Achanuranghatha Veedu

Cast: Salim Kumar, Prithviraj, Indrajith, Muktha, Samritha Suni, Suja Karthika, Murali, Harisree Ashokan, Madhu Warrier
Language: Malayalam
Banner: Grihamithra Films
Director: Lal Jose
Producer: Reji Kuthazhath
Camera: Manoj Pillai
Story: Babu Janardhanan
Screenplay: Babu Janardhanan
Dialogue: Babu Janardhanan
Lyrics: Vayalar Sarathchandran
Music: Alex Paul
Distribution: Shirdhisai Film Release
Year: 2006

After the resounding success of Chanthupottu, Lal Jose is back again, this time with a realistic though melodramatic tear-jerker of a film in Achchanurangaatha Veedu. And with this he seems to be moving into the big league of Malayalam film directors. The Director's success lies in bringing such a sterling performance out of Salim Kumar, who hitherto had been known only for slapstick comedy that more often than not, bordered on the farcical. Salim Kumar doing his 125th film, essays the role of a 50+ widower and the father of three daughters.

The film tells the story of Prabhakaran, a student of Marthoma College, Thiruvalla, who falls deeply in love with Lillikutty, a Christian girl, and marries her against the wishes of his family and converts to Christianity. Lillikutty dies after the birth of their third daughter, and Prabhakaran now Samuel, is burdened with bringing up the children single handedly. The eldest daughter is married off to what turns out to be a good for nothing son-in-law, played to perfection by Harisree Ashokan. The second daughter burdened with family chores discontinues her studies. Samuel pins his hopes on his third daughter Lissamma and dreams of grooming her to be a doctor. But she is caught in a sex racket. Lal Jose knits together a poignant story depicting the travails of an ordinary man caught in a vortex, who despite social stigma and mental trauma, tries to put together the bits and pieces of his life and move on.

The performance of every one of the cast is commendable, but special mention must be made of new-find Mukta an eighth standard student at St. Augustine's Higher Secondary School, Kothamangalam, who takes on the role of Lisamma. Murali puts in an excellent though subdued performance. Harisree Ashokan provides the comic element, but has a rather negative role. Samritha Sunil and Suja Karthika do justice to the roles of Lissamma's elder sisters. Though youngsters Indrajith, Prithviraj and Madhu Warrier do well in the film, Salim Kumar steals the show. Songs by Alex Paul are hummable. Camera work by Manoj Pillai, erstwhile associate of Santhosh Sivan, is noteworthy. Editing by Ranjan Abraham is crisp and tight. Overall, Achchanurangaatha Veedu is a commendable effort.

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