One-Line Review: Anjakkallakokkan stands out with its making and technical quality, delivering an outstanding theatre experience.
Abjakkallakokkan Youtube Trailer
Cast: Chemban Vinod, Lukman Avaran, etc.
Release Date: March 15, 2024
Director: Ullas Chemban
Introduction
Set in a fictional village near the Kerala – Karnataka border, the movie revolves around a crime and the people involved in and around it.
Though the film’s plot is very simple and straightforward, writer-director Ullas Chemban’s approach brings a refreshing twist as he infuses the folk theatre art form of Porattunadakam into the narrative and introduces the myth of Anchakkallakokkan.
~ Indian Express
Our rating for Anjakkallakokkan is 8/10.
Summary
Set in the 1980s, the story takes place in a fictional village named ‘Kalahasti’, near the Karnataka-Kerala border. An unknown assailant kills the landlord named Chaapra. As elections are nearing, the police officers of Kalahasti are pressurized to find out who’s responsible for the killing, along with all the pending cases.
Vasudevan joins as a police constable in Kaalahasti. Vasudevan is an innocent guy who is scared of witnessing screams, fights, cruelty, etc. The only solace for Vasudevan in such a place will be Nadavaramban Peter, who’s a senior at the same station with a soft spot for him.
Chaapra dies in the hospital eventually, which makes his two sons, known collectively as ‘Gillapies’, come to Kaalahasti looking for the person responsible for their father’s death. Slowly, the story starts to unfold, exposing the secrets and dual faces of the characters involved in the tale.
Review
The biggest plus point of Anjakkallakkokan is the way it’s presented. A simple story is delivered with top-notch visual quality and technical aspects that demand a theatre watch. If watched in a theatre with a good screen and Atmos system, Anjakkallakkokan will be a one-of-a-kind experience.
Even though it’s a simple plot, Ullas Chemban manages to keep you intrigued until the climax by revealing things in a dramatic way. Chemban Vinod and Lukman Avaran along with the rest of the cast, have delivered a very mature and neat performance. Whenever the story tends to slow down due to its narrative, Ullas throws in the Gillappie duo. The actors who performed these roles were just out of this world. Especially there’s a toddy fight sequence, which can easily be termed one of the best fight sequences to date.
Manikandan Ayyappa—a name to be noted especially. He’s responsible for the blasting score of the movie that elevated the entire thing to a different level. From the whole sequence until the end credits, it was Manikandan’s show throughout.
Rohit Variyath’s editing is the next best thing about Anjakkallakokkan. His style of cutting made the movie stand out as a whole. Chemban’s idea of narration as a tale, with an ample amount of action outlined in a folksy style, got a Western touch with Rohit’s cuts and Armo’s cinematography.
In short, Anjakkallakokkan stands as another proof of how Malayalam cinema is excelling in technical terms in all aspects.
Conclusion
Don’t miss Anjakkallakokkan on big screen, where it is made for watching. The movie is as interesting as its name!
