Malarvaadi Arts club

Vineeth Sreenivasan's debut film, Malarvaadi Arts club is a small film with a big heart, for it brings back that smile on to your face after a long time. You tend to celebrate certain moments in the film with so much of satisfaction, that you almost forget that the immensely lovable characters you see on screen are just a result of intense paperwork and passionate film making.

The story happens at a village named Malarvaadi, near Thalassery. Prakashan, Praveen, Purushu, Santosh and Kuttu are the only members of Malarvady Arts Club. They are graduates who have virtually nothing else to do other than fighting for a local political party. Nedumudi Venu is Kumarettan, their mentor who runs a tea shop at the village.

Malarvaadi Arts club is about simple characters with innocent emotions and 'sweet' is the word that best describes this film. The screenplay is nothing great, but the dialogues are smart at most parts. But there is a clear 'Rock on' inspiration post intermission, which is a letdown. Technically, the film is sound, with good editing by Ranjan Abraham, who never failed to impress us. The music by Shaan Rahman is a revelation; especially "Maanya maha janangale...", "Innoree Mazhayathu..." and "Kaathu Kaathu...". Cinematography by P Sukumar is neat, with interesting frames and great lighting.
Though the screenplay is inconsistent and turns ridiculous at certain parts, the film manages to steal your heart with some captivating performances by the leads. Out of the 5 big launches, Purushu is undoubtedly the pick of the lot; Take for instance, the scene in which he asks for Geethu's hand in marriage; the young actor handles the situation with so much subtlety that you forgive the flaw in the script. Santhosh is a charmer, Kuttu sizzles with his comic timing, Prakashan looks gritty & Praveen does his job well. Saleem Kumar shines with his comic timing, and so does Suraj. But its Nedumudi Venu, who comes up with a brilliant act; the emotions he brings on screen are of first rate.

Ultimately director Vineeth Sreenivasan emerges as the very soul of the film. He treats every scene with so much of passion and love that you tend to forgive certain evident directorial errors. Malarvaadi Arts club is not great cinema and is far from being perfect, but sure is a promising debut from the director. Forget the faults and celebrate this film, for it oozes sincerity and is an honest tribute to friendship. Watch it, for its refreshing and new.

Rating: 3/5 (Recommended)