Chakkaramuthu

Language : Malayalam
Banner : Seven Arts International
Director : Lohithadas
Producer : Vijayakumar
Camera : Rajaratnam
Story : Lohithadas
Screenplay : Lohithadas
Dialogue : Lohithadas
Lyrics : Gireesh Puthenchery
Music : M.Jayachandran
Distribution : Seven Arts Release
Release : 2006 November 08
Cast : Dileep, Kavya Madhavan, Cochin Haneefa, Sai Kumar, Harisree Ashokan, Bindu Panicker.

Lohithadas seems to have run out of steam as his latest film Chakkaramuthu, is nothing but a rehash of various old films and none of the characters are well-etched out nor do we become a part of their anguish or worry.

The trouble is too many characters with too many motives are haphazardly tied up resulting in an embarrassingly bad film. There is not even one single scene which is new or brings a smile on your face and the climax is a big letdown. Looks like, the writer-director had lost interest and wanted to some how end the film!

Aravindakshan (Dileep)is a ladies tailor in a village and he is a dimwit. People call him 'Pottan' and his world revolves around Anitha (Kavya Madhavan) who is his childhood sweetheart. He hangs around her house and does all sorts of domestic help to Anita and her mom, a teacher as they are alone.

Aravindakshan keeps his deep love for Anita in his mind though her feeling for him is just sympathy. One day when his friend Santosh (Kalabhavan Nawas) instigates him, Aravindan tries to kiss her which comes as a rude shock to Anita. Later, she uses this as a way to blackmail him to cover up her love for Jeevan (Jishnu) in front of her mother who is very strict and wants her to marry a doctor Rajiv (Sarath).

But soon Anita's uncle (Sai Kumar) a police officer and mom comes to know about her affair and fixes her marriage. But Anita elopes with Jeevan, as Aravindan helps them to go to Bangalore. However Anita realize that Jeevan was a cheat, who was taking her for a ride. What happens then? Will she reciprocate Aravindan's deep love? All this is told in a clich�d climax, which is neither believable nor gripping.

After seeing the film, we wonder how Dileep, an actor who is said to have a terrific sense for good scripts ended up repeating what he had done in the past? Every scene is so predictable and the characters like a tailor shop owner, a saloon owner, a lottery agent, a family of- mother, sister and an irresponsible elder brother-all reminds you of so many films like Dileep's own Kunjikoonan, Meesa Madhavan and others.

Dileep as a dimwit Aravindan has worked hard on his body language and gait but his character has no life or soul and neither do our sympathies go to him. The script has let him down badly and he over acts at times. Kavya Madhavan does her role with ease while others are just ok. Jishnu has proved that he is a wooden actor while Sarath shines in a small role. Sai Kumar has given an excellent performance and the newcomer as Anita's mom is very impressive. Songs tuned by M.Jayachandran are just ok though none of them are hummable!.

On the whole, Lohithadas has to be blamed for making this film which will neither make you laugh or cry. The movie like Aravindakshan, tends to wander aimlessly while wallowing in misery. Lohi has not been able to flesh out the protagonist�s background or adequately explain the motivations behind his choices. The films fatal flaw is its crippling pace. Post- interval, the story telling becomes doleful, mushy and melodramatic, especially the long drawn out tragic climax. Chakkaramuthu, is not sweet, but a bitter pill to swallow.

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