Blue Skies, Green Waters, Red Earth

Neelakasham Pachakkadal Chuvanna Bhoomi (Malayalam):After the critically acclaimed "Chappa Kurish", director Sameer Thahir comes up with 2 and half hour Discovery Channel travelogue film, which has the shades of films like "Aranyer Din Ratri", "Dil Chahta Hai", "Rang De Basanti", "3 Idiots" & "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara". Despite the flashback track which is draggy, yet well unfolds the cause of the film's travel, the film has contemporary issues based strokes like the Naxalism, Communal Violence,etc. The film has a good layered screenplay by Hashir Mohammad with beautiful moments and warming dialogues. Editing by Srikar Prasad is as usual great where his editing the motif based shots actually makes the film travel smoothly. Sound Design and Production Design work is brilliant, but the cinematography by Girish Gangadharan captures the best of the journeys as well as the travellers. Music score by Rex Vijayan is actually compliments the film's journey. Now coming to performances, apart from the brilliant supporting cast, Dhritimaan Chatterjee is actually riveting and his moments with the protagonist played by Dulquer Salmaan actually make you remind of the latter's chemistry with Thilakan in the 2012 masterpiece "Ustad Hotel". Sunny Wayne is great and Dulquer Salman is absolutely great and he leaves no room for flaws in his performance where his Hindi speaking Charms you. Overall, despite the draggy flashback track, the narration by Thahir is loaded with great moments, visuals and aesthetics as well. My rating would be:4/5.

This mesmerizing journey through the dusty roads of India by Kasi and Suni could very much influence your life.

It may make you a roadie, for scenic beauty and road experiences Kasi and Suni encounter.

It may make you a rebel, gives you a new perspective about life, death and love.

It could inspire you to get what you want, love, life or the pursuit of happiness.

This isn't a movie. Its an experience through the roads of India you wont regret

I entered the theater with a stereotype I had for modern Malayalam movies. Twenty minutes into the screenplay, the stereotype died.

Starting off with a fantastic camaraderie between the two lead hunks, the strong story begins unfolding itself through different places. I am mesmerized by the photography & locations (six different Indian states? Wow!). While the direction & cinematography actually pulls you inside the plot, the powerful soundtrack & score makes you enjoy the narrative. Songs are melodious and apt for the sequences they are played on. Editing could've been better. Talking about the intricacies of life, NPCB relates with its viewers with a wide range of life values like love, romance, family, hatred, travel, nature, etc.; issues - religion, language, politics & genres - action, romance, comedy & drama. The relevance of the script with current issues & time is both immense & dumb at the same time, but it easily passable.

It's a relief it isn't a melodrama. Humor is lukewarm, but the timing is thoroughly executed. Exhibiting so many ideas & beliefs on their journey, the lead pair magnify the meaning of life. Although, the climax seemed unfinished & the plot switches off with at least 2-3 unanswered questions. Maybe it was voluntarily done, because the plot was demanding more time; 150 minutes already! Let me tell you, it doesn't go monotonous.

Dulquer Salman is very serious about his portrayal and Sunny Wayne is the comic guy. Both are apt for the roles. The women in here portray amazingly and do their parts exceptionally well. Supporting cast is good as well. Only, some sequences seemed as if they were cooked up, but the audience is ready to overlook it if the table is full of food. Yes?

BOTTOM LINE: No cheap jokes, no obscenity and non-linear screenplay! I was greatly entertained & that is what a movie should be like. One more time, after Neram previously this year, Malayalam Cinema touches new heights. 8.4/10 for Sameer Thahir & crew. Highly Recommended because it inspires to live!

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

Profanity: Very Mild | Nudity: Very Mild | Sex/Foreplay: No | Mouth- Kiss: No | Violence: Strong | Gore: Mild | Alcohol: Mild | Smoking: Strong | Drugs: No | Porn: No

A really good movie from Sameer C Thahir. Its a journey, a journey we dearly wish we were present. Really awesome visuals, awesome casting and good acting. stunning Background score and music (kudos to Rex Vijayan ) and bunch of beautiful girls for a real eye candy, (as if the DOP wasn't enough). A must watch for everyone who can appreciate good movies. Shows how pathetic the rest of the movies that claims to be NEW GEN. There is everything you want in it, good music, romance and the fun moments courtesy of Sunny Wayn who has made another brilliant performance. Some people might find the climax of the movie inadequate. A movie that should strictly be watched in a theater to enjoy the visuals. I would definitely watch it again. This movie makes you want to ditch your comfort of a car and get a frigging Bullet.

Its not just a joyous journey, its not any kind of normal trip, they are not seeking for "Music, Babes or Waves", they are on a purpose, and Sameer Tahir helps not only Kasi and Suni reach their purpose with some lessons, not only to them but also to us, the audience, to get inspired. and it also makes you experience the wonderful locations of our India just few days before Independence Day. Although that wasn't his intentions.

Its about two close friends, Kasi and Suni, going on a road trip in their Bullet from Kerala to Nagaland, with purpose of peace, motivation and Love. They meet different people, learn lot of things, but the question is whether they reach their aim..? Whether they find what came seeking all the way from Kerala..? Find it out with this inspirational journey under the Blue Sky..!!

Main credit goes to Sameer, Gireesh Gangadharan and Rex Vijayan for their perfect combination in making this as a perfect art on celluloid. Camera work by Gireesh in capturing beautiful locations from Kerala, Puri, Bamanghata (WB) and Nagaland.

Background music is perfect when the pleasant long rides, intense mugging and communal violence scenes and the romantic moments.

As we know, without a perfect direction, there is no perfect performances. And with that saying, we can say Sameer done his job right way as we see everyone performing perfectly (The main characters). As we know taking professional actors all the way in the road trip is a bit difficult job, here Sameer handles the amateur actors well who we meet in this journey.

As others in the movie, Dulquer Salmaan and Sunny Wayne bring about perfect combination of the previous Second Show even here. The close friends express, feel and value their friendship and make a strong bond as the journey goes on. Dulquer as usual at his best, he always been a wonderful actor in spite of looking best on screen. Sunny is a bit low on expression in some screens, still he done a Well-Done job. Dhritiman Chatterjee, a Bengali actor, in a small but a strong role, done his job to remain in our minds as we remember about the movie. Surja Bala Hijam and Ena Saha done their job up to the mark, there are still a part of amateur-ism we can sense in them.

There are some loopholes in the screenplay and story, some untold questions rise when we see the end credits coming. Like What happens to the Shyam's Killer whom Suni meets in an accident? What happens to Suni's love? and such few questions rises.

There are some inspirational messages to youth regarding family, love and life. This movie is not for the masses or families seeking entertainment with Masala. Its strictly for new generation youths and especially for those who love to roam and go on long trips.

On the whole its a visually beautifully captured art in celluloid trying to tell a Romantic Tale, with lots of inspirational messages. Its must watch for young couples and Road Trip lovers.

Go and experience this Lovely ride Under the Blue Sky, By the side of Green Sea, On the Red land.

Check my more reviews at my blog http://secondclassmatinee.wordpress.com/