Kuruthi movie review: Wondering whether to watch Prithviraj's film 'Kuruthi'?
This must-watch thriller has one hero - Mammukoya! Malayali's favourite 'Gafoor Ka Dost' who remains immortalised through Mohanlal-Sreenivasan starrer 'Nadodikattu'. Just a year ago, I had read his memoirs in Malayalam and loved it so much, I couriered it to my father, who enjoyed reading the lesser known life of an amazing character actor we are blessed to have in Malayalam cinema - yes, the one and the only Mammukoya! Okay, so let's dive into the film and why I really found it gripping.
Kuruthi Malayalam Movie review: A Gripping Thriller
Now coming back to Manu Warrier's directorial debut 'Kuruthi', this is a brilliant socio-political thriller that probes the depths of 'intolerance' without taking sides.
Kuruthi Movie Review: Story
When a Hindu boy is taken into custody over the death of a devout old Muslim man, he becomes a target for the old man's son and friends who vow to kill and take revenge. The unrepentant boy, along with the cop called 'Sathyan' (starring Murali Gopy) who takes him into custody, find refuge in the home of a devout Muslim family who take a holy oath to protect his life at any cost. The head of the home (starring Mamukkoya) and his son (starring Roshan Mathew) and Suma (starring Srindaa) , their Hindu neighbour who cooks and brings them meals, are caught in the web of deceit and intolerance between people who claim to be defending their respective faith systems.
Will the Muslim family be able to keep their promise of protection to a Hindu boy when confronted with an issue that deeply relates to their own faith?
This lies at the heart of the story that is deeply disturbing and gripping.
Kuruthi Movie: What to watch, what not to watch
Characters run the story, their anger and hatred spill over into their relationships, paving the way for tension as taut as an electric wire to grip your senses as you watch the story unfold.
Pitting two faiths within the space of a humble home is not an easy narrative to pull off. Subtle performances deliver a powerful impact on the audience, which is where Murali Gopy as a cop and Roshan Mathews, as Ibru, deliver their best.
Who really is the hero of 'Kuruthi'?
Is it 'Laiq' as Prithviraj seems to hint in his interview with Anupama Chopra?
While Prithivraj Sukumaran does the role of 'Laiq', it is his performance that emerges as the weakest link in the entire film; automated smirks, in my view, do not an actor make. In my view, Prithviraj's acting in 'Kuruthi' is as robotic as his wooden expressions.
In 'Kuruthi', Prithviraj is not only the producer but he is also playing the role of a negative character - Laiq. While many reviewers have praised his 'gutsy' choice, I disagree for one simple reason - Prithviraj shows no emotions as 'Laiq'.
Where is the rage of a man whose devout father has been found dead?
Why is there no raw emotion and why does his voice not even hold a quiver or a tremor as hatred for a young boy's involvement in his father's death grips him with fury?
Laiq, thanks to Prithviraj's portrayal, shows no emotions, only dialogues that fall flat and take the fizz out of the thriller.
From scene to scene, 'Laiq' is so robot-like that I had to remind myself, "This is actually Prithviraj!".
Kuruthi Movie Review: Roshan Mathew is brilliant as Ibru
Roshan Mathew, who is emerging as a fine actor with every film, and in this particular thriller, brings to life the sensitive and compassionate side of a Muslim man who is confronted with forces beyond his control and choices that blur the lines between life and death. His feelings for his neighbour - Suma - show his vulnerability even as he tells her that he wants the two of them to do what is right, and she retorts that he has committed himself to religion, not their relationship.
Ibru's bouts of silence can be mistaken as his weakness. In my view, this is a layered facet of Ibru's sensitivity to respecting the boundaries of faith. He knows that in his present state of mind, he is in no condition to oppose a strong and powerful institution of faith by choosing to marry a Hindu widow.
Ibru's deep sensitivity, we realise, as the film progresses into darker arguments about "Us" and "Them", becomes his strength when confronted with a situation beyond his control.
Kuruthi Movie Review: Powerful portrayal by Srindaa, Shine Tom Chacko
The solo female lead in 'Kuruthi' is played brilliantly by Srindaa. From voice modulation to body language, she brings to life a seemingly predictable woman who has taken sufferings in her stride and yet found the courage to love fearlessly. However, at times, one sensed that her sense of timing was slightly off. Strikingly, Srindaa delivers the biggest surprise in the second half of the film - she is not the predictable neighbour at all!
Her dialogue delivery and body language are impeccable in bringing the complex nuances of Suma's identity to life and in the choices she makes as the story turns more complex.
From subtle rage to masterful pretence and deceit, Shine Tom Chacko, in every film, has something new to add into the DNA of his character roles. His expressions leave you wondering what he is thinking because you know there is more to this guy than he is letting you know. In crucial moments, the character he portrays intervenes as a diplomat between Ibru and Laiq, which he masterfully pulls off.
Kuruthu Movie Review: Why watch Kuruthi?
In totality, 'Kuruthi' offers a brilliant portrayal at interfaith conflicts and faultlines that are messing up human relationships to the extent that is shown through the character of 'Ibru' who is forced under circumstances to make a choice between what the religion prescribes as 'right' and what his conscience prescribes as 'right'.
Kuruthi's most striking aspect is Mammukoya's finest acting that is in full throttle! He displays an old man's helplessness and presence of mind while navigating a potentially explosive situation. Yes, there are situations where he talks at length about the need for universal brotherhood. But that is not preachy for the simple reason that it is interwoven into our daily life and viewpoints.
In a touching dialogue, the character he portrays refers to how the poor man's struggles continue irrespective of the injustices carried out by the Kings and Conquerors of history, who are still referred to as though a scorecard is enough to trigger a chain of violent events between people belonging to different faiths.
I was also impressed by the striking performance of the young actor who does the role of 'Rasool' in 'Kuruthi'. From the tone of his dialogues to the body language, he knew exactly how to portray 'Rasool' with effortless 'rage'.
In Kuruthi, we see that when humanity wins over violence, it is an old man's conscious act of compassion that sets free a caged human.
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