Starring: Prithviraj, Roshan Mathew, Srindaa, Murali Gopy, Mamukka
Directed by: Manu Warrier
Genre: Thriller, Drama
OTT: Amazon Prime Videos
Language: Malayalam with English Subtitles
Rating: ****
Winning Points: Story, Dialogue, Performance, Cinematography
Drawbacks: Violence, Lack of depth in some areas
Religious bigotry and hatred, a peace-shattering societal agony, is as catastrophic as any unexpected natural calamity. Both wreak havoc, the fury of which none can escape. The oppressed, the dominant, the extremist, and the idealist are devastated by the former; the traveler, the bystander, and the ones within the safe walls of their homes are all drawn into the avalanche by the latter.
Malayalam film KURUTHI (Holy Slaughter) on Amazon Prime Video tries to bring this simple truth to the front page.
Story: Ibrahim (Roshan Mathew) is yet to come to terms with the loss of his wife and daughter in a devastating landslide that shook the hilly area a year ago. A devout Muslim, he now has doubts and starts questioning his faith. Disappointed with the way life has treated him, he looks forward to being with his dear daughter in heaven. His religious mentor tells him to pray when in doubt and listen to what the heart tells to do.
Ibru lives with his ill-tempered and sick father Moosa (Mamukkoya) and a partly-radicalized younger brother Rasool (Naslen). His neighbor and friend Suma and her brother Preman too are struggling to cope with the landslide tragedy. Unable to forget his wife, Preman finds solace in alcohol. Suma, in love with Ibru, helps the family of the three men with food, laundry, and other chores.
Life would have gone on this way for them in their tiny hillock but for that fateful night when Sub Inspector Sathyan (Murali Gopi) barges into their tiny home with Vishnu, a fanatic from the majority community who is on the run. In a fit of rage, Vishnu had murdered a senior shopkeeper from the minority community. While nabbing him and transferring him to the jail, the inspector and his constables are waylaid by men baying for Vishnu’s blood. The inspector needs a place to wait the night out and it happens to be Moosa’s home. Suma comes with food and she too is forced to stay back for the night.
With the arrival of the main antagonist Laiq (Prithviraj), all hell breaks loose and the hunter turns the hunted. Now there are US and THEM based on religion and hatred all the way. Irrespective of who is at fault, everyone has an opinion and strong affiliations.
Moosa, though ill-tempered and not knowledgeable, is practical and wise. As per him, the biggest curse of humans since time immemorial is their hatred for fellow humans; once kindled, it can burn down everything.
Performance: Considering the sensitive subject and violence involved, the performance of the entire star cast has an understated subtlety. The actor who stands tall is Mamukkoya as Moosa; he practices what he preaches irrespective of his age and ailment.
Prithviraj as the antagonist Laiq though makes a late entry, raises the tension multifold with his spine-chilling, stellar performance.
Srindaa’s Suma, the only female character with a meaty role, surprises everyone with her strong beliefs and reactions.
Roshan Mathew shines as Ibru; the lost soul who was thrust into a messy blood-and-gore affair, rises to meet the demands of every unexpected turn of events.
Murali Gopy’s subtle performance as the police inspector is short yet powerful, turning the story on its head.
Dialogues are hard-hitting and Cinematography excellent. The entire story unfolds overnight and the cinematographer and his camera play a major role in its success.
Our society is responsible for producing the likes of Laiq, Naslen, and Vishnu-men and women with a wrong sense of injustice meted out to them, ready to avenge, kill, and rewrite history. The MOVIE THAT NEITHER TAKES SIDES NOR PREACHES is an eye-opener to everyone. It’s left to the viewer to draw his/her own judgment. A MUST Watch for its relevance in our lives today.
Except for a slightly exaggerated and filmy penultimate scene and some amount of superficiality (should be excused considering the sensitive storyline), the movie is more real than reel.
Sudhas_Musings 