Loved Fahadh Faasil In Aavesham? These Are His Character's Cinematic Predecessors |
From Mammootty in Shylock to Nivin Pauly in Varshangalkku Shesham, Fahadh's Ranga is in good company, writes Neelima Menon |
THE game of dumb charades is all in good fun. After the first few rounds, it is Ranga’s turn. Cheered on by his troop, he gleefully enacts the name of the film. But when their deductions are all incorrect, although he continues with his act, Ranga’s grin has turned a bit lopsided. Soon the air is rife with tension as the participants realise that the “fun” has dissipated. Ranga’s face is turning grey, and they are aware that one wrong move will trigger a violent outburst. It’s a Fahadh Fasil tapestry that’s being unravelled here. Ranga is exaggerated and loud, yet everything about him is authentic. It’s a performance you haven’t seen before, it is so deliciously unpredictable. There is also nuance, naturalism, and a sense of lived-in reality. Aavesham is almost single-handedly propelled by this chit of a man spotting a handlebar moustache, wrapped up in whites, sporting chunky gold chains and flashy Ray-Bans. Though his fiefdom has plenty of yes-men at his beck and call, you can sense that Ranga is terribly lonely. He is a gangster with a peculiar backstory, and absorbing it all takes a while. Ranga comes armed with all the idiosyncrasies in the world. His Instagram Reels are unintentionally hilarious, and he frets about not getting enough likes. Maybe for those who are unaware of his folklore, Ranga could well be a comical figure. As a gangster though, you witness his might and how he instantly commands fear. Indeed, there are layers and layers to peel back. Of course, Ranga has had a few cinematic predecessors. Let’s take a look at them. |
First up is Rajamanikyam’s Bellari Raja, the buffalo trader who stormed onto the big screen in his garish silk jubbas, sunglasses, and ear-splitting local slang. But Manikyam, unlike Ranga, is showcased as a saviour. He is the exiled son who returns home to bail out his mother and wayward siblings from doom. On paper, Manikyam is a conventional mainstream hero, but it’s the quirky wrapping that adds a gleam to his persona. Be it punishing his brother-in-law, teaching his siblings some life lessons, or rescuing his men, Manikyam’s heroism is showcased with a side-order of mirth. Mammootty (an image-breaking role for the actor who was previously mocked for being unable to pull off comedy) aces the emotional intensity and the slang. Like Ranga, he seems to be a loner, and there is no love interest anywhere in the vicinity.
Similar to Ranga and Manikyam, Madhura Raja (Mammootty once again) in Pokkiri Raja (2010) has no love interest. There is the backstory of a young man who was banished by his father owing to a misunderstanding, getting separated from his little brother in the bargain. He grows into this flashy, friendly don in Madurai who prides himself on his (dreadful) English speaking skills. Again, he has a conventional mainstream hero template — the saviour who arises out of nowhere to rescue his family. The Madurai terrain justifies his filmi, loud exterior (gold accessories, white shirt-mundu), and a cliched good vs evil tale gets an entertaining, action-packed spin owing to the wackiness of Madhura Raja.
|
However, if there is anyone who matches Ranga in energy and intensity, then it has to be Boss (played by…Mammootty!) in Shylock. An otherwise dull, formulaic revenge action thriller is almost single-handedly salvaged by the maniacal presence of Boss, a ruthless money lender who loans huge sums to film producers. A character built as a fan service to a larger-than-life Tamil hero, the energy he unleashes while throwing a punchline, or picking a fight is formidable to watch. From his asinine laughter to his gait, facial expressions, and even his stillness that carries energy, Boss is an all-out entertainer. But take Boss out of the film and you end up with a vapid massy potboiler.
In appearance and dialect, Vijendra Mallaya in Chattambinadu aligns with Ranga. But he is more toned-down. Both wear whites, love accessories, and are Kannadigas. Again Mallaya, despite the air of formidability, is a soft-hearted don. In the village, he quickly slips into the garb of a rescuer. Like Raja and Manikyam, there is a backstory of treachery and misunderstandings. Mammootty once again charmingly exploits his Kannada-heavy Malayalam as a tool to add heft to this wafer-thin narrative laced with a multitude of quirky characters.
Among more recent fare, Nivin Pauly’s special appearance as Nithin Molly in Vineeth Sreenivasan’s Varshangalkku Shesham deserves mention for the absoluteness with which he inhabits the skin of a hilariously loud superstar who is going through a career slump. Nivin uplifts the dreary melodrama with his maddening intensity; he unleashes a hilarious beast on screen, throwing caution out along with his boy-next-door image, and provides genuinely laugh-out-loud moments. Stream Rajamanikyam here. Shylock is available to watch here. Never miss a Malayalam classic or new release, with OTTplay Premium's Simply South monthly pack, for only Rs 249. |
|
| This weekly newsletter compiles a list of the latest (and most important) reviews from OTTplay so you can figure what to watch or ditch over the weekend ahead. |
| Each week, our editors pick one long-form, writerly piece that they think it worthy of your attention, and dice it into easily digestible bits for you to mull over. |
| In which we invite a scholar of cinema, devotee of the moving image, to write a prose poem dedicated to their poison of choice. Expect to spend an
hour on this. |
|
|
Hindustan Media Ventures Limited,
Hindustan Times House, 18-20,
Second Floor, Kasturba Gandhi
Marg, New Delhi - 110 001, India |
|
|
If you need any guidance or support along the way, please send an email to ottplay@htmedialabs.com. We’re here to help! |
©️2021 OTTplay, HT Media Labs. All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
