Kaathal - The Core

If you are a fan of fast-paced masala movies, Kaathal might appear to be a slow drama. However, the emotionally-packed performances devoid of unnecessary drama will keep you hooked till the very end. Don't go by reviews and unfair criticism. Movies like this deserve to be watched in the theatre. I had high expectation from Jeo Baby and as usual, he beats expectations. Rather than waiting for its OTT release, please go and watch movies like these in theatres. Mammotty and Jyotika are brilliant as ever. Sudhi Kozhikode who plays Thankan may not have a lot of dialogues but does full justice to his part through his impecccable ability to emote pain and love. Give Kaathal a chance, watch it without preconceived notions about the genre. Leave your prejudices aside and you'll thoroughly enjoy the movie. Those 120 minutes of your day will be well spent.

For the Indian society, this movie is an extremely difficult topic to narrate to, actors to act, and makers to conceptualize. There are no references for the actors to view, read through or probably not much on the legal references too.

Complex, complicated in the eyes of a common man, brilliantly written (Adarsh Sukumaran and Paulson Skaria) and executed. Director (Jeo Baby) has proved once again that he could take a topic that's rare to be divulged, write it almost politically correct and execute it. Nobody shouts at high decibels, they do not call names, they don't wish others ill, this is idealistic and much more. Pray tell? Watch the movie and you'll know, provocation isn't needed in a relationship to be one's self.

I normally don't agree on praising the leading actors, especially when they are super star actors. However, Jyothika and Mamookka definitely should be praised for this movie.

Jyo for being part of progressive content, that she chooses, everytime. Mamookka for not typecasting himself.

The simplicity of the arc (of his character, in this movie) and the final say, grabs you by the throat. Last but not the least, Sudhi Kozhikode is a perfect cast for the movie, man he's out of the world.

This movie, in the history of Indian cinema, will be a leap towards progressiveness and inclusivity. They have tried to normalize different identities and show audiences that the world is not as black and white as it is often painted to be. And, succeeded.

'Mammootty Kampany's' last 3 movies (Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam, Rorschach, Kannur Squad and Kaathal - The Core) are poles opposite in genre and quality movie experience. In all of these, other characters get same or more screen space and are catalysts too.

When other actors of Mammokka's age are playing saviors and have god syndrome. This man, is on a separate league.

I am in awe of the staging (to keep the tension), Cinematography (Salu Thomas), and Music (Mathews Pulickan. ) When Chitra Ma sings - "Anbaleyen Chiragalanjeedum", written by - Anvar Ali (Roughly translates to - 'My wings will protect you, with love') the facade of being strongs breaks down. There's a heart ache, when this line ends. And, one carries that ache and leaves the movie hall.

There was standing ovation after the movie. On a weeekday in Tamilnadu, the movie is almost sold out. That is a testimony of the quality of the content and the making. Grace, dignity and love personified should've been the tagline of the movie.

When I think about the best films on a controversial subject in the past decade, whether it's feminism, AI, urbanization, natural disasters, global warming or a pandemic, the standout film is from Kerala, and now this extends to closet life. It must have been hard for Jeo Baby to finalize a follow-up to the much celebrated "Great Indian Kitchen", but to tackle this issue and get a star like Mammootty involved is without precedent. The result is a film that could never be produced in Bollywood because it would be seen as too much of a commercial risk. Imagine SRK's reaction had he been offered this script.

The story unfolds in a much simpler way than "Kitchen" and it's probably less enjoyable the more you know, because then you're just waiting for the key moments. Jeo Baby has a fantastic talent for visual storytelling, you experience the development the characters go through, particularly Mammootty who might have done his best work here in spite of such a long and illustrious career. Jyothika is a bit too reserved apart from the end, but it is a difficult role.

The two weaknesses of the film are a) the absence of the daughter's opinion which is quite surprising. That's a really important part of the story, I don't understand why this has been omitted. And b) there is no explanation of the crux of the matter, which is just superficially brushed upon, but maybe you have to be queer (like myself) to notice this. Stop reading if you don't want to know too much, continue if you are straight and confused about this bit in the story: if you are gay and identify with the active male role, it is not only common to be pressured into marriage by your relatives, since there's "nothing wrong" with you. You also keep telling yourself that you're nothing like "them" because you talk and behave "normally". There should have been a dialogue about that between the two united friends at the end, we've all been there.

Despite gradual progress in recent times, a deep-seated reluctance to openly discuss LGBTQ issues persists within the Indian sociocultural landscape. While more LGBTQ+ characters are appearing in Indian films, some portrayals have been criticized for being superficial and lacking authenticity. While it's encouraging that mainstream media is acknowledging LGBTQ+ issues, true progress will only be achieved when these portrayals move beyond tokenism and explore the complexities of LGBTQ+ experiences in a genuine and meaningful way. One such film which is Kaathal spearheaded and produced by the GOAT.

Coming to this film, in the heart of a tranquil village in Kottayam district of Kerala, Mathew Devassy (Mammootty), a seasoned man plunges into the fray of a byelection in his local gram panchayat, driven by the directives of his Leftist party. He dives headfirst into the political arena as the election fervor intensifies. However, a seismic revelation shatters Mathew's carefully constructed world - his wife, Omana (Jyotika), has initiated divorce proceedings, alleging in her filings that her husband is a homosexual. The story navigates through the conflict of personal struggles as he confronts unforgiving societal expectations and the fragility of human relationships around him. This setups for Matthew opening himself up to the world he had left behind, embracing the complexities of his identity and leading him to confront the societal prejudices that have long confined him. This thought-provoking film breaks away from conventional expectations, showcasing Mammootty's versatility and dedication to his craft. His willingness to take on unconventional roles further cements his status as a cinematic legend and allowing Jyothika and rest of the characters to shine alongside him. Jyothika's performance is arguably one of her best in recent years, despite occasional dubbing issues.

Applauds are due to director Jeo Baby, Adarsh Sukumaran, Paulson Skaria, and the entire Kaathal team for crafting this remarkable film. While its unhurried pace might not appeal to everyone, I found myself captivated by the story's organic unfolding, devoid of the need for external validation. Kaathal rewards its viewers with exceptional performances and a thought-provoking narrative, demonstrating its brilliance in its simplicity.

It isn't fair to call this an intense drama about relationships, sexuality, or even politics for that matter. Kaathal is a drama indeed, though its "dramatic" quotient is severely underplayed and kept subtle until the final moments where it all culminates in a stretch of heart-breaking scenes. I like how a mainstream actor who holds major box-office potential like Mammookka chose to play the character of Mathew Devassy. It not only opens the doors to several conversations and discussions but also gives the subject all the attention it deserves.

As a director, I feel Jeo Baby has put his cast to sensational use, and that goes out to every little supporting character as well. I also realized how much I missed seeing Jyothika on screen. The use of rain in the pre-interval stretch beautifully symbolizes the melancholy in the household at that particular point. How rain turns into a rainbow at the end is a neat directorial touch. Mathews Pulickan's music and background score aren't used to amplify emotions in every scene, but reserved for those segments that absolutely require them.

While the courtroom drama in the second half brings plenty of backstory into light, the writers also use this section to ask pertinent questions to the audiences. It even addresses the Decriminalization of Section 377, integrating it as a law point within the story. The best thing about it all is that it treats every character (and their interpersonal relationships) with dignity, even in the toughest of situations. That's, you know, wonderful to see! There's still the (very real) question of Mathew's voting community being equally progressive and accepting (of him), though in this particular film, I like to believe that's the case.

P. S. - Many production houses in the Malayalam industry can learn a thing or two from Mammootty Kampany (and its owner).