This movie is a historical biopic. Since I don't really know about this historic character, I will just review the movie as a story, though I understand it will be limiting and not really do full justice to the movie.
It's the story of a prince who stood against the Britishers to save parts of modern day Kerala from their enslavement. To defend Kottayam and surrounding areas against Tipu Sultan, Pazhassiraja joins army with Britishers while his fellow kings run away. After the victory, britishers levy ncreasingly higher taxes in farmers resulting in social uproar. the taxman appointed by Britishers is a former aide of Pazhassiraja and he (Chandu) commits atrocities under Pazhassiraja's name. Britishers attack Pazhassiraja's palace, seize his property and wealth forcing him to run away.
Pazhassiraja along with his trusted army chief starts gathering army to fight against the britishers. He is joined by the tribal chief and his wife along with their armies. The rest of the movie is Pazhassiraja's resistance against Britishers and Chandu's evil plans to defeat him.
While I am not a great fan of period movies, I must say that this movie is quite commendable. Remember Jodha Akbar with super ornate and glamorous sets, melodrama by everyone at the drop of a hat - this movie is exact opposite. Extremely simple and realistic sets depicting the era.And of course Mammoottywith his superb performance. With every movie that I watch, I realize the finesse with which Mammootty acts. Rest of the cast is also good except maybe for the actors playing the Englishmen. They are slightly clueless and abrupt.
Slightly slow, but then it is expected of a period movie. It is M T Vasudevan Nair's script and thus worth watching just for that.
Even if you dont know this part of history, it is worth a watch and I would say that bollywood contemporaries can definitely take a page or two (actually the whole book with a version for dummies) from Hariharan (Director) and the rest of the crew on how to make period movies.
The DVD is available with subtitles with MoserBaer - Kerala Varma Pazhassiraja
Do Watch.
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