RDX – Robert Dony Xavier was released on August 25 (Image: instagram.com/shanenigam)
Debutant director Nahas Hidayath”s RDX – Robert Dony Xavier – a Malayalam Onam release, is currently creating a buzz in the Southern state. According to reports, the movie has earned more than 35 crores and is expected to cross 50 crores – a respectable box office collection in God’s own country. From film stars to politicians, everyone is in awe of the film, and the audience is also enjoying it.
So, what are the reasons for this movie, which doesn”t typically feature a star-studded cast and is released during Onam, becoming a runaway hit in Kerala and still making money?
[Spoilers ahead]
It”s a martial arts movie
The story of the film revolves around two brothers, Robert and Dony, portrayed by Shane Nigam and Anthony Varghese “Pepe,” and their friend Xavier, played by Neeraj Madhav of “Family Man” fame. They are all friends who have been trained in martial arts, especially Karate, since a young age. As the story unfolds, you will witness how the movie”s heroes can deliver powerful punches, with a standout performance by Xavier, who wields Nunchaku skillfully, using it to immobilize his opponents with its blunt force.
It”s been quite some time since Malayalam cinema witnessed a movie centered around martial arts or a story based on martial arts and its practitioners. This film comes with a bonus: Babu Anthony, the man who once filled Kerala theaters with his action-packed movies, featuring the tall, bearded, and long-haired man himself. However, while you may not see much action from the yesteryear action hero, when it comes to being the savior, he steps in and shows the audience what it takes to be Babu Anthony.
The antagonist and their group from the “colony” (yes, the old colony where the have-nots reside) are portrayed in a way that suggests the movie makers still need to mature in their approach to presenting social strata. The same cliché is repeated here: hooligans from a “colony,” led by a person from the “colony,” invade the “civilized” areas and disrupt them. Eventually, the well-behaved, wealthy heroes and their group triumph over the uncouth “colony” people. The writers seem to be stuck in the habit of portraying people based on their geo-social backgrounds, and they do so with a certain level of shamelessness, leaving the audience trapped in the same stereotype they are trying to depict.
Story of friendship
Although the story primarily focuses on the brothers and their friend, RDX emphasises the theme of friendship more than the concept of brotherhood, which is confined to limited conversations and scenes. 90″s kids will find themselves relating to certain scenes in the movie, such as the cricket matches, the use of old Malayalam songs, and the romantic moments.
Mahima Nambiar, often overshadowed by the male leads of the movie, delivers her best performance as Mini, the love interest. Towards the end of the film, her character transforms into a peace-loving housewife who attempts to help her old flame, Shane Nigam”s character, brightening up the scenes they share together.
On the antagonist”s side, it”s also the theme of friendship that drives the plot of revenge throughout the movie. Paulson, the antagonist and a role convincingly done by Vishnu Agasthya, returns from Mangaluru seeking vengeance for the beating his friend Seban received.
Philip, Lal”s father character, consistently turns to his friend Antony master (the Karate master played by Babu Antony) whenever he faces challenges within his family, whether they stem from the problems his children create or his struggles in understanding Robert”s approach to him after returning from forced exile.
Revenge, festivals and local fights
Recent Malayalam movies like Thallumala and Ajagajantharam re-introduced the concept of conflicts between local groups and how stories can be crafted around these disputes. RDX follows a similar pattern. It depicts a confrontation between two teams on a cricket ground, which escalates over the years, culminating in a massive fight scene at a local ground.
Similar to Ajagajantharam, Angamali Diaries, or Porinju Mariam Jose, RDX’ scenes are packed with festival at a local church, presumably located near Kochi. In another instance, a fight sequence occurs during the Kochi Carnival.
Whether it is the heroes or the villains of the movie, revenge is the key element that drives them. Although all three main characters are given equal importance in the movie, Shane Nigam”s character is driven mostly by the desire for revenge. Each member of his immediate family falls victim to the villains, prompting his return and subsequent quest for vengeance and returning from exile. It”s ultimately a revenge story.
The movie has everything, from romance to fights, comedy to a storyline that can keep the audience glued to their seats. The theatrical experience, along with the convincing background score and songs, has contributed to the movie”s ability to attract audiences through word of mouth, a tool that low-budget or second-tier hero movies can rely on. All these elements have contributed to the movie”s success, which is why it is earning a significant amount at the box office.
