I have been a little disillusioned with movies in the recent
times. Nothing worthwhile to watch... I mean every time I switch on the TV, I can
just somehow manage to watch a record breaking ten minutes of “Chennai Express”
before I switch the channel and that is the biggest hit of the year. And so while
I have all the time in the world yet no will to watch any movie.
So after long I picked up this Mammootty movie and I must
say it was an excellent movie to watch. There is no one like Ranjith to take
the simplest of tales (he does that to complex ones as well ;)) and transform
them into a story which tugs all you the strings of your heart, Nandanam being
a classic example.
But not to divert - Pranchiyettan & the Saint is a
beautiful tale of an uneducated, highly successful businessman with a golden
heart. His only wish is that people should look at him with the same respect as
they would give to an educated person. Even though he donates to all kinds of
causes, he never gets the social status he so desires. He tries all tactics
from running for presidency of a local club to donating to political parties
and temple festivals but most outrageous of all, tries to buy Padma Sri for
himself as he is conned into thinking, it is up for sale - all with hilarious outcomes.
Then enter Padmashri (Priyamani) and a boy who is failing in
exams and with a tragic life and everything changes.
While the story might seem ordinary, what makes this story
extraordinary is superlative acting of Mammootty and beautiful direction by
Ranjith.
The movie has its comic moments and is very light hearted
but still keeps you glued to the screen. I personally don’t think great stories
or movies have to be necessarily complex tales with tragedy and complex
emotions. Some of the best movies are simplest characters played honestly and
the most mundane of tales told well.
Mammotty is par excellence and great storytelling by Ranjith.
Do Watch.
