In retrospect, another thought was how one is judged by money and material and the way materialism affects life. ‘Vismayam’ is an engaging movie that tells a soulful tale. It is a family drama with suspense, love, kindness and camaraderie thrown in.

There are four distinct yet interconnected tales. Sairam’s (Mohanlal) story is that of an ordinary man working in a store at his wit’s end following a series of events to get himself a promotion. In that story itself, there are certain elements like the young girl’s appeal to find her father, the goon’s need for the money et al lending an emotional quotient. Now Gayathri (Gauthami) is a typical housewife, who is being disrespected umpteen times due to her financial status. The incident at the gold shop, the professor and the lucky charm sewn in a bag brought for her son et al are again heartfelt. Another trajectory that makes a great impact is Mahitha’s (Raina Rao) story. The street boy whom she befriends and his missing case are beautifully shown. Another segment is Abhiram’s (Viswanth Duddumpadi) love story in which this studious boy falls for a rich girl.

Money and possessions are being alluded to repeatedly in all these segments. The case of one lakh rupees which Sairam raises to free his ‘adversary’ at work, the humiliation that Gayathri faces due to her lack of finances and allusions to her lending stray amounts to the professor and the job offer later on, the rich girl’s attitude to the love professed by Abhiram and much heart rending is the sketched coins on papers cut out using the cap of cool drinks, the boy being taken to beg alms and much more - all these did make me think of how much materialistic attitudes rule perceptions and actions.
This is the movie’s strength. It does make one think back on how much we are influenced by a blatant ‘need’ to get ahead using any means and how money rule us. It reinforces family values and promotes love. Some could find it preachy, but for me, the narration was so entertaining that the ‘preachy’ tone was totally submerged in the good old sentimental sequences and an intriguing narrative style. The movie does cater to middle class values and adhere to pre-conceived notions to portray the characters, like how the wife chooses to remain back in the end in spite of being a gold medalist (the typical choosing the family over career in spite of support from her family), the class portrayal et al. Also the movie mixes the fantastic with the real. Though clothed with a realistic veneer, there are cinematic sequences which can happen only in reel. This mix is fine and does not jar.

The four lead characters have done well. Mohanlal lives as Sairam. The little boy with Raina has also done well. Urvashi plays the part of Gayathri’s confidant with consummate ease. Director Chandrashekar Yelati has done a neat work and the fitting together of the puzzle has a great impact as the climax rolls. The technicalities of the movie including the cinematography and editing are flawless. Songs are passable. The heart touching sequences which dots the entire narrative is what gripped me till the end. ‘Vismayam’ is one gem of a movie which is sure to touch that sensitive spot we always try to hide.