Indian Rupee

Pranchiyettan and the saint (PATS) which released last year was a movie that invigorated my love for Malayalam cinema. Needless to say Renjith's follow up to it 'Indian Rupee' was very highly anticipated. My enthusiasm to watch it increased when i saw the many wonderful reviews it garnered from almost all critics in Kerala and outside including megastar Mammootty. However after seeing the film i have come to understand that we cannot always rely on the opinion of othera as a sole means to judge a film. Except for a good performance by the principal cast consisting of Prithviraj,Tini Tom, Thilakan,Lalu Alex Revathy and Rai the director renjith has not succeeded in reproducing on screen magic as he did last year with the multiple award winning 'Pranchiyettan'. The story follows 2 young men trying their best to get rich overnight. Although the movie tries to depict the struggles and challenges involved in the real estate business the plot appears clichéd at many places and hence the story falls flat. Even the music except for the theme fails to impress. Nonetheless its not completely unwatchable but at the same time there is not much remarkable as well. Here's hoping that Renjith's next film will succeed in mesmerizing audiences worldwide.

The Trailer

You go into Indian Rupee expecting a Ranjith phenomenon. While you are still wheeling under the influence of that last peg of Praanchiyettan, within the first 15-20 mins you kinda feel that maybe so in Ranjith. The Thrissur accent has been replaced with a Kozhikodan, the Thrisivaperoor circle has been replaced by the Paalayam angaadi, the Vadunkunnathan temple with the Mananchira Square, but of course our much scorned Prithvirajappan is no replacement for Mammooka! But, as the movie progresses you realize that unlike the light-hearted entertainer that was Pranchiyettan, Indian Rupee has a more involved script. Flawed though in its attempts by some weird camera angles, disconnected sub-plots and lack of a coherent continuity, the movie succeeds in putting across the dilemma of today's new generation of entrepreneurs. To an extent it reminded me of Rocket Singh from last year. Main difference being that our protagonist is no longer a dreamy eyed innocent victim. Here, he is what all entrepreneurs ought to be, less dreamy and more street smart.

Title Credits

The first half is kind of a let down.

* Prithviraj proves that he is no Mammooka when it comes to accents. He sounds uncomfortable with the Kozhikodan accent and the comic dialogues.

* The 'romantic' song was a major pain to sit through. C'mon, grown-up doctors swaying to a song with candles in their hand. I wouldn't do that even in Engineering college final year!

* The mother, sister, murappennu characters are now too old and clichéd. But yes, there is a novelty in Ranjith's perspective to these characters now

* Ranjith loses track of the plot trying to establish the Real-Estate lingo and Thilakan's character

* Sub-plots involving Suresh Krishna and Kalpana are a little overdone with emotions

The only saving grace in the first half and of course one of the strongest drivers of the movie is Thilakan. In short, this performance can be summed up as an 'AMMA-kyu vili' to all those stars and organizations and producers guild and what-nots and who's-who's, who are trying desperately to sabotage his career. Little do they realise that by banning him they are not banning an individual but the potential for improving malayalam cinema. Without commenting on his personal life, it was a pleasure to see a character so well-etched for this versatile actor. After years, someone has written a character worthy of Thilakan. At the age of 75, there is only one other actor who I think could have pulled it off. But then again even Clint Eastwood would suck if he had to play a Malayalee character! No award can do justice to this man's contribution to Malayalam cinema.

Interval

Innovative has bad seats, no coffee, bad sound system, but easy tickets and accessibility

Climax

The second half of the movie was a breeze, no doubt. A tight script and powerful portrayal by Prithviraj, who by now is doing what he is best at, acting smart, keeps the audience guessing. On a serious note, I think the poor guy has taken enough flak for his 'frank' interviews and for that of his wife's. Let's focus on his performance which is pretty good. Of course he has a loooong way to go and he is definitely no Mohanlal or Mammooty or even Indrajith. But let's accept it, no Kunchacko Boban or Jayasuriya would have fit this role as well as he could. Commenting on other performances

* Jagathy, is but a natural

* Rima looks good in her deglamourized avatar. Acting, well, ignored.

* Tini Tom, looks a little under the hangover of Praanchiyettan. He gives a good 'am right next to the hero in all scenes' performance

* Revathi's cameo adds a charm to the movie

* Mamookoya with dyed hair and an evil touch is a little out of place

Closing Credits

Overall, Indian Rupee has a good, tight script, which keeps your brain processing while you are watching the movie. It could have done better with a more organised first half. I learnt a few good lessons and terms about the Real-Estate market in Kerala and also that Thilakan is very much alive n kicking, that Prithviraj can try to act and that Ranjith has his flaws. The movie is able put a message across out without preaching, that there is a very thin line between success and ethics, in cheating and in being a cheat. And yeah, loved the last scene. Keeps you hopeful about the future generation of Malayalam cinema. So, audience, please stop making Krishanum Radhayums and Velayudhams successful and then blame it on deteriorating standards of Malayalam cinema. It only proves that your tastes are deteriorating and not that of Malayalam cinema.

The End

3/5 Stars

I would call it an average movie for a director like renjith. The story is good, the actors chosen to perform each of the characters are apt. The story revolves around the city calicut and the director has managed to apply the calicut flavour of malayalam wherever possible in addition to the specific locations of the city that support the story as well. Prithviraj proves that he still has room for growth in acting. Thilikan performs his regular style that does impact the story in a positive way. No unnecessary songs that spoil the flow of the movie. These add to the positives. Now, looking at the negatives will be the lack of pace in the screenplay. There are many places in the story where you have to wait to get the actual idea the character is trying to project, especially in the climax where the character jayaprakash changes his decision to face a critical situation in his life. There is completeness in the story especially in the end where 2 characters take over the work of JP(prithviraj) and CH(Tom), showing that the world just goes on with its affairs , only the people change. But still some scenes where unnecessary, avoiding them could have improved the impact on the viewer. Its neither bad nor good for an expectation that we will have from a renjith movie. So its an average movie. You can watch it once.

"dreams that money can buy" would be a thought which every stupid common man nurses in his mind. And things can go real crazy if you freak out enough to kindle those thoughts. Eventually, u ll feel that it isn't greater than your loved ones or your life. Indian Rupee tells the story of such a stupid common young man who fight against the odds to make it big. It might not sound a novel subject, yet it never felt hackneyed. In fact "Indian Rupee" was appeasing and amusing alike, thanks to Renjith & Crew.

Real Estate Business which is the centre plot gives the catalysis for the story to move through. Prithviraj as JP, the protagonist, was really good - his best after "Vasthavam". He wears a 'mundu' through out the movie, and to my amazement, his comical timing and looks were perfectly congruous for the "thani naadan malayalee chekkan" we get to see in our neighborhood. Thilakan as Achutha Menon was awesome, and so were the other characters. I didn't like Rima kallingal as the female lead though, she seemed totally lost as the middle class girl who is the love interest of the protagonist. Nevertheless, I wouldn't complain about their chemistry, it was okay.

The songs were cute and melodic, the screenplay wouldn't be the best thing about the movie. The character of Achutha menon was mysterious throughout, but then in the end the narrator(Renjith) gives an explanation too. The climax wasn't the best to be, though i loved the part where two new guys - Asif & Fahad - takes over the story from there, succeeding the protagonist. I could feel shades of some malayalam movies of the late 80's, inexplicably, shades of some characters played by young mohanlal in Prithviraj's character - even in his portrayal.

Word of mouth would do good for the movie, needless to mention i fell for it, but didn't turn out to be a block busting affair (excuse for inventing a new phrase) as such. It's pure feel-good movie which would enthrall you if u can visualize yourself in it. And if u are a serious movie buff, watch it for sheer brilliance of Renjith, though he's nowhere near his best.. 7/10

Ranjith has already said that you are not in Prithviraj in India. Prithviraj is acting as Ranjith and says that he does not believe in the words. But when we look at the film, we have to admit some things. The hero of this film is Prithvirajalla. But money is just like the name of the picture. Indian money for lifeless objects The influence of that money is the core of this image. There is another character who plays the role of a hero in the movie too. That too is not Prithviraj. Actor Vishwaroopam is realist Thilakan