INTRODUCTION:
Mahesh Narayanan’s fourth directorial venture, Ariyippu, is a Malayalam film that explores the moral crisis faced by a migrant couple who work at a medical gloves factory in Delhi. The film, which features Kunchacko Boban and Divyaprabha as the lead couple, is streaming on Netflix and was a competitor for the Suvarna Chakoram at the 27th International Film Festival of Kerala.
PLOT SUMMARY:
Hareesh and Reshmi are a couple who work at a medical gloves factory in Delhi, but their plans to temporarily stay in Delhi are disrupted when they are unable to secure visas for jobs abroad due to the Covid-19 pandemic. To make matters worse, an old video of Hareesh surfaces and circulates among the employees of the factory, threatening both their jobs and their marriage. As they try to unravel the mystery of the video, they uncover a web of lies and corruption within the factory, and Hareesh resorts to desperate measures in an attempt to clear his name.
SCRIPT ANALYSIS:
Narayanan’s screenplay for Ariyippu is simple, yet it delves into psychological depth to sustain audience interest. The film explores the gap between what is visible and what lies beneath the surface, and the masks that people wear to conceal their true identities and activities. The script also touches upon themes of anxiety, impulse, and the struggle to communicate and make oneself understood in the face of language barriers.
ACTING PERFORMANCES:
Kunchacko Boban and Divyaprabha deliver strong performances as Hareesh and Reshmi, respectively, bringing depth and nuance to their characters as they navigate their crisis. The supporting cast, including Kannan Arunachalam as Suresh and Lovleen Mishra as Smita, also contribute well-rounded and believable performances.
NEGATIVE ASPECTS:
There are no particularly negative aspects to mention in Ariyippu.
POSITIVE ASPECTS:
The film is well-written, with a compelling storyline and well-developed characters. The acting is strong across the board, and the film touches upon important themes such as the masks that people wear and the gap between appearance and reality.
TECHNICAL ASPECTS:
The technical aspects of the film, such as the cinematography and production design, effectively create the atmosphere and world of the film and enhance the storytelling.
CONCLUSION:
Overall, Ariyippu is a well-crafted film that tells a poignant and thought-provoking story. The script is well-written, the acting is strong, and the technical aspects contribute to the film’s immersive and compelling atmosphere.