Udayananu Tharam

One of the best movies of Mohanlal I have seen recently after Aaram Thampuran. Mohanlal plays the role of Udayabhaanu,a struggling assistant director trying to make it big in the cine world. Sreenivaasan plays the role of Rajappan aka Saroj Kumar,a superstar, who made it to the top by cheating Udayabhaanu. The story is about how Udayabhaanu makes Saroj Kumar act in his film, that too unknowingly. The climax is a novelty in Malayalam movie history.

Mohanlal enacts the role of Udayabhaanu splendidly and maturely, without overdoing it. He is able to bring about the frustrations of a person who is not able to fulfill his dreams. Sreenivaasan brings in the humour in the film, enacting the role of a superstar which he becomes by stealing the script of his friend. Jagathy also has done a neat job in the film.

What could have been an ordinary film has been made special by a débutante director Roshan Andrews. The script is also a strong point of the film,created by Sreenivaasan himself. This is an entertainer in all sense.

One of the best Malayalam movies of recent times and in my opinion along with Blessy's two films (Kaazcha and Thanmathra) the turning point for Malayalam movies. Just when one was beginning to despair for the Malayalam film industry for lack of content and substance these films came along and revived the glory days.

Mohanlal has essayed a complex character with élan(as usual) and not hesitated in taking potshots at all top stars but most of all at himself. Sreeni has worked his magic not only as the unethical wannabe super star but also through a brilliant script. The support cast is also very good with the inimitable Jagathi Sreekumar leading the way. The 'navaras' scene with Sreeni is side-splitting.

But most of all what enthralls is the mind-blowing climax - absolutely brilliant and reveals the immeasurable talents of the newcomer director Roshan Andrews.

Udayananu Tharam is the best entertainer to come out in Malayalam in the past few years. Mohanlal underplays himself to bring out an excellent performance as a struggling assistant director Udayabhanu. Sreenivasan and Jagathy mainly contribute to the comic aspects of the movie. Sreenivasan, who wrote the script, hasn't spared any leading actor in the industry without being made fun of. Of course Sreeni is well-known for his satire type screenplays which he usually comes-up with. But this time the treatment itself is quite different. Debutant director Roshan Andrews will be making it big in the industry for sure.

All in all, an excellent clean entertainer with no third rate comedy and adult oriented jokes.

The movie shows glimpses of the magic that happens when Mohanlal and Srinivasan get together. My opinion is that they have been more entertaining in the past, but this movie is a rare treat in recent times. Srinivasan's son gets to sing a good song, that has become a hit. It brings back memories of the old songs, and Srinivasan is hilarious in the sequences. Mohanlal has a fairly serious role, not given to antics as in the past. Jagathy Sreekumar is watchable, and as usual, given to over acting. He is an actor with great talent, and I wonder why he has to continue to use the cheaper gimmicks to exhibit "comedy". Meena is adequate as the romantic fluff.

Altogether a watchable movie, worth the money.

Movie is about the Indian cinema. Both Mohanlal and Srinivasan at their best. Movie has got an awesome story line,it shows ups and downs faced by movie artists to get a good movie into the big screens. Some comedy scenes were so good that i fell off the chair laughing and trust me,i laugh every time i watch it again. Srinivasan has once again proved that humor can make a movie brilliant. With a very good script,this movie provides a very good mix of the comedy, the struggles,a mans sorrow becoming others joy,all these elements have been shown with a lot a grace. The movie has a message,it says that hard work pays no matter how long it takes and that cheating someone is cheating yourself someday you will come to know. The movie is a complete package making it an exceptional movie,its something i would love to keeping a collection of memorable movies i have seen.