Ustad Hotel: Delicious Old Sulaimani in New Cup !

I had been to Kozhikode last weekend and ordered for a "Sulaimani Chaya" in a modest hotel and was immediately floored by the difference in that tea. I couldn't tell what it was, but the tea in Kozhikode is unlike anything I've tasted elsewhere.

What makes a good movie and what separates one from an ordinary one ? It is exactly like making a "Sulaimani Chaya". It requires a certain amount of "Mohabbat" in it. The grand-father transfers some old world wisdom to his wonder-struck grandson as he serves him a Kozhikode special Sulaimani Chaya with that additional Mohabbat.

Anwar Rasheed arrived on the Malayalam cinema scene with the bombastic "Raja Manikyam" and followed it up with pretty ordinary "Chota Mumbai" and "Annan Thambi". He was also a part of the multi-cuisine "Kerala Cafe" where he constructed "The Bridge".

In "Ustad Hotel" he serves up some time-tested Kozhikode Biriyani and Sulaimani Chaya with same old ingredients but with a better packaging. Anjali Menon’s story of a grandchild coming to live with grand-father due to differences with his father isn't exactly new. The concept of an old, respected institution coming under attack of expansionist / capitalist forces and how the under-dog manages to survive the onslaught against all odds isn't exactly new to us either.

But what is new is Dulqar Salman's refreshing screen presence and his confident yet endearing approach. Veteran actor Thilakan lives another role as the righteous and generous grandfather Kareem-ikka like only he could have managed. Siddique as his ambitious son Razzack is efficient as always.

Nitya Menon has that permanently cute look about her and she sails through the movie with flying colors. Mamu Koya who also narrates the story of Faizal aka Faizee is in his own territory speaking a language he is most comfortable with. Lena, Sija Rose and co deliver decent performances as Faizee's elder sisters in limited scope. Overall the entire cast, including the band has done extremely nice job.

The movie is garnished with numerous one-liners and light-hearted moments that keep it flowing without ever becoming heavy or melodramatic. Asif Ali's "Alla, Amitabh Bachchan" is one such moment. Then there is a moment where a large family with countless children is shown with tongue in cheek humor without ridiculing anyone.

The movie begins with a man's obsession for a son shown with deft humorous touch narrated by the inimitable Mamu Koya. It has a blend of old and new symbolized by Thilakan and Dulqar respectively. Anjali Menon has also borrowed from a real life story of a man who feeds the poor and downtrodden.

There is a moment of genuine beauty when the grandson asks Karim, "Grandpa, why did my father become like this ?". A wistful Karim says, "Because his father didn't bring him up properly". It is both the lament of a father who realizes his own failure in life and the generosity not to blame his son for what he is today.

The story drives home the message with extreme subtlety, that change and progress are inevitable. Your product might be time-honored and good. But unless you change with times and reinvent yourself, you run the risk of becoming obsolete. So the respected yet shabby "Ustad Hotel" gets a face-lift and interiors done to suit the modern times but retains the same old Mohabbat in the Sulaimani Chaya and Karim-ikka's Biriyani as the new generation inherits the hotel.

Music is nice on the ears without being memorable, though "Ammayi Vattaayi poyi" is a rage with the youth. Technically and aesthetically the movie is top notch.

My verdict: Without delving too much into the story anymore, I would say, "Ustad Hotel is a delicious old Sulaimani Tea in a brand new cup served hot and hygienic". Go for it !