Sureshinteyum Sumalathayudeyum Hridayahariyaya Pranayakatha Review: Simple But Powerful And Beautiful
It seems like Malayalam film industry in no way wants to stop the creative experiments going on currently. The aesthetic explosion has now spread to the latest release Sureshinteyum Sumalathayudeyum Hridayahariyaya Pranayakatha directed by Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval, who is famous for Android Kunjappan Version 5.25, Kanakam Kaamini Kalaham and Nna Thaan Case Kodu. The movie featuring Rajesh Madhavan and Chithra Nair in the lead, Sureshinteyum Sumalathayudeyum Hridayahariyaya Pranayakatha (SSHP) takes the viewer to the level of the craftsmanship of Lijo Jose Pellissery”s Amen and Sibi Malayil’s Devadoothan.
Like both the classic movies, SSHP’s visual and auditory feast exudes aesthetic beauty through its enchanting storytelling and visual artistry, and the film”s ethereal atmosphere is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, combining hauntingly beautiful cinematography with enchanting music, and rich cultural and political elements. Pothuval’s use of color and light enhances the emotional and comic depth of the story, while the whimsical and surreal elements add a unique artistic flair.
Though the movie is marketed by some as a spinoff from the director’s most important work so far, Nna Thaan Case Kodu, a striking blend of humor and social commentary, presented with exceptional finesse, SSHP doesn’t go to the main thread or the story of Rajesh Madhavan and Chithra Nair characters (Suresh and Sumalatha) mentioned in the 2022 movie, but the visual narrative in the new release is marked by its authentic portrayal of rural Kerala, captured through vibrant and earthy cinematography that contributes organic charm to the film. Each scene is crafted with a keen eye for detail, highlighting the cultural and social fabric of the Kanhangad region in the Northern Kerala.
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The nuanced performances of each character, Rajesh Madhavan as Sureshan Kaavunthazhe, Chithra Nair as Sumalatha, Sudheesh as Sudhakaran Nagar, Jinu Joseph as Johnson, Sharanya Ramachandran as Suresh”s sister in law and main cast member of a drama he plans to lure his love among others complemented by a well-curated soundtrack, enhance the film”s appeal, making it a visual delight.
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The presentation of the movie is not of a normal romantic movie. The SSHP discusses most things we see in real life. It has dialogues that connects the current political situation (eg. When a dejected Suresh sits on a bus in a Sanyasi attire, the bus conductor asks him: Are you going to Parliament? When a question asked and that rhymes with one of the most discussed words in our political lingo, Suresh asks: ED? When Suresh runs away from his village and passes through different political hoardings of both Kerala’s left and right…). The content and conversation is charged with political allegories everywhere in the movie.
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Then comes the biggest elephant in the Indian social psyche: Caste and reactions of the society when questions about identity is raised. One scene in the movie kills off the hegemonic nature of a castiest by asking him questions and giving it back to him by revealing his real genealogy. There would be questions about whether this can be a method to address the caste problem, but in the movie, with one trick at a time, it is being addressed. And the projected lower caste people never shy away from expressing themselves, and one way they always stick with is their communication – in critical moments, they choose to speak in English and many in the family are educated and working as government employees. As I wrote, they are addressing the issue, with one trick at a time.
Movies effectively use drama, in the theatrical sense, to convey ideas by harnessing the power of performance, dialogue, and mise-en-scène, and Sureshinteyum Sumalathayudeyum Hridayahariyaya Pranayakatha does this really well. As in Devadoothan, Aattam and Amen, the theatrical drama in this movie emphasises heightened expression and structured storytelling, which helps the film to engage viewers emotionally and intellectually. Through carefully crafted script and powerful performances, characters” struggles and triumphs resonate on a deeper level, allowing audiences to connect with complex themes and moral dilemmas.
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The staging of scenes in the movie, much like in theater, uses symbolic settings, lighting, and props to enhance the narrative”s thematic elements. These visual cues and dramatic techniques create a visceral experience, guiding viewers to uncover underlying messages about human nature, society, and existence. By blending the realism of film with the expressive intensity of theatrical drama, Sureshinteyum Sumalathayudeyum Hridayahariyaya Pranayakatha creates a compelling medium for exploring profound ideas, bridging the gap between entertainment and thought-provoking art.
Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval, with Sureshinteyum Sumalathayudeyum Hridayahariyaya Pranayakatha, ventures into another experiment and emerges victorious with the help perfect crafting in everything.
Timeline rating: 4/5
