Khalid Rahman's 'Thallumala' starts on a colourful note, wasting no time to reveal that the movie rides on a new generation vibe. From the onset, we are introduced to several funky characters, who seem to thrive on brawls and fist fights.
Their bond with the protagonist and each other is revealed only in intervals, as the story is told in a non-linear fashion.
Normally directors use the non-linear narrative to tell stories of a serious genre. That Khalid Rahman has used this style in a simple, light-hearted film, is truly praise-worthy, especially as he pulls it off successfully.
True to the title, the movie is packed with fights, mostly ego-centric ones. However, unlike in action movies, there is no hero here to deliver the kicks. Fights break out between a couple of guys who feel satisfied after exchanging a few blows. The dialogues, delivered in North Kerala accent, are peppered with humour.
'Thallumala', is a stylish film in many ways. Wasim, the protagonist, played by Tovino Thomas, is a jovial, carefree youth who dresses smartly, but has anger issues. He can't resolve a problem without flexing his muscles. His squad of friends shares the same qualities because of which they all seem to instigate trouble, consciously or unconsciously.
Unlike Khalid Rahman's debut venture 'Unda', which resorted to a mild narration while exposing social issues, 'Thallumala' is more of a jovial experiment in terms of technique and narrative.
The use of technology and graphics resonates well with the youth who can also relate to the characters because of their spontaneity and their lack of fear of consequences.
Music and songs by Vishnu Vijay play a crucial role in setting the tone of the movie, which does not have a solid storyline, though it revolves around Wasim's desire to marry social media sensation Beepathu, aka Fathima Beevi. What happens on the day of their marriage drives the story forward. Writer Muhsin Parari, who had initially planned to direct the movie, has a clear idea of what the movie needs.
Though Tovino is Mollywood's youth icon, it is Khalid who seems to have used his youthfulness in the best manner possible. Tovino's energy is unmatchable in 'Thallumala' and it is a delight to watch him dance and fight like a pro. That he has pulled off each scene with so much grace is a testament to his hard work over the years.
Kalyani looks chic and is a pure delight to watch, though she does not have much scope for dialogue delivery. However, the ease with which she carries herself as the vibrant Fathima Beevi, is appealing. The rest of the cast, including Shine Tom Chacko, Lukman, Johny Antony, Binu Pappu have all put up amazing performances. The colourful costumes by Mashar Hamsa gell well with the movie, a pure entertainer
