Though in a story revolving around feverish revenge and gang wars, the young director is really at the helm making a near perfect thriller with an intense sincerity that show of in every frames.

The structuring of the story into Purappadu, Kelikkai, Thodayam attam and Kalasham and the placement of the narratives in diagonally unsinkable backdrops are the highlight of ‘Nayakan’, with inspiring inputs from every department of production. Basically a revenge drama, told in the backdrop of Kochi's underworld, the movie has its protagonist Varadanunni (Indrajith) as a Kathakali artiste, who is forced to take revenge through his own ways , with the help of an ageing don Vincent Karanavar (Thilakan) and his daughter Maria (Dhanya Mary). All of them share some intense reasons to corner magician turned megalomaniac JS.

The movie makes intelligent use of Kathakali and its tones and preparations to push the story through mystifying but engaging lanes.

The narrative style of the movie is a novice to Malayalam cinema, with some fine performances coming from the entire cast. Indrajith as Varadanunni is undoubtedly his best in his short career .The actor has taken pains to tone up his body to suit the maneuvers of a Kathakali artist who turn into a gang man. Thilakan once again proves why he can’t be sidelined in such a demanding industry and is unmatchable as Vincent Karanavar. Siddique as J S with his cateyes and abnormal mannerisms is a treat to watch. The heroine, Dhanya Mary, plays to the demands of the role and appear graceful throughout.

One of the strongest points of this film is the focus on tone, pacing, and an intentional aesthetic values. Apart from being an all-round director movie, Nayakan has some mesmerizing visuals by Manoj Paramahamsa. In a truly international tonal flairs and with subdued lighting styles, the cinematographer is sure to earn big accolades and a big name in national cinema. Prashant Pillai's songs are different and mediocre but the background scores and sound design are classy.

The little negatives of the movie are its script lines which are confusing at times. And sometimes the narratives appear a bit slow, with a bang on for creating the unsettling tone. This may frustrate a less patient viewer but is compensated well with the other production values. The climax too appeared a little hurried, and doesn't match the quality of the movie.

All in all, ‘Nayakan’ is indeed a rare independent treat for lovers of quality cinema.