Given the predominance of the so-called superstars and those associated with them, a debutant director casting new faces can never dream of making a film in Mollywood. The question as to why the Malayalam films are going out of the theatres in a flash remains unanswered.
No producer will pump money into a film directed by a newcomer with full of youngsters. But, you can see exception in Malarvadi Arts Club, directed by Vineeth Sreenivasan. The experimental 3 Char Sau Bees of Adoor Govindankutty and the commercially well-designed Malarvadi Arts Club top the list of films which hit the theatres in the Onam season. Govindankutty, who considers his 3 Char Sau Bees brought him his break in the Malayalam film industry as a director, is so happy that his film completed three weeks in 17 centres across the state, though not a crowd-puller.
Govindankutty had earlier blamed the attitude of some theatre owners for not giving him space to release his film. The shooting of the film was started two years ago and met with 15 schedule breaks owing to the non-cooperation from the people inside and outside the film industry. The film plunged into financial loss, said Govindankutty. “The light-boys to the theatre owners turned down the plea for help in realising my dreams,” Govindankutty said. Comparing with Malarvadi Arts Club, which got over 1 crore satellite right, the film 3 Char Sau Bees deserved better treatment from the theatre owners. Govindankutty had opted for a socially relevant climax, but he was forced to replace it with a commercial ending owing to the time limit.
The story line narrates the life of three engineering college students; Selvan (Govindankutty), Rahul and Zulfi (played by the actors by the same names) from the lower strata of society striving for a good job and better living. The trio, to match their friends in the college are in need of money to buy branded clothing and to ride on costly motorbikes, start to rob ATMs. The need to pick a Zod or Basics to wear and to match the stylish wealthy brats who have got power, the three friends are in search of money. They commit one crime after the other and fall prey to their own deeds. For the first time, the good side of the Tamil village Thiruttugramam, notorious for theft, is portrayed.
Kalabhavan Mani, Sukumari, Jagathi Sreekumar and other actors add professional touch to the film. The comedy scenes, especially the cameo played by Kalabhavan Mani in the mirror scene, stands apart.