Finally, after a gap of seven years,
Veteran Director Priyadarshan
and superstar Mohanlal are back
together in "Arabiyum Ottakavum
P.Madhavan Nairum in Oru
Marubhoomi Kadha", a light-
hearted film meant to evoke non-
stop laughter, mixing slapstick
comedy with amusing
wisecracks from Mohanlal and
Mukesh. To a large extend, the
director has succeeded in his
attempt though the story thread
is very thin. Along with Mohanlal
and Mukesh, others in the cast
are Lakshmi Rai, Bhavana, Suraj
Venjarumoodu, Innocent, Shakti
Kapoor, Mammukoya and
Lakshmi Gopalaswami.
P.Madhavan Nair (Mohanlal) is an
accountant in a Gulf based firm
owned by a Sheik (Shakthi
Kapoor). After years of toiling in
the desert, he is comfortably
settled. Suddenly, out of
nowhere, Meenakshi (Lakshmi
Rai) enters his life and after some
bizarre incidents, the two get
married. But there are more
weird developments and
Madhavan Nair finds himself with
an old crony Abdu Kupleri
(Mukesh), who had dropped in to
his office for some help. Soon the
two get involved with another
girl Ileana (Bhavana) whom they
found kidnapped and kept in a
car parked near the desert. What
follows is a roller coaster ride by
the three, full of fun and laughter.
The movie has tried it’s best to
be an out and out comedy and it
has managed to rake up laughter
on quite a few occasions. The
slapstick comedy is sometimes
monotonous with characters
slapping each other mechanically.
Spliced here and there, there are
a few smatterings of melodrama
to satisfy the pensive viewer.
Sadly, those who have seen
Priyadarshan’s previous movies
will be overcome with a feeling
of déjà vu, many of the scenes
resembling those from his older
films. But among the new
generation, the comedy and the
comical and absurd verbal
exchanges between Mohanlal
and Mukash will have quite a few
takers. Priyadarshan is at his best
when handling comedy and he
has shown his dexterity in this
film too, particularly in the first
half. Bhavana’s entry in particular
will evoke riotous laughter.
The silver lining in the movie is
the acting of Mohanlal and
Mukesh. Mohanlal drawing from
his acting repertoire, has given
an amazing and graceful
bringing back memories of some
of his previous flicks with Priyan.
Mukesh compliments Lal with
another sterling performance.
The two with their verbal
wisecracks and quick repartees
provide plenty of entertainment.
Bhavana and Lakshmi Rai have
limited roles which they have
managed without being
remarkable. Suraj Venjaramoodu
has the usual jokes while
Nedumudi Venu, Shakti Kapoor
and Innocent have not been very
noteworthy. Lakshmi
Gopalaswamy, however, has
impressed in her brief
appearance.
Priyadarshan wrote the script
which is hilarious but without
substance. Azhagappan’s camera
and M.J.Sreekumar’s music are
impressive. Editing by Suresh T.S.
is generally sound.
A light hearted entertainer, ‘Oru
Marubhumi Kadha” should be
seen as such. The movie is often
inane, almost empty of any story,
no message, but to spend time
away from the everyday worries
and anxieties, there may not be a
better choice. The plots are
absurd, the story is wafer thin,
but if you approach it with a
carefree heart, you will enjoy the
movie.
