It seems like Malayalam directors bring out their best if the story is based in Cochin. A few movies are Big B, Chotta Mumbai, Best Actor, etc and now Nayakan. Lijo did a marvelous job directing, being his first film. The cast was great too. It seemed very different from the usual Malayalam films. The opening credits looked like the new beginning for Malayalam movies where there credits art looked right off a comic book and the brilliant work from Prashant Pillai with back ground scoring & music. The person who played the dirty cop with his Cochi slang was fun to watch. Siddique proves time & again that given any role there couldn't be anyone who could have done it better. Dhanya Mary can definitely bring out any emotions with her face and the is great talent(like Jagathi says the 'navarasangal'; she is good with that). Thilagan & Jagathi too did a good job. Indrajith was on a league of his own with this movie. If Mammootty is remembered for his role in The King & Mohanlal for his role as Mangalashairee Neelakandan; then this will be one of the movies Indrajith will be remember by the Malayalam audience for years to come. The only minor setback, not that it ruined the movie in any way was that the movie had slight similarities with certain Hollywood movies(and again I'm not taking anything away from this movie or Lijo's direction). I would say Malayalam industry has got itself a Robert Rodriguez/Quentin Tarantino style movie maker & Lijo is a director whose movies are definitely to look out for.
4 Reviews
Nayanakan
nashh133 April 2010
Its quite good. Stands out from the recent releases in being more experimental in nature. Its basically a revenge drama. The structuring of the story into Purappadu, Kalikkai, Thodayam, Attam and Kalasham(of Kathakali) accompanied by usage of flashbacks is quite a novel thing in Malayalam Cinema. Indrajith, who plays a Kathakali artist in the film, has given an electrifying performance. Thilakan, as always has done well and his character has similarities to The Godfather. Siddique has the scary looks but did overact at some points in the movie. The movie is intensely polished, well toned and paced, with excellent cinematography. The climax disappoints us which is nothing more than a physical showdown b/w the hero and the villain.
Pellissery's Masterpiece!
riksalot-981-98999520 February 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Lijo Jose Pellissery's Nayakan is an overlooked gem. Even though it fared considerably well in theaters, it did not get the recognition it deserved.
The story follows Varadhan-unni (Indrajit) on a journey through the slums of Kochi to extract revenge on the people who took away everything he had. To reach his goal he allies himself with Vincent Karnavar (Thilakan) and his company of loyal small time thugs who offer a helping hand to Varadhan unni to bring down a common foe.
Even with a clichéd plot like this, the film makers have succeeded in making a genuinely enjoyable film by masterfully mixing Kathakali references with the grim backdrop of the Kochi underworld. Add stunning camera-work and excellent editing to this and result is truly remarkable.
Indrajit, Thilakan and the other actors have done exceptionally well with the characters assigned to them. Lalu Alex plays an investigating police officer and along with his assisstant, has done justice to the character. Special mention here to the character of Varadhan-unni's uncle played by Jagathy Sreekumar. As always, he was simply brilliant.
****spoiler here**** One of my very few beefs with the movie is that I couldn't bear with Siddhique's acting in the second half. Every time he repeats the last word of his line in that horrible accent of his, I felt like killing myself. It just ruined it for me. ****end of spoiler****
Throughout the movie I couldn't help myself but wonder if Lijo Jose Pellissery was an avid Quentin Tarantino fan. From the named chapter-wise story telling to the somewhat non-linear progression; everything was like one big tribute to Trantino.The first scene of the movie was clearly a reference to scene in the car from Reservoir Dogs. I knew from that moment on that this is gonna be a helluva movie. And right I was.
One thing's for sure, young Mr. Pellissery is what the industry needs right now. Someone who experiments with new things and breaks from conventional methods and stereotype themes.
This movie just nearly missed a full score mainly because of Siddique's over acting. Sure he's a good actor and his casting for this role is just perfect, but if only he had spent more time trying to fit into the character... and maybe even try getting a decent accent for this ONE FILM... *sigh* The other problem I have with the movie is the final fight scene. It's good in it's own rights but the movie clearly could have have ended better.
My Rating: 9 on 10
The story follows Varadhan-unni (Indrajit) on a journey through the slums of Kochi to extract revenge on the people who took away everything he had. To reach his goal he allies himself with Vincent Karnavar (Thilakan) and his company of loyal small time thugs who offer a helping hand to Varadhan unni to bring down a common foe.
Even with a clichéd plot like this, the film makers have succeeded in making a genuinely enjoyable film by masterfully mixing Kathakali references with the grim backdrop of the Kochi underworld. Add stunning camera-work and excellent editing to this and result is truly remarkable.
Indrajit, Thilakan and the other actors have done exceptionally well with the characters assigned to them. Lalu Alex plays an investigating police officer and along with his assisstant, has done justice to the character. Special mention here to the character of Varadhan-unni's uncle played by Jagathy Sreekumar. As always, he was simply brilliant.
****spoiler here**** One of my very few beefs with the movie is that I couldn't bear with Siddhique's acting in the second half. Every time he repeats the last word of his line in that horrible accent of his, I felt like killing myself. It just ruined it for me. ****end of spoiler****
Throughout the movie I couldn't help myself but wonder if Lijo Jose Pellissery was an avid Quentin Tarantino fan. From the named chapter-wise story telling to the somewhat non-linear progression; everything was like one big tribute to Trantino.The first scene of the movie was clearly a reference to scene in the car from Reservoir Dogs. I knew from that moment on that this is gonna be a helluva movie. And right I was.
One thing's for sure, young Mr. Pellissery is what the industry needs right now. Someone who experiments with new things and breaks from conventional methods and stereotype themes.
This movie just nearly missed a full score mainly because of Siddique's over acting. Sure he's a good actor and his casting for this role is just perfect, but if only he had spent more time trying to fit into the character... and maybe even try getting a decent accent for this ONE FILM... *sigh* The other problem I have with the movie is the final fight scene. It's good in it's own rights but the movie clearly could have have ended better.
My Rating: 9 on 10
Excellent
kominbhai22 June 2010
One of the best movies in recent Malayalam cinema (which is not saying much), Nayakan is a blacker than black revenge drama with exceptional production values. The ensemble cast are all top-notch with Indrajit standing out as the 'Nayakan' with a brilliant performance. It is sad he is yet to be noticed by the mainstream crowd even though more talented than his star brother, Prithviraj. Although one can argue about the strength of the script, it is Lijo Jose Pellisery's innovative direction that makes this one the winner it is. Cinematography by VTV fame Manoj Paramahamsa oozes atmosphere in each frame sucking you in this world which is strangely realistic and surreal at the same time. Combine all the above factors with an excellent BGM, crisp editing and well choreographed fights, you've a treat in your hands. Nayakan is a movie to be watched by anyone who loves Malayalam movies or any movie, for that matter.
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