Romeo

Cast: Dileep, Vimala Raman, Samvritha Sunil, Shruthi Lakshmi, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Cochin Haneefa, Mallika Sukumaran, Bheeman Raghu, Ashokan, Madhu Warrier, Subbalakshmi, T.P.Madhavan, Riza Bawa, Salim Kumar
Language: Malayalam
Banner: M.H.M Films
Director: Rajasenan
Producer: Rafi
Camera: K.P. Nambiathiri
Story: Rafi-Mecartin
Screenplay: Rafi-Mecartin
Dialogue: Rafi-Mecartin
Lyrics: Vayalar Sarathchandra Varma
Music: Alex Paul
Distribution: Marikkar Release
Year: 2007

Here's Rajasenan again, with his favourite brand of comedy, targeted at the family audience. His latest flick, Romeo, which has been scripted by Rafi and Mecartin, entertains you while at the same time leaving you desiring for more, since you may find the film boring at certain places, especially towards the end.

The story begins at a hospital where we meet Manu Krishna, a young male nurse who is a very friendly guy. Manu and Dr.Priya, also in the same hospital, are close friends. They had been friends since earlier days, even before he had become a nurse and she a doctor. Priya loves Manu, but doesn't tell him about it. And just when Priya's friend decides to divulge this to Manu for Priya's sake, another girl, Leena a singer, comes into Manu's life. Priya's love remains untold and Manu and Leena decide to get married.

Manu has to get converted to Christianity for the marriage to take place. That is the condition that Leena's father Avarachan who is not in favor of the union, puts forward. Manu thus gets converted and gets a new name - Manuel. But then Leena says in the presence of her father as well as Manu's father that she doesn't want to go ahead with the marriage. Manu, now Manuel, finds himself a loser. He also loses his job.

Manu's friend Prashanthan, a funny guy, finds him employment as a home-nurse, to look after an insane Brahmin. But for that he has to pretend to be a Brahmin himself. Manu does this and presents himself as Subrahmony. It so happens that there he comes across a young Brahmin girl Bhama, who gradually becomes drawn to him. But at one stage the orthodox family comes to know that Subrahmony is actually a Christian and then trouble starts.

Manu flees. Bhama is thrown out of the house, and she along with her dear ones come seeking Manu. At the same time Manu comes to know of Priya's love for him and gives his heart to her. Leena, who had earlier, on account of the threats of her father, expressed unwillingness to marry Manu, leaves home deciding to marry Manu. And Manu, who has been accepted by Priya's father, a retired CBI officer with much influence, doesn't know what to do. This leads to very funny developments and that forms the rest of the film.

The plot seems good and interesting coming as it does from Rajasenan, but post-interval things seem to go out of control and even seem to be boring at places. Dileep is OK as Manu, but there is nothing outstanding about his performance or character. Vimala as Priya is passable, but at places she seems to be rather uncomfortable with the role. Samvritha as Leena is good while new girl Shruthi doesn't impress much as Bhama.

Suraj Venjaramoodu as Prashanthan is his very funny self and elicits laughter and loud applause at times. Cochin Haneefa as Manu's father Ratish Kumar, who is a junior artist in films, is good. Mallika Sukumaran, who is doing a film after a gap, is good as Manu's mother Lakshmikutty Amma, who judges contestants in television shows. Bheeman Raghu as Avarachan is good.

The film moves at a brisk pace in the first half especially as the emphasis is mostly on verbal comedy, but post interval the pace slows down and some of the scenes seem to lack freshness and appeal. The songs though in tune with the theme and mood, are ordinary and won't stay in our memories for long. Nambiathiri's camerawork is good and so is Raja Mohamed's editing. The film is an average comic entertainer, and not a terribly bad one at that. But judging by the response inside the theatres on day one, it is to be seen whether the film does good business or not.

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