Prathi Poovankozhi

Centred around the relevant topic of molestation of women in public places, Prathi Poovankozhi offers a one-liner plot stretched into a 100-minute movie. That does not mean it struggles to engage. It's true that the writer (Unni R) and the director (Rosshan Andrrews, who also plays the molester-thug-antagonist) haven't explored the contemporary theme to the lengths we'd have wanted them to, but Prathi Poovankozhi holds good for a start. I'd want more (men and women) film-makers to come up with realistic, longterm solutions to issues such as these. It's something Malayalam cinema has been doing so well in recent times - the choice of topics, well-written women characters, and the rise of women performers in the industry.

The film explores the slow and steady transition of Madhuri (a brilliant-as-always Manju Warrier) from a regular textile shop employee with regular-people-issues (such as a bank loan to pay off, a mother who wishes her daughter gets married soon, and the struggles of travelling daily in public transport) to a woman who encourages other women to stand up for themselves against sexual harassment. On the way, there are some interesting standpoints covered. The light-hearted entertainment comes in the form of Rosamma (a young colleague of Madhuri's who is dating five guys at the same time, played by Anusree). The warmth of parenthood is sprinkled by way of Gopi Chettan (Alencier). There's also the flirtatious cop played by Saiju Kurup (who by now can ace any supporting character).

The changes that happen to Madhuri are also organically portrayed. After the 'incident', Madhuri's stance towards her immediate surroundings changes. A sign of newfound courage makes her confront her neighbour who screams at his wife, the cop who sends her sleazy messages at night, and even the antagonist's wife. All of these scenes have been conceived and written in a believable manner. Rosshan Andrrews surprisingly lends a nasty vibe to Antappan that really makes you want to back Madhuri's urge to slap him.

While the comedy is undoubtedly the lazily written part of the flick, it serves as a breather in an otherwise dead-serious storyline. For its pertinent subject matter, a raging Manju, and a short run-time, Prathi Poovankozhi is worth a watch.

Watch this movie. It is thrilling. It is gripping. The over the top background score helps. Roshan Andrews does a decent job as the villain. He is also the film's director. Manju Warrier - well, is she ever bad? Unni R writes a riveting tale with some interesting twists. It is just around two hours long. Does not overstay its welcome. I had a good time.

Girls are must watch in theatres. Manju warrior's mind blowing performance. Good story line. Good direction. Manju warrior's acting, direction and climax are the plus point. Overall a good message for society

There are a lot of things going on in Prathi Poovankozhi (Cock is the Culprit) where a woman (Manju Warrier) seeks revenge from a man (Rosshan Andrrews) who has wronged. He has misbehaved with her in a way that has upended her life, and the conviction with which she seeks vengeance is what makes this a loud, reality-shattering view on the issues of sexual harassment against women and virile sexism. Anything more than that on the plot will turn this review into a pool of spoilers, but what can instead be said about the thriller is the relentlessly active preying that the woman does on the man so as to turn the tables for one time in the history of mankind and attempt to show what's really at stake: not the house that she lives in, not her job, not her family, not her friends or colleagues. Writer Unni R hits the right spots with the primary theme but he has also included weaker elements (most scenes involving Anusree) and the comedy which tend to dilute the effect that Prathi Poovankozhi was supposed to have. The climax is cutthroat throwaway righteousness but it makes all sense when you think about the film hours after you have watched it. Warrier's performance will do that to you because she's more convincing than anything else here. A noteworthy film but way longer and loose (where the chase goes on and on) to be called anything more than that. Grace Antony's character gets the 'badass award' from me. TN.