Manjadikuru

This is a coming-of-age story starring Master Sidharth and Rahman in key roles.

Prithviraj Sukumaran as the Sutradhar also plays a key role.

The film revolves around the experiences of a young Vicky who - when visiting his ancestral home upon the death of his Muthachhan - is exposed to various facets of relationships.

The character sketches are very well written and relatable. No one is completely good. And no one is completely bad. And despite knowing right from wrong, no adult is able to stick to it. And even though doing what is right, inexperience has the better of the young children - at a heavy price.

Even with so many stories woven into one - most of them depicted only to the extent needed and to get the full context of the character, ending in an inevitable tragic developement of events - the ending is heart warmingly happy.

Rahman as the "wronged" son - who then does a wrong to earn respect from his father - shines in a restrained performance. His last scene where he blesses young Vicky, eyes welled up speak of his untold grief at how things have ended up. A scene that will definitely choke you.

Do not miss this film by writer-director Anjali Menon, definitely her best!

It is rather baffling why such a wonderful work of art would not be allowed to be enjoyed by the viewers for a long time after its creation. Because that's what Manjadikuru is: a genuinely enjoyable, memorable and poignant movie. Anjali Menon has proved what a true film director she is. Because good movies are always the products of good directors. All the others come later. It was so reassuring to have watched this film in theatre after all the fatigue and frustration one normally endures as a result of watching circus that some misguided filmmakers dare to call a feature film. The storyline of Manjadikuru is something anybody can connect to; in fact, I think even the non-Malayalis would appreciate this beautiful film. The performances by the seasoned actors- Murali, Urvasi, Kaviyur Ponnamma, Rahman, Jagathy etc. are superlative. Thilakan imposes his presence like no other, even if he doesn't have a single line to utter. The children virtually steal the show from the seniors. In the end, the emotional flow of the movie did manage to bring a smile on one's face as well as a lump in one's throat. Ms. Menon, Thank you.

Anjali Menon tries to see a lot of goodness around us which are otherwise left unnoticed. Her close observation of a typical Kerala society is beautifully manifested in the film. She could portray shades of relationships in a single family impressively. The perspective she selected to tell the story(that of children at a funeral) is interesting. I always wondered what goes in the mind of the 'happy' children at a funeral where the elders are sad or pretending to be sad and serious. The special care she took to unveil the plight of women characters is outstanding. The film is able to make the audience think with its mild satire of the life around us.

Anjali Menon has pictured innocently and beautifully the life in Kerala, 20 decades back. The kids demonstrated the life in their grandfather's house, where all their parents have assembled for the Grandpa's funeral. The story revolves around the incidents happening in house, the relationships, the changes happening, and all these through the eyes of the kids. The kids namely Vikki, Kannan, Archakkutty and Roja ran around in that huge house and its premises. Vikki who came from abroad found everything with a sense of amusement. Kannan and Archa who lived in the house, at first could not accept Vikki. Vikki's mom hated him, playing with those kids, especially with Roja, the 12 year Tamil girl who was a servant in their house. But quickly they became thick friends. They played around, roamed around in the premises, Vikki learned swimming, and many more. They plan to save Roja from the torture of the adults and help her to escape to her home town. They see the relation ship among their parents, the siblings developing as they live together. They dream of a world without any boundaries, where there is only love and care. Where no one hate one another.

You can read more, in the following link

http://shaheerka.blogspot.in/2012/06/blog-post.html

I was surprised when I heard that its Anjali Menon's debut film. It was a great professional work, the script and the direction. hats off. The film made everyone in the theater sit an watch it in a sync. All laughed together, smiled together, clapped together and even the tears were shed together.

A great work indeed from the director, the cast and the whole team. We expect more such movies in Malayalam.

Light hearted movie with lots of human emotions . Performances of the cast is really good .The important aspect of the movie is it takes you to a ride through your childhood and makes nostalgic .Watch it this movie won't dissapoints you .