Aju Varghese and Dhyan Sreenivasan in 'Ore Mukham'Bathed in an old-timey sepia, “Ore Mugham”, the Dhyan Sreenivasan-starrer directed by debutante Sajith Jagadnandan, gives you a sense of vintage campuses. However, the honey-glazed frames appear to be a lazy way to create an atmosphere without a sound script and plot.
With an ensemble cast of youngsters led by Dhyan and Aju Varghese, one might expect a laugh riot. That the film is set in a Kerala campus of 1980s doubles your expectations. However, this time around, there is no room for laughter as the team has chosen to explore a different genre: thriller. But sadly, what becomes of it is a caricature, if not a spoof, of a campus thriller.
Prayaga essays the role of Bhama, a college girl, in the film.
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The film begins with a murder, and more bloodshed follows as it progresses. A ‘thrilling’ investigation by a police officer (Chemban Vinod) and a young woman journalist (Jewel Mary) tread on its heels.
Dhyan plays Zacharia Pothen in the film.The probe takes us back to the campus days of Zacharia Pothen (Dhyan) and co.
As hinted by the trailer, Zacharia is a baddie who turns good. Characters queue up on screen with the sole purpose of showing the true nature of Zachariah. The narrative ends in the present and the secret among the four friends is revealed.
The campus sequences will give you a sense of de javu as you must have experienced most of them on screen before. The ragging scene where the anti-hero is introduced, the male chauvinist dialogues that demean and underrate women, a clichéd canteen with a lady waiter, who is objectified... the list goes on and on.
Whether intentionally or not, Zacharia is modelled on several on-screen anti-heroes, including Mammootty's iconic Kuttettan. Dhyan may, some time, prove his versatility as an actor and turn an action hero, but not this time for sure.
The other main characters, including the heroine (Prayaga Martin), have nothing much to do and remain as mere supporting roles. A few scenes, including the one in the exam hall, are a comic relief with Aju taking the lead there.
The trite script warrants the music and background score, which is nothing extraordinary, though handled by a genius like Bijipal.
Offload all your expectations, before booking your ticket for “Ore Mukham”. It may entertain you.
Rating: 2/5
