Celluloid

My review: Celluloid

Kamal's "Celluloid" is not just a biopic of the Godfather of the Malayalam Cinema J.C.Daniel, at a more higher level it is a social commentary of those dark days of Kerala wrought with casteism and untouchability. Though Kerala is one of the first states in British India to have social reform movement and fight against untouchability it is shocking to watch (and get to know) the plight of the first writer, producer and director  and the first actress in Malayalam cinema on account of casteist ruthlessness. 

The movie's most evocative visual (there are couple more but this one is the most disturbing) is the one where the P.K.Rosy, the lower caste actress being chased away from the cinema hall by the higher caste bigots, running away with unfulfilled desire of catching a glimpse of her onscreen for the first time. Chandini who is excellent in her role of P.K.Rosy has done a marvelous job in that scene (her eyes are haunting still..!) coupled with the haunting background score that is one scene which would disturb one's mind long after the movie is over. 

Not only that movie also talk about how public as well the government fail to recognize the pioneers in various fields when there are alive, allowing them to suffer and die in penury. Also the bureaucratic red-tapism is beautifully captured when Chelangatt Gopalakrishnan's efforts at getting the work of J.C.Daniel recognized is faced with utter disregard and disdain from the government officials. 

Movie is not all dark and pathos. The making of the first movie in Malayalam is told in a entertaining manner. How actors (most of them coming from theatre background) were finding it difficult to adjust to acting in front of camera without need to mouth the dialogues (at that time it was silent movie) and watering down their histrionics and body language to the new medium. The caste hierarchy which was strictly followed even among those who were working in the cinema making is captured nicely. 

Movie's heroine comes to work carrying her own gruel for lunch, washes the dishes after lunch and was working as a daily wage labourer. When she is asked to wear the costumes which is supposed to represent a higher caste Nair woman, the trepidation at the same time joy of wearing things that she can only dream of and the dilemma between the two is portrayed excellently by newcomer Chandini. Among all the actors she stays in the viewers mind hauntingly. (what happened to the real Rosy is still not known after she was chased away from her village by the high caste people for acting as a Nair woman) 

Prithviraj has done a good job as J.C.Daniel. He comes three different get-ups and has shown difference in voice modulation and body language well for all the three. This is by far the best effort from this promising youngster. Mamtha Mohandas lends adequate support. Srinivasan is steadfast as usual. All others in the support cast have done their parts appropriately without much cause to complain.

Venu's cinematography is top-class. The yellowish tinge that has been used throughout the movie except for the present day timeline helps in instilling the period effect. May be he could have shown a slight change in the colour tone between the 1920's and 1960's. 

The production team have done a stupendous job in recreating the Travancore of 1920's and South Tamil Nadu of 1960's.       

Music is by M.Jayachandran. "Katte katte" is already a chartbuster. "Enundodee" is another nice melody. His background score tugs the heartstrings at many places.

Kamal, who has written the screenplay, dialogues and directed the movie based on the novel "Nastha naayika" by Vinu Abhraham, has made a movie which would make the country proud. It is a precious product which needs all the accolades and awards, above all patronage from the cinema loving public.

Bottomline: World class.

4/5