Make no mistake about it, Valmeekam is a powerful and a poignant tale of murky politics. It is a realistic drama that takes off on the infamous Rajan disappearance case of the dark days of emergency.

But it is not about Rajan that the movie focuses on. It is in fact a love story that is set in that backdrop. The movie tackles head-on issues like naxalism and other bugbears of modern society.

S Rajaram, the writer, was well known to Rajan --- they were classmates. So that veneer of realism is guaranteed. In a poignant turn of events, the movie incorporates a song set to tune by Rajan (a firebrand leader) himself.

Valmeekam is a dark and brooding story that takes off from Krishnapriya, the lover of Rajan. This girl waits with hope for Rajan several years after his disappearance. Then there is also Commissioner Rajasekharan, a friend of Rajan, who also awaits his return.

But the cop Narikode Narayanan knows that Rajan won't come back. For it is at his hands that Rajan died. He owns up to the crime in the court. But he has to face up to inquisitions of Rajasekharan and Krishnapriya.

It is a cerebral and brooding tale that is dealt with lot of humanism.

It is a role of a lifetime for Manoj K Jeyan as Narikode Narayanan. Vineeth plays Rajan while the beautiful Meera Vasudev plays the character of Krishnapriya.

T S Radhakrishnan's music is another highlight of the movie.

John Ditto has directed the venture with plenty of care and conviction.