Ajayante Randam Moshanam Review..!!

Many people had concerns about the lack of extensive pan-Indian promotions for ARM, especially compared to other past mollywood big releases. However, despite the film being released in multiple Indian languages, backed by prominent distributors in each state, The marketing was comparatively low. While the cast and crew participated in several interviews and events, the promotional push didn’t quite match the audience’s high expectations. This, however, seems like a deliberate and wise move, contrasting last year’s over-the-top promotions for King of Kotha, which built enormous expectations only to disappoint many. I don’t mention this to suggest ARM is a subpar film, but rather to highlight how excessive marketing can backfire – an issue the Mollywood audience knows well from the past. By steering clear of over-the-top promotions, the ARM team has smartly avoided creating unattainable expectations – a pitfall that has plagued several big-budget projects in Mollywood in recent years. Instead, they’ve allowed the movie to speak for itself.

ARM has all the right ingredients to captivate a family audience this Onam season, and it’s poised to succeed largely through word of mouth hopefully. It’s a film designed to resonate well with family viewers, ensuring its appeal and reach without the need for over-promotion. In ‘ARM’, we are introduced to three distinct characters: Ajayan, Maniyan, and Kunjikelu – each from different eras.

What truly stands out is that the challenge of portraying these vastly different characters, with unique mannerisms, appearances, voice modulations, and even body postures was taken on by a single actor. Tovino Thomas’s dedication to his craft is evident, as he skillfully brings these personas to life.  The film’s world-building, especially the opening scene, is exceptional, with a great narration from Mohanlal setting the tone of the movie. The backdrop is impressively crafted within the first few minutes, but the pacing slows down as the narrative progresses. While the story unfolds in a non-linear fashion, it has been presented in a way that remains accessible and easy for the audience to follow.

In terms of production, the set design and overall visual aesthetic are remarkable. Despite a few issues with the costumes, the use of pre-visualization helped a lot in the making. Before the release, some had huge expectations in the film like they had drawn comparisons to films with elements of time travel or high-concept fantasy, such as ‘Kantara’. However, it’s more accurate to describe ‘ARM’ as rooted in magical realism, where the supernatural elements are woven into the narrative sparingly and only where necessary, making the fantastical feel grounded and believable.

I really enjoyed the narrative structure, especially the way the three distinct time periods were interwoven throughout the film. However, there were moments of predictability, which slightly weakened the overall experience. This might be due to the fact that some elements of the story were developed quite some time ago.

The humor in the film was minimal, with Basil providing most of it. Unfortunately, the comedic moments didn’t quite land for me, though I appreciated that it wasn’t overdone. The restrained use of humor worked in the film’s favor, allowing the story to stay focused. One of the film’s more intriguing aspects is its subtle inclusion of the caste system as political subtext, which adds depth to the narrative. The cinematography, especially the drone shots, deserves special mention for enhancing the visual storytelling. My favourite character was Maniyan. Without him, the movie might have felt average. Every time Maniyan appeared on screen, I found myself reluctant to shift focus back to Ajayan. At times, I wondered if the film would have been stronger if it was centered solely on Maniyan, hoping this character will get a spinoff in future. While the romantic elements in Ajayan’s portion felt somewhat forced, they did tie into the film’s political themes, giving them some relevance.

The first half of the film felt a bit average, largely due to the predictability mentioned earlier. However, the second half picked up the pace and delivered a much stronger narrative. As for the action sequences, I have minimal knowledge about Kalari. It was well choreographed for me. The fight sequences outside of Kalari were also engaging. The portrayal of Maniyan as an ordinary thief who transforms into a near-supernatural force during combat was especially well-executed, blending realism with a touch of mythic intensity.

It was unfortunate that I couldn’t catch the 3D version of the film. While watching certain scenes, I couldn’t help but feel that they would’ve had an even greater impact in 3D. I’ll definitely consider a second viewing to experience it that way.

In conclusion, while it may not be an extraordinary film, it certainly delivers a solid theatrical experience. The team’s decision to rely on the strength of the film rather than unnecessary hype is commendable, and it’s likely to pay off. For me, Maniyan’s portions were the highlight, it delivered the level of excitement I had anticipated. This is a film that absolutely deserves to be watched in a theater. Debutant director Jithin Laal successfully brought his vision to life with impressive production quality. Perhaps due to it being his first feature, the mythological aspects were kept understated and not fully explored. That being said, I expect even greater things from him in the future.

Let ARM mark the beginning of more films set in the rich mythological landscapes of our land. There’s immense potential here, and I hope this film inspires more filmmakers to venture into this genre.

Compiled By Sree Nandan Chengannur