Nair Pidicha Pulival

Among the first movies made in india to highlight the conditions of circus performers years for me also to remember late mom participated in kerala kalolstavam this year second years since it started guess started in 56 or 57

This is a Malayalam language film starring Sathyan and GK Pillai. The film title and story have been built off a slang which literally implies "holding a tiger by its tail". Implying trapping yourself into a situation which you can't wriggle out of.

The film theme and story is innovatively built around a circus that comes to a village and are forced to leave behind their animals with the restaurant owner who was feeding them since they are unable to pay their debts. There is humour and romance built around this plot. Formula entertainer with a happy ending.

While the script and characters are made to look otherwise, if you consider the situation objectively you would think the circus owners are the bad guys and the guy who helps out expecting to be married to the daughter is actually the good guy. Just consider how neither the lover nor the circus folks even help with a bit of money while leaving the already indebted restaurant owner is left to feed even the animals now! No wonder then he has to fall into the whims and demands of those helping him out in this situation.

The hallmark of the film though are the performances. Be it by the protagonist - the heroine's father played by TS Muthaiah, Pankajavalli playing the heroine's mother, circus manager played by TN Gopinathan, the circus clowns played by Bahadur and SP Pillai, the spurned lover and of course Sathyan is in his usual great form. All of them are clearly seasoned performers, emotive and well rehearsed into their roles.

GK Pillai steals the show though playing the villain. Excellent acting, expressions, getting into the skin of the character, persona and dialogue delivery. Watch it for him!