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A still of Rajesh Madhavan and Chitra S Nair in Rathish Balakrishnan Poduval’s ‘Surashanteyum Sumalathayudayum Hridayahariaya Pranayakadha’. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Ratheesh Balakrishnan of Poduval Sureshanteyum Sumalthaayudeyum Hridayahariaya Pranayakadha At its core, it’s a love story with lots of drama, music, laughter, thought-provoking lines and some adorable moments.
Spin-off of Rathish’s blockbuster Nana Than Case KoduThe film focuses on the romance between two memorable characters, Sureshan and Sumalatha, who appeared as witnesses in the previous film.
The film begins with Suresh returning home to attend his grandmother’s funeral. That’s when we meet his mother, his brothers and their wives. Their conversation revealed that Suresh had left home for some reason and has been missing for a few years.
Once he returns, Suresh and Sumalatha revive their relationship. To win the heart of his father Sudhakaran Nair, Sureshan’s friend suggested that he direct a play and cast Sudhakaran in the lead role. The entire story is told against the backdrop of theater and it certainly has its high points, as Ratheesh’s script seamlessly weaves the theater backdrop into the film.
Many iconic songs from Kerala’s rich theater tradition find a place in the script, but the question is whether the songs help the storytelling or the film. Some of the delightful songs composed by Don Vincente have the feel of theater songs.
Sureshanteyum Sumalthayudeyum Hridayahariaya Pranayakadha
Director: Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval
Cast: Rajesh Madhavan, Chitra S Nair, Sudheesh, Sharanya, Jinu
Story: Sureshan, an autorickshaw driver, and Sumalatha, a teacher, are in love. But Sumalatha’s father Sudhakaran opposes this marriage because they are from different castes. Suresh plans to produce a play to get Sudhakaran’s approval as he is crazy about theatre. Does he succeed?
as well as Nana Than…, Rathish has used an evergreen number from the Padmarajan classic Najan Gandharvan This also had a very good effect.
A daring narrative that blurs timelines and linear storytelling, however, the film has a bumpy journey and takes on a lot of passengers in less than two hours.
At times, romance takes a back seat as the comedy consists of clever satires on the current political scenario and conservative social mores. Ratheesh has filled the narrative with quirky characters who speak English and sometimes Hindi.
The first half of the film progresses with Sureshan’s efforts to revive the dormant passion for theater in the village. The excellent casting creates an array of memorable characters and the cinematographer frames the scenes effortlessly to bring subtle touches that enrich the scenes.
Post-intermission, the director tries to tie together the many threads in this character-heavy film, without diverting attention from the love story. A big task indeed. When the story is progressing smoothly, a speed breaker arrives in the form of Sudhakaran (a talented Sudheesh) who refuses to let his daughter marry her love because he is from a different caste. A hastily composed side track introduces the audience to Sudhakaran Nair’s family. Kunchacko Boban appears in a guest appearance as Kozhummal Rajeevan.
Rajesh Madhavan and Chitra S Nair reprized their roles as Sureshan and Sumalatha with gusto. His soulful acting and the film’s superb technical quality make it worth a watch, while the costumes, choreography, art direction and music are also top-notch.
Ratheesh’s theater festival is heart-touching and the actors grace the stage with their excellent acting. But due to excessive experimentation and too many deviations from the main story, it becomes difficult for the audience to keep up with the two heroes.
Sureshanteyum Sumalathayudayum Hridayahariaya Pranayakadha is currently running in theaters
