Kallan Pavithran (1981) User Reviews

A Black rustic comedy from Padmarajan!!

[sreenathansaber · 8/10 · 25 March 2014]

Kallan Pavithran is Padmarajan at his best.

It is a black comedy/satire featuring some of the best Malayalam actors ever- Nedumudi Venu(Kallan Pavithran), Bharath Gopi(Mamachan)and Adoor Bhasi. Pavithran is a clever and cunning village thief who earns livelihood with some petty thefts and tricks. Gopi,who plays Mamachan, a local flour mill owner, is Pavithran's friend turned foe. Pavithran's life changes when he meets a rich metal trader(Adoor Bhasi)and his life takes an unexpected turn.

The innocence, clumsiness and gullibility of the villagers are deeply explored in the film. Backed by a strong script from the director himself, the film is replete with scathing irony and incidents of rustic simplicity. Nedumudi Venu and Gopi complement each other throughout the movie as two bitter rivals with their genuineness of expression.The movie meets a dramatic end and culminates in a message from the director.

Definitely a collector's piece!! 8 stars..

Molecule Review: Kallan Pavithran / Passable Suspense Drama / 6 Stars

[nairtejas · 6/10 · 22 April 2020]

The best element of Kallan Pavithran (Pavithran the Thief) is the suspense that it manages to keep intact till the last minute just before the trademark moral of the story appears. In the drama, Nedumudi Venu plays the titular character whose clandestine meeting with a merchant upends his life forever. The story then revolves around his actions as he gets involved with a woman despite having two wives and three children. The village setting adds shades to writer-director Padmarajan's extraordinary story that also talks about polygamy in the 1970s and menace of thievery in remote parts of Kerala. Comedy is promised but there is hardly any in Kallan Pavithran which aches along in the middle with possible potshots at the ways of life of rich moguls in small villages. Venu is terrific, and is amply supported by Bharat Gopy, Dhanya, Adoor Bhasi, and Subhashini.

A cult classic for its content, Kallan Pavithran is essential watch despite its inability to excite you. TN.