Movie Review Aakasathinte Niram 2012

Award winning director Dr. Biju’s “Aakashathinte Niram” is the story of a young burglar who stumbles his way into the path of an old man and who learns that there are more things in this world than he had ever thought of. Somehow the film reminds one of Jean Valjean and Bishop Myriel and the episode of the stolen candle sticks. Nedumuni Venu is a man of sixty odd years who lives in an isolated island and makes a living by selling handicrafts in the city once in a month. One day, he was followed and captured by a young burglar (Indrajith) who demands money. The old man remains calm and nonchalantly steers the boat to his island from where the young man is unable to escape. In the island, he meets some people who are living with the old man. One is a seven-year old boy, the other is a 20-year-old girl who is deaf and dumb, and the third is a middle aged man with a stammer. While living with them, and learning about the sea wind and nature, he comes face to face with different life situations and realizes that there is another side to life.

The movie shot in the beautiful Andaman Islands, brings out the vastness of the ocean and the intricacies of nature in all its glory. Man’s relationship with nature as well as with his own kind are portrayed with telling effect and the value of relationships is highlighted.

Acting is one of the high points with all artists performing solidly. Nedumudi Venu is generally good and at times exceeds himself as the old boatman. Indrajith has shown his versatility in the role of the young thief. Amala Paul and Anoop Chandran have made their own mark with some good acting. Master Govardhan looks effective in a cute role. Prithviraj appears briefly but imposes himself.

Visuals by MJ Radhakrishnan are awesome while Rabeendra Jain’s music deserves special mention. Art direction by Santhosh Raman is apt and cuts by Manoj and BGM by Isacc Thomas are also admirable. At some points, the film tends to be loud and melodramatic but with the limited use of technology to assist the director, the final product, one has to admit, is a splendid piece of work.

“Akashathinte Niram” belongs to a different genre of films with an offbeat theme about relationships, and though it belongs to the art film cadre, one leaves the theater with a feeling of satisfaction that you got more than what you bargained for. The amount of sincerity that has gone into the making of the film has to be deeply appreciated. Selection of the film to the Shanghai International Film Festival is an additional feather in Dr.Biju’s Cap.

Verdict: If you miss this, you will miss a good colour of malayalam cinema. - Rating : 4/5