‘Pallichattambi’ review: Tovino Thomas leads an emotionally charged period drama which feels too familiar

‘Pallichattambi’, starring Tovino Thomas, marks the actor’s return to the period drama space after the commercial success of 'Ajayante Randam Moshanam'. Unlike his previous outing, which leaned into fantasy, this film, directed by Dijo Jose Antony, roots itself in a fictional story shaped by the political currents that influenced Kerala’s history.

Mounted on a grand scale, the film is set in the mid-20th century, around the time when the first Communist government under EMS Namboodiripad came into power. Tovino Thomas plays the titular character ‘Pallichattambi’ or the Church strongman in the movie, who is dealing with his own traumatic past, while also teaching a group of youngsters in the village to fight against their arch enemy, the Communists.

While the trailer hinted at something along the lines of Prithviraj’s ‘Vilayath Buddha’, a more mass-driven entertainer, ‘Pallichattambi’ stays true to the spirit of a period drama, and even goes on to serve as a history lesson with some good effort in serving as a reminder of the liberation struggle in the 1950s and 60s in Kerala. In some scenes, Dijo and writer Suresh Babu blur the boundaries between what is real and fictional. For example, a key scene in the film unfolds between the church leaders and the Communists. In this scene, a young man introduces himself as Chandy from Puthuppally, as he walks away after delivering a crucial message to the priest played by Vijayaraghavan.

In style and making, the film follows a traditional, time-tested pattern of emotional storytelling typical of period dramas. At a time when recent films are being lauded for their unique approach to relationships, ‘Pallichattambi’ is less experimental. The film centers on a hero who becomes the savior of the woman he loves (played by Kayadu Lohar), as well as the helpless people battling external forces. This makes the storyline too familiar, but despite that, the filmmakers manage to make the film engaging by skillfully weaving emotional depth into the narrative.

The relationship between the protagonist and his sister stands out as one of the film’s most heartfelt elements, especially at a time when films like ‘Vaazha 2’ are being celebrated for their portrayal of sibling bonds.

The action sequences in ‘Pallichattambi’ are also commercially appealing, with Tovino Thomas delivering a strong performance, particularly in the high-intensity action scenes. As a filmmaker, Dijo has consistently been vocal with his political statements, whether in films like 'Jana Gana Mana' or 'Malayalee from India'. In 'Pallichattambi' too, he delves into layered political themes. This time, however, he steps away from overtly powerful, dialogue-driven moments, choosing instead to let his characters speak subtly, but nonetheless drive home a message.

A special cameo, intended to elevate the film, does succeed to an extent, though it doesn’t leave a lasting impact. Even so, it is interesting to see the makers bring together two prominent Mollywood stars in the same space.

Kayadu Lohar, who won over Malayali audiences with her performance in 'Pathonpatham Noottandu', appears as a theatre artist. Despite limited screen time, she makes a noticeable impression. Supporting actors like Baburaj, Vijayaraghavan, and Alexander Prashant also play significant roles, adding weight to the narrative.

Jakes Bejoy, known for his recent work in films like 'Lokah' and 'Narivetta', once again delivers a strong musical score, with songs like 'Kaattuchembakam...' standing out. The film also experiments technically, featuring some striking camera work. Overall, ‘Pallichattambi’ mixes both emotion and drama effectively, even if its treatment feels somewhat familiar.