"Ozhimuri" : A Document of Resurrection !

A Document of Resurrection !

What did I feel while watching Madhupal's poignant "Ozhimuri". Even as I felt amazed by the story, Direction and fabulous performances by the star-cast, I actually felt sad. What was Shweta Menon doing all those years of her prime, acting in C-grade Hindi movies ? In the past 3 years or so, she has dazzled Malayalam cinema like very few people have and here she once again proves her versatility. 

"Ozhimuri" is the story of a 55 year old lady Meenakshi [Mallika], who files a petition for separation from her 71 year old husband while her son Sivan Pillai aka Sharat Chandra [Asif Ali] stands by her. The junior advocate Bala [Bhavana] fighting the case for the husband Thanupillai [Lal] tries to convince the teacher son to withdraw the case. 

The story is constructed with a series of flash backs narrated by either Sharat or Meenakshi interspersed with court room proceedings. There is realistic touch to the proceedings. The Kanyakumari background fits the story because of the Tamil - Malayalam cultural clashes becoming the subject of discussion in a subtle manner.

A movie unravels the story of a man shown as one who beats up his wife and son for no reason and is shown as cruel and heartless. The wife, who is seeking divorce or "Ozhimuri" never once blames him of being a bad man. She in fact admits he was a great father. The son, who openly hates the father gradually comes to realize his inner feelings for his father. In the process, love blossoms between advocate Bala and Sharat.

How the dominating Matriarch Kaalipillai, played with absolute elan by Shweta Menon becomes responsible for the entire happenings forms the crux of the story. One more feather in her cap. But the movie definitely belongs to Lal who plays the henpecked wrestler Sivan Pillai and his woman hating son Thanupillai and is a serious contender for a lot of awards this year. He is just magnificent in every single frame.

Mallika plays perfect foil in a landmark movie of her career. This role will be remembered for long. Bhavana excels as Bala and Asif Ali would be another contender for supporting role awards. Nandalal as Thanupillai's side-kick gives another splendid performance after "Spirit". 

There is light-hearted yet completely realistic reference to the traditions of the Nair society before and after the reforms. How most houses did have wife-beating husbands also is shown in a matter of fact revelation by Bala. Though the younger Bala advocates restraint and reconciliation, the older lady Meenakshy wants separation even after admitting her husband was not at all a bad man. 

The final realization of the reason for "Ozhimuri" comes across as a real clincher. We get to see a witch of a woman refusing to believe her son refused to see her when the Sun was setting on her. It shows us how a man who detested his mother all life breaks down after performing her last rites. 

There is a son scared of becoming like his father and his girlfriend who tells him that he is not different from his father and that there was nothing wrong with that. The domineering mother-in-law's affection for the naive and good at heart daughter-in-law is shown beautifully. And finally, it shows the daughter-in-law who always admired and respected the mother-in-law finally realizing her words, "A woman must never surrender her self-respect to a man".

This is one of the most outstanding stories told on celluloid in recent times and Madhupal has made a superb "document of resurrection". It resurrects the life of a father and a husband and a son and a wife. In the process, it also resurrects Malayalam cinema from "Mr. Marumakan" and "Cobra". A subject as complicated as 'Divorce' of an elderly couple is told in a real life manner with very little dramatization and the movie doesn't slack or bore at any time.

My Opinion: Those who don't understand Malayalam and the cultural ethos of Kerala may not relate to this movie. But every Malayalam movie lover MUST Watch this !