Thirakkatha

Cast: Prithviraj, Priyamani, Anoop Menon, Samvritha Sunil, Siddique, Khushboo, Siddharth,Cochin Haneefa, Maniyan Pilla Raju, Mallika Sukumaran, Nandu, Augustine, Jagathy Sreekumar, Manianpillai raju, K.B. Venu, Nishant Sagar, Bindu Panicker, Suraj Venjaramood
Language: Malayalam
Banner: Varnachitra and capitol Theatre
Director: Ranjith
Producer: Maha Subair, Ranjith
Camera: M.J. Radhakrishnan
Story: Ranjith
Screenplay: Ranjith
Dialogue: Ranjith
Lyrics: Rafeeq Ahmed
Music: Sarath
Distribution: Varnachithra and Capitol Theatre Release
Year: 2008

Thirakkatha is a brilliantly crafted and finely scripted movie that speaks of human relationships, with the world of films as the backdrop. Thirakkatha begins at a point when young filmmaker Akbar Ahmed sets off on a journey. Giving him company is Ajayachandran, who is a very popular actor and one of the highest paid stars in the industry.

Akbar, who has earned a reputation for himself as a sensitive and successful filmmaker, runs a restaurant named 'Casablanca' and is supported by a group of young film enthusiasts, one of whom is Devayani, his sweetheart. Akbar does not look at cinema merely as a money-making proposition. He wants to base his next film on the life of actress Malavika, who once had been a very popular actress and whose whereabouts is now unknown. The romance between Malavika and Ajayachandran too was something that had captured his interest.

Akbar begins his preparations for the movie by exploring the letters and diaries of Eby Kuruvila, who was an associate director-turned-director and who had had a very intimate relationship with Malavika as well Ajayachandran till he was killed in an accident years back. Simultaneously, Akbar starts working on the script too. Eventually it turns out to be much more than mere scripting or film-related research. When he finally manages to locate Malavika, he begins to see her as much more than the subject of his research. He and his group of friends develop an intense attachment to her. As for Malavika, her life has changed totally.

The main attraction of Thirakkatha is no doubt the script, penned by Ranjith himself. Ranjith has shown utmost care in characterization as well as in blending the various layers of the plot, which he does very sensitively. Performance-wise Priyamani gives an excellent performance as Malavika while Anoop Menon comes out as a real surprise in the role of Ajayachandran, doing full justice to the role. Prithviraj fits well into the role of Akbar Ahmed, and Samvritha Sunil renders able support as Devayani. Director Ranjith, who does the role of Eby Kuruvila, proves himself to be a good actor too and makes us expect much from the forthcoming 'Gulmohar', in which he does the lead role. All the others in the cast have done their roles perfectly well.

Thirakkatha touches us deep as it speaks of relationships in a very sensitive manner. Cinematography by M.J. Radhakrishnan deserves special mention. Sharath has composed some very beautiful songs for the movie - songs that jell well with the plot and situations. Summing it all up, Thirakkatha offers a wonderfully different experience for movie-goers in Kerala and may even be seen as heralding a change in the way films are conceived. Kudos to Ranjith and crew!

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