20 reviews
Urumi is a n excellent example of directorial excellence meets mesmerising performances and technical perfection.Director-Cameraman Santhosh Sivan has created a clear masterpiece of visual extravaganza with artistic beauty.
Performances::Pritvi is outstanding in the movie with clear mannerisms and body language of Kelu Nair and has done his best performance till date.PrabhuDeva does his malayalam debut mesmerisingly,with a witty,light role.Genelia shows her excellence in acting by giving what her role wants in the best possible way.Other actors like Nithya Menon and Jagathy are casted in perfectly apt roles.
Some +ves::1)The script by Shankar Ramakrishnan is commentable and the dialogues are excellently written.2)Excellent music and choreography.3)Beautiful costume designing by Eka Lakhani,which requires a special mention.4)Commentable direction skills showed by Santosh Sivan.
Some -ves::1)A lagging start.2)Some amateurish characters,like that of Vidya Balan.
Verdict::Urumi is a hearty fantasy movie enriched with artistic and technical brilliance,for all the good movie lovers. My Rating::8.5/10
Performances::Pritvi is outstanding in the movie with clear mannerisms and body language of Kelu Nair and has done his best performance till date.PrabhuDeva does his malayalam debut mesmerisingly,with a witty,light role.Genelia shows her excellence in acting by giving what her role wants in the best possible way.Other actors like Nithya Menon and Jagathy are casted in perfectly apt roles.
Some +ves::1)The script by Shankar Ramakrishnan is commentable and the dialogues are excellently written.2)Excellent music and choreography.3)Beautiful costume designing by Eka Lakhani,which requires a special mention.4)Commentable direction skills showed by Santosh Sivan.
Some -ves::1)A lagging start.2)Some amateurish characters,like that of Vidya Balan.
Verdict::Urumi is a hearty fantasy movie enriched with artistic and technical brilliance,for all the good movie lovers. My Rating::8.5/10
- afsalthodupuzha
- Apr 28, 2011
- Permalink
A commendable film with a close-to-perfect script, some timely performances from the artistes and technical wizardry that is on par with the rest of the regional language films. All said, this movie also gives an insight about the history of Kerala which was unsung of. The story of a young hero who gave all he had to save his land from the Portuguese. And another factor which is quite apt was running the the present world and the old version in parallel.
All said and done, the writer had a source material to rely on and he showered enough fictional characteristics to the story. In spite of that the script lacks a cohesiveness especially until the third act. Some of the dialogue's were sloppy and did not reflect of that of that particular time period. Other than that this was a fine effort. Santosh Sivan's camera-work: there needs no special mention of his work here. Everything is picture perfect. Some scenes evokes a plethora of feelings and it just stays even after the movie gets over. But there were points and sequences where a bit of a pause could have helped a lot in making things look and feel much more better especially in the war scenes towards the end.
Performance-wise I would say all have done an exceptional job especially Prabhudeva, Nitya Menon, Jagathi. Prithviraj's wooden voice is a big letdown though. He shows no sign of variation through the movie. But he got to save his face towards the end with some classic performance and expression variations. Nitya Menon was the perfect seducer. Never seen such a good seducer in our industry. Her eyes speak volumes.
Music by Deepak Dev was different in this. His usual themes were all gone. It was a good thing he went in for a re-invention. Good songs and average BGM. The BGM that plays when Prithviraj courts Genelia is pure awesomeness but again there is huge familiarity with the tone there.
All in all this was a good movie. Definitely worth a watch at the cinemas. Go for it. It is a different experience all together.
All said and done, the writer had a source material to rely on and he showered enough fictional characteristics to the story. In spite of that the script lacks a cohesiveness especially until the third act. Some of the dialogue's were sloppy and did not reflect of that of that particular time period. Other than that this was a fine effort. Santosh Sivan's camera-work: there needs no special mention of his work here. Everything is picture perfect. Some scenes evokes a plethora of feelings and it just stays even after the movie gets over. But there were points and sequences where a bit of a pause could have helped a lot in making things look and feel much more better especially in the war scenes towards the end.
Performance-wise I would say all have done an exceptional job especially Prabhudeva, Nitya Menon, Jagathi. Prithviraj's wooden voice is a big letdown though. He shows no sign of variation through the movie. But he got to save his face towards the end with some classic performance and expression variations. Nitya Menon was the perfect seducer. Never seen such a good seducer in our industry. Her eyes speak volumes.
Music by Deepak Dev was different in this. His usual themes were all gone. It was a good thing he went in for a re-invention. Good songs and average BGM. The BGM that plays when Prithviraj courts Genelia is pure awesomeness but again there is huge familiarity with the tone there.
All in all this was a good movie. Definitely worth a watch at the cinemas. Go for it. It is a different experience all together.
- jeethjohnp
- Apr 19, 2011
- Permalink
Best camera and a very good story
Actions, sound effects are awesome
- maddymenon-09658
- Mar 14, 2021
- Permalink
Nice try by Prithviraj and Santhosh Sivan.But not good.
I appreciate the hard work.There must be a change for Malayalam industry and this is it. Nice picturisation.
Honestly i didn't enjoy the film except the picturisation,stunts and songs.
I felt headache.
But we keralites should appreciate the initiative taken by the new baby of Malayalam industry as a producer which was not done by the legends yet.
So hats off to Prithviraj.
I appreciate the hard work.There must be a change for Malayalam industry and this is it. Nice picturisation.
Honestly i didn't enjoy the film except the picturisation,stunts and songs.
I felt headache.
But we keralites should appreciate the initiative taken by the new baby of Malayalam industry as a producer which was not done by the legends yet.
So hats off to Prithviraj.
- jasen-selvaraj
- May 3, 2011
- Permalink
After this millennium began, we have seen a downward journey of Malayalam cinema. But occasionally, like the usage 'once in a blue moon', we did get to see some one-of-a-kind movies in Malayalam though. URUMI is one such. Spectacular movie. A sublime piece of film making. A movie worth watching. A cult classic. Everyone is just perfect. To me, Genelia is the true master-blaster in URUMI. Surprisingly, Prithviraj too has delivered such a wonderful performance. The King and his Nephew are two characters worth cherishing in this film, for their great comical acts. Nothing to say about Santhosh Sivan and Jagathy. Top notch. Superb script. Haunting music. In fact everything is just too good about this movie. My verdict, 10/10. Go and watch URUMI my dear Malayalam film fans......
This film covers a few chapters in Kerala history, including the first meeting between Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama and the Zamorin of Calicut. Historical characters, including Arakkal Beevi and Talappana Namboothiri, appear in supporting roles.
Then the story shifts to the Chirakkal principality, where a fictitious plot around Vasco Da Gama takes place.
The hero of Urumi is Chirakkal Kelu Nayanar, played by Prithviraj Sukumaran. It takes some time to get on board, but once Kelu meets Ayesha (Genelia D'Souza), the movie gains our emotional investment.
Sadly, the battle scenes do not live up to the struggle they go through together.
Good drama, though.
Then the story shifts to the Chirakkal principality, where a fictitious plot around Vasco Da Gama takes place.
The hero of Urumi is Chirakkal Kelu Nayanar, played by Prithviraj Sukumaran. It takes some time to get on board, but once Kelu meets Ayesha (Genelia D'Souza), the movie gains our emotional investment.
Sadly, the battle scenes do not live up to the struggle they go through together.
Good drama, though.
- nithin-dominic-koshy
- Oct 27, 2022
- Permalink
Well its one master camera-work film,that u seldom see in a mallu movie. You may fall in luv with each frame in the film, they are so beautifully taken! There was a nice storyline, and Santhosh Sivan was again gud in bringing a bit of theatricality to his characters. Prithviraj did his job very nice.He seemed to blend in with the character more. Aarya made an impact. Prabhudeva was also cool, except dat some of his tamil mixed malyalm didn't turn out well. The Girls lukd stunningly awesome, and that was a superb casting! Genelia had some serious problems with lip movements in dialogue delivery. The foreigners were more authentic than in PazhassiRaja, they gave a decent performance too.. Music blended with the film well,cheers to Deepak Dev. The Minute sounds were an attraction done by the Sound Recorder. Costumes were another speciality! The film seemed losing its pace at some occasion, but recovered soon. And, the part where the past blends with present leaves in our mind, something to think about. The last Scene was the most touching one..
Overall, this Visual Feast is a must see by a Mallu! I'll give it a 8/10
Overall, this Visual Feast is a must see by a Mallu! I'll give it a 8/10
- koolkovalan
- Jul 10, 2011
- Permalink
Santhosh Sivan has created magic again - superb making, excellent indigenous Indian script, awesome locations, and world-class camera actions (hats off to Santhosh Sivan again!!) To me this movie is really of international standards. While watching this, I felt all the same as I felt for Gladiator or Braveheart. I hope Santhosh Sivan will bag his sixth National Awards for Urumi.
Prithviraj gave a very brave performance; lack of his voice modulation (as stated by another reviewer here) rather correctly depicts the sternness of his character rather than being a turn down. I am a little bit disappointed with Prabhu Deva overall, though he has excelled in some sequences. And I fell in love with Genelia this time - this is thus far her best performance and she has outshone in this movie - watch it to believe it.
Overall, I enjoyed almost each and every frame of this movie and I recommend it highly.
Indians grow up and watch something way better than the regular Bollywood superhero masala movies.
Prithviraj gave a very brave performance; lack of his voice modulation (as stated by another reviewer here) rather correctly depicts the sternness of his character rather than being a turn down. I am a little bit disappointed with Prabhu Deva overall, though he has excelled in some sequences. And I fell in love with Genelia this time - this is thus far her best performance and she has outshone in this movie - watch it to believe it.
Overall, I enjoyed almost each and every frame of this movie and I recommend it highly.
Indians grow up and watch something way better than the regular Bollywood superhero masala movies.
I saw this movie and was not that thrilled as was anticipated. The story starts well but didn't carry the momentum. I felt that somewhere down the line the movie lost its way and there was no story telling feel to it. There was a sense of drag and towards the end I felt that the director wanted to just end the movie somehow. At least, the battle in the end should have been something to remember but fell short of even leaving an imprint. Overall the story lacked content and lacked a story telling feel to it.. Prabhu Deva and Jagathy gave a good performance and so did Genelia. The director was too busy glorifying Prithviraj that he forgot what the movie was about. I fail to understand what the hype was about!! Sorry to say that there was nothing great about this movie.
- fratboyluke
- May 2, 2011
- Permalink
Ek Yodha Shoorveer Review: Hi friends, In this exciting post, i am going to publish review of India's greatest adventure epic film Ek Yodha Shoorveer. Today, i have watched this film at Zee preview theater, Fun Republic. After press release, i entered in theater along with guest audiences and started to enjoy film. After watching this movie, i will have to say that Ek Yodha Shoorveer is one of the greatest film of Indian cinema. Plot of the film is from 16th century when the Portuguese sailors under Vasco d Gama (Robin Pratt) discovered India captured some lands of South India.
We should appreciate director Santosh Sivan for making this historical film in great way. He is also cinematographer of this film. Acting of Prithviraj, Genelia Dsouza and Prabhudeva are superb. Every characters are looking real. Genelia looks too pretty and showcased extra ordinary act. Acting of Amole Gupte in the role of Chirakkal Thampuran will attract audience and make laugh for some moment. Vidya Balan is looking gorgeous and hot in the role of Teacher Bhumi and Makkom receptively.
We should also appreciate the creative art direction team. They decorate every frame according to screenplay. Screenplay should be more better, but neglect it because No one can give 100%. You will love songs and item number of this film. At last i will say that don't miss Ek Yodha Shoorveer and go to your nearest theater.
By Arun K Singh
We should appreciate director Santosh Sivan for making this historical film in great way. He is also cinematographer of this film. Acting of Prithviraj, Genelia Dsouza and Prabhudeva are superb. Every characters are looking real. Genelia looks too pretty and showcased extra ordinary act. Acting of Amole Gupte in the role of Chirakkal Thampuran will attract audience and make laugh for some moment. Vidya Balan is looking gorgeous and hot in the role of Teacher Bhumi and Makkom receptively.
We should also appreciate the creative art direction team. They decorate every frame according to screenplay. Screenplay should be more better, but neglect it because No one can give 100%. You will love songs and item number of this film. At last i will say that don't miss Ek Yodha Shoorveer and go to your nearest theater.
By Arun K Singh
- vfxexpert9319
- Mar 9, 2016
- Permalink
I saw the movie Urumi (Malayalam) couple of weeks ago in my PC, courtesy Moserbaer Home Video. After watching the movie, I was very much impressed with the movie for various reasons. First, the director (Mr. Santosh Sivan) has mixed history and fiction in right proportion and has delivered the goods with clear narration. The story of man called Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer, and his intention in traveling to Malabar Coast were very well depicted. Second, casting of the movie by Mr. Sivan was perfect to T. There is no body as hero or heroine except the story. The plot of the story unveils the character as it progresses. Prithiviraj, as always, has done justice to his character except for the mundane voice he carries throughout the movie. The action sequences involving Prithviraj looks good except for climax fight which prolongs for a while. Prabhu Deva the actor as "Vaavali", Prithviraj's Muslim friend, is quite an revelation. Why does Tamil directors (he being multilingual director) didn't use his acting potential I don't understand. Prabhu done a neat job of his character. The special mention is the scenes involving him and Nithya Menen, which is of romantic-comedy genre. Genelia is another good cast of the movie. She depicting the character of Arakal Ayesha the Warrior Princess is nice. Congratulation for Genelia for boldly doing action sequences with great élan. The closeup shorts of Genelia looks ravishing and I really admired her. She looks innocent, brave, and sensuous (rather a unheard combination). Nithya Menen is the scene-stealer of the movie as she oozes seducing intonation for which everyone will definitely fall for (Nithya keep a watch on your weight as it may sideline you). Nithya is really a good-find for Mollywood as well as Indian cinema (she does act in all south Indian languages). Other supporting cast be it Vidya Balan (debuting in Malayalam), Jagathi Sreekumar, and Arya (latest heartthrob of Tamil cinema) all have done their role with full justice. (I don't no why Tabu came in for blink-and-miss scene, which you can even not call as cameo. Actor of her caliber can be given a more stronger role even if it is shorter.) Finally, the parallel narration by which he connects the past and the present is quite good and new for Indian cinema. Coming to Santosh Sivan, we know that he is a great cinematographer with great International acclaim. I have also seen is movie "Behind the Rains," which was good. I guarantee that Santosh Sivan is one director who can make a good, neat, sensible film with minimum budget (no pun intended) without compromising on technical aspects as well as on story. Urumi being a combined production of Prithviraj and August Cinemas (Sivan's production house) is an quality cinema which is engaging and entertaining and you know to learn about the history of modern India. Great and bold attempt. Keep the good work going!!!
- venkatramanancs
- May 12, 2011
- Permalink
I don't know why this movie didn't made a deserved box office at that time. Almost 11 years after i watched this movie, after this bahubali, mamangam, marakkar have been released but i don't know why i m more impressed with this movie. Excellent visuals,strong casting (except few), excellent character development, and songs n bgm.. Top notch. Absolutely a worth watching cinematic experience, a good craft even with those limited conditions they made one of the best historical movie. Love it.
- alanlukose
- Mar 6, 2022
- Permalink
- anupviswanath
- May 8, 2011
- Permalink
- ranjit-n76
- Jul 22, 2013
- Permalink
Santhosh Sivan has always awed the audience with his fantastic camera work and great songs. Urumi also offers the viewers a visual treat. It is backed up by a wonderful story line which is a fantasy mixed with action and drama. Prithviraj proves why he is highly regarded in the Malayalam Movie industry as a good actor. His roles as a to be pauper and the patriotic but revengeful rebel has been portrayed with great vigor and talent. Prabhu Deva provides the comic effect as well as some nice moves. I personally felt Genelia to be underused but she does justice to her role. Jagathy as the villainous minister is excellent. Nithya Menon looks cute and awesome and really sizzles on screen.
The camera work is typical of Santhosh Sivan. Great angle shots, nice precision shots. There's a shot of an awesome water fall, don't know the location. But the shot is just breath taking. In one fighting scene if you look closer and pay attention, you could see a dragon fly buzz in front of the camera with great clarity.
I generally thought that there could have been some more action sequences.
Overall 8 out of 10
The camera work is typical of Santhosh Sivan. Great angle shots, nice precision shots. There's a shot of an awesome water fall, don't know the location. But the shot is just breath taking. In one fighting scene if you look closer and pay attention, you could see a dragon fly buzz in front of the camera with great clarity.
I generally thought that there could have been some more action sequences.
Overall 8 out of 10
- dineshvasudevan2003
- Apr 2, 2011
- Permalink
After watching Urumi for over 2 and a half hours,I wondered how can anyone sit through this film?? Eeeeee!
The plot,set in the past and the present,is simply ridiculous. Story is about an ancient warrior who goes to fight against Vasco Da Gama who comes to India to rule.
The music is noisy,choreography is wild. There are unnecessary dance sequences that keep coming up when there are not needed,unimpressive dialogs,and what else?? Maybe some stunts,but that alone does not make a good film.
It is simply a waste of time and not worth watching. I don't think historical films will do well nowadays
The plot,set in the past and the present,is simply ridiculous. Story is about an ancient warrior who goes to fight against Vasco Da Gama who comes to India to rule.
The music is noisy,choreography is wild. There are unnecessary dance sequences that keep coming up when there are not needed,unimpressive dialogs,and what else?? Maybe some stunts,but that alone does not make a good film.
It is simply a waste of time and not worth watching. I don't think historical films will do well nowadays
- varghesejunior
- Feb 27, 2013
- Permalink
30 July 2019.
This movie could have been epic. But the movie was all about visuals and they failed with the script. Two songs (Vadakku Vadakku and Chalanam Chalanam) could've been avoided. It would've saved so much time. Even though I'm a big fan of Prithviraj, he disappointed me in this movie. They are depicting a character who lived centuries ago. But the body is clearly made in the Gym. He walks around with no expression. His dialogue delivery was too bad and it felt unrealistic. There's too much slow-mo in the movie. It kills the fight sequences and the pace of the movie. Loved Genelia's action sequences. I have to say, casting is the worst part of this movie. They are all great artists. But they are not from Kerala. The language barrier kills the beauty of their acting. Especially Prabhu Deva. His dialogues were annoying rather than funny. The film makers probably wanted to release this all over India, so they had to go for such a cast.
Pros: Cinematography, Songs(except 2 mentioned above), Genelia, Jagathy Sreekumar, Genelia's action sequences, Locations, Art Direction.
Cons: Bad script, Bad action, Too much Slow-Mo, Prithviraj, Casting.
Edit: So, people have been saying Urumi is one of the most underrated movies in Malayalam. So I watched it again to see what did I miss. It still disappoints me. I actually liked the first half more than I used to though. It's the action sequences and slow-mo which annoys me. Too much slow-mo ruins the whole thing. Take action scenes in Anandhabhadram. There you can see the right use of slow-mo. It's only used when Digambaran jumps. SO that's it. Urumi's first half is almost excellent. The second half ruins the experience, along with all the cons mentioned above.
Pros: Cinematography, Songs(except 2 mentioned above), Genelia, Jagathy Sreekumar, Genelia's action sequences, Locations, Art Direction.
Cons: Bad script, Bad action, Too much Slow-Mo, Prithviraj, Casting.
Edit: So, people have been saying Urumi is one of the most underrated movies in Malayalam. So I watched it again to see what did I miss. It still disappoints me. I actually liked the first half more than I used to though. It's the action sequences and slow-mo which annoys me. Too much slow-mo ruins the whole thing. Take action scenes in Anandhabhadram. There you can see the right use of slow-mo. It's only used when Digambaran jumps. SO that's it. Urumi's first half is almost excellent. The second half ruins the experience, along with all the cons mentioned above.