With a star ensemble and a script writer who has proven his mettle, ‘Achayans’ did look promising. But the movie falls heavily short of expectations. For one, it couldn’t pack the punch while boosting Jayaram’s character, Roy Then, there was too much of unreal subplots and so called “fun” escapades that didn’t translate well on screen. It sure is a watchable movie, if we just blind ourselves to some of these capers. The thriller mode is only passable without really much to offer.
The movie packs all the ingredients for a masala entertainer. How much of it can be digested depends upon the sensibility of the viewer. Kannan Thamarakulam whose previous two movies – ‘Thinkal Puthal Velli Vare’, and ‘Aadupuliyattam’ were not much to talk home about, repeats his style of making in a different genre. While he tried comedy and horror earlier, this time it is a breezy investigative thriller.
Roy (Jayaram), Tony (Unni Mukundan) and Aby (Aadil) are of the same family. Rafi (Sanju) is their friend. Tony is the brat among them and he misses his own wedding due to an alcohol binge. He is sent to a correction centre only to be sent back. A journey back, meeting two women played by Amala Paul and Anu Sithara, a murder and its investigation is how the plot progresses. Plot wise there seem to a happening story here, but too many sub plots and excessive stretching of sequences along with a lack of punch spoils the effect. Sethu’s script is not a flawless one.
Jayaram sports a very stylish look and he does his role with customary ease. As mentioned above, his over the top heroic frames are a put off. Unni Mukundan as the perpetually drunk Tony is believable. Aadil and Sanju too handle their turf well. Amala as Reetha is seen in a new role with mysteries to her character. And she pulls it off with ease. Anu as Prayaga is again good. Prakash Raj is kind of wasted in such a movie but his presence onscreen is testimony to his talent.
The frames are colourful and the edits are fine. BGM and music are predictable. Kannan Thamarakuam needs to relearn his craft. The lack of a coherent script also does him in. There is no dearth of talent cast wise or technically. Its just that a movie needs to be sensibly taken. Even a mindless entertainer needs to have an artistic touch to be engaging.
‘Achayans’ needs to have been reworked in a different way. A more sharper script would have made it more entertaining.
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